Honored to earn the distinction of Eagle Scout, Jonathan Owens said it’s about the journey. Joining an elite group of only approximately 8 percent of all Boy Scouts, the Kingfi sher High School junior recently achieved the honor which is respected throughout the world. A member of Scouts BSA (formerly Boy Scouts of America) Troop 30 in Bethany, Owens has been going to campouts, learning life skills, adding merit badges and enjoying the experience since he was in first grade. Working his way through the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and the last rank before Eagle Scout, Life Scout, he’s earned over 30 merit badges along the way. Owens is the son of Jason and Mandy Owens. Mandy is band director at KHS and Jason is a marketing and graphic design specialist and serves as the troop’s Scoutmaster.

Recalling many camps he’s participated in and other Scout activities, Owens said they’ve all been different and special in their own way.

“Each campout has its own story,” he said.

From hiking to the highest point in Oklahoma on the Black Mesa to working with friends to earn a movie making badge, he’s enjoyed a wide variety of Scouting experiences, he said.

“It’s difficult to narrow down one favorite experience, because they’re all different,” Owens said.

But one of his favorites comes naturally.

With a passion for collecting “rare and obscure items, antiques, VHS tapes and other things,” Owens said attending Trappers’ Rendezvous in Kansas is at the top of the list.

In January, troops descend on the camp with wares in hand to engage in bartering of all kinds, he said.

Tables are set up along the path for Scouts to present and trade a variety of different items.

“You can trade for almost anything,” Owens said.

In exchange for cow skulls he scavenged from his grandfather’s ranch (and other items), Owens said some of the treasures he’s acquired include a squirrel trap, an entrenching shovel, old computer games and a 1927 airplane lighter.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Owens said, “it was kind of expected that I would gain my Eagle Scout and it’s something I wanted to achieve.”

Scouts must spend at least six months at each rank attaining knowledge and badges as well as hold a leadership position within the troop, Owens said.

Currently serving as troop guide, Owens has previously held positions as senior patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, scribe and chaplain’s aide.

To attain Eagle Scout, 21 badges are required including citizenship, first aid, cooking, emergency preparedness, personal fitness, camping, family life as well as other beneficial life skills.

As a Life Scout in preparation to become an Eagle Scout, Owens needed to develop and complete a community service project.

Brainstorming to come up with a good service project, Owens said he contacted Chisholm Trail Museum Director Jason Harris to see if any projects needed to be completed at the museum or Seay Mansion.

Ultimately, he decided to refurbish a pavilion on the museum grounds.

With the help of his grandfather, Johnny Crawford, who is a general contractor, Owens developed the plans and secured materials and equipment for the project. Owens also organized a team of volunteer troop members to assist with priming and painting the gazebo as well as adding flooring using stone pavers.

Local businesses donated many of the materials and the project took about five days to complete last fall, he said.

With many troop members volunteering to help, Owens said at times the project was “overmanned” and one of the biggest challenges was just keeping everyone on task.

During the project, the troop repainted the gazebo, leveled the floor and installed pavers and they did an amazing job, Harris said.

“Often neighbors and visitors sit at the gazebo to eat lunch or visit and the work Jonathan coordinated will help extend the life of the gazebo and make it more user-friendly,” he added.

Grateful for all the support, Owens said he couldn’t have completed the project without his grandfather’s help, his parents’ encouragement and involvement, along with his fellow troop members.

“My mom was the main motivation keeping me focused on completing the steps to achieve Eagle Scout,” he said.

Owens is also a member of the KHS band and studying computer repair at Chisholm Trail Technology Center.

When asked if he had any encouragement or advice for future Boy Scouts hoping to attain Eagle Scout, Owens said, “It’s definitely worth the experience.”

Enjoying his final days as a Scout, Owens said he’s looking forward to one more Trappers’ Rendezvous before he turns 18 in February.

“I’ve gained so many experiences, I could talk for hours about the things I’ve done and the people I’ve met,” he said.