“Do a good turn daily.”
The official Boy Scout slogan is simple, but not always easy to follow. Alvin Orrico, a sophomore at Santa Fe Catholic High School, should know — he has been a loyal scout for five years.
Alvin is a member of Troop 734, chartered by Cork United Methodist Church. It the fourth troop he has been part of. Because of his father’s military career, the Orricos were often on the move.
Now, Alvin is working on earning his rank as an Eagle Scout. His project will help veterans and friends of his father, who are members of AMVETS Post #44.
Foreign Trailhead
Alvin joined Boy Scouts as a sixth grader, in Germany, where his father, Dan Orrico, was stationed at the time. He and the troop camped all around Germany, France and Switzerland.
One trip stands out in Alvin’s memory. He and his father once joined about 2,500 scouts on Normandy Beach around D-Day. A developer had announced interest in building on the beach, but out of respect for the site’s history, the scouts gathered to try to head off the project.
Traveling throughout Europe and having hands-on opportunities to learn about military history were experiences that he wouldn’t trade for anything.
“Having those kinds of experiences made me really appreciate my father’s military career,” he said.
After living all around the world, Alvin returned to Florida before starting eighth grade. Dan Orrico finished out his 30-year military career on a tour in Afghanistan.
When Dan Orrico returned to Plant City to reunite with his family, he joined the AMVETS Post #44 in Brandon. Now, the Orricos are frequent visitors to the post, and Alvin has built relationships with many of the other veterans there.
It was those relationships that led to the idea for his Eagle Scout project.
Building a Fire
Though Alvin’s brothers also participated in Boy Scouts, neither of them reached the Eagle Scout rank. He is excited to be the first in his family to be honored in this way.
Before Alvin turned 15, Dan Orrico made a deal with him.
“He was floundering in scouts a little, not progressing in his rank,” Dan Orrico said. “So I told him if he got his Life Scout, he could get his driver’s permit.”
The incentive worked. A year later, Dan Orrico came up with a similar plan: In order to get his driver’s license, Alvin would have to first become an Eagle Scout.
But the license isn’t Alvin’s only motivation. He is aware of the accomplishment’s lifelong value.
“I’m told by a lot of people that not only will I appreciate it now … but I’ll appreciate it 30, 40 years down the road, because you’re always an Eagle Scout,” he said. “It’s a high badge of honor. Not a lot of people have it.”
To earn the title, Alvin has to complete a project that will benefit the community. He decided that his project should focus on helping the veterans at Post #44.
Many veterans drive their motorcycles to the post, but there is no covered parking. Alvin noticed that on sunny days, the bikes’ metal parts were too hot to handle. And when it rained, riders would walk outside to a soaked seat.
To solve these problems, Alvin got the idea to build an awning over the motorcycle parking area. He shared his idea with the president of the post, who ran with it.
“He really liked the idea, so he brought me in front of (the board),” Alvin said. “They immediately said yes and donated.”
The total estimate for the project is about $2,000. Alvin has been making presentations to businesses and organizations around town to ask for donations.
“He’s done a real good job on raising the funds,” Dan Orrico said.
The project has almost been completely approved, but a county permit requires a professional engineer to sign off on the feasibility of the design. Alvin is working with an engineering firm in Tampa to complete this step.
Other than plywood, metal sheeting, and red, white and blue roofing materials, the supply list is pretty simple.
“20 to 30 scouts, and a lot of power tools. No hired work,” Alvin said.
After the completion of his Eagle Scout project, Alvin doesn’t expect to leave Boy Scouts behind. He still hopes to go to campouts and maybe become a troop leader.
“I don’t believe in investing six years of my life in something, and then just dropping it,” he said. “A lot of people hide it and are ashamed of it, but I’m proud of my scouting. It teaches me about leadership and builds a lot of qualities that a lot of people tend to miss growing up.”
JOIN IN
Alvin Orrico still needs to raise some of the last funds for his Eagle Scout project. To donate, contact Dan Orrico at danorrico@gmail.com. Any extra money left after the project will be donated to AMVETS Post #44.