News

Goins youngest Scout in Robins Troop 220 to earn Eagle award

  • Published
  • By Amanda Creel
  • 78 ABW/PA
Robins Air Force Base, GA --  Saadiq Goins is 12 years and nine months old.

And being three months shy of 13 is a significant factor in Saadiq's recent success. Those three months earn him the honor of being the youngest Boy Scout in Robins Troop 220 to earn Eagle Scout.

"I am pretty impressed with him," said Jerry Brown, Scoutmaster for Troop 220.

Mr. Brown added it is Saadiq's maturity and drive that make him an ideal candidate for Eagle Scout.

Saadiq said he was both nervous and excited about becoming an Eagle Scout.

"That's pretty much all the emotions I can handle right now," he said.

To earn Eagle Scout, Saadiq had to complete a community service project and earn 21 merit badges. Saadiq's service project was to fence an area at his church, New Hope International Church, for use as a playground area.

Saadiq said he chose the fence project at his church, "because it was my church and they said they were going to build a playground, and you can't have a safe playground without a fence."

Saadiq's mother, Danielle Goins, said she and his father, Master Sgt. Santiago Goins, are so proud of their son, especially because his choice of projects proves he does listen to them.

"We always told him to give back to our church," Mrs. Goins said.

Along with overseeing the construction of the fence, Saadiq had to raise the funds for the supplies and materials needed for the project.

Saadiq earned more than $2,000 and the church donated the remaining funds needed.

"I sent out letters and e-mails to all my family and friends. Then when they sent money, I would send out thank you letters," he said.

To ensure the fence was built to the proper specifications for a playground area, Saadiq enlisted the help of Andy Thompson, owner of Town and Country Fencing Inc.

Mr. Thompson was on-hand as a professional consultant as the Boy Scout troop and other volunteers joined together to erect the fence under the direction of Saadiq.

"I am so proud I found Mr. Thompson because none of this would have been possible without him," Saadiq said.

He added that Mr. Thompson was just one of two men who helped make his idea of fencing the play area a reality. He said Denny Horton, maintenance director for the church, was also instrumental in his success.

The fence is a huge safety benefit for the church because it gives them a safe place for their young members to play Mr. Horton said.

"We haven't had anything to help us keep them contained. We have been talking about putting a fence up for awhile, but Saadiq helped speed up the process," Mr. Horton said. "We were waiting on money and it wouldn't be up right now if it hadn't been for him."

The fence, which measures 70 by 80 feet, is divided in half to ensure younger and older children have a safe play area during church activities.

Mr. Horton said the fenced area was larger than the church had expected, which would be a great bonus for the children's ministry.

Though Saadiq achieved Eagle Scout, he says it is just the beginning. "I will never quit scouting not until I am too old for it, and then I will be an adult leader," Saadiq said.