Nicholas Smith Mapped Casino Point Dive Park for Eagle Scout Project

2015-11-02

Nicholas Smith of Boy Scout Troop 384 was awarded his Eagle Scout at a ceremony held at Temecula Civic Center on Sunday, October 25, 2015. Nicholas, a national winner of the Kohl’s Kids Who Care completed his accomplished trail to Eagle earning 54 merit badges and having the privilege of attending the 100th Anniversary Boy Scout Jamboree. Nicholas learned to sail, dive, and scuba as a young scout.

Nicholas, now an advanced diver and underwater videographer mapped out the underwater dive park located at Casino Point, Catalina Island for his Eagle project.  The dive park ranges in depth from 35’ to 103’ and is one of the most popular dive sites in the State of California. The map was then transferred to a 5’ x 3’ exhibition sign which was installed at the entrance to the dive park. Five underwater trials to specific destinations are indicated by directional compass headings, feet to destination and the depth at each trails’ destination. Historical pictures were researched and restored for diver visualization, including a point of interest honoring Jacques Cousteau, two shipwrecks and the historical Catalina Dive Bell. Also included on the exhibition sign was the designation of the park’s “Protected Marine Sanctuary” and pictures of marine and plant life that divers and visitors to the park can expect to see.

Nicholas was awarded Cub Scout of the Year in 2005 for his efforts in organizing “Operation Backpack Fun.” Temecula Valley rallied behind Nicholas in his efforts to collect 15 tons of new clothing and toys that were airlifted on two C-131’s to Louisiana, following Hurricane Katrina. Since that time, Nicholas has joined his troop in a 2-day community wide recycling program that generated $10,000 in rebuilt computers for foster children and deposed of over 50,000 pounds of e-waste. In 2010, Nicholas testified before the Riverside County Board of Supervisors on behalf of San Diego State University’s Ecological Reserve Education Program, supporting the annexation of the Santa Margarita Watershed into the City of Temecula. Nicholas has been an active volunteer with Special Olympics and is a certified lifeguard and instructor in First Aid.

Nicholas, a senior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School  is an International Baccalaureate student in Film and plans to continue his education in the film industry next year upon entering college.