Seven family members rise to Eagle Scout
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers ACHIEVEMENT—Eight young men accept their new rank of Eagle Scout. Front row from left, Dallin Scruggs, 15; Spencer Call, 15; Michael Lang, 18; and Thomas Lang, 16. Back row from left, Jason Snow, 18; Danny Lang, 19; Dean Lang, 18; and Jonathan LeFevre, 16.

Seven relatives and a close friend, most from Westlake Village, earned Boy Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, on Nov. 25. The young men of Troop 755 are the third generation of their family to achieve the prestigious honor. All are between the ages of 15 to 19.

Brothers Michael and Thomas Lang and their cousins, Danny Lang, Dean Lang, Jason Snow, Jonathan LeFevre, Dallin Scruggs and friend Spencer Call, were awarded the ranking at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Westlake Village. Scruggs, a cousin from Utah, traveled to Westlake to participate in the ceremony. Nearly 200 people were in attendance.

Some of the boys attend Westlake High School, while others are in college in Utah or Idaho. Several of them plan to participate in church missions; their career goals include oral surgery and teaching physics at the college level. All have been involved in Scouts since they were young children.

“Scouting doesn’t just help us grow up; it helps us become men,” Danny Lang said.

Each boy had to complete a major project as the final step in earning Eagle Scout.

Michael painted the student store and a world map on the playground of Westlake Hills Elementary School. Tom built and painted park benches for the National Park Service. Dallin collected clothing, toys and diapers for a Utah YWCA Teens with Babies program. Spencer cleaned up and repaired the obstacle course at Colina Middle School in Thousand Oaks.

Jonathan prepped and painted a large barn and Danny cleared brush and prepared and stained the training arena for Ride On Therapeutics in Thousand Oaks.

Jason painted and installed 35 feet of wrought iron fencing for security at Westlake High. Dean cleared brush and trails and did bridge repairs at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills.

The combination of their hundreds of hours of work has made a difference in the community, said Reed LeFevre, Jonathan’s father, adding the Scouts had lots of support. Dan Lang, Danny’s dad, and Dan Ord are former leaders. The current scoutmaster is Rex Bergsma, who oversees about 15 participants in the troop.

“It is also important to recognize those people and leaders who had an impact in the lives of these young men in helping them to achieve their Eagle,” LeFevre said.

Five of the boys were mentored and inspired by their grandfather, Rudy Lang, an Eagle Scout who grew up in Studio City. The ceremony had been put on hold until Lang, who had suffered a stroke, could attend. Lang, who now lives in North Ranch, is credited by the family as being the inspiration, mentor and teacher for the family.

“The boys are very close with him. He is wheelchair bound and they helped their grandma taking care of him at night,” Dan Lang said.

Rudy Lang’s grown sons, Jake, Dan and Dean, became Eagle Scouts, and his daughter, Julie Hutter of Westlake, married an Eagle Scout. The siblings and their cousins grew up together and settled near each other so their own children could enjoy their childhoods together, too. Their children were among those who achieved the honor last month.

“I wanted to duplicate this experience for my kids,” Lang said. “This has been good for the kids. Someday they’ll be backpacking with their sons.”

The troop has been in existence for 35 to 40 years, according to Dan Lang. The boys have enjoyed many activities together, including backpacking trips through the Sierra, journeys that were sometimes perilous, added Lang.

“You sleep under the stars, swim in frozen lakes, sit around the campfire doing what boys do— telling stupid jokes and burning things,” Lang said. “Some of my fondest memories and closest bonds with friends and family are from being in the back country.”