RISING EAGLE SCOUT TO DELIVER VIRTUAL REALITY TO CHILDREN IN HOSPITALS TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF HIS BROTHER

Eagle Project Aims to Offer Sick Children a Virtual Escape

Gavin Campbell, a dedicated scout for ten years after losing his brother Ty to cancer, has embarked on the final phase of his Eagle project. His mission: to bring joy and respite to young patients in hospitals where his brother was once treated, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine (NYP/WCM), and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), by providing them with virtual reality sets.

Reflecting on what inspired his project, Gavin shared, “My brother spent more than 260 nights in the hospital throughout the two years he was treated for a brain tumor, and I can only imagine how tough and lonely that must have been. My Eagle project offers kids in hospitals the chance to virtually escape their hospital room and visit cool locations, or to participate in games that can double as a way to create movement and rehabilitate muscles after so much time in bed,” said Gavin.

An Eagle project is an extensive service endeavor undertaken by the members of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to achieve the highest rank of Eagle Scout. It requires the acquisition of 21 merit badges, the demonstration of leadership, and a significant amount of time and energy applied to plan, organize, lead, and manage the project. Only six percent of all BSA members achieve the honor of earning Eagle rank.

Gavin was just 3 ½ years old when his brother passed away. Seeking solace after the devastating loss, his family introduced him to the Boy Scouts of America, where he found great reward in the achievements demanded of him as he moved up the ranks. On July 11, 2024, Gavin wrapped up his project by personally delivering the popular META virtual reality sets to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.