EAGLE SCOUT

Allan earned his Eagle Scout rank this past spring. While we were celebrating his graduation from high school, we decided to have his Eagle Scout Court of Honor while some of our family was in town. I am not sure how wise it was to plan 2 "big" events within 3 days but we did it and in the end, all went well! Allan started his scouting as a Tiger Cub in first grade. It was the year our church started a scout troop/pack. Robert was trained as a leader and served as Tiger Cub Coach that very first year. As Allan progressed through the ranks of cub scouts and then a boy scout, Robert followed him every step of the way. It was our goal to support Allan in his quest for Eagle rank but Robert had never planned to be in scouting with Allan all 12 years! However, as the need for leaders never seems to go away, he decided to stay involved and make sure that our troop stayed active. Many thanks go to all the dads who sacrifice their time to help these young men mature and reach their goals!!

We are so proud of Allan for staying the course even in those times that he wanted to give up. He persevered and accomplished the highest rank a Boy Scout can earn! Allan's Eagle Scout Service Project was trail improvement at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center. He did a great job planning his project and overseeing the work. I was proud of the maturity he showed when he had to approach businesses for donations of materials for his project - something that would have been way out of my comfort zone and I am sure was somewhat out of his. All of the necessary materials were donated - lumber, concrete, slag, telephone poles, even some of the food for the lunch we prepared for the volunteers on the "big" work day!

Scouting has been an important part of Allan's life throughout the past 12 years. He has learned so much through service projects in the community, earning merit badges, attending summer camp, and building and racing pinewood derby cars. I am thankful for the opportunities he has had through scouting and hope that one day he will have a son of his own to guide through scouting.