Beech Tree News Network

Grant Newland has earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was honored with an Eagle Court of Honor on Saturday, May 14 to recognize this achievement.  Grant is the 17-year-old son of Donna & Mike Newland of Morgantown.  Grant joined Cub Scouts Pack 208 in 2005 when he was six years old.  During his time as a cub scout, Grant participated in a week-long day camp at Phil Moore Park as well as several overnight campouts at Camp Wildcat Hollow in Russellville KY.  Grant earned his Arrow of Light in 2010 as a Webelos Scout.  The Arrow of Light represents the highest achievement in Cub scouting.  After moving up to Troop 208 for boy scouting, Grant attended summer camp at Camp Roy C. Manchester with his troop every year from 2010 through 2015.  He also served his troop as Quartermaster, Bugler, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, OA Representative, and Troop Guide.  In 2014, after attending summer camp during week one at Camp Manchester, he volunteered to be a counselor in training (CIT) for the next two weeks of summer camp.  During his time as a CIT in 2014, Grant assisted the camp counselors in the nature area as well as the Eagle Bound area.  In 2015, Grant served as a paid counselor in the arts & crafts area for the entire 2015 summer camp session at Camp Manchester.
To become an Eagle Scout, a boy scout candidate must have earned the rank of Life Scout, be active in your troop, serve in a troop leadership position, and earn a total of 21 merit badges, including all of the Eagle Scout required badges.  Among these required badges are Physical Fitness, Personal Management, Cooking, Swimming, First Aid, and Emergency Preparedness.  Finally, a service project benefitting a religious organization or the community, in general, must be proposed, approved and completed.

Grant began work on his Eagle project in the fall of 2014 by planning to build a sundial for the Good News Community Center.  The planning phase of the project included meeting with the owners of Good News, Gene & Connie Poole, describing his project, and obtaining approval to start the project.  The project was started in the spring of 2015, and successfully completed in September of 2015.  Grant performed some fundraising as well as meeting with some local businesses to secure the necessary materials and expertise to complete the project.  We would like to thank the following businesses for their support.  Gene & Connie Poole of Good News Community Center, Marty Jones of Jones Funeral Chapel, Junior Kelley of Kelley Fabrications & Equipment Repair, Chase Ingram, of Final Finish, and Derick Coots of Coots & Sons Masonry.    We would also like to thank Randall Bratcher for his help, guidance, and expertise, as well as the Scouts and parents of Troop 208.