James Collins, Jr.
Troop number and community:
Troop 7, Buttonwoods
Month and year you earned your eagle:
May 2009
My Eagle Scout project was to make handmade knotted rosary beads to send to our armed forces overseas. My goal was 200, and in the end, my community, troop, and I were able to make over 700 rosary beads.
What are some highlights of your Scouting experience?
My Scouting experiences have been outrageous. I was able to meet many different Scouts that loved to do the same things I did. As a team, we learned how to work together and get things done no matter what stood in our way. I was also able to travel to many different places outside of my city and community. It was very fun to visit places such as New Hampshire and be able to hike many different mountains. The best part about it was that I felt safe. Overall, I really had fun learning many different things that I had never even thought of. Things such as: fishing, backpacking, cooking, lighting fires, and first aid. All these things I still use today, and if it was not for Scouting, I would not know how to do any of this.
Scouting has been important to me for a very long time. It has taught me how to be a leader and to work as a team with others. Most of all, we are all equal. By becoming an Eagle Scout, I learned that leaders are not just the people at the head of the pack. They are not the people that have great rights. A leader is a person who steps up and guides a group that is in need. A leader can be anyone. All someone has to do is step up and have the courage to know and believe that they are doing the right thing. Scouting is also important to our community and our nation. After 100 years, Scouts have learned basic skills along with leadership skills. These skills allow Scouts to be able to help their community and nation whenever possible, even in the deadliest situations. They are there when there is a fire. They learn how to survive even when there’s a blizzard. They are there at no cost, just to help. A true Scout leads his troop, community and nation into a safer place. And he helps everyone for nothing -- nothing in return, only to serve.
Justin Furtado
Troop number and community:
Troop 51, Warwick
Month and year you earned your eagle:
December 2008
For my Eagle project I collected food items from around the community and shipped them to an impoverished area in rural Kentucky. I followed the boxes to Kentucky as part of a school service trip. What are some highlights of your Scouting experience?
The highlights of my Scouting experience are just getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life and just hanging out camping with friends I wouldn't have had without Scouts.
Explain why Scouting has been important to you and why it's still important to our community and nation after 100 years:
Scouting is important because it teaches boys how to be leaders in an environment where their voice will actually be heard. Because boys are leading boys, the younger Scouts look up to and respect the older Scouts who are leading. You can't learn that kind of leadership anywhere besides Scouting.
Nick Grande
Troop number and community:
Troop 7, Buttonwoods
Month and year you earned your eagle:
July 2009
I collected money, school supplies and arts supplies for the Boys & Girls Club.
What are some highlights of your Scouting experience?
I loved receiving my BSA Lifeguard patch and learning about how to survive in the wilderness with the Wilderness Survival merit badge, along with all the campout I went on.
Scouting creates an environment for boys to learn about the real world and how they can put things they learn into their daily lives. This creates new leaders for the world today and for the future.
Michael Lyman
Troop number and community:
Troop 183, Warwick
Year you earned your eagle:
2009
Restored the Summit Baptist Church grounds, a historic site located in my hometown of Coventry.
What are some highlights of your Scouting experience?
Camp Yawgoog, high-adventure trips like kayaking and mountain climbing, memories of pranks and games played on campouts.
Scouting creates a strong bond between everyone involved in it, strengthening communities and creating the best memories many young people will ever have.