BKW senior Drew Joslin recently completed his certification to become an Eagle Scout as part of his affiliation with the Boys Scouts of America. A member of the organization since first grade, Drew has centered his commitment to his school community through his service and strategies to help others. Mr. Joslin’s Eagle Scout project, which rehabilitated a walking trail in the Town of Westerlo, was selected as the Rip Van Winkle Council 2023 Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year. The Rip Van Winkle Council has also submitted the project to the National Eagle Scout Association for consideration as the National Eagle Scout 2023 Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year. He officially reached the rank of Eagle Scout on Dec. 26, 2023.
Drew’s project went beyond just rehabilitating a walking trail at the Town of Westerlo Veteran’s Memorial Park. The project rebuilt two bridges, replaced three benches, created an easy-to-use information kiosk, updated the trail system map, and placed trail markers. Now officially named ‘Heroes’ Way,’ it’s now a recreation space to walk, reflect and reminisce. The trail provides a place for veterans, military personnel, and first responders to go and decompress. The newly built kiosk holds crisis intervention information for members of those groups who are struggling with mental health issues. The project included 55 volunteers who donated over 400 volunteer hours. Drew also raised $4,700.00 which also provided an additional donation of $1,695.00 to support Folds of Honor (a non-profit that gives scholarships to family members of those who died in the Line of Duty, including deaths from suicide).
“This project will play a significant role in helping veterans and first responders with mental health issues,” said Joslin. “We are seeing an impact for those struggling, and that was the goal of this project. We are excited to see it make positive changes for those seeking support moving forward.”
This project was one of the final steps for Mr. Joslin to secure his final scouting achievement, becoming an Eagle Scout.
How difficult is it to reach Eagle Scout?
Becoming an Eagle Scout is no easy accomplishment, with only eight percent of ALL scouts in the nationwide organization achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in 2019. To put it into perspective, only about six percent of all Scouts BSA members earn Eagle, making over two million Eagle Scouts since 1912.
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