Four Eagle Scouts Honored

Justin Smittkamp, Eric Eason, Neal Gerber, and Jeffrey Hirsch, new Eagle Scouts with BSA Troop 72, Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dave Burchett)
Boy Scout Troop 72, sponsored by Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Boulder, held a Court of Honor on December 20, 2008, for four new Eagle Scouts: Justin S. Smittkamp, Eric V. Eason, Neal G. Gerber, and Jeffrey V. Hirsch. To earn Eagle Rank, each young man earned at least 21 merit badges, served in a leadership position with the Troop, and carried out a major service project to benefit the community, planning and organizing the project, soliciting donations of materials, and coordinating a team of scouts and adult volunteers who performed at least 100 hours of service on each project. Eagle Rank is the highest rank in Boy Scouting and fewer than five per cent of all Scouts reach this honor. Justin Smittkamp’s project was rebuilding the fence and back steps behind Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. This included removing and replacing the concrete and support structures along the alleyway. Justin, a 2007 graduate of Boulder High School, is a sophomore at the University of Northern Colorado, majoring in Business. Eric Eason’s project had the Troop build more than 50 nest boxes for four different bird species. In conjunction with the Colorado Department of Wildlife, the boxes were installed around several lakes in the Fort Collins area, improving both the bird habitat and opportunities for visitors to observe nesting birds. Eric is a senior at CU, where he is a dual major in Applied Math and Engineering Physics. Neal Gerber’s project was with the Boulder County Open Space Department. His team repaired, painted, and cleaned several picnic areas and campsites on Flagstaff Mountain, and refurbished the historic shelter, Halfway House. A 2008 graduate of Boulder High School, Neal is a freshman at the University of Oregon, majoring in Biology. Jeffrey Hirsch’s project involved repairs, maintenance, cleaning, organizing, and painting for Attention Homes, a youth shelter in Boulder. Attention Homes provides residential treatment, counseling, and housing to at-risk youth from ages twelve to eighteen. Jeffrey is a senior at Boulder High School, and is currently playing for the Colorado Rapids Development Academy Soccer Team.