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Three Gloucester teens to receive Eagle Scout rank

By Quinn Allen-Wardell
Correspondent
Published: October 12, 2008

Three young men, members of Gloucester's Boy Scout Troop 60, have each completed a project that in some way benefits younger children. Each will be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, the Boy Scout's highest honor, in November.

Kyle Clayton, David Copeland and Matt Conley will join the fewer than 5 percent of Boy Scouts, who achieve the Eagle rank.

"It's not an easy task," said Bill Copeland, the troop's advancement chairman and David's father. As the advancement chairman, he kept the Scouts on track towards achieving the 21 merit badges required for the level of Eagle Scout.

"Becoming an Eagle involves a lot of work," he said.

On their way to earning the rank, Scouts must first come up with an idea for their "Eagle Projects." Each Scout must pick a creative project that exemplifies both his organizational and leadership skills and benefits a community or non-profit organization.

"They pretty much have to take the project from start to finish with little to no help," Copeland said

The scout then must work a minimum of 100 hours on the job and provide an extensive write-up. Finally, he must go before a board of review consisting of two district officials and two people of his choice.

Conley, 18, a senior at Gloucester High School, created a safe haven for local children by clearing up a playground area at Wellspring House, an emergency shelter for victims of domestic abuse and their children in Gloucester. The non-profit agency is dedicated to helping families move out of poverty and get back on their feet.

"It was something I saw as a need," Conley said. "There was a place for kids, but it was all overgrown with weeds and roots. Now kids can actually get there and play."

David Copeland, 17, a Marblehead High School junior, helped out at the Shore Lea Nature Center in Marblehead by cleaning up the surrounding area, installing a flag pole, creating log benches and painting a room inside the center. The center is used by the Audubon Society, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from around the North Shore, and other groups to learn about nature and history.

"I had a couple of options and I wanted to do this one. It turned out well," Copeland said. "I had 24 people working with me by the end of my project."

Clayton's project consisted of washing and fixing walls and painting the two-story Youth Ministry Recreation Room at the Cavalry Christian Church in Lynnfield. "The storage room was so messy you couldn't even walk in it. So I thought 'I should clean that out, too," said the 18-year-old. Besides clearing the storage room, the recent Gloucester High School graduate organized the room.

"We're all very proud of their work," Bill Copeland says. "All three of these guys have been involved in the organization for over 10 years and they all truly deserve this honor."

They will be awarded the Eagle Scout rank at an Eagle Court of Honor at Gloucester City Hall on Nov. 1. State Sen. Bruce Tarr is expected to make an appearance in order to present state recognition awards.

Staff photographer Roger Darrigrand contributed to this story.

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