My path to Eagle is one that I will never forget. I put forth a lot of time and effort onto it.
My Eagle project was one of my favorite things I have done. I installed two recycled benches into the newly placed playground at the New Hope Baptist Church in Jamestown Indiana.
We built them in January with excellent help from my Troop, parents, and past Eagles. It will definitely be some things to remember.
Scouting has definitely bettered me as a person. It has an experience I wish every boy could have. I want to thank the teachers that came for being amazing mentors. The other parents in the Troop for being good influences. I would like to also thank all of the boys in my Troop for the help and kindness they have bestowed on me. Lastly I would like to thank my parents for everything they have done for me, I would not have made it here without them.
Once an Eagle, always an Eagle,
Drake Baker
Eagle Scout for 2016-2017
Many people don't realize that in the 1860's Thorntown had a larger population of African Americans. Known as the "Colored Cemetery", this is the their final resting place. For my Eagle Project I raised over $1,700 in through donations, grants and a corporate sponsorship to restore the cemetery. After nine months and 325 volunteer hours I installed the official "Indiana Heritage Cemetery" sign on September 4th, 2017.
After my project the Sugar Creek Historical Society, in a partnership with Boy Scouts of American accepted a $15,000 grant to protect and preserve this pioneer cemetery. The grant will pay for a period appropriate fence to be installed as well as a Indiana Historical Marker. The fence will be installed in October 2018 and the marker in June of 2019.
Reece Thompson
A website has been dedicated to the restoration: http://eagleproject.homestead.com
