Eric Boyd earns Eagle Scout ranking with project at church

Eric Boyd of Boy Scout Troop 751 was recently added to the list of young men earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

For his Eagle Project, Eric chose to install a flagpole at the Community Church of Joy, Sammamish, where Troop 751 holds their meetings, and where the Boyd family attends.

Scouts and adults from the troop worked alongside church members on the project. Eric coordinated with Alan Ewing who built the wooden mold for the cement base, and Charles Volker of Kirkland (an Eagle Scout himself) who donated the engineering services that the city of Sammamish required for permits.

Donations toward the project were received from Cadman Gravel and Rainier Welding (materials and support). The pole was donated by Equity Office Management, and the flag was donated by the Carnation American Legion.

The son of Tim and Patti Boyd, Eric joined Cub Scouts as a Tiger Cub in 1994 with Pack 411 serving Carnation Elementary. His Cubmasters were Dan Acker, Steve Brouilette and his father Tim Boyd. His Den leaders were Diane Goodman, Joy Vierling and Jim Stonehocker.

One of his favorite memories of Cub Scouts was launching the Estes model rockets at MacDonald Park. He also enjoyed the Pinewood Derbies, Raingutter Regattas and painting the storefront windows in Carnation at Christmastime. Eric earned the Arrow of Light, the highest honor earned by a Cub Scout.

As a Boy Scout, Eric served in leadership positions for Troop 751, including being Senior Patrol Leader three terms. He went to Philmount Scout Ranch in New Mexico, where he, his dad, and others hiked about 60 miles in one week. He also enjoyed several summer camps at Camp Parsons, and a week-long adventure of white-water rafting down the Snake River. His favorite of the 25 merit badges he earned was Rifle Shooting.

Besides Scouting, Eric’s other interests include computers and cars. He is currently restoring and customizing a Chevy S-10 truck. In fact, refinishing the body of it was his Senior Project at Cedarcrest High School.

Eric volunteers in a kitchen to feed the homeless in Seattle, and at Scout camps. Eric is also a member of the Order of the Arrow, elected to the O.A. by his peers in his troop.

Eric continues to be active in his troop, serving as a junior assistant Scoutmaster. He is considering joining the military after high school.

Eric’s advice to a younger Scout, or to someone thinking of joining Scouting is “you will gain an appreciation of the friends you make, and of the skills you acquire.”

A ceremony to honor Eagle Scout Boyd will be scheduled at a later date.