Courtesy photo Matthew Harkins of Altoona recently received his Eagle Scout designation at a Court of Honor conducted at the Duncansville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8724.

Teen refurbishes lifeguard station into multi-use facility

Matthew Harkins of Altoona recently received his Eagle Scout designation at a Court of Honor conducted at the Duncansville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8724.

Friends, family, Boy Scout Troop leaders and fellow scouts attended the celebration, including Pa. Sen. Judy Ward and Matthew’s parents, Andrew and Jennifer Harkins.

Matt, 18, is a member of Duncansville Troop 3031 of Scouting America, Juniata Valley Council, led by Paul Detwiler and Daniel Calvert.

Matt began his scouting career as a Wolf Cub Scout in Pack 3332. As a member of Troop 3031, he held leadership positions serving as Scribe, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader and Troop guide.

While a Boy Scout, he earned 46 merit badges and is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s Honor Society.

As a scout with Troop 3031, Matt was in the White Buffalo Patrol, which took home the first place trophy three times from the Juniata Valley Council Klondike Derby, and also placed first in the JVC First Aid competition. In 2022, he shot the highest score at the Riggles Gap rifle shoot.

Matt’s Eagle Scout Leadership Project was to refurbish the old lifeguard station building at Canoe Creek State Park in Hollidaysburg into multi-use facility to benefit the Friends of Canoe Creek Society.

He is currently studying for a degree in business at South Hills School of Business and Technology in State College. He plans on starting his own business upon graduation.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Scouting America program. Since the first scout earned the Eagle award 100 years ago in 1912, the distinction has been earned by more than 2 million youth. Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges and demonstrating ideals of service and leadership, including organizing and leading an extensive service project. Fewer than 5 percent of scouts nationwide attain this rank.

The Juniata Valley Council, Scouting America was chartered in 1934 and serves more than 1,700 youth throughout Blair, Centre, Huntingdon, Juniata and Mifflin counties in Central Pennsylvania.

It is the mission of the JVCBSA to serve others by helping to instill values in young people and in other ways to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The values we strive to instill are based in the Scout Oath and Law.

For more information on finding a Scouting America unit near you, visit beascout.org .