“I was proud that I finally earned it, it had been a long road and a lot of hard work, but I finally made it.”
Daniel Kellaway, 18, has enjoyed being a part of a team since he was 8 years old and first joined the Cub Scouts in Burlington Township. Kellaway crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 764 when he was 11 years old and hit the pinnacle of his career earlier this year.
Kellaway earned his Eagle Scout Award, the highest achievement for a Boy Scout.
According to Troop 764 Committee Chair Tom Jones, only 6 percent of Boy Scouts obtain the Eagle Scout Award. A boy must earn 21 merit badges, 13 of which are required in areas such as cooking, environmental science, emergency preparedness, first aid, citizenship and others.
“I joined Cub Scouts because my parents arranged it and I also wanted to be with some friends that were my age,” Kellaway said. “I continued to help out through the years at service projects for the community. Overall, I just like helping other people.”
As for the later part of Scouting, Kellaway knew he would have to get his hands a little dirty, not just with service, but with also working with the younger Scouts to get them to First Class.
Kellaway also gave credit to his parents who helped him along the way.
“My father was an assistant Scoutmaster and my mother was a member of the troop committee,” Kellaway said. “Boy Scouts has taught me that not all goals are achieved instantly. The important thing to remember is where you want to go, because the goal has not changed, only the path to it has.”
The Burlington Township resident has not only made a difference in the community with his own Eagle Scout project, but by volunteering his time to help others.
Kellaway helped at one Eagle Scout project where he laid the bricks for the walkway at the Library Company in Burlington. Troop 764 also helps the Burlington Township Food Pantry, which Kellaway continues to help today.
“I do service for the Burlington Township Food Pantry outside of Boy Scouts now,” Kellaway said. “I can say, however, that my experience in the Boy Scouts helped lead me to helping them every Wednesday over the summer. My Eagle Scout project benefited the Burlington Township Food Pantry as I directed and supervised the building and painting of three food drop boxes for them to place.”
The achievement of earning an Eagle Scout award is a huge step for most young men, as they prepare for life after the Boy Scouts. Kellaway is no exception.
“I was proud that I finally earned it. It had been a long road and a lot of hard work, but I finally made it,” Kellaway said. “I also learned something from my Eagle Scout Board of Review. A Scout is loving.”
Kellaway plans to attend Gettysburg College and major in mathematics.
For more information on Kellaway or Troop 764, check https://www.facebook.com/groups/816302368480796.
