Freehold Boy Scout Troop 18 members Andrew J. Colbert, 18, Patrick M. Heeb, 17, and Daniel Reger, 17, have reached the highest rank in scouting. The rank of Eagle Scout is attained by less than 1% of all those who begin the journey through Boy Scouting.
Andrew is the son of Don and JoAnn Colbert of Freehold Township, Patrick is the son of Patrick and Jodi Heeb of Freehold Township, and Daniel is the son of Frank and Dawn Reger of Freehold Township.
The young men are members of Freehold Boy Scout Troop 18 and received their Eagle awards at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony that was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Freehold, on Dec. 1, according to a press release.
Andrew’s project combined his love of scouting with his love of track and field by building a shot put throwing pit adjacent to the Freehold Township High School track complex. The project consisted of two phases.
The first phase included mapping out the circular wedge-shaped throwing sector, removing the sod, excavating several cubic yards of soil from the site, reorienting the throwing circle and adjusting the toe board.
The second phase of the project included installing a fiber barrier at the bottom of the pit, installing and painting a wooden border, and installing approximately 19 tons of gravel dust, raking it smooth and measuring and marking the shot put sector and distance arcs to ensure the shot put pit was ready for competition. This project now allows the high school to host track meets.
Andrew is a resident of Freehold Township, a graduate of Biotechnology High School class of 2019 currently attending the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Andrew is an All-American track athlete who placed third in the pentathlon at the New Balance National Indoor Championships and was a qualifying decathlete at the New Balance National Outdoor Championships.
He is also an accomplished actor and vocalist, performing leading roles in many different productions, and he was a nominee for a Count Basie Award, as well as Senior Class president at Biotechnology High School and a highly involved member of his church youth group at St. Robert Bellarmine, Freehold Township.
Patrick’s Eagle Scout project consisted of undertaking a landscape project for the benefit of the Acelero Learning Center, a Head Start Program in Freehold Borough. The project required the construction of two raised garden beds, clearing the yard, transplanting bushes and building a temporary gate for the entrance to the garden.
This project allows children who attend the program to learn about gardening and it teaches them responsibility which is needed to maintain a garden. The children will grow flowers and vegetables under teacher supervision.
Patrick is a resident of Freehold Township and a college-bound junior at Freehold High School, Freehold Borough. He is a member of the school’s marching band, concert band and jazz band.
Daniel’s Eagle Scout project consisted of renovating a historical Molly Pitcher landmark and cleaning the area around the landmark at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan.
The main focus of the project was sanding and staining an observation deck that overlooks a stream Molly Pitcher used to get water for soldiers during the Battle of Monmouth.
The second part was cleaning up the trail and trimming the bushes along the path that leads from the clearing in the trees to the deck itself, which is in the woods. This project not only benefited the park, but also the nation’s history as it ensured the landmark will be preserved for years to come.
Daniel is a resident of Freehold Township and a senior at the Computer Science Academy at Freehold High School. He has been a member of Freehold Township High School volleyball team, an officer in the DECA club and a member of the National Honor Society. He plans to pursue a college degree in computer or electrical engineering.
In recognition of their accomplishments, the three young men received commendations from governing bodies and civic organizations throughout the area, according to the press release.