Nathan Walters
Eagle Scout 

Nathan C. Walters was awarded the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, during a Court of Honor on June 1, 1008 at the Bond Park Senior Center in Cary, NC.   Nathan is a member of Troop 216 in Cary and is the son of David and Therese Walters.  He officially earned the rank of Eagle Scout on October 10, 2007 at the age of 14.  

Nathan is Troop 216’s 56th Eagle Scout since its founding in 1978.  Troop 216 is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.

Over 90 people attended the Court of Honor, including fellow scouts, friends, and siblings Hannah and Andrew Walters.  David Harmon, Troop 216 Eagle Scout, was the Master of Ceremonies. 

Fellow scouts Daniel Kearby, Brian De Contreras, Kevin Mulder and Alex Brawn opened the ceremony by presenting the colors after which Chris Becker delivered the invocation.  Teresa Smit, Troop 216 Committee Member, explained the advancement to the trail of Eagle.  Committee Chair Chris Meyer, Scoutmaster Bob De Contreras, and Charter Organization Representative, Mr. Todd Ellis, also took part in the ceremony.  Among the presentations, Nathan received his Eagle badge, an engraved pen, and a certificate from the Charles Fossett of the Cary Apex Elks Lodge Number 2798.  Letters of commendation were received from President Bush, Bishop Burbidge, Senator Dole, and Town of Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht.  Nathan also received a U.S. flag from Senator Richard Burr which had flown over the United States Capitol Building in Washington, DC in Nathan’s honor.  Michael Becker concluded the Court of Honor with the benediction.

Nathan began his scouting career in 1998 as a Tiger Cub with Pack 213 at Kirk of Kildaire in Cary, where he subsequently earned all of the Cub Scout ranks as well as 24 belt loops, 12 pins and the World Conservation Award.  In January 2003, Nathan received Cub Scouting’s highest award, the Arrow of Light, and immediately bridged to Troop 216.

The BSA program heavily emphasizes leadership skills, and throughout his career with Troop 216, Nathan has held numerous leadership positions, including Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, and Troop Guide.  Nathan’s other scouting honors include election into the Order of the Arrow, a scouting honor organization, the World Conservation Award, Mile Swim and the Ad Altare Dei Catholic Religious award.  Nathan has completed 24 merit badges.  In order to reach the rank of Eagle Scout, 21 merit badges must be earned, 12 of which are specifically required for the rank.

In July 2007, Nathan was the Crew Leader of a 12 scout crew that hiked over 140 miles on a ten day backpacking trip in Philmont Scout Ranch, a high adventure Boy Scout camp in Cimarron, New Mexico.  Because of the length of his hike and by completing conservation projects at Philmont and Hanging Rock State Park, Nathan received the BSA 50 miler award. 

As required by the Boy Scouts of America, a candidate for Eagle Scout must plan, develop, and lead others while providing a service to the community.  With guidance from his Eagle project co-advisors, Kevin and Teresa Smit, Nathan led a group of scouts in the installation of two awnings on the playground of the Early Childhood Center affiliated with St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Cary.  The awnings were designed to provide shade over benches previously installed by his brother, Troop 216 Eagle Scout Andrew Walters.  Both the faculty and students of the school welcomed this addition to their playground and on a daily basis, take shelter in the shade provided by the awnings.
 
Nathan, a rising sophomore at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, swims both for his school and the YMCA of Triangle Area.