Devon 50 Court Of Honor Salutes Eagle #267
Geoff Burnham

The Devon 50 Court of Honor was convened October 29, 2006
by Charlie Weir, Past Committee Chairman, Trustee, ASM, Devon 50 Hall of Fame member

Charge given by J. B. Rettew, Devon  50 Trustee

Geoffrey Burnham was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on October 7, 1988.  He started his scouting career in September 2000 with Troop 992 of the Old Hickory Council, where he reached the rank of Tenderfoot in June 2001.  Later that summer, Geoffrey moved with his mother and sister to Pennsylvania.  After the challenges of moving, finding a new home and school, he was introduced to Troop Devon 50 in January of 2003.  (Thanks, Lane – well actually it started with Lane’s sister Katy, who is Geoffrey’s sister’s friend and the Mom’s talked…  you know how that goes!)  Now settled in a great troop, he continued his rank advancements quickly.  He earned Second Class during his first 2-week summer at Horseshoe in 2003, (and has attended both weeks with Devon 50 ever since!), earned First Class shortly thereafter in December, he attained Star in July of 2004, and Life Scout in April of 2005. 

 Geoffrey served as Quartermaster for almost 2 years; he served as Assistant Senior Patrol in the spring of 2006; Senior Patrol Leader for June 2006; he also served as co-Patrol Leader for the Coyote Patrol.  He has served as SPL or ASPL for troop trips and at Horseshoe.  2006 has been the best year for Geoffrey – he was awarded the Daniel T. Kilcullen Award and Devon 50 Scout of the Year Award, earned the rank of Brotherhood in OA, and to top off his last scouting summer at Horseshoe, he was honored by his fellow scouts in receiving the Silver Buckle Award.  After camp, he immediately participated in the High Adventure trip to climb Mt. Washington and explore Acadia National Park, and then returned to Horseshoe to work in the kitchen for the remaining weeks of summer.  It doesn’t get any better than that!

Geoffrey’s Eagle Project took place at the Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback Riding facility in Malvern. He started this project late in the late summer, 2005, but had to put it on hold when college applications, schoolwork and the post of Drum Major in the Conestoga Marching Band consumed his time.  Resuming in the spring, he overcame changes in project and went on to design and install a level foundation and beautiful flagstone path surrounding a raised-bed garden.  This path is used by wheelchair-bound trauma patients and is critical in their access of this therapy.  Geoff additionally addressed drainage issues eroding the foundation, enlarged the corner for easier wheelchair turns, and built a ramp to allow easier access from the road.  

Geoffrey has recently discovered a fondness for backpacking, enjoys rock climbing and kayaking when available, and delights in climbing any other object when rocks are unavailable.  He embraces any excuse that will allow him to read and has quite the reputation for doing so – at weddings, football games, on the trail, during classes, during meals, even while talking! 

Geoffrey graduated from Conestoga High School in May 2006; he was named a Presidential Scholar, National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, Latin Scholar, and is a member of Who’s Who Among American High School Students and The National Society of High School Scholars.  Geoffrey was awarded a Dean’s Scholarship, and is currently enrolled in the Honors Program at Northeastern University’s College of Engineering.  He is loving life away from home, misses all the scouting activities – and says he’s only missed 2 classes so far.  Geoff is exploring a return to the kitchen at Horseshoe for the Summer of 2007 – this time as a cook. Watch out what you say about the food next year…

Geoffrey would like to thank all of those who aided him in reaching Eagle Scout – all of the Devon 50 Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Trustees and Alumni, the scouts, the parents who were always willing to help or give him a ride and everyone who helped with his Eagle Project, both in spirit and in person.  Geoff would especially like to thank his Mom for prodding, poking and pushing him along the path to Eagle.