A different sort is an Eagle Scout

He’s as good on the inside as the out.

True to his God and his nation’s flag

A boy whose loyalties never sag.

An upright boy with a heart of gold

He can take the heat and he can stand the cold.

— From a poem by Eagle Scout Vaughn J Featherstone (1931)

These words could have easily been written about Palmerton area’s newest Eagle Scout, Garrett Allen Demkovitz, the son of Allen Demkovitz and Steph Stroup.

A Court of Honor was recently held at the Palmerton Rod and Gun Club in honor of Demkovitz, a member of the Boy Scout Troop 209 of Towamensing Township.

Master of ceremonies for the event was Assistant Scoutmaster Rocky Borger, who gave a brief history of Demkovitz’s scouting career.

“He joined Cub Scout Pack 209 as a Tiger Cub and worked his way through to Webelos 2 and earned the Arrow of Light. Garrett crossed over as a Boy Scout with Troop 209 in 2011. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow, National Honor Society of Scouting. He moved through the ranks while partaking in many outings, adventures, hikes and camps.

“Garrett learned many skills at the Trexler Scout Reservation, Camp Rodney Scout Reservation, BSA High Adventure Seabase in 2014 and BSA High Adventure Philmont in 2017.

“Garrett’s Eagle Scout Service Project was the building and installing of four osprey nesting platforms for the PA Game Commission with the help of P & L. He was the leader of this project, with over 200 hours of work, with much help from Scouts, Scout parents, family, friends, game commission and the PPL,” Borger said.

Scoutmaster Rick Anderson presented Demkovitz with his Eagle Scout Pin.

“I want to thank all of you. You all have helped me become the person I am today. My parents and my brother have always been there to encourage me in scouting,” said Demkovitz.

A citation from the Pennsylvania Senate was presented to Demkovitz by Committee Chair Kelli George in the absence of Sen. John Yudichak.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley also present a citation to Demkovitz.

“The Skills and Leadership you have learned in your years of Scouting will give you a leg up in your life,” said Heffley.

Mike Beahm, wildlife conservation officer, Scout leader and father of a Scout, presented him with a Youth Conservation award.

“This award is presented to young men and women who have volunteered over 25 hours of service to the conservation. Garrett built four Osprey boxes which are located in Luzerne County, Schuylkill County, one near Beltsville and one in Monroe County. He was exposed to corporate professionals from PPL (poles to place the osprey platforms on) and safety programs and the project on a whole was just a great learning experience,” said Beahm.

After presentation of pins, awards and flowers to grandmothers, the Eagle Scout Court of Honor closed and a celebratory meal was held in Demkovitz’s honor.

Steph Anderson, Scout mother played a slideshow, “Garrett’s Trail to Eagle,” which showcased memories of his scouting years.

“Garrett always has a smile, and he is always willing to help out the younger Scouts,” said Anderson.

Older brother and Eagle Scout Seth Demkovitz said, “I knew my brother would become an Eagle Scout one day. I tried to encourage him as much as I could and so did our mom and dad.”

“Today is an amazing day for Garrett. There is so much pride and joy for him and it is a serious recognition for him,” said George.

“I saw this little boy grow into a young man through his years of scouting. We are very proud of him. Events like this encourage our younger boys to continue with scouting. I’ve been a Scoutmaster for years and it is very important that the parents support and encourage their Scouts along the way. If they don’t, a lot of the times we see the boys drop out, especially when they start to smell fumes like gas fumes and perfumes. As leaders we feel bad, we want all our boys to be an Eagle Scout someday,” said Anderson.

Eagle Scout is the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouts. Since 1912 more than two million Scouts have earned the Eagle Scout Rank.