Gathered with family, friends and fellow Scouts, Daniel “Danny” Provost of Troop 5 in Greenfield celebrated achieving the rank of Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor March 30.
Danny, whose family has long enjoyed and supported the outdoors, led his Scout team in the building and placement of multiple wood duck boxes for his chosen beneficiary, Mass. Wildlife.
He researched designs for the boxes, and then, with his father, Tom, found an ideal location to hang them in Bernardston, off Huckle Hill Road, near the Vermont border.
The team had to wait for the water to freeze so they could walk across to the installation sites, which are over the water. Waiting for solid ice actually took less time than anticipated – the week the boxes were finished, there was a hard, fast freeze, which enabled the team to walk on the ice.
The weather warmed up the day after the installation was complete. “Things went very well with the weather,” Danny said.
Addressing younger Scouts during the ceremony at the First Congregational Church in Greenfield, his message was clear. “Don’t give up,” said Danny, “It’s worth the work.”
Danny thanked his father, other family and friends for their support and said he hadn’t realized what a milestone the ceremony would be until he spoke with guests gathering at the church.
He asked his grandmother, Trudy Provost, to present him with his Eagle Scout neckerchief and slide, while his uncle, Lou Provost, had the honor of pinning Danny with his Eagle medal.
Danny then gifted his grandmother with a special Eagle Scout Grandparent pin, and gave her a second pin to bring to his grandfather, Daniel, who was unable to travel to the ceremony.
“Being an Eagle Scout holds such profound meaning,” said Nathan Provost speaking to the gathering of his happiness about his brother’s Eagle Scout status.
Assistant Scoutmaster Mark Maloney, who has known Danny since he joined Cub Scout Pack 3 as a Tiger Scout, spoke of Danny’s commitment, knowledge, and leadership skills that would serve him well in the future. “Whenever a hand was needed, Danny has been there,” he said. “He exemplifies what it means to be an Eagle Scout.”
“The recognition was unexpected,” said Danny. “There were times I wanted to quit, but I knew I wanted to achieve my goals. It felt good to make the right choices. This was a good day.”
Danny is in the 10th grade at Greenfield High School. In addition to Scouting, he is violinist and concertmaster with the Pioneer Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra. He is member of the Future Business Leaders of America and the golf and track and field teams.