Three Woodbury Troop 4 Boy Scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout

HIGHLAND MILLS — The highest award from the Boy Scouts of America – the rank of Eagle Scout – will be awarded to three members of Woodbury Troop 4 on Sunday, March 25.
Tom Poutsma and brothers Christopher and Phillip Simons will receive the Eagle Award in a Court of Honor ceremony at noon at the Woodbury Village Hall located above the Highland Mills Firehouse.
This accomplishment represents many years of adventure, fun, work and dedication to the Boy Scout program as members of Woodbury Boy Scout Troop 4.
In addition to the traditional outdoor skills learned in Boy Scouts Tom, Christopher and Phillip have earned a host of merit badges such as Camping, Cooking, Citizenship in the World, Hiking and Emergency Preparedness to name just a few.
During the process of satisfying the requirements for the Eagle rank, Tom, Christopher and Phillip have participated in many community service projects and provided service and leadership to Troop 4.
A tradition of scoutingChristopher and Phillip Simons are the sons Carmela Simons and the late John Simons, one of the founders and first Scoutmaster of Woodbury Troop 4 who lost his battle with a long illness in 2015.
Christopher and Phillip have two brothers, Eagle Scout Daniel Simons and younger brother Michael Simons.
As Boy Scouts, both boys traveled to Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico with their older Daniel Simons and their father. The Simons’ took part in an eight-day backpacking “Mountain Trek” hiking in the backcountry and participated in hours of conservation work. It was an experience the boys will always treasure.
Christopher and Phillip Simons are recent graduates of Monroe-Woodbury High School.
Christopher is attending Lincoln Technical Institute enrolled in the Heating & Air Conditioning Installation and Repair Program.
Phillip is studying Mechanical engineering at the University of New York at Buffalo.
A family committed to scoutingTom Poutsma is the son of Menno and Ingrid Poutsma of Highland Mills. His younger brother Lars is a Boy Scout with Woodbury Troop 4 as well.
The Poutsma family is heavily involved in the scouting program and continues to contribute many hours to Woodbury Cub Scout Pack 148 and Woodbury Boy Scout Troop 4.
Tom Poutsma is a tenth-grader at Monroe Woodbury High School and is looking forward to joining the armed forces when he graduates high school.
Community projectsThe final requirement on the road to Eagle is to successfully plan, manage and complete an Eagle project to benefit the community. Tom, Christopher and Phillip have all successfully organized and coordinated the completion of individual Eagle projects.
Christopher Simons: Sitting area at Earl Reservoir (Woodbury Park) in Highland Mills where residents could sit and watch a soccer game in progress, relax and enjoy the view of the lake, or take a rest while walking the mile-long path surround the lake.
Phillip Simons: Gazebo at the Woodbury Volunteer Ambulance location in Central Valley. Volunteers can now enjoy the outdoors in a covered area while on duty.
Tom Poutsma: Flag pole relocation and paved group area at the historical Gate House in Central Valley. Tom relocated the flagpole so that it can now be viewed from the road and seen by all who drive by. The paved group area will now be used for Gate House gatherings as well as Local Boy Scout Troops.