Eagle Scout candidate builds butterfly garden at Hallowed Grounds

WARWICK — Robert Keane, the son of Kevin and Deborah Keane of Warwick and a member of Boy Scout Troop 38, is a candidate for the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout.

To achieve the Eagle Rank, the small percentage of all scouts who do are required to complete a minimum of 21 merit badges, have leadership roles in and outside of the Troop and participate in community service. And each candidate must complete a major community service project as the last requirement.

Keane choose the construction of a butterfly garden at the Hallowed Grounds area next to the Park Avenue elementary school.

The ambitious task, which involved lots of help from younger scouts, was suggested by the PTA (Parent Teachers Association), which had organized the construction of rustic benches in the same area.

Both projects were designed to benefit the local students along with their teachers, parents and others in the community.

Keane is an AP/honors student, currently enrolled in his sophomore year at Warwick Valley High School.

He is also a member of the Warwick Crew Team and the Orange County OCAL (Orange County Academic League) Team.

Troop 38 was first charted in May 1954 under the Warwick Lions Club.

George Arnott, Charles Richard Rowe, and Robert Hart were the first boy scouts to attain the Eagle Scout rank from Troop 38 in 1962.

The Troop meets at the Pine Island Firehouse.