by Reggie Foster
Scouting is more than campfires, tents, and merit badges—it’s a journey that shapes young people into leaders. Three local Scouts are very close to completing their scouting journey with the highest rank achievable. Matthew Burgdorff, Stone Everhart, and Lincoln Wingfield have completed their Eagle Scout projects which means there will soon be a Court of Honor to award their rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Scouting. Their accomplishments not only mark a personal milestone but also bring lasting benefits to our community through their Eagle Scout projects.
The road to Eagle Scout begins much earlier than high school. Boys and girls alike can join Cub Scouts as early as kindergarten and through the 5th grade. From there, youth can continue into Boy Scouts of America (BSA), where they pursue merit badges, take on leadership roles, and participate in service projects.To earn Eagle Rank you must complete 21+ merit badges, perform community service and live by the Scout Law.
Our community has benefited from their service in local clean ups at Lake DeWeese, lake shore and campground. They are often found helping with set up and take down at many community events to include the American Legion Memorial Day Services, the Blue Grass Festival, Community Dinner and Car Show. The scouts also serve our residents by helping with tree mitigation, stacking wood for Veterans, and placing wreaths on Veteran graves with Wreaths Across America. Scouts participate in flag folding for veterans and local flag retirement ceremonies.
Scouting was founded on principles of patriotism, courage, and self-reliance. Today, it remains focused on three core duties: to God and Country, to Others, and to Self. The organization emphasizes reverence and respect while guiding young people to become responsible, engaged citizens.
Earning Eagle Scout is no small task. Fewer than six percent of Scouts reach this rank, since BSA’s inception in 1911 only about four percent have earned the Eagle rank. Those who do are known nationwide for their character, leadership, and readiness to face life’s challenges. Along the way, Scouts live out the Scout Law of being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
The crowning achievement of the Scouting journey is the Eagle Project. Each Scout becomes a project manager. First they choose a community organization that needs help. Then the Scout develops a plan for the project. All of the funds are to be raised by the Scout. Eagle Scout projects often require many hours and hands. The Scout must coordinate with and organize volunteers to help with the project. Essentially, the Scout is responsible for every aspect of the project and seeing it through from beginning to end.
Across the country, Eagle projects have included everything from community gardens and playgrounds to restoring trails and organizing safety events. Here in our county, the three new Eagle Scouts projects will serve neighbors for years to come.
Matthew Burgdorff as a young Cub Scout was helping his dad mow the local cemeteries. While at the Catholic Cemetery he noticed the flag holders were in disrepair and needed to be replaced. He asked his dad if that would make a good Eagle Scout project one day. Well, “one day” arrived and Matthew realized his younger self’s goal of making new flag holders for the veteran’s resting places in our local cemeteries.
Everhart is also active in Custer County 4-H where he participates in the market swine project and shooting sports. Having spent weeks at the Custer County Fairgrounds in the heat of the summer with very limited shade or shelter from the afternoon downpours, Everhart recognized a need. His project would be a 14 x 16 gazebo to provide much needed shelter and a resting place for Custer County’s fair participants and attendees. Everhart gained more than building skills during his lengthy project process. He was required to brief the County Commissioners for permission to proceed with the project, as well as gain a permit from the Town of Westcliffe and pass inspections. At the 2025 Custer County Fair many expressed their appreciation to Everhart for the much needed addition. His Eagle project was the favorite resting place during the 2025 Custer County Fair.
Wingfield focused on restoring and improving the World War II Memorial at Westcliffe’s Memorial Park. His inspiration came from his family’s legacy of service. Both of his great grandfathers and great uncles served in the defining war with distinction. Wingfield said, “I’ve learned that service is more than lending a hand; it is about preserving history and showing gratitude. I hope this project stands as a lasting tribute to those who gave everything. My family and friends were with me all through the project. We learned that leadership is best measured in not what you accomplish alone, but in how you inspire others to join you in service.”
Ask any Scout what the best part of the program is, and the answer most often comes back to outdoor adventures. Summer camp remains a favorite—a week in the outdoors with friends, filled with campfires, wilderness survival, canoeing, fishing, hiking and laughter that builds lifelong memories. Alongside the fun, these experiences teach teamwork, leadership, and personal responsibility.
Scouting is also a family affair. Leaders are often parents or former Scouts, and Custer County’s leaders fit this model. Josh and Heather Wingfield have been involved in Scouting leadership since 2007. Their oldest son, Jacob, also earned the Eagle rank. Heather said that their middle son Lincoln plans to continue the family scouting leader legacy by becoming an assistant scout leader to Doug Burgdorff when he turns 18 in order to help his little brother Jackson Wingfield in ranking Eagle.
Westcliffe is currently home to Pack 114 which has 11 Cub Scouts and Troop 114 which has four Boy Scouts. The all volunteer leaders include: Troop 114 Scoutmaster – Doug Burgdorff, Committee Chair – Josh Wingfield, Advancement Chair – Eric Everhart, Committee Member – Heather Wingfield. Pack 114 Cubmaster – Michelle Caldwell, Den Leader – Bethany Hogg, Committee Chair – Doug Burgdorff, Committee Member – Heather Wingfield
Scouting time commitments can vary. Meetings typically happen a few times a month, with additional camping trips, service projects, and special outings sprinkled throughout the year. Local leader Eric Everhart, says volunteering with Scouts is about more than teaching kids how to pitch a tent or tie a knot. “I volunteer to invest in my community,” he explained. “Scouting prepares young men and women to live as responsible, productive, and engaged members of society. It’s about shaping the leaders who will carry our community forward.”
These three young men have learned honor, responsibility and perseverance. Their journey reflects years of parental and scout leader support, consistency, fun, service to their community, and determination. Their projects serve as reminders that when Scouts succeed, the whole community benefits.
