JACKMAN — Brennan Begin completed his Eagle Scout Service Project after nearly 100 hours of work provided by himself, friends and family. The installation of a knot-tying station and shelter was completed Sept. 15 at the Forest Hills Consolidated School.

Brennan, son of Drew and Lindsay Keiper Begin, is 14 years old and a member of Jackman Troop 497. “Everything went smoothly,” Brennan said, according to a news release from Chuck Mahaleris, district chairman for the Kennebec Valley District of Scoutin. “I didn’t have any problems.” The knot board has a variety of knots that students can look at and try to copy.

The idea for the knot board came from Begin’s mother, the high school math teacher. “My dad was in the Navy so we grew up practicing a lot of knots,” Lindsay Begin said. “I never doubted Brennan would make Eagle. It felt like there was so much to do. At times, it seemed overwhelming to him and it didn’t seem possible and he sometimes felt like giving up. We encouraged him to keep going and not to give up on his goal. We are so proud of him. It is nice to see that hard work pays off.”

Last year, Maddox Cuddy made improvements on the school’s Nature Trail for his Eagle Scout project. Brennan, who helped Maddox with his project, sees the knot board activity areas as an extension to Maddox’s efforts. It is located next to the entrance to the Nature Trail.

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