Local Scout builds Rainbow Bridge for shelter

Grant Manley, Canyon Lake Pack 346 alumni and member of Troop 2011 of Wildomar, earned his Eagle Scout Rank following his Board of Review in June 2018.

Grant’s Eagle project was for Animal Friends of the Valleys, a shelter in Wildomar that services Canyon Lake and surrounding areas. Grant was inspired to complete a project for Animal Friends of the Valleys after volunteering there with his father and adopting a dog.

The “Rainbow Bridge” poem brings comfort to those who have lost a pet. The bridge is a mythical overpass said to connect heaven and Earth and a place where grieving pet owners reunite for good with their departed furry friend, never to be departed again.

Inspired by this poem, Grant built a “Rainbow Bridge” in the back courtyard of Animal Friends of the Valleys and crafted a bench to allow those who have lost a pet time to say goodbye. He made other improvements to the facility by landscaping the courtyard with wood chips and adding a bench and four new trash cans around the facility. Additionally, Scouts learn leadership skills by leading a group of Scouts to complete the project. A total of 169 hours of volunteer time was put in for this project by Grant and his fellow Scouts.

Grant joined Canyon Lake’s Cub Scout Pack 346 as a Wolf Scout in January 2010. He enjoyed the adventures of Cub Scouting including Pinewood Derby, camping at Storm Stadium and attending summer camp at Camp Wiley. He achieved the highest rank in Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light as well as earning the Super Achiever by earning all 20 Webelos Pins. He bridged to Troop 2011 in Wildomar. Cub Scouts was the start of his journey that led to the achievements and experiences of Boy Scouts.

Within the first year of joining Boy Scouts, Grant earned his First Class rank and was busy earning merit badges. He has been very active in leadership in his Troop including the roles of Assistant Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, Order of the Arrow Representative and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. He is also the Chief Akela for the Troop’s Arrow of Light team.

Each year, Grant along with and other Scouts of Troop 2011 returns to his Cub Scout Pack to perform the Arrow of Light Ceremony. He has attended both National Youth Leadership Training and Foxfire Leadership Training. Each year, Grant has been active in staffing in the Eerie Emerson Halloween Camp hosted by Troop 2011. The campout is put on for Cub Scouts of the California Inland Empire Council at Camp Emerson each October. In addition to serving in his Troop, Grant attended the 2017 National Scout Jamboree in Virginia.

Grant will be entering his junior year at Temescal Canyon High School in August.  He is an honor student and in the International Baccalaureate program. He is involved in ASB and is on the water polo and swim teams. Grant believes his leadership experiences in Boy Scouts prepared him for his success in ASB and academics. Grand hopes to attend a UC school and study political science and law.

“The sport in Scouting is to find the good in every boy and develop it.”  Robert Baden Powell