Joseph Charles Steinman, 15, is receiving his Eagle Scout award today, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, at First United Methodist Church of Salisbury.
Joe began his Scouting adventure as a Tiger Cub in Pack 442 in the fall of 2006. As a Cub Scout, Joe earned the God and Me, God and Family and the Cub Scouts’ highest award, the Arrow of Light. As a Boy Scout, Joe earned 28 Merit Badges and completed more that 69 nights of camping. He served as a Patrol Leader for his troop and as a Crew Leader at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
Joe completed 10 days with the Central North Carolina Council at the 2013 National Boy Scout Jamboree at the new Summit Bechtel Reserve in Mount Hope, W.Va. He attended summer camps at Camp John J. Barnhardt and Camp Daniel Boone. Joe, along with members of Troop 442, participated in North Carolina’s Big Sweep project for several years, cleaning trash from Falls Reservoir. He has earned the Conservation Good Turn award, Philmont Arrowhead, 50-Miler (Backpacking), Philmont’s Duty to God, and the Wilderness Pledge Achievement.
The backpacking trips that Joe participated in include Harper’s Creek, Hunt Fish Falls (mountains to sea trail system), Davie County, Roan Mountain, Uwharrie Trail (20-Miler), Birkhead Wilderness Area, Art Loeb Trail/Shining Rock Wild­erness Area, Mt. Rogers/­Gray­son Highlands, Va., Grand­father Mountain Trail System and Philmont, N.M. His canoe trips include Roanoke River Platforms, Drowning Creek, New River, Congaree River (S.C.), Falls Reservoir, Yadkin River, Dan River and Lumber River.
For his Eagle Scout leadership service project, Joe planned and led a team of Scouts and 50 volunteers in serving more than 180 combined hours at Knox Middle School raking, cleaning, weeding, mulching and mowing the football stadium and the surrounding areas. Joe also coordinated the purchase and assembly of picnic tables made by West Rowan FFA students who were under the direction of Jason Chester.
A freshman at Salisbury High School, Joe participates in cross country, swimming, baseball, Latin club, is the Freshman Class President and is part of Young Life. Joe is an active member of First United Methodist Church, where he is active in the youth group and serves as an Acolyte. He is the son of Todd and Mary Heather Steinman.