SOLON — Six Solon teens – Eli Richardson, Grant Bumsted, Zeb Kleinsmith, Landon Shive, Matt Tvedte, and Jack Rekers have joined, or are in the process of joining, the elite ranks of the Eagle Scouts.
While Scouting was organized in the early 1900s in England by Robert Baden-Powell the rank of Eagle Scout wasn’t initially included when the movement came to America. Entry-level Scouts were known as “Tenderfoot” before working toward “Second Class,” and finally “First Class.” Merit badges were introduced as a way to provide Scouts with more specific knowledge and training, leading to over 135 such badges available today. In addition, advanced ranks of “Star” and “Life” were added as well as the highest rank – Eagle Scout.
The Solon Economist will highlight each of the six individually with this week’s feature on Grant Bumsted. Eli Richardson was featured March 2, Matt Tvedte was featured March 9, and Jack Rekers was in the March 16 edition, and Landon Shive was featured in last week’s edition (March 23).
Bumsted is a 17-year-old junior and the son of Shane and Kelsey Bumsted. He’s been involved in Scouting since second grade.
“I brought home a recruiting flyer in my backpack and showed it to Mom,” he recalled. “I was excited because my friend Eli Richardson was also in Scouting, and he was begging me to join. His grandpa Tim was one of our leaders along with Jim Walsh. Mom, and Megan (Eli’s mother) were also really involved at the Cub Scout level. Later in Cubs, Jack (Rekers) joined us and the three of us have been together ever since. We have shared tents, camping nights (indoor, outdoor, under the stars), canoe rides, magic card games, ice cream, summer camp, weekend camp, taught Scouts to sharpen blades and put-up dining fly’s, hiked miles, cooked meals, laughed ourselves to sleep, got lost, found our way, and made a ton of memories.”
During his time in Scouts Bumsted has taken National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) and joined the NYLT staff after being invited by Jay Lash, Council Adult Leadership. He is currently on his second round of being the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), his first coming during the Covid-19 pandemic. “I had to navigate the leadership role virtually. The in-person experience is much better than virtual!” Also, “Girls are now in Scouting, so I get the opportunity to team up with the SPL from the girls’ troop. We lead the Troop together, plan meetings, share upcoming information and events, and help the Scouts move forward on their path.”
Key to the process of earning the rank of Eagle Scout is planning and conducting a service project, typically for a nonprofit entity. Thousands of hours of project service have been performed in the Solon area benefiting the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Army Corps of Engineers, the Solon Community School District, Solon Recreation Dept., care centers, churches, and landscaping at the Veterans Memorial. The Eagle candidate must work with a sponsor organization, create a detailed plan, and get it approved before work begins. The Scout acts as the program manager scoping out the project, determining and acquiring the required materials and tools, creating a detailed schedule, and recruiting the manpower to execute the plan.
Bumsted’s project was a trail restoration and trailhead clearing near the lodge at Lake Macbride State Park and was selected in the top-six finalists in the Southern Prairie District (the winner will be announced March 30, the publication date for this edition).
“Solon Scouts have a long history of working with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as we are so close to many needed conservation and restoration projects, clean-up efforts, and general care of our environment,” he said. “The Ranger (Ron Puettmann) is really great to work with. He is a past Scouting leader, he understands the process, and allows the Scout to really take charge of the effort, communication, and end result for the project.”
Bumsted said seeing the condition of the trail during summer runs with the Solon cross country team, and overgrowth at the trailhead during time out on the water prompted him to approach Puettmann. “We shared our ideas on what we wanted to do, could do, how many volunteers we thought would be onsite, etc.” The work was done last April with perfect weather conditions and 75 volunteers putting in a total of 326 hours of service.
“We cleared the trail, installed eight water bars (to divert water and prevent erosion of the trail), cleared the trailhead and shoreline in that area, repainted the trailhead marker and put new limestone at the base, burned numerous downed trees from a recent storm and much of the brush from the trail that we removed.” The hardest part about leading the project, he said, was not being able to jump in and help with the many tasks. “There were a lot of moving parts, and my job was to make sure folks stayed on task, had what they needed, drank enough water, had snacks, and worked together well.”
Bumsted asked his buddy Eli, and Shane Merrick to be assistant managers on the project as well. “They kept me in the loop as I was checking other areas.” His Aunt Hillary, Uncle John, and ‘Grandma T’ took care of the food for lunch. “We were all pretty hungry after working so hard in the morning, so we were thankful for a good meal. It was a really great day, and I was lucky to have so much support!”
As is typical of our local Eagle Scouts, Bumsted is involved in many different activities including competing as a member of Solon’s cross country and track and field teams, swimming for Iowa City High School (he noted he was recently peer-elected as one of the team captains for the ’23-’24 season), has been on stage and backstage for plays and musicals, has been a trumpet player in the band and singer in the choir, Bella Voce, and Jazz Choir, spends time in the weightroom, and works a job that is flexible enough to allow him the time to participate in these activities.
“At home I like to cook and try new foods, play video games, watch the reels, and snuggle with my dogs. We are really busy with our own schedules, but my girlfriend Addi and I hang out when we can and cheer for each other when we can’t. When it comes back to hanging out with friends, Jack and Eli are always onboard, but we add others to the adventure as well.”
Bumsted had his Eagle Scout Board of Review last May and is an active Eagle Scout in Troop 120 but has not had his Eagle Court of Honor yet.
“Eli, Jack, and I are having ours together.”

Gallery • 5 Photos

Grant Bumsted and pals Eli Richardson and Jack Rekers. The trio will hold their Court of Honor together after Richardson and Rekers receive their Eagle Scout title. Bumstead received his last May.