Grant Kilduff of Eldersburg is somewhat of a young gun in the Eagle Scout community.

Grant, 14, was honored last month for earning his Eagle Scout rank, which was completed in 2008, when he was 13.

The Troop 719 member is one of the youngest in the troop's history to obtain the Eagle rank -- the highest honor in Scouting. It's also the youngest age a Scout can become an Eagle.

Grant began his Eagle journey when he was 10, he said, and expedited the process by earning badges with other troops and consulting merit badge counselors in the community who could award him needed badges.

It was his time in Cub Scout Pack 883 that motivated him to continue to become a Boy Scout, and now, an Eagle, Grant said.

"Five years of Cub Scouting with a great den leader encouraged me to go onto Boy Scouts," said the Liberty High School freshman. "When I got to Boy Scouts, my goal was to get to Eagle, but it's great that I got it so early."

Grant organized a donation drive when he attended Oklahoma Road Middle School to collect school supplies, games, books, movies and more for teens and adults at Covenant House Washington, located in the District of Columbia.

Covenant House started in 1995 to address homelessness and poverty for teens and young adults. Students have to earn their diploma or GED to stay at the house.

"When I went, it opened my eyes a lot," he said about visiting the house. "In Eldersburg, you really don't see much of that until you go out into the city."

In July 2008, Grant delivered 1,274 books; 250 games, puzzles and toys; 47 backpacks; thousands of school supplies, and $500 in cash besides constructing a bookshelf. Covenant House estimated that Grant's donations were worth more than $5,500, according to a news release from the organization.

Grant credits his friends and students at Oklahoma Road Middle for making the eight-month project possible.

He also credits his 12-year-old brother and fellow Scout, Ben Kilduff, for helping out.

Grant was also a member of Students Helping Others Understand Themselves, to mentor peers who face substance abuse and bullying, and plays lacrosse, basketball, football and the trombone in the school band.

But it's assisting other teens that strikes a chord with Grant.

"That's what I really wanted to do -- to help kids around my age that really just need to start their lives over -- have a second chance," he said.

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