NewsStudent LifeServiceAcademics
Eagle Scout Tree project helps preserve land at school
Jul 27, 2009 12:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Written by Karissa Stewart, Rome News-Tribune staff writer, published 7/26/09
With a pickaxe on his shoulder, local Boy Scout Jack Lynch was digging through Georgia red clay behind Johnson Elementary School on Saturday.
“I chose this place in an effort to prevent soil erosion and provide shade around the school,” he said of his Eagle Scout project.
The Darlington junior is planting 32 trees at the school he would have attended as a youngster, since it was the public school that was within his district. While most of the trees are planted behind the school, the trees will be placed around the basketball court, near the baseball field and other areas that need shade.
He said that the project has helped him learn about fundraising and meeting others in the community. “Fundraise first and make a budget,” he said. “I like the work and it’s something new and I hope to have an orchard in the future.”
In addition, he will refurbish benches for the students at the school and has spent a total of 16 hours working on the project. Lynch is a member of the swim team and has recently begun volunteering with the Rome Area Council for the Arts.
Eagle Scout candidates must earn 21 merit badges, including 12 that are required such as camping, citizenship, first aid, emergency preparedness and fitness. Candidates must also serve in a leadership position, plan, develop and carry out a worthy service project, and appear before a review board. They must also represent the ability to be of service to their fellow man in emergencies, an understanding of community and nation, and a willingness to help others.
With a pickaxe on his shoulder, local Boy Scout Jack Lynch was digging through Georgia red clay behind Johnson Elementary School on Saturday.
“I chose this place in an effort to prevent soil erosion and provide shade around the school,” he said of his Eagle Scout project.
The Darlington junior is planting 32 trees at the school he would have attended as a youngster, since it was the public school that was within his district. While most of the trees are planted behind the school, the trees will be placed around the basketball court, near the baseball field and other areas that need shade.
He said that the project has helped him learn about fundraising and meeting others in the community. “Fundraise first and make a budget,” he said. “I like the work and it’s something new and I hope to have an orchard in the future.”
In addition, he will refurbish benches for the students at the school and has spent a total of 16 hours working on the project. Lynch is a member of the swim team and has recently begun volunteering with the Rome Area Council for the Arts.
Eagle Scout candidates must earn 21 merit badges, including 12 that are required such as camping, citizenship, first aid, emergency preparedness and fitness. Candidates must also serve in a leadership position, plan, develop and carry out a worthy service project, and appear before a review board. They must also represent the ability to be of service to their fellow man in emergencies, an understanding of community and nation, and a willingness to help others.
