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Watters earns Eagle Scout honor
Jun 23, 2008 12:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Written by Karissa Stewart, Rome News-Tribune Staff Writer, published 6/18/08
Joey Watters, a junior and lacrosse player at Darlington School, donated more than 200 hours of his time - after school and on the weekends - creating three separate gardens for the Anthony Recreation Center.
The Boy Scout from Troop No. 113 labored for a month on his Eagle Scout project, landscaping and organizing a flower garden, a vegetable garden and a memorial garden commemorating the loss of three Camp Goodtimes special needs children. The camp is held each summer at the Center behind Garden Lakes Elementary School.
At a Tuesday dedication ceremony outside the Center, the Parent Leadership Coalition of Floyd County and Camp Goodtimes camers recognized Joey for his work. "He drew the design and went above and beyond the idea," said Sandra Humphreys, team leader of the county PLC. "He'll be a future leader."
In addition to providing family members a place to remember their children, the gardens will also provide campers a unique hands-on opportunity to learn about growing plants.
"We are proud of him," said Joe Watters ('80), his dad. "He's giving back to the community and seeing how everything works."
Paying close attention to all of the small details, Joey considered all of the garden's angles, and even revised plans to accommodate disabled campers. "We made it an octagon so it's easier for wheelchairs, and campers won't have to lean in the dirt," he said. "A lot of flowers will make it beautiful as it grows."
PLC is a nonprofit outreach group that provides activities for special needs children in the community such as challenger sports, bowling, ballet and quarterly outings. The PLC also serves as an advocacy network, linking educators, health providers and parents to resources.
Humphreys said she presented the idea of a garden to a landscape company as a donation project, and the company passed the information along to Joey, who created a serene and personal place for parenst and children affected by disabilities to heal and grow.
The memorial garden honors the lives of "PLC Angels" Tiffany Dockery, Molly Stubblefield and Alan Lawrence. While the stone was erected in memory of three specific Angels, there is room to add names to the display. An engraving also tells the commemorative story of the Angels.
"He was so enthusiastic about it," said Joey's mother, Tracy Watters. "It just touches your heart."
Next week, children at Camp Goodtimes - sponsored by the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority - will enjoy spending time in the three shaded gardens, planting seeds and learning about gardens, Humphreys said.
Joey Watters, a junior and lacrosse player at Darlington School, donated more than 200 hours of his time - after school and on the weekends - creating three separate gardens for the Anthony Recreation Center.
The Boy Scout from Troop No. 113 labored for a month on his Eagle Scout project, landscaping and organizing a flower garden, a vegetable garden and a memorial garden commemorating the loss of three Camp Goodtimes special needs children. The camp is held each summer at the Center behind Garden Lakes Elementary School.
At a Tuesday dedication ceremony outside the Center, the Parent Leadership Coalition of Floyd County and Camp Goodtimes camers recognized Joey for his work. "He drew the design and went above and beyond the idea," said Sandra Humphreys, team leader of the county PLC. "He'll be a future leader."
In addition to providing family members a place to remember their children, the gardens will also provide campers a unique hands-on opportunity to learn about growing plants.
"We are proud of him," said Joe Watters ('80), his dad. "He's giving back to the community and seeing how everything works."
Paying close attention to all of the small details, Joey considered all of the garden's angles, and even revised plans to accommodate disabled campers. "We made it an octagon so it's easier for wheelchairs, and campers won't have to lean in the dirt," he said. "A lot of flowers will make it beautiful as it grows."
PLC is a nonprofit outreach group that provides activities for special needs children in the community such as challenger sports, bowling, ballet and quarterly outings. The PLC also serves as an advocacy network, linking educators, health providers and parents to resources.
Humphreys said she presented the idea of a garden to a landscape company as a donation project, and the company passed the information along to Joey, who created a serene and personal place for parenst and children affected by disabilities to heal and grow.
The memorial garden honors the lives of "PLC Angels" Tiffany Dockery, Molly Stubblefield and Alan Lawrence. While the stone was erected in memory of three specific Angels, there is room to add names to the display. An engraving also tells the commemorative story of the Angels.
"He was so enthusiastic about it," said Joey's mother, Tracy Watters. "It just touches your heart."
Next week, children at Camp Goodtimes - sponsored by the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority - will enjoy spending time in the three shaded gardens, planting seeds and learning about gardens, Humphreys said.
