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BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Lief Weston, member of Boy Scout in Troop 207, led the construction of a nature trail at HomeLife on Glynco, an assisted living and retirement center, and in doing so completed the last requirement to earn his Eagle Scout award.
Lief's project was a nature trail that ran through a half-mile of wooded area and ran around a pond. The trail included a bridge and benches for the elderly to rest on.
"He and his guys cleared the trail through the brush and wood through the property to a pond, and built a 20-foot bridge over a ditch and built some benches so that the seniors could have access to it and rest," Ben Weston, Scoutmaster of Troop 207 and Lief's father, said.
The residents of HomeLife have already made use of the trail, Jennifer Stratton, executive director of HomeLife on Glynco, said.
"The planning and coordination he went through for a young man is highly commendable. The project is beautiful," Stratton said, "We have a gentleman here that likes to fish, and he can go out there and do that because there's a spot for it now.
"We have several residents that love the wildlife. We have a family of geese that the residents love to watch. To have a way that they can walk down and be right near them and not disturb them is great. They wouldn't be able to get to that part of the property without the bridge."
The troop worked for 208 hours over two weeks to finish the project.
"It feels good. It was a great accomplishment," Lief said. "It's amazing that I don't have to work on scout stuff every week anymore."
The bridge was the most difficult part, he said, requiring them to dig deep into the ground to give the bridge a strong foundation.
The benches were built from scratch and placed along the trail and around the lake.
Most of the necessary materials was covered by donations. Jeff Kicklighter, president of Seaboard Construction, donated $500 to the project. Wooden utility poles were used as the main supports for the bridge, which were donated by J. Charles Lawrence with Georgia Power. Dan Busey of Resources and Land Consultants, offered his services to do a jurisdictional evaluation to see what laws and regulations the land was subject to. He also corresponded with Glynn County to make sure permits were in order, a service which usually comes to around $1,500.
Of the 13 members of the troop, 11 worked on the project with Lief, and they all took something away from it.
"It was definitely an experience, creating a useful trail," Andrew Donaldson, Life Scout, said.
"It felt good to help a friend," Robert Sadowski, another Life Scout, said.
The Boy Scouts place a heavy emphasis on community service, and Leif's project provided a perfect opportunity to give back.
"It's fun to be out there helping the community," Alonso Sanchez, Star Scout, said.
All of the scouts are proud of their first Eagle Scout in a number of years.
"It's good that someone's moving up," Will Crews, Star Scout, said.
An Eagle Scout project is one that must benefit an organization other than the Boy Scouts. There is not limit on the resources or time that can be put in to the project, the only metric by which it is judged is its impact on whatever or whoever it is done for. The scout that plans the project must also lead it. All involved, adults included, are organized and coordinated by the scout.
The troop doesn't have a date set for the award ceremony, only that it will be in the coming months.
The Eagle Scout award is the highest award that can be earned in the BSA, requiring that a scout be a member of the troop for six months after earning the previous rank in a leadership role and earn a total of 21 merit badges, 10 more than the previous rank.
The scout must also demonstrate they understand and exhibit the values taught by the Boy Scouts of America, and must supply three references to recommend them for the rank. The Eagle Scout project is the last of the requirements.
Lief doesn't plan on quitting scouts just yet, but he does plan on winding down with the troop. Troop 207 will be merging with Troop 1 later in the year, taking Troop 1's number, and Lief said that he plans to leave the troop when that happens.
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Information from: The Brunswick News, http://www.thebrunswicknews.com
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