Sometimes, coming up with the right idea for an Eagle Scout project can be a project unto itself.
But for Alex Spoor, 16, of Dansville’s Boy Scout Troop 38, it took participating in a community clean-up project of Williams Park last year to spark the idea.
The clean-up project was part of the Lions Club Make a Difference Day.
As one step in the ladder of earning Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout must initiate and lead a large project.
Spoor, along with 23 others including fellow Boy Scouts, former Eagle Scouts, Scout leaders, parents and family members, took on the initiative to repaint and raise flower beds along Brookside House, as well as plant flowers, put in some drainage tile under the down spouts, refurbished the girl scout house signs, restored framing around a window, and cleaned out the gutters.
In the playground, the group repainted the “turtle” and bike racks, rebuilt the teeter-totters and benches, replaced some landscaping timbers, weeded out the two large planters in front of Brookside House and replaced its plants. They also replaced some edging around the large playground apparatus.
Beverly Figurelli, Girl Scout junior troop leader, said by phone Tuesday that the troop couldn’t get the full funding for the repairs needed, and although the Girl Scouts have done some work around Brookside House, they weren’t able to do by themselves the heavy-duty work that the Boy Scout crew had done.
“Everything has been done just to perfection,” she said. “We’re really thankful for the gift he gave us.”
The labor extended over two full weekends in August, but it really started earlier with planning and picking up materials and soliciting donations.
Spoor said he feels that this was quite an accomplishment, but couldn’t have gotten it done without the help of others who donated their time, plus the many businesses that donated supplies or gave significant discounts to help out.
The idea was first presented to the village board, who owns the property, and who gave their blessing on the project.
Mayor Peter Vogt commended the project, stating by phone Tuesday that it was a very good project, and visible to the community. He said it’s nice to see active scouting in Dansville, and that young men are willing to take on such an endeavor. “I appreciate the effort,” he said.
Vogt, himself an Eagle Scout, said that having been a scout has “contributed to who I am as an adult.”
Sometimes, coming up with the right idea for an Eagle Scout project can be a project unto itself.
But for Alex Spoor, 16, of Dansville’s Boy Scout Troop 38, it took participating in a community clean-up project of Williams Park last year to spark the idea.
The clean-up project was part of the Lions Club Make a Difference Day.
As one step in the ladder of earning Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout must initiate and lead a large project.
Spoor, along with 23 others including fellow Boy Scouts, former Eagle Scouts, Scout leaders, parents and family members, took on the initiative to repaint and raise flower beds along Brookside House, as well as plant flowers, put in some drainage tile under the down spouts, refurbished the girl scout house signs, restored framing around a window, and cleaned out the gutters.
In the playground, the group repainted the “turtle” and bike racks, rebuilt the teeter-totters and benches, replaced some landscaping timbers, weeded out the two large planters in front of Brookside House and replaced its plants. They also replaced some edging around the large playground apparatus.
Beverly Figurelli, Girl Scout junior troop leader, said by phone Tuesday that the troop couldn’t get the full funding for the repairs needed, and although the Girl Scouts have done some work around Brookside House, they weren’t able to do by themselves the heavy-duty work that the Boy Scout crew had done.
“Everything has been done just to perfection,” she said. “We’re really thankful for the gift he gave us.”
The labor extended over two full weekends in August, but it really started earlier with planning and picking up materials and soliciting donations.
Spoor said he feels that this was quite an accomplishment, but couldn’t have gotten it done without the help of others who donated their time, plus the many businesses that donated supplies or gave significant discounts to help out.
The idea was first presented to the village board, who owns the property, and who gave their blessing on the project.
Mayor Peter Vogt commended the project, stating by phone Tuesday that it was a very good project, and visible to the community. He said it’s nice to see active scouting in Dansville, and that young men are willing to take on such an endeavor. “I appreciate the effort,” he said.
Vogt, himself an Eagle Scout, said that having been a scout has “contributed to who I am as an adult.”
Alex’s father and assistant scout leader, Marty Spoor, said that while the Village commented on the large scope of the project, “We just kept going until we felt it was a significant change. We didn’t really consider the hours.”
He said that he and his wife, Chris, are really proud of their son for accomplishing such a large task. But for both he and Alex, the most rewarding aspect was seeing the looks on the neighborhood kids’ faces when they saw the newly-refurbished playground.
Alex noted there became a progression of people stopping by the further the group worked on the playground.
“It was just great to see,” he said. “I’ve never seen so many people stop by and have a good time. It felt good to see that.”
Spoor has four merit badges to go before the coveted Eagle Court of Honor, a ceremony where he is bestowed with the Eagle rank.
In addition to Spoor, Nicchia Mcfadden is in the process of planning his Eagle Scout project.
