CAMP HUMPHREYS -- For a person involved is Scouting, one of the final crucibles to earning the Eagle Scout rank is to develop, plan, and lead a project that will benefit a local school, religious institution, or community.
Stephen Gayton III, a Boy Scout Troop 203 Eagle Scout candidate and a junior at Humphreys High School, was looking for a project that would support the local community, but just as importantly, support his beloved HHS Blackhawks.
It just so happened that the Humphreys cross-country coach, Mitch Moellendick, had a project in mind. He had approached Scoutmaster Dennis Polaski early in the summer to see if it would be possible for a scout to help clear a 300-meter trail through the CPX training area and build a bridge, across a nearly five-foot span, over an irrigation channel.
Moellendick's goal was to build a true cross-country course (not along paved areas, but through the woods) and have it done in time for the Humphreys High School opening meet, Sept. 20. When presented with this project, Stephen immediately accepted the challenge.
He coordinated with Moellendick to recon and mark the trail through the woods. Stephen then established a timeline and coordinated Scout and volunteer support to clear the trail of scrub brush, small trees and roots that would be tripping hazards. He also coordinated the team that cut and painted the lumber for the abutments, stringers, and decking for the bridge.
On Sept. 6, he supervised a team of 23 people as they transported all the pre-cut and pre-painted wood to the irrigation channel and proceeded to tear out the small and dangerous existing "plank" bridge already there, and systematically prepared the abutments, laid the stringers, installed the decking and then built the hand rail supports. After a total of 271 man-hours, the trail and bridge were complete and ready for the HHS Cross-Country team.
Within minutes of completion, the bridge had its first customers. The training area is a favorite walking/hiking area for the local Korean community and they were ecstatic to see the bridge completed, allowing them to safely cross the irrigation channel on their daily walks.
The school held its first cross-country meet Sept. 20, on the newly created course. By all accounts, it was a huge success, with runners from schools all over the peninsula competing on the new course.
"Everything went smoothly and everyone seemed to love the course," Moellendick said.
Stephen felt a huge sense of accomplishment following the meet. His Eagle Scout project taught him many lessons about organization and leadership that he will retain forever, but it also provided his beloved Blackhawks with a home course for track meets and his adopted Korean community a permanent and safe walking trail.
When asked what he liked best about his project, Stephen replied, "Working with my fellow scouts and volunteers to create something that is enduring and will help the community and my school. I could not have asked for a better Eagle Scout project."
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