USAG BAVARIA – HOHENFELS, Germany – Children of Hohenfels can immerse themselves in sight, sound, touch, scent and play now at the Child Development Center’s new sensory garden, the result of a garrison community member’s Eagle Scout project.
Ryder Fletcher, a scout with Hohenfels Troop 303, conceived the project from his experience with similar sensory trails in the woods of Germany, and, with the help of more than 20 volunteers, he built up the garden over the course of two weekends.
“I wanted to make something that would last and have a lasting impact,” said Fletcher. “The most important thing that we emphasize in scouts is giving back to the community, and that’s what the Eagle project’s main goal is.”
While the CDC already has play areas outside, the sensory garden has many features that distinguish it. The children can play tic-tac-toe with a set of rocks painted to resemble bees and ladybugs. There is a rock garden with painted stones featuring words from the Boy Scout Law, hedged by plants that thrive outdoors in Germany. In warmer months and sunnier weather, children may go unshod on a path with different textures – wood, grass, pebbles, stone, and woodchips. And when the sun shines, transparent colored panels provide colorful umbrage from a wooden structure, from which are also suspended chimes of different notes in chromatic sequence. And, as the sensory garden is indeed a garden, there are many plants, including a few redolent species such as lavender and southernwood.
Volunteers accomplished most of the garden construction during the first weekend. They brought a wheelbarrow to haul dirt and other materials. Concrete was poured to anchor the wood structure. Volunteers heaved pickaxes to dig up the sensory walk and remove fist-size stones. Despite the difficulties the volunteers faced this one weekend, most of the volunteer time was not accounted for then.
“You always think the execution’s going to be more difficult and take longer,” Fletcher said. “I had a good more 50 hours of planning time than I did as execution.”
Fletcher coordinated with many organizations to accomplish a weekend of building including with the 15th Engineer Battalion, who helped Fletcher procure lumber and other material. He had help from the Directorate of Public Works, who provided gravel, soil and sand. The local Cub Scout pack also aided in the construction. The USO also helped Ryder with his coordination.
Alongside the plants, the children have small plastic watering cans with which to care for the plants. Ryder also ensured the staff of the CDC have a plan to care for the garden and its equipment.
“Right now I have my maintenance guy every morning make sure that – in the summer – the plants are watered,” said Corey Coon, facility director for the CDC. “We want to extend this project, not just for this year but for years to come.”
“This brings a different element to our playgrounds,” said Beth Payne, Child and Youth Services coordinator. “We’re very fortunate here at Hohenfels CDC to have been the recipient.”
“I’m so happy it turned out the way it did,” said Coon. “He went over and beyond. I was amazed by how he did it.”
Fletcher lives in Grafenwoehr, but every Wednesday he makes the trip down to USAG Bavaria – Hohenfels. While his father was a service member, the Family called Hohenfels their home. His father retired and found work as a civilian at Tower Barracks, and so Fletcher makes a weekly commute to remain part of the troop he had been with before moving an hour north.
“I just had that connection with my troop,” said Fletcher of his decision to stay with Troop 303.
While Fletcher is still years out from leaving the Army community, he foresees a career in education or in music for himself.
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