Happy Friday! A project for the dogs, plus other good news from this week

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Connecticut Scout’s Eagle project is for the dogs

Ian Ceduscky, from Troop 15 in Redding, Connecticut, spotted a need in his community, then dedicated his Eagle Scout service project to filling that need.

“I really like dogs, and Redding doesn’t really have a large area where they can be off leash,” Ian told his local newspaper.

Thus, the idea of the Topstone dog park was born. And, many months later, Ian was an Eagle Scout.

Read more in this story from The News-Times.

Great Smoky Mountain Council recognizes Scout of the year

On the firing range, John Campbell is a champion. In 2022, he was the state champion in the Tennessee Sporting Clays Association tournament.

In Scouting, John Campbell is a leader. He’s an Eagle Scout completing an ambitious project rebuilding a playground at his church and twice serving as Pellissippi Lodge Order of the Arrow Chief.

Learn more about John’s accomplishments in this report from WATE 6 News in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Illinois Scouts continue to maintain duck nests

Below-freezing temperatures didn’t stop the Scouts of troops 92 and 609 from doing what they promised: performing annual maintenance on wood duck nests in Chain O’ Lakes State Park.

Over time, the natural habitat of the ducks has declined because of development and hunting. Special nests are needed to attract them. Scouts installed 50 boxes back in 1980, and they continue to maintain them to this day.

Read more about this long-term service project in this story from the Lake County Journal.

Scouts pay tribute to firefighters lost in 1954 wildfire

Four firefighters lost their lives fighting a wildfire in the Tennessee mountains in 1954. Scouts BSA Troop 516 is making sure their community never forgets.

Led by Eagle Scout candidate Seth Whitehead, the group recently installed a memorial recognizing the tragedy.

“I’m a very big history person,” said Whitehead. “I just wanted to show the community what happened here on that day.”

Read more in this story from the WJHL News in Johnson City, Tennessee.


About Aaron Derr 429 Articles
Aaron Derr is the senior editor of Scout Life and Scouting magazines, and also a former Cubmaster and Scouts BSA volunteer.