Scout creates new kiosk for service project
Aiken Boy Scout Benjamin Rawls is helping maintain the Carolina Bay while making his bid for Eagle Scout.
Rawls, 16, is a sophomore at South Aiken High School and a Boy Scout with Troop 121 in Aiken. As a community service project for his Eagle Scout application, he has designed a kiosk for the entrance to the Carolina Bay, behind the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center's climbing wall, off Price Avenue.
He and about a dozen adult and teen volunteers began work to build the new kiosk and clean up the Bay's walking trails and surrounding areas.
"I enjoy being outdoors, going camping, using wilderness skills, and I like being able to help out with service projects," Rawls said. "Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Scouting, and I figured if I was going to be in it, I might as well go all the way. It's one of the most prestigious things you can get as a kid."
When Rawls began thinking about Eagle Scout community service projects, he reached out to several organizations looking for one in need of help.
The Aiken Land Conservancy arranged for him to meet with the Savannah River Ecology Lab's David Scott, who manages the property, at the Carolina Bay. Scott described several improvement projects on the slate for the Bay, and Rawls thought rebuilding the information kiosk was a good fit. He is also working in conjunction with David Parker with the City of Aiken.
Materials for the building project were donated by Mays Roofing, Sherwin-Williams, and SABIC Polymershapes.
Rawls is also doing fundraising as a component of the project and has raised $1,400 toward any materials that have not been donated. He needs another $3,000 to print signage to go on the kiosk.
Donations are tax-deductible and can be made to the Aiken Land Conservancy and earmarked for Rawls' project. "The kiosk at the bay now is aging and in less than peak condition. The new one will be larger, more secure and provide more information about the bay," Rawls said.
Contact Suzanne Stone at sstone@aikenstandard.com.
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