How long should an Eagle Scout Care for their project after completion?

[NDW5332]

Someone raised a big issue with some Veteran Memorial Bricks outside one of our local grade schools. The area has become overgrown with weeds and names are no longer visible.  The reason I bring this up now is that it started as an Eagle project to create a small memorial outside one of our local grade school, and selling engraved bricks paid for the project and the remainder of proceeds were donated to the VFW.  its been 5 years now and the Scout's been in college for 3 years, and the troop folded 2 years ago. also in that time, the school went through 6 principals. so there's no one around who knows anything about it. While, the one woman is angry about the stones, the schools have been dealing with so much more this week. there have been shooter threats, and maintenance has been dealing with vandalized bathrooms.

[fred8033]

Strictly speaking, the scout is done with the project when the beneficiary signs the paper.  

This is not about the scout or the "Eagle project".   It's that maintenance was not considered sufficiently; not by the scout, the scoutmaster or the beneficiary.   Perhaps a solid weed mesh or a different base to minimize weeks.  

This is very common.  Eagle projects get installed without long-term consideration.  Too many Eagle projects are removed / undone a year or two after they were installed.  OR, the next Eagle scout project to fix / repair a previous Eagle project.

Edited September 23 by fred8033

[DuctTape]

I agree with Fred.

 

As an aside, I had visited my Eagle Project site 20 years later and saw that others had continued my project (building and restoring a trail). Not only that, the parks department had named the trail and put up markers. I realized that my project was more than just the work, but was also promoting the idea of community service and shared responsibilty to others through my actions. 

[Tron]

BSA needs to revamp the whole Eagle process. Scouts should be able to work on BSA camps, AND, scouts should be encouraged to revisit old projects before starting something fresh.

[RememberSchiff]

On 9/23/2024 at 1:48 PM, fred8033 said:

... Eagle projects get installed without long-term consideration.  Too many Eagle projects are removed / undone a year or two after they were installed.  OR, the next Eagle scout project to fix / repair a previous Eagle project.

10/9/2024 Greenwood, AR  - a group of trees planted years ago as part of Eagle Scout Tyler Coble's project were removed during a recent construction project.

Local Eagle Scout Drake Brandon spoke at the Greenwood City Council's meeting Monday on behalf of fellow Eagle Scout Tyler Coble. Brandon said a group of trees (15), located near the new Mercy Clinic in west Greenwood, were removed as part of the ongoing roadwork in the area.

"Along that trail, there were several trees planted, and that was a project for Tyler Coble and he couldn't make it here tonight," Brandon said. "I don't really have a plan, I just was curious about what the city would be willing to do to make it right."

Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow said he wasn't aware before the meeting that the trees along the trail had been removed, but said he was willing to do what was needed to replace them.

"I promise you we will put them back," Kinslow said. "I actually have some funds that I can use. I label it 'trees' every year because I am a bit of a tree guy myself."...Kinslow joked that Coble could replant all the trees if he wanted. The mayor did note that doing so would not make Coble a double Eagle Scout.  

More at source:

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2024/oct/09/greenwood-city-council-to-help-restore-trees/

[swilliams]

Part of my son's project, completed this past June, is probably already in ruins.  He built a bocce ball court, and in the process of excavating had to put in a rain garden.  New Jersey has had drought conditions for a few months now, and because this is at a pool - which is now closed - he couldn't get anyone to give him access initially.  Once someone finally agree to come open up, he realized the water had been shut off for the season.  Bye-bye to the $360 worth of plantings.

Our Troop has talked about making a list of projects completed by our Eagle Scouts, and trying to maintain some of them, but it hasn't gone beyond talk at this point.  However, it looks like our next Scoutmaster will be...  me.

[InquisitiveScouter]

Do not go down that road.

If there is any question on this, we point to the authority of the resource.

ESSP Workbook, "Navigating the Eagle Scout Service Project Information for Project Beneficiaries " section, which beneficiaries must acknowledge their receipt of, specifically says:

"The Scout is not responsible for any maintenance of a project once it is completed."

For any of the projects I advise that may have some lingering commitment, I mentor the Eagle candidate to have a discussion with the beneficiary specially about care after completion.

Our Committee Chair and Scoutmaster will not approve any projects requiring care after completion.  Beneficiaries understand this, and agree to take over maintenance once the final project approval paperwork is signed.

 

[fred8033]

Great point @InquisitiveScouter !!  Always answer with an authoritative reference when possible.  Eagle scout service project workbook, Guide To Advancement and Guide To Safe Scouting are great tools.

[skeptic]

Depending on the project, it might be something to consider as ongoing service later for unit hours and such.  Sadly, many projects disappear far too quickly or are destroyed or removed.  I felt badly about a couple projects that had no way of surviving very long, as they were open to the elements and or in our area wildfire.  The one was a great nature trail for a local group, and just a few weeks after completion we had one of our rare rainy periods and it flooded the area heavily.  We have also seen local officials come into place with issues with something, or inspectors that felt, after the fact, that the approved project did not meet standards, though their predecessor said it did.  On the other hand, some projects seem to last a very long while, which is nice to see on occasion, especially if the public knows it was service by Scouting.  

[curious_scouter]

On 12/9/2024 at 12:21 PM, InquisitiveScouter said:

"The Scout is not responsible for any maintenance of a project once it is completed."

This is the answer.  It should be highlighted to the beneficiary in the first meeting IMO.  They own ongoing maintenance or not.  If a Scout sees an eroding project and chooses to do something to spruce it back up that's a nice windfall but should not be an expectation.

Also, I tell people often:  The first step to getting help is often to ask for help.  If a beneficiary is incapable of doing maintenance on a past project, but would like something done - educate them that they can ask the troop the scout was from.  The worst thing that happens is it's not possible and they're no worse off.  I'd give service hours for renovating a past project for a beneficiary.