Blog

Two special parks in the Aberdeen area just got a big boost. Local Eagle Scouts finished cool new projects. These projects help everyone enjoy the Kuhnert Arboretum and the Andover Threshing Grounds. Boy Scouts work hard to earn the Eagle rank. It is the highest honor a Scout can get. These young leaders made a real difference. They improved our community for many years to come.

Eagle Scout projects are important. Scouts plan them all by themselves. They lead volunteers. They make sure the work gets done right. These projects show great leadership skills. They also teach Scouts how to help others. This is why these two projects are so special.

Kuhnert Arboretum Gets Smooth Paths

Cole Kessler is one of these amazing Eagle Scouts. He picked a project at the Kuhnert Arboretum. This arboretum is a lovely outdoor space. People love to visit it. It has many plants and trees. Cole noticed a problem with the paths. They were covered in wood chips. These chips made walking hard. They were especially tough for wheelchairs. Strollers also got stuck. Cole wanted to help everyone.

He wanted to make the paths easy for all visitors. Cole decided to replace the wood chips. His plan was to use fine stone dust. This dust would make the paths smooth. Now, wheelchairs and strollers can move easily. Walkers can also enjoy the paths more. It is a much better experience for everyone.

Cole’s project took a lot of effort. He worked hard to get it done. He needed many supplies. The project used a huge amount of stone. They spread 175 tons of stone dust. That is a lot of material! Cole also needed money for the stone. He wrote letters asking for help. He got grants and donations. This paid for the project materials.

Many people helped Cole. He had 28 volunteers join him. They worked together as a team. The volunteers spent a lot of time helping. They put in 220 hours of work. This shows how much people care. The project cost about $3,500 for the stone. This was a big help to the Arboretum. Cole’s project was completed in 2023. It makes the Arboretum better for everyone today. He wanted to “make the paths more accessible.” He certainly did!

Here are some facts about Cole’s project:

• Scout Name: Cole Kessler
• Location: Kuhnert Arboretum
• Project Goal: Make paths easy for everyone
• Old Paths: Wood chips, hard for wheelchairs
• New Paths: Smooth stone dust
• Stone Used: 175 tons
• Volunteers: 28 people
• Work Hours: 220 hours
• Cost of Stone: $3,500
• Year Completed: 2023

Many groups helped Cole. The Northern Plains Landscape Arboretum supported him. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks also gave aid. The City of Aberdeen helped too. Even North Central Civil Engineers offered advice. It was a true community effort.

Andover Threshing Grounds Get New Features

Gage Wagemann is another fantastic Eagle Scout. He picked the Andover Threshing Grounds for his project. This place teaches us about history. It shows how farming was done long ago. Gage wanted to make it even better. He had three main goals. These goals would help visitors learn more. They would also keep old items safe.

First, Gage built a brand new information kiosk. A kiosk is like a small station. It holds important visitor information. People can learn about the grounds there. Second, he made new display signs. These signs went inside the old buildings. They help explain what each building was used for. You can learn about old tools and machines.

Third, Gage built a long split-rail fence. This fence helps keep visitors safe. It also protects the old buildings and tools. The fence shows people where they can walk. It stops them from touching fragile old items. This helps keep history safe for all of us.

Gage’s project also took a lot of hard work. He needed many materials. He also needed help from volunteers. He found 17 people to help him. They worked for many hours. They put in 147 hours of work. Gage’s project cost about $2,000 for materials. He also got grants and donations. The Aberdeen Area Community Foundation gave a grant. His project was also finished in 2023.

Gage said he wanted to “make the grounds better for visitors.” He also wanted to “teach more about local history.” He certainly did both with his awesome projects. His work helps preserve important history.

Look at the details for Gage’s project:

• Scout Name: Gage Wagemann
• Location: Andover Threshing Grounds
• Project Goals: Improve visitor experience, protect history
• Projects Done:
  • Built information kiosk
  • Made historical display signs
  • Built split-rail fence
• Volunteers: 17 people
• Work Hours: 147 hours
• Cost of Materials: $2,000
• Year Completed: 2023

Why Eagle Scout Projects Matter

Being an Eagle Scout is a big deal. It is the highest rank a Boy Scout can earn. To become an Eagle Scout, you must complete a major service project. The project must benefit the community. Scouts have to plan everything. They choose the project. They get approval. Then they gather materials. They also find volunteers. Finally, they lead the work. This teaches them many skills.

These skills include planning and leadership. They learn problem-solving. They also learn how to work with others. These projects are very important. They make our towns better. They show what young people can achieve. They remind us to help our neighbors. These Scouts are true role models. You can learn more about the Eagle Scout rank and its requirements.

Both Cole and Gage did amazing work. Their projects will help many people. They made the Arboretum easier to use. They made the Threshing Grounds more fun to visit. These young men showed real dedication. They showed what great leaders they are. We are lucky to have them in our community.

Here is a quick look at both projects:

These projects are a great example of what Scouts do. They help people. They improve places. They teach valuable lessons. We should all be proud of Cole and Gage. Their hard work makes Aberdeen a better place. What kind of project would you want to do?