My Conservation-Related Activities at the 2017 National Jamboree

Me showing my completed mining in society badge card at the 2017 National Jamboree, West Virginia, July 24, 2017

From July 19-28, 2017, I attended and participated in the 2017 National Jamboree for Boy Scouts and Venturers at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia.  It was a great experience, but with alot of walking, and I did many activities.

Me at the Summit Bechtel Reserve 2017 National Jamboree, West Virginia, July 24, 2017

There were alot of activities already planned for my Troop 3127 with the Northeast Georgia Council before we got there, so that didn’t leave very much time to do things I wanted to do.  But, I still did things that I liked.

Me at the Hornaday Exhibit Tent at the 2017 National Jamboree, West Virginia, July 25, 2017

Conservation-related activities I completed at the 2017 National Jamboree were going to the Hornaday Exhibit Tent and talking with scout staff.  I went there twice, and talked to two people.  Both times I went there, I talked with men who were very encouraging.  The second time, I talked to the Central Region Angling Chairman, who asked me many questions about my Hornaday project.  He also talked to me about preparing my final report and following up on the progress I’ve made with my project.

Me with Staffmember Mr. Michael Brand at the Hornaday Exhibit Tent, 2017 National Jamboree, July 25, 2017

I also went to the Sustainability Tree House three times.  The first two times, I didn’t have much chance to look through it because I had to get back to my camp and it was at the end of the day.  The third time I went there, I looked through all of it except the top floor because of the risk of lightning that day.  It was really cool!

Me at the Sustainability Tree House, 2017 National Jamboree, July 25, 2017

At the National Eagle Scout Association Tent, I saw Regis, the bald eagle.  Regis is the Association’s mascot.  He is a beautiful eagle, and a wonderful representative of the Association.  It’s disappointing that he is an eagle in captivity, but it looks like he is being well taken care of.

Me with Regis, the bald eagle, at the NESA Tent. 2017 National Jamboree; July 25, 2017

At Jamboree, I gave out some of my custom-made Hornaday patches to scout leaders. Unfortunately, my fellow scouts at Jamboree weren’t very interested in them, and didn’t want to trade any of their patches for them.  But, working on my project is still very important to me, and I know I’ve made a positive impact on the environment.

 

 

My Second Troop Workday

Getting ready to plant my first fern, Dunwoody Nature Center, April 15, 2017

On Saturday, April 15, I held my second troop workday at the Dunwoody Nature Center. My parents and I were the only people there, and there was much work to do!

Mom showing some of the ferns before planting, Dunwoody Nature Center, April 15, 2017

We dug holes, and we removed rocks and stones, and cut out roots from the holes before planting 52 Autumn ferns in the woods at Dunwoody Nature Center.

Planting 22 ferns in this area, Dunwoody Nature Center, April 15, 2017

We planted the ferns in three main areas where we had dug out, cut, and removed Chinese privet, Chinese wisteria, and English ivy.

Wisteria to remove before planting ferns, Dunwoody Nature Center, April 15, 2017

It was so much work, and it was hot!  I wish we had more people to help us.  I was really happy when we finished after 7.5 hours.

Mom cutting out wisteria, Dunwoody Nature Center, April 15, 2017

I’ve made a huge commitment to my project and I’ve been dedicated in seeing it through.  I’m not done yet; there’s still more to do.

Before planting ferns near Wildcat Creek, Dunwoody Nature Center, April 15, 2017

There are still 8 ferns remaining to plant later this week; and I went back to Dunwoody Nature Center today (Easter) to water in all of the ferns we planted yesterday.

My workday is done! Dunwoody Nature Center, April 15, 2017

Plus, last night, I met with one of my assistant scoutmasters for my two week personal fitness check.

Me and dad have no more energy left, Dunwoody Nature Center, April 15, 2017

I’ve had a very busy weekend and I’m exhausted!

Building Birdhouses for the Dunwoody Nature Center

Me with the birdhouse I built today, January 31, 2017

This week, I’ve been building birdhouses for wrens and chickadees at the Dunwoody Nature Center.

Working on a birdhouse, January 31, 2017

I’m using the materials bought from Lowe’s in Snellville to make the birdhouses, with the money donated by Lowe’s and my grandfather for this part of my project.

Sawing pieces of wood for birdhouses, January 29, 2017

I measured the pieces needed for the sides, top, and bottom from birdhouse plans I got from the Internet. I then cut the wood into pieces with a saw, while my grandfather supervised my work.

Sawing a metal pipe that a birdhouse will be fastened to, January 29, 2017

On Sunday, I prepared all of the pieces to start making the six birdhouses. Today, I built my first birdhouse!  I plan to build them all in the next week to place them, soon, for the birds at the Dunwoody Nature Center.

Hornaday Project Preparation: Boy Scout Angler and Conservation Achievements in 2016

Going Fishing at Pathfinders Summer Day Camp, Scoutland, Gainesville, Georgia, June 2014

In 2016, I earned Boy Scout achievements in fishing and conservation.  I completed the work required and earned the badges for the Complete Angler and World Conservation Award.  This work took two years for me to complete in Boy Scouts.

I completed the work required for these achievements at the Dunwoody Nature Center; Boy Scout Camp at Alaflo in Alabama; Boy Scout Pathfinders Summer Day Camp at Scoutland in Gainesville, Georgia; and two Hornaday Weekends with Troop 339 at Sumter, South Carolina and the Northeast Georgia Council at Scoutland in Gainesville, Georgia.

Boy Scouts of America Complete Angler Patch (Retrieved from http://www.scouting.org, November 7, 2016)

The very first merit badge that I earned as a Boy Scout was in fishing at Pathfinders Summer Day Camp at Scoutland.  Catching a fish there was the second time I ever caught one.  I really love to fish, and wish I could fish more often.

Fly Fishing with Other Boy Scouts at Northeast Georgia Hornaday Weekend, Scoutland, Gainesville, Georgia, July 2016

The first merit badge class that I took at the Dunwoody Nature Center was environmental science, an Eagle-required badge.  Since then, I’ve also taken other nature-related badge classes at the Dunwoody Nature Center, and I’ve gotten to know some of the people who work there. My participation in those classes helped inspire me to seek a Hornaday project there.

Boy Scouts of America World Conservation Award Patch (Retrieved from http://www.scouting.org, November 7, 2016)

Earning these achievements in Boy Scouts has added even more to my preparation for work in my Hornaday Project at the Dunwoody Nature Center.  I’ve had a great experience working on the badges and learning more about nature and conservation.