Being Awarded my Hornaday Badge!

Me receiving my Hornaday Badge Award, Snellville, Georgia, September 8, 2018.

On September 8, 2018, an honor court was held at Church of the Redeemer in Snellville, where I was awarded my Hornaday Badge for the volunteer work and project I completed at Dunwoody Nature Center from 2016-2017. It was great to finally receive the award after all of the hard work I did. I’m happy to have been able to celebrate with so many people who supported me in my endeavor.

Me, receiving my Hornaday Badge Award, and my family, Snellville, Georgia, September 8, 2018.

More than one year has passed since I finished my project. I submitted my completed project portfolio binder to my Council Hornaday Advisor, Mrs. Donna Kaplan, in October 2017. The Northeast Georgia Council Hornaday Committee reviewed and approved my portfolio and forwarded it to the National Boy Scout Council.

Me with my Hornaday project sponsor, Mrs. Holly Loveland, and my scoutmaster, Mr. Earl Collins, Snellville, Georgia, September 8, 2018.

In April 2017, Mrs. Kaplan let me know that the National Council had approved my project for a Hornaday Award. After that, the Northeast Georgia Council prepared my badge and certificate in July 2018.  My family and my troop, Troop 548, hosted a William T. Hornaday Honor Court for me last weekend.

Me with members of my troop, Snellville, Georgia, September 8, 2018.

Doing the Hornaday project at Dunwoody Nature Center has taught me more appreciation and respect for the environment. Science is already important to me, and my project ingrained my interest even more. I’m still interested in studying biology when I go to college, and I hope to work in a science-related field as an adult. Completing my Hornaday project showed me that I can do it, and that I can pursue what I enjoy as a career.

Last Day of my Project!

Mrs. Loveland and I at Dunwoody Nature Center, September 1, 2017

Today, September 1, 2017, is the last day of my conservation project at Dunwoody Nature Center! I can’t believe all this time has already gone by, and I’m now done.  I’ve logged more than 610 total hours for my project.

Me with my cookie cake, Dunwoody Nature Center, September 1, 2017

Earlier this week, I met with my conservation coach, Mr. Abercrombie, who is also my assistant scoutmaster, to review my project binder with all of my information and reports.  He gave me great suggestions that I’ve already put into place, making some changes to my reports to improve them.

Me filling one of the bird feeders, Dunwoody Nature Center, September 1, 2017

Today, Mrs. Loveland gave me her signed acceptance letter, stating that Dunwoody Nature Center accepts all of the work that I’ve done there for my project.  She and I reviewed my project binder and photo albums.  She also gave me a cookie cake!  That was a nice surprise, and made me feel appreciated.

Me standing next to one of the bird houses I built, with my project name plate on it, Dunwoody Nature Center, September 1, 2017

I’ll miss going to Dunwoody Nature Center to work on my project.  Now, my schedule is more opened up to do some different activities.  I’ll still go to visit everyone at Dunwoody Nature Center, and I look forward to the next time I’ll be there.  Thank you, everyone!

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.

 

 

Wrapping Up

Going to fill the bird feeders at Dunwoody Nature Center, May 26, 2017

I officially wrapped up my Hornaday Conservation Project at the Dunwoody Nature Center (DNC) last week.  I’m now going into the “report phase” and follow-up period for the next three months.  During this time, I’ll be going to DNC at least two times per month to make sure that volunteers or staff have taken over my duties.

The biggest things to do in my report phase will be making sure that the wisteria and privet that I removed doesn’t grow back, and continuing to eliminate it if it does.  People will also have to take over my regular fillings of the bird feeders and bird baths, and I’ll have to follow-up to make sure that’s being done.

The ferns that I planted on my troop workday are growing really well, and many of the ferns already have new growth.  At least one of the five bird houses that I built was being used by wrens for nesting this spring.  I’m waiting a little bit longer to check on the other bird houses to see if they’ve been used yet because I don’t want to disturb any birds if the houses are occupied.  And, the trails that I mulched on my first troop workday are holding up well, too.

Last Friday, I removed at least 200 or more wisteria plants of all sizes and heights (from 2 inches to plants climbing in trees up to 20 feet high) and some privet plants (up to about 3 feet tall).  These plants overstuffed two yard waste bags.  Mom sprayed many of these plants with RoundUp the week before, but the RoundUp killed only the plants that were about one foot tall or shorter.  The RoundUp didn’t affect plants taller than one foot.  It has been a monumental challenge to remove the wisteria.  What I’ve observed by removing the wisteria and privet is that the English ivy has more space to grow, so I’ve removed some of that, too.

It has been a great experience to do my Hornaday Conservation Project at Dunwoody Nature Center.  I’m happy to work with nice people there, and have the opportunity to do activities that help animals and the environment.  Please continue reading my blog for more information about the report phase of my project and showing appreciation to people who’ve helped me.

Recognizing my Project Supporters in Scouting

Me with Mrs. Kaplan after completing my Hornaday project application and having it approved, May 21, 2016, District Roundtable Meeting, Snellville, Georgia

I’ve recognized my family members who’ve helped me with my Hornaday project at the Dunwoody Nature Center in a past blog post.  Now, I’d like to recognize my project supporters who are in scouting as my leaders and advisers.

Me with Mr. Abercrombie as I’m recognized for being a top seller of camp cards in my troop, Fall 2016, Troop Meeting, Snellville, Georgia

Mr. Dean Abercrombie, an assistant scoutmaster in my troop, first referred me to Mrs. Donna Kaplan, who is the Hornaday Chairperson for my troop’s council of Northeast Georgia.

Me with Mr. Abercrombie, Snellville, Georgia, April 21, 2017

I met with Mrs. Kaplan soon after being referred to her by Mr. Abercrombie, and signed my application to begin my Hornaday project in May 2016.

Me with Mrs. Loveland near Wildcat Creek, Dunwoody Nature Center, April 21, 2017

My conservation adviser for my Hornaday project, who is also the Program Director at Dunwoody Nature Center, is Mrs. Holly Loveland.  Mrs. Loveland is also very involved in scouting since one of her sons is a Boy Scout.  She has earned her wood badge, and is a great adviser who is always willing to give her time, support, and encouragement.

Me talking with Mr. Henderson about my project, Troop Meeting, Snellville, Georgia, April 17, 2017

Mr. Ed Henderson is my troop scoutmaster, and he and I have talked about my Hornaday project on many occasions.  I’ve given him information and updates about my project, and let him know about all of the progress I’ve made in the past year.

There are also other people who have supported me and who are members of my scout council’s Hornaday committee, although I don’t know them and don’t know their names. They gave me ideas and suggestions for formulating my project’s final proposal.

Thank you to all of my supporters and leaders in scouting who continue to guide me throughout my project!

Family Support with my Project

Filling bird feeders, March 10, 2017

For the past six months, I’ve been working hard on my Hornaday Project at the Dunwoody Nature Center.  I’ve gotten a lot done, and I’ve had support along the way from my family.

Filling a tall bird feeder, March 10, 2017

Mom is my driver who takes me to and from Dunwoody every week.

Spreading mulch on a trail, March 11, 2017

Dad helped spread mulch on trails on my first troop workday.

Working on building bird houses, February 17, 2017

My grandfather supervised and supported my work on building bird houses.

There are many people who support me in doing my project, and I want my family to know how much I appreciate their help.

Attending Two Hornaday Weekends in 2016

At Troop 339 Hornaday Weekend, Sumter, South Carolina, April 2016

In 2016, I attended two Hornaday Weekends.  One was in April with Boy Scout Troop 339 in Sumter, South Carolina, and the other was in July with the Northeast Georgia Council in Gainesville, Georgia. Going on these weekends, and my previous science and conservation merit badge work, has helped prepare me more for doing my Hornaday project.

Working on the Energy Badge with other Boy Scouts at Troop 339 Hornaday Weekend, Sumter, South Carolina, April 2016

At the Sumter Hornaday Weekend, I took four merit badge classes for public health, energy, fish and wildlife management, and weather, and earned all four badges.  The food was really good, but that weekend was freezing cold for camping.  Overall, I had a really great time there, and would go again.

I caught a fish at Northeast Georgia Hornaday Weekend, Scoutland, Gainesville, Georgia for Fly Fishing Badge, July 2016

The Northeast Georgia Council held its first Hornaday Weekend in July.  I attended that, and took four merit badge classes, again, including fly fishing, reptile and amphibian study, insect study, and mammal study.  I had a great time there and learned alot, but it was really hot and humid.  I would attend again, but wish the temperature was cooler.

Fly fishing at Northeast Georgia Hornaday Weekend, Gainesville, Georgia, July 2016

Going on these two weekends was a great experience for me.  I did alot of work and research to prepare for the weekends before I took the classes.  I would recommend for other scouts to attend Hornaday weekends if they are really interested in science, conservation, and the environment.