Question for parents of Boy Scouts

[missypie]

A local high schooler did some landscaping at our elementary school as his Eagle project. There were three squares out front (in a highly trafficked area) that had been set aside for landscaping in the past, but stuff had died. The kids put pavestones on the inside of the squares, then planted bushes.

Well, about a month has passed and the area is a dangerous mess. Some of the pavestones have sunk, causing there to be some holes (about 8" deep) and others have risen 6-8", causing a tripping hazard. Someone has placed orange flags near them, to try to keep people from hurting themselves. (The area still has foot traffic since it is next to the city pool.)

If that was your kids' Eagle project, would you want him to be called out to fix it? I imagine that the school district will just tear it out before school starts, because it is such hazard. I think, however, that it would be good for the troop to have to come out and try to make it right.

If your kid did a landscaping or construction project, did he ever go out and check on it later?

 

[cardaway]

I don't see the point in having them possibly do it wrong again.

Some things just should be done by professionals, not volunteers.

 

[Pam]

As the very proud Mom of an Eagle Scout, I say that the Scout should be contacted about the shoddy work on this project.

My son did his project 4 years ago this summer - he constructed an outdoor amphitheater consisting of 6 benches on a hillside for the local park's summer concert program.

He has been back several times over the years to make sure that the benches are holding up, no ground erosion, no graffiti, etc.

There's a lot of work and just as much pride in that project.

 

[Pam]

I don't see the point in having them possibly do it wrong again.

Some things just should be done by professionals, not volunteers.

But, cardaway, the whole point of an Eagle Scout project is for the Scout (Eagle candidate) to show leadership. He doesn't do the project by himself, he conceives, plans, and recruits help to bring the project to fruition.

In my son's instance, he used not only the labor of his fellow Boy Scouts, but he also asked for assistance from skilled and professional adults. For instance, he had a man bring in a bobcat to dig the holes.

The Eagle Scout just needs to find experienced people to help him correct the problems. He needs to show that he is a leader.

 

[horseshowmom]

But, cardaway, the whole point of an Eagle Scout project is for the Scout (Eagle candidate) to show leadership. He doesn't do the project by himself, he conceives, plans, and recruits help to bring the project to fruition.

In my son's instance, he used not only the labor of his fellow Boy Scouts, but he also asked for assistance from skilled and professional adults. For instance, he had a man bring in a bobcat to dig the holes.

The Eagle Scout just needs to find experienced people to help him correct the problems. He needs to show that he is a leader.

I agree...

 

[cardaway]

So if the worst was to happen, somebody got hurt because of the shoddy work, who gets named in the suit?

 

[missypie]

I think it would be a very good learning experience for the scout to see the problem and have to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it.

 

[Pam]

So if the worst was to happen, somebody got hurt because of the shoddy work, who gets named in the suit?

I don't have the answer to that scenario. But I know that when an Eagle Scout candidate wants to begin his project he must first meet with someone from the School, Church, Park, etc. who will benefit from his project. The Scout must give signatures from that person saying they approve the project. The Scout then goes before the Council Scout Board to get approval from them. Then and only then can he begin working on the project.

Once his project is finished, the person from wherever he did the project meets with the Scout and signs off on the project, signifying that the work was done. So I would have to assume that if someone got hurt from shoddy work, the responsibility would lay at the feet of the School, Church, Park, etc.

Now, personally, I would still want the Scout to go back and fix the project and make things right as this reflects poorly on his leadership.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

The project NEVER should have been approved unless there was a competent professional consulting to make sure the stones were set correctly for a high traffic area.

IMHO, I believe that it should be a troop responsiblity to clean and repair the area, this time under the direction of a local landscaping company who will direct on proper materials and installation.

 

[Towncrier]

My son cares deeply about his Eagle Scout service project. He has made several small repairs to the dumpster enclosure that he supervised the building of. I see it as a continuation of the project as he has learned what things he did correctly and what things should have been done differently. I would, at the very least, give the scout a call and let him determine whether or not he can do anything to correct the problem.