Brady Cairns, a senior at Huntley High School, recently led an effort to construct an outdoor learning garden at Martin Elementary School for his Eagle Scout project.
Cairns, who attended Martin for third through fifth grades, said when he was inspired by his memories of the school when considering what to do for his service project. To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, Scouting’s highest rank, a Boy Scout must “plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project” to an organization such as a school or religious institution.
“I knew I wanted to do something here because these are the schools I attended,” Cairns said. “When I was in elementary school, we always used to ask the teachers to go outside, but there was never a place to do that.”
“This allows the kids to get some fresh air,” Stotz said. “Teachers like bringing kids outside, but they haven’t had a place to go, so this is an important addition to Martin.”
The project also received support from 84 Lumber, which donated the materials, and Ed’s Rental, which donated the use of a number of tools needed for the job.
Thanks to some unseasonably warm weather, the outdoor space has received a lot of use this fall, Stotz said.
Cairns said the work, which involved the help of about 20-30 people each weekend for several weeks, was exhausting but rewarding.
“It was a lot of work but also a lot of fun,” he said.
