Boy Scout Christopher Benson is one step closer to his goal of achieving Eagle Scout rank after leading his troop in the planting of 30 white pine trees at Clear Lake Twp. Park in May.

 

Sixteen year-old Benson, who will be a junior at Tech High School next fall, has been a member of Clearwater/Clear Lake Boy Scout Troop 94 since he was a third-grader. His family is a ‘scouting’ family; dad Brent is the troop’s cub and scout master, mom Tambra helps out behind the scenes, and his three younger brothers, Austin, Wesley and Eli, are also boy scouts.

 

Eagle scout service projects give scouts the chance to demonstrate leadership while performing a community service project. It’s the culmination of a scout’s leadership training and takes considerable effort to achieve.

 

The requirements are intensive, and include earning 21 merit badges, planning, developing and leading others in a community service project and serving in a leadership position. Benson is currently his troop’s quartermaster.

 

Benson met with Bud Stimmler, who is involved with the scout program through the Clear Lake American Legion. Stimmler, a Clear Lake Twp. supervisor, suggesting planting a tree row at the township park.

 

After receiving approval on the project from the local Boy Scout Council, Benson planned it out in detail, including research, describing the individual steps of the project, talking to people who would be involved, and setting dates.

 

“Christopher did all the planning for the project,” said Stimmler. “I was impressed by how he thought of the many little details that needed to be done. This will be something that will be visible and enjoyed for years to come.”

 

The day of the planting 10 members of his troop, along with parents and siblings, showed up to volunteer. Benson explained the project, then showed them how to plant the trees and set up a moat around each to help with watering. 

 

Along with planting the trees, the volunteers also cleaned up around two benches which had grown up in weeds. As part of Benson’s service project, two additional cement benches will be added to the park in the near future.

 

Benson, members of his troop, and Stimmler will be taking turns watering the trees over the summer.

 

Benson has learned a lot from being a Boy Scout, especially outdoors skills, as the troop goes on high adventure camping trips. He’s also learned about leadership.

 

“If you enjoy being outdoors and like fun trips with kids your own age you should join Boy Scouts,” he said. “It’s a fun program.”

 

With the completion of his Eagle Scout service project, Benson only has a few more steps to accomplish before he’s awarded Eagle rank, which he hopes to achieve by the end of the year.