Jacksonville’s Everest Smith has spent 11 years as a member of Boy Scout Troop 5. “I can easily say it has been the highlight of my childhood and teenage years. I have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in Scouting.” Readers of the Review know that this award does not come easily—the completion of many Eagle Scout projects have been covered in its pages over the years. For scouts, the goal of earning their Eagle designation is accomplished by demonstrating leadership, hard work, dedication, community service, and a high moral standard. Since inception, more than two million have earned the Eagle rank—representing just 4% of the total number of scouts who’ve participated in the program.
As Everest explains, “To earn your Eagle, you must complete all 6 ranks below you, with many requirements. You must be active in your troop, demonstrate the Scout Law and Oath in your daily life, earn a total of 21 merit badges, hold an elected position of leadership in your troop, and complete a service project that will greatly help your community.”
For his project, Everest chose to construct and install a set of “You are Here” map kiosk displays in the woodland trail system. The project has meaningful family ties as Everest is the grandson of Larry Smith, one of the founders of the Jacksonville Woodlands Association and its current and long-time Executive Director. “Over the years, my grandfather has helped 20 Scouts with their Eagle projects…now he’s helped his own grandson!”
Everest notes, “I was given multiple choices for projects, and after looking them over, I made my choice of building seven kiosks with “You are Here” maps to place in different areas across the Jacksonville Woodlands trails. I began the project with a proposal which included a summary of the project, the tools and supplies needed, funding and manpower needed, and how I would show leadership. After filling out the application, I sent it to our Crater Lake Council, and it was approved.”
After that approval, the younger Smith got to work. “I purchased all of the necessary supplies and started building the kiosks. A kind couple had previously donated a large sum of money to the Woodlands, so the $1,600 put into this project was covered.” Once the kiosks were built, Everest gathered a group of boys for installation and using a borrowed auger, dug the holes across the woodlands (some as far as a mile away from parking) and set the signs. Kiosks were put on trees, and two additional maps were put-up to replace outdated maps on existing kiosks.
“Overall, the project was a major success…so get out there and enjoy nature and the trails,” says Everest. Thanks to fine Eagle Scouts like him, the new kiosks will provide information on the surrounding trails and help hikers and cyclists navigate the trail system his grandfather built… for years to come!