Lloyd-Knowlton completes Beaver Creek Eagle Scout project

Nearly three years ago, Corey Lloyd-Knowlton began looking for an idea for his Eagle Scout badge.

He decided he wanted to attain the Boy Scout's highest position, an honor only roughly 10 percent of Scouts reach.

A friend suggested that he look at an abandoned campground at Beaver Creek Park, a park where Corey and his family spend a lot of time.

Years of neglect and two severe floods left the place a shambles. While many of the campgrounds are sponsored by area civic groups, as far as anyone remembers, this campground had never had anyone to take care of it.

From looking at it, you couldn't tell it had once been a campground, Corey said.

Never one to turn back a challenge, Corey got to work.

First, there was fundraising. He worked to find people who would help pay for the picnic tables, outhouses and shelters that are needed at campgrounds. He offered a plaque on a picnic table for $750.

He hoped to get $10,000, but found that $8,000 would be sufficient.

Phase 2 involved cutting down the weeds and brush that had grown on the campground.

Several people brought weed whackers and lawn mowers to the campground and joined in a work party on most weekends. Corey, his friends and his family spent hundreds of volunteer hours getting the place they renamed Hidden Hollows ready for the public.

"I put in more than 100 hours myself," said Corey.

Then, with the help of some local businesses, Corey and his work team put in the cement pads for picnic tables and putt on the final touches.

This weekend, family, friends of Beaver Creek Park and fellow Scouts gathered to celebrate the opening of Hidden Hollows and the awarding of the Eagle Scout badge to Corey.

They dined on pulled pork sandwiches and celebrate the success of their work.

"It's been real rewarding," said Corey. "It's great to see it completed.

Corey, the son of Terry and Nicole Knowlton, is a senior at Havre High School. He plans to attend either Montana State University in Bozeman to study architecture or Montana State University-Northern for the automotive program.