Eagle Scout project set in Eagles Park

John Dolph is one revamped sign away from achieving the highest honor a Boy Scout can earn.

For his Eagle Scout project, 19-year-old Dolph will reconstruct the derelict sign that greets park goers at Eagles Park and clean up the park.

"We're just basically going to re-create the face of the sign and then re-do the rocks and maybe the plants," Dolph said Tuesday. "The supports are going to stay in. We found them to be solid and intact."

Dolph said he and troop members have already begun the work. They started trimming and cleaning the bushes in front of the sign Saturday.

"It looked a lot gnarlier before this," he said.

Time, Dolph said, was an important factor when considering Eagle Scout projects.

Regional Eagle Scout projects have varied in degree of difficulty and input hours. Some, such as Chinook's J.J. Colby, took a year just to collect the necessary materials needed. But since he is leaving in the fall to Bozeman, where he will attend Montana State University in pursuit of a computer science degree, Dolph said it was important to undertake a project that can be finished before he leaves. He is happy with his choice, he said.

"At first it seemed it would be a large project, but now that we've gotten the initial phase out of the way, I'm feeling pretty good about it."

Dolph said Scouts in his troop and troop leaders are all in with him. Soon, he said, he will be hoping to get some materials like wood and paint donated, and maybe someone with a router to donate their talents or tool to engrave the letters on the sign.  

Checks should be made out to Troop 1438 and donations can be sent to 1015 11th Street, Havre, MT  59501. Check memo should say John Dolph Eagle Project.