Eagle Scout Project - Garden Beds

In order to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout , a Scout must earn at least 21 merit badges, serve 6 months in a leadership position while a Life Scout, and finally complete a service project benefiting a school, church, non profit, or their community. For my Eagle Scout project, I will be building two raised garden beds for The Wilberforce School in Princeton Junction, NJ.

The beds will be used for Wilberforce's Lower School (grades K-5). Students will be able to plant, grow, and care for different vegetables and flowers during their respective science classes. Using the Charlotte Mason approach, Wilberforce's science programs do an amazing job of opening up the world of science to Wilberforce's Lower School students. The raised garden beds will further this mission by empowering students with additional hands on learning experiences.

The beds are 3' H x 2'6 W x 10' L. At the base of the bed is both rainwater drainage and retention. Stored water evaporates into the soil above providing irrigation between rainfalls and student watering. The funds will be used to buy all the materials for the project including lumber of different dimensions, nuts, bolts, nails, washers, mesh garden fabric, galvanized steel mesh, soil, PVC pipes, seeds, and small troughs for the students.

 As an elementary student, my class and I had the opportunity to have a school garden where we could grow, plant, and care for different types of plants. The feeling of a hands on experience combined with the thrill of the outdoors created a special learning environment for my entire class. Just as it did for me when I was young, this project will further enrich the Wilberforce mission of joyful discovery for its students as well.

In order to meet key milestones in my current construction timeline,  all funds raised must be in by May 1st. Finally, please know any donation whether big or small means the world to me, and I will be humbled and grateful for whatever you can do to help fund my project.

Yours in Scouting,

Aidan White
Troop 28
Lawrenceville, NJ