Eielson Eagle Scout-to-be cleans up Chena River campground

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  A local Boy Scout, soon to-be Eagle Scout, organized and coordinated a Chena River campground clean-up and renovation plan as part of his Eagle Scout leadership project.

On average, most boys Ben Sutter's age are years from becoming an Eagle Scout; however, the 13-year old decided his Eagle Scout service project would meet more than Eagle Rank requirements by choosing to give back to his largest supporter, the Eielson Air Force Base community.

The renovation project was one of several to campgrounds belonging to Eielson Air Force Base over the last few years and helped remind people of the growing need for taking care of campgrounds and picnic sites.

"Eagle Scout projects have been pretty successful on Eielson," said Tom Slater, 354th Civil Engineer Squadron natural resources outdoor recreation planner. "It really helps out the Natural Resources Office and the base because the majority of these projects deal more with quality of life."

Ben led members from Boy Scout Troop 9--Eielson's former base troop, currently sponsored by Moose Creek American Legion Post 30-- in an effort to give new life to deteriorating campsites. Fully aware that campsites lacked proper picnic tables, fire rings, and outhouses; the Boy Scout decided to make necessary preparations to preserve part of Eielson.

Labor for the Eagle Scout service project was divided into two days. Ben coordinated construction of three picnic tables and heavy clean-up at the campgrounds the first day and renovated outhouses the next day.

Ben completed outhouses with help from his father, Chaplain (Lt. Col.)  Paul Sutter, 354th Fighter Wing chaplain, and his brothers. After installing 50-gallon drums, painting, and replacing shingles on run-down outhouses, the group made several more outhouses available to campers.

More than a hundred hours later, the service project was completed. The Chena River campground now has picnic tables built from treated timber, single-seated and two-seater outhouses, and in an area that has been restored, free of refuse.

According to Ben, his favorite part of the whole project was using his hands to create something--especially the picnic tables--someone could later use. The soon-to-be Eagle Scout utilized available resources to help support the Natural Resources Office in making sure future outdoor enthusiasts have a place to pitch a tent or have a picnic.

"Quality of life projects of this type are a big help because they provide needed manpower," said Mr. Slater. "It also serves as an opportunity for a Boy Scout to meet requirements for an Eagle Scout badge."

According to Mr. Slater, materials were provided by the Natural Resources Office including everything from treated, wooden boards and deck screws to paint and paintbrushes.

"It was a lot more work than I expected," said Ben. "In the end I think I mostly enjoyed walking around and seeing the campsites everyone helped work on come together. [Definitely] make sure you have everything ready and don't wait until the last minute."

"These guys were real troopers and the [Chena River campground] really looks nice," added Mr. Slater.

Whether becoming an Eagle Scout or not, volunteers like the Boy Scouts contribute to narrowing the gap in manpower to give base facilities and sites a needed touch-up.