Photo caption:

Seen here are some of the volunteers who worked on the restoration project. They are Matt Murphy, front row left, Ryan Miller, Ricky Miller, Aidan Stone, TJ Teehan, Jen Mills, Brogan Mills, Bettina Roa, Theresa Loughney. In the middle row are Justin Pranga, Joey Loughney, Eagle candidate Jake Mills, Darren Mills, Ron Miller and Joe Loughney. In the back row are Joey Seltzer, left, Alec Brown, Jason Block and John Murphy. Not pictured are Jeff Block, Herb Rinkel, Sean Rinkel, Jonathan Langberg, Laura Langberg, Betty Ann Teehan, Vickie Brown, Scott Murphy and Mikey Seltzer.

SHOHOLA, PA — Jacob Mills of Shohola Scout Troop 76 has completed his Eagle Service Project and has recently passed his Eagle Board of Review. Mills’ Eagle Service Project entailed the restoration of a nature trail, complete with signage, at the Shohola Elementary School. The trail, 154 feet long by 12 feet wide, is also used as an emergency evacuation road. The enhancements have made it easier to access for students, teachers and emergency personnel.

The planning phase, prior to the project proposal, took approximately two months. It entailed gathering a variety of cost estimates and consideration of safety issues. Once the planning phase was finalized, the project itself took approximately one week for completion. Project execution entailed digging the ditches, laying pipes and road base, building head walls and spreading gravel and hay.

Mills reported that the 30 volunteers, who included Scouts, adult leaders, friends and family, all worked very well together. He also mentioned that without the assistance of Tim Jones of Rylly Ent and Ken Vitali of Creative Laser Creations in Milford, he could have never completed the project. Mills found that one of his biggest challenges—aside from some heavy machinery getting stuck in the mud—was to “not jump in” and do the actual work himself alongside his volunteers. He also noted that he wasn’t used to decision making at a moment’s notice.

Through fundraising efforts, including his “Nickels for Nature” drive, Mills raised a total of $3,165.14. He reported that he was on target with spending.

Mills, a junior at Delaware Valley Senior High School and a member of the Delaware Valley Warriors football team, has recently met the requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout. He is looking forward to celebrating his achievement at his future Eagle Scout Court of Honor.