Local Scout’s Eagle Project Combines Environmental Cleanup with Duty to God

Josh Jonas, a 17-year-old Life Scout from Troop 394, Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church, Philadelphia, recently completed his Eagle Scout Project.  This project, conducted on the grounds of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great in Jenkintown, restored the natural flow to the east branch of the Jenkintown Creek, which runs from Alvethorpe Park through the Sisters’ property and later feeds into the Pennypack Creek.

It is the responsibility of the young man, striving for the rank of Eagle, to lead a community service project.  The Eagle Scout project, while benefitting a non-profit other than the Scouts, is a requirement so that a young man can demonstrate the leadership skills he has learned through his time in Scouting.  Josh, as the one in charge, planned out the project, organized the work days – arranging that the right people with the right skills showed up on the day they were needed most.  Josh, finally, must complete a post project evaluation and analysis.

After three grueling Saturdays during May and June, the creek was flowing again and an additional project of clearing a fence line along Forrest Avenue was accomplished.

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