Earlier in the month of September, Senior Ross Eden finished the installation of 12 bluebird houses along the Rock Falls Birding Trail in Lawrence Park. This service project was done with the help of the Eagle Scouts, Troop 305.

  The Eagle Scouts master was contacted by the Director of Rock Falls Tourism Melinda Jones. A woman had donated in memory of her aunt who enjoyed birdwatching in Lawrence Park and asked if the group could make birdhouses. The troop accepted and started the process of making the bird houses.

  Eden and the troop then started researching the essential housing for bluebirds, Eden then found out that it is best if the houses are together in pairs. With that research, the group made six pairs of bird houses to attract the bluebirds. Commonly, bluebirds will be in one birdhouse and the other house will attract tree swallows, allowing the two birds to accommodate and thrive together.

  Eden described the building process by sharing, “It was pretty straightforward.” 

Despite its straightforward nature, there were some difficulties.

  Eden explained some of the conflict they faced, saying, “Making the first birdhouse was the hardest one because the instructions we had weren’t very detailed.”

  Even with the problem they faced, the group had figured it out on the go, taking around 70 hours to complete the construction of the bird houses.

  This project, along with other work he has done, helped Eden meet the necessary requirements to be designated an Eagle Scout.

  The qualifications to become an Eagle Scout include having 21 different merit badges, some which are acquired through community service. Eden delineates that “some are required and others are up to choice, completing a community service project (like the bird houses), completing every rank up through Life Scout, holding a position of leadership within your troop and other stuff” allows one to be designated as an Eagle Scout

  Eden has gotten his position through community service and other projects throughout his years of being involved with the Life Scouts. Eden showed his dedication to not only the troop, but the community as well through the time spent on the projects.