A project that took about nine months led Cian Smith to earn the rank of Eagle Scout on Oct. 6.
Smith of rural Worthing chose building a gazebo for his Boys Scouts of America Eagle Scout project because his church - West Prairie Lutheran Church - had an old gazebo that was falling apart. His grandpa had an old grain bin that they could use to make a new gazebo.
“My grandpa had an old grain bin so we figured it would be more in brand with the church to have an old grain bin gazebo,” Smith said.
He started planning it last summer and then last fall he and other Scouts and volunteers started tearing down the gazebo. They built the gazebo at his house before winter came. Once spring rolled around, they were able to drill the holes and then put the poles in the ground and the gazebo top on.
The gazebo and poles were donated by Smith’s grandpa. They used an auger that was donated by church members and quartz rock that was also donated by the church. The concrete pad portion was a separate project.
Earning the title of Eagle Scout was important to Smith.
“It feels like I’ve earned something that most people don’t earn,” he said.
Receiving Eagle Scout rank marked the end of his Scouting time as a youth in Troop 109. During his years in Scouts, he enjoyed the camping trips the most, but enjoyed learning different survival skills, first aid and work ethic.
With his youth years in Scouts over, he has signed up to be an adult leader so he can help at various events like camping trips. He encourages others to get involved.
“It can teach you a lot of valuable skills whether that be an actual physical skill or a mental skill,” Smith said.