Two Eagle Scouts, One Big Impact
Thanks to the hard work of two local Boy Scouts, the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals now has a restored trail and new picnic tables that will enhance visits for schools, camps, and families for years to come. Both scouts chose the museum as the site for their Eagle Scout Service Projects, investing dozens of hours to improve our grounds and visitor experience.
Restoring a Lost Trail
A few years ago, a storm brought down several trees on museum property, closing off our connector trail that had long been part of the visitor experience. The large fallen trees were removed at the time with heavy equipment, but in the process, the trail itself was heavily damaged. Debris, roots, and limbs were buried under the soil, and the repeated passage of the removal truck compacted and scarred the ground, leaving the trail unusable.
That’s where the first Eagle Scout Service Project came in. The scout, Nick Browning, focused on rehabilitating the trail corridor. His team:
Cleared surface debris, exposed roots, and leftover limbs from the trail bed
Used a rototiller to break up compacted soil and restore a workable trail surface
Spread a fresh layer of bark chips to create a stable, comfortable walking surface
Re-established a clear, safe walking path where the original trail had been lost
The result is a restored trail that once again connects visitors with more of the museum’s natural setting and creates additional space for outdoor learning and exploration during school programs and family visits.
Building Picnic Tables for Learning and Gatherings
Another Eagle Scout candidate, Sree Vemuri, focused on adding seating and gathering space around the museum grounds. His Eagle Scout Service Project: designing and building four new picnic tables that will be used by:
School groups during field trips and outdoor lessons
Summer camps and youth programs
Families looking for a place to rest, eat, and enjoy the grounds
The tables were constructed to be durable and family-friendly, with smooth edges and sturdy construction to withstand heavy use by children and visitors of all ages. Positioned in key locations around the property, they provide much-needed places for groups to gather before or after tours, for outdoor classroom activities, and for community events.
Why Eagle Scout Service Projects Matter to the Rice Museum
Eagle Scout Service Projects are designed to benefit the community while demonstrating leadership, planning, and follow-through. For a small nonprofit museum like ours, these projects make a tangible difference:
They address real needs—like trail maintenance and outdoor seating—that might otherwise be delayed due to limited staff and budget.
They bring energy, creativity, and care to our grounds.
They create lasting improvements that thousands of visitors will enjoy.
We’re grateful to both scouts, their families, and the many friends and fellow scouts who helped them complete their projects. Their work is a perfect example of how community partnerships help us fulfill our mission to inspire curiosity about the Earth and its minerals.
Visit and See the Impact
Next time you’re at the Rice Museum, take a walk along the restored trail and look for the new picnic tables around the grounds. They’re a quiet but powerful reminder of what’s possible when young leaders choose to invest their time and talent in a local cultural institution.
