Boy Scout improves campground

A member of a local Boy Scout troop recently worked with a group of fellow scouts on a project meant to both help improve a local campground and to achieve Eagle Scout status.

Ben Bolinske, 16, Williston, spent two days this summer at Epping/Springbrook Dam's public campground installing metal fire rings at campsites on the grounds. Bolinske completed his work with the help of a group of his fellow Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 368.

Bolinske said a total of 15 metal fire rings were installed at the campground out of a total of 18 rings purchased by the Williams County Park Board. The project was brought to his attention earlier in the year by Park Board member Steve Gutknecht.

"It was Steve, he contacted the scoutmaster about the project in the spring and I decided to do it for my Eagle Scout badge," said Bolinske.

Gutknecht said getting the scouts to do the project came about because they needed to find someone to do the project. Gutknecht said as a park board, they don't have full-time employees at the parks all the time to go out and do it. He said the idea to ask the Scouts to do it came out, figuring it would both save money and give the Scouts a good project to take on.

"He and I went out and photographed ring sites, and he submitted it in writing to the people at the Scouts," said Gutknecht.

According to Gutknecht the Park Board received $2,000 in grant funds for the project from North Star Caviar and received help from the Williams County Water Board as well. He said installing fire rings at the campground is a good project for improving the site and providing a place for campers to cook food. Gutknecht said it also helps with potential safety and fire issues at the campground.

"People tend to have large bonfires out there on a palette or with a circle of rocks they throw together. We always seem to have one or two fires that get away from campers each year and we have to call the fire department out," said Gutknecht.

Bolinske said the group of scouts went out to the Epping/Springbrook Dam site to work on the project on July 22 and August 24.

"I had six other Scouts helping me," said Bolinske.

Bolinske said it was a lot of hard work that began by clearing the campground areas of any rocks, nails, and other debris. After clearing the sites they installed the fire rings and poured foundations for them out of Quikrete.

"It was a nice project, but it took awhile to get everything going with all the cleaning," said Bolinske.

Although the project was completed in August, Bolinske said he hasn't yet received his Eagle Scout badge.

"They're still doing the paperwork; it'll probably be in October or November sometime," said Bolinske.

The Williston High School sophomore said achieving the highest rank in the Scouts was a long time in coming. He said he first joined the Scouts in the fifth grade.

"I was kind of interested in it. It seemed like a good, fun, rewarding thing to be in," said Bolinske.

Bolinske said after he receives his Eagle Scout badge he'll likely stay in the Scouts and eventually he might consider seeing what other kind of roles or leadership role he could pursue in the group. For now, he said he'll enjoy getting the badge and consider his future in the Scouts later.

Gutknecht said Bolinske and the other Scouts did a great job and the sites look very good.

He said at some point the final three fire rings that weren't installed as part of their project will be installed at another park or campground in the county.