Landon Shepard's Eagle Project Fundraiser

Hello, my name is Landon Shepard, and I am a member of Troop 1829 in Midlothian, Virginia. I have been involved with Troop 1829 for five and a half years and am currently a Life Rank.

I am organizing my Eagle Scout project this summer to benefit Redeemer Episcopal Day School. I chose REDS because I believe kids should have opportunities to learn outside the classroom. I have volunteered with their preschool Adventure Camps, showing the children how to set up a tent and safely hang a hammock.

The school I have attended since eighth grade offers so many 'hands-on' learning opportunities from which I have benefited that I think all kids should have similar opportunities. REDS was once a preschool, but Covid has made them realize there was a need for a primary school. This past year they offered Kindergarten through fourth grade, and this upcoming school year will also provide a fifth grade.

As a result of now having primary-aged school children on their campus, their playground needed more age-appropriate activities. My Eagle project will involve adding a large sandbox, multiple raised garden beds, and a pea-gravel play area for their 'loose parts' shed for several activities. 'Loose parts' are found objects that can be used for creative play. I will also add some organizational elements to their mud kitchen, which a fellow scout built for their Eagle project.

Any money raised above the $1,750 will be donated to the school to make additional improvements.