The morning of Aug. 23, 2014 started off rainy and cool, perfect working conditions for the crew of 22 youth and adult Scouts who had assembled in the parking lot of Bee Tree Preserve in Parkton.
They had come together for one reason – service to their community. More specifically, they had all volunteered to help out on Jacob Murdock's Eagle Scout project.
Over the span of two work days, Murdock and volunteers from Troop 899, chartered out of Fallston United Methodist Church, constructed and installed eight red oak benches at Soldiers' Ridge Camping Area on the Bee Tree Preserve Property.
This project was the culmination of seven months of planning and included the fundraising of more than $1,000. Murdock hopes the benches, a product of sturdy construction and hardy materials, will provide practical and safe seating for many years to come.
Bee Tree Preserve, owned and operated by Towson Presbyterian Church since 1965, provides camping opportunities for church groups and youth camping groups on the NCR Hike and Bike Trail.