Eagle Scout Builds Shed for Lazar Environmental Club

Written By Susan Marinello

David Champion, a sophomore at Montville Township High School, completed his Eagle Scout community service project this July. The Troop 64 member built a shed for the Environmental Club at the Robert R. Lazar Middle School.

Champion, who was an active member of the club while attending Lazar, chose to construct the shed to house supplies and serve as a meeting site for the organization. Construction of the new space began in April, and was completed in July; in time to prepare it for the launch of the 2014-2015 academic year.

“It’s exciting to have a new home,” said Lazar science teacher, and Environmental Club advisor, Matt Myers. “I can’t wait to move us in.”

The Lazar Environmental Club maintains the plants and gardens surrounding the Montville Township public school. The club also maintains the school’s pond, which serves as both a reflective learning area, and a source of scientific observation. The pond is landscaped and stocked with a variety of aquatic plants and animals. In the spring, the Environmental Club also grows tomatoes as a fundraiser. The new shed will house the club’s equipment, such as plant pots, shovels, rakes, watering cans, tools, topsoil bags, seeds, greenhouse equipment, and pond equipment.

“Thank you, David, for your generosity to our schools,” said Assistant Principal John Piselli. “And, congratulations on your hard work, and on achieving your Eagle Scout goal.”

Boy Scout Troop 64 is located in Dover, NJ, and is sponsored by St, Mary’s Church in Wharton. Champion’s present scouting rank is Life. Following review of this project, as well as an interview by a Board of Review, the fifteen-year-old scout hopes to be awarded the rank of Eagle.

The completed shed is located in the Lazar courtyard and organizes the club’s storage system from a pile of equipment covered by a tarp, to a neat, secure, and weather proofed facility.