Rowan County resident Macaden Jones has almost earned the rank of Eagle Scout by completing a service project at Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area (Rocky Face Park) in Hiddenite.
Jones installed approximately 20 tree identification markers along the Prison Camp Trail to educate visitors about the types of trees that can be found in this area. Jones, a 15-year-old sophomore at North Hills Christian School, is a member of Boy Scout Troop 24 of Bass Pro Shops in Concord.
Jones said he chose Rocky Face Park as the location for his Eagle Scout project because of his love of trees and to help visitors to learn more about local trees.
“This was the one project that really struck my interest,” Jones stated. “I thought this would give the most back to the community because people could learn about the trees that are in their area. I thought it also matched very well with the values I have been taught in scouting to help appreciate nature.”
Jones had to research various marker designs, determine the types of trees found on the trail, and research information about them. Once he had the types of trees and the marker designs picked out, he began working on the graphic design of the markers. On Sunday, September 2, Jones and his family, with the help of some other Boy Scouts, began the work to install the tree identification markers along the trail.
Jones began the project in the summer of 2018. He logged 163 hours on the project personally, along with 126 volunteer hours, for a total of 280 hours for this worthwhile community service project.
“I learned many things doing this project. I learned about the indigenous trees that grow in North Carolina, and a lot about what it takes to organize and complete a large service project,” Jones said. “I look forward to doing more community service projects in the future.”
Now that the project itself is complete, the Eagle Board of Review for the Boy Scouts of America must inspect the work and go through the review process. Upon approval, Jones will officially become an Eagle Scout.
Alexander County Government and Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area express their appreciation to Jones for his effort to make the park an even greater place to visit, enjoy, and learn.