Camp Crockett is getting a rejuvenation thanks to one local teen’s Eagle Scout Project.
Madison County High School Senior Aidyn Nicholls has chosen to revamp the tent camp at Hoover Ridge. The area, located in the woods at Hoover Ridge, consists of tent sites and the adjacent Crockett Pavilion. The area can hold approximately 25 people and includes electricity and lights, a fire pit, portable toilet, picnic tables, two charcoal grills and a water hydrant. The pavilion can be rented independently of the camp sites. According to the Hoover Ridge website, the area is mainly used for troop groups.
To achieve the rank of Eagle, a Boy Scout must plan and lead implementation of a final service project typically working with a nonprofit, civic or religious organization. The scout must approach the organization with an idea and work with the members to evolve the idea into something that meets the needs of the organization.
Nicholls, a Boy Scout with Troop 111 in Charlottesville, said he chose to make improvements to Camp Crockett since it serves local people in the community including scouting groups, organizations and families. He said while attending an event, he noticed the tent pads were in disrepair and many of the visitors didn’t know where to park their vehicles, leaving them to park in the middle of the tent pads causing a muddy area. Also, he said those using the adjacent hiking trails would come through the middle of the campsite disrupting whatever event was happening at the time.
As part of his project, Nicholls plans to restore the worn tent pads, construct a new tent pad, improve campground signage, create a safer hiking path through the campsite and install protective fencing to better serve those who use the area. He has been fundraising for the project through an online donation platform and has raised just over $1,000 of his $2,200 goal. Lowe’s has also donated a variety of materials.
“The [funds raised] will cover food, water, personal protective equipment, trash bags, hauling fees and more,” Nicholls said. “We are still in need of gravel dust so the funds will contribute to that as well.”
Work is scheduled to begin Saturday and will likely take several work days to complete.
In addition, Nicholls is hoping to see scouting come back to Madison. He started as a Cub Scout in the county, but there was no Boy Scout Troop available. A new Cub Scout pack is beginning this fall.
“I can’t wait to see if that leads to another generation of scouting in Madison,” Nicholls said.
Anyone interested in scouting is encouraged to contact Allen Nicholls at asnicholls@gmail.com. For more information about Aidyn’s project or to donate, visit https://gofund.me/6206b67a2.
