Extreme Makeovers, Round 40: Eagle Scout project before-and-after photos

This is the 40th in an occasional series where I share Eagle Scout project before-and-after photos. See the complete collection here and submit your own here.

COVID-19 note: Photos were taken during different stages of the pandemic (or even before the pandemic began) and may not necessarily depict current coronavirus-related health and safety protocols.


To fully understand the impact Eagle Scout projects have on communities, you need to see to believe. That’s why I asked to see Eagle Scout project before-and-after photos — the same photos prospective Eagles are asked to include with their post-project report.

The latest batch of 15 projects includes a renovated locker room in Pennsylvania, a school garden in Puerto Rico and a fire pit to honor veterans in Indiana.

What’s great is that you can multiply each individual act of stupendous service by roughly 50,000. That’s how many Eagle Scout projects get completed every single year.

TIP: Click/tap and drag the slider below each image to see the change.

Austin from Pennsylvania

Who: Austin, Troop 25, York, Pa.

What: Austin and his helpers transformed an unused, overgrown courtyard at the troop’s chartered organization into a fun and safe playground for the children of the church’s preschool.


Haley from New Jersey

Who: Haley, Troop 336, Long Valley, N.J.

What: Haley and her helpers created an outdoor sensory path at a local elementary school. Each of the designs stimulates a different sensory system. As the student uses the path, it releases their energy in a healthy way that helps them to focus better in class.


Marcus from Missouri

Who: Marcus, Troop 1028, Kansas City, Mo.

What: Marcus and his helpers built shelving and organized an equipment storage room used by Global FC, a nonprofit soccer organization that serves youth refugees in Kansas City.


Ash from Pennsylvania

Who: Ash, Troop 1011, Indiana, Pa.

What: Ash and his helpers repaired and repainted walls and revarnished lockers in his high school’s ice hockey locker room. He also installed new lighting, an ozone generator for odor control and a logo mat.


Matthew from Tennessee

Who: Matthew, Troop 770, Lenoir City, Tenn.

What: Matthew and his helpers added three benches at the local Lenoir City Park so visitors had a place to sit and enjoy the Tennessee River.


Juan David from Puerto Rico

Who: Juan David, Troop 313, Caguas, Puerto Rico

What: Juan David and his helpers built a school garden so that children can develop a love for our planet and learn from a young age the importance of being self-sustaining.


Evan from Texas

Who: Evan, Troop 45, Little Elm, Texas

What: Evan and his helpers resurrected a playground at their chartered organization’s church. The playground had been neglected and not used in more than five years. They cleared weeds, brought in playground-grade mulch, cleaned and repaired the playset, power-washed the sidewalks, trimmed trees, and provided two new picnic tables for the area.


Andrew from Ohio

Who: Andrew, Troop 65, Delphos, Ohio

What: Andrew and his helpers replaced a bridge that had washed out at Fort Amanda Park.


Zachary from Washington

Who: Zachary, Troop 1506, Tracyton, Wash.

What: Zachary and his helpers created an inviting entrance to Madrona Trails Park in Bremerton. The group trimmed trees, built the steps, added signs, widened the trail from the entrance to the local YMCA center, placed a trail marker at the YMCA center, removed invasive vegetation and replanted native plants at the entrance. All this was done so the park would be easier for visitors to find and use.


Gregory from Virginia

Who: Gregory, Troop 1347B, Burke, Va.

What: Gregory and his helpers laid out and painted a 27-by-16-foot U.S. stencil map on the blacktop of the Fairview Elementary School playground, located in Fairfax Station, Va.


Adam from Michigan

Who: Adam, Troop 77, DeWitt, Mich.

What: Adam and his helpers transformed single-wide dumpster fencing into a 6-foot, double-wide fence to conceal the dumpsters. They also replaced landscaping timbers in front of the barn at Adam’s home church, Redeemer United Methodist Church in DeWitt. Adam and his troop fundraised $1,100 and were able to donate the $125 that they didn’t use to the church.


Lucas from Indiana

Who: Lucas, Troop 248, Fairland, Ind.

What: Lucas and his helpers constructed a fire pit and walkway made from engraved bricks, most in honor of veterans. They also added plaques to a wall honoring veterans, built benches, constructed two picnic tables and installed a new flag.


Noah from Texas

Who: Noah, Troop 187, El Paso, Texas

What: Noah and his helpers constructed a wooden pergola for the Center for Compassionate Care hospice. The outdoor structure provides a nice, shaded area for patients and staff.


Elizabeth from Connecticut

Who: Elizabeth, Troop 20, Orange, Conn.

What: Elizabeth and her helpers restored the butterfly garden at the Peck Place Grade School in Orange. They weeded multiple gardens, removed dead plants, added new plants and freshly mulched everything. They also built three new picnic benches for the children and staff to use during daily lunches and special events held in the garden, restored the rock garden, and painted the graduation bridge.


Sebastian from New Jersey

Who: Sebastian, Troop 24, Edgewater Park, N.J.

What: Sebastian and his helpers built a new wildlife rehabilitation enclosure at the Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford, N.J.


Eagle Before & After FAQs

How can I see more in this series?

By going here.

How can I submit my project (or my son or daughter’s project) for consideration?

Go here to learn how to send them to me.

Are scholarships available for outstanding Eagle projects?

Yes! The Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award honors outstanding Eagle projects.

An Eagle Scout, their parents, or any registered BSA volunteer (with the Eagle Scout’s permission) may submit the Eagle Scout service project for consideration by filling out the nomination form found here.

How can I see even more great Eagle projects?

Check out the Scout Life Eagle Project Showcase.

Who owns the photos used in this series?

Unless otherwise listed, all photos are courtesy of each Scout and their family.


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.