Extreme Makeovers, Round 42: Eagle Scout project before-and-after photos

This is the 42nd 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 12 projects includes a wheelchair-accessible walkway at a Buddhist temple in Virginia, a new organization system for jazz music scores in Illinois and a set of raised gardens in Connecticut.

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.

Emily from Connecticut

Who: Emily, Troop 682, South Windsor, Conn.

What: Emily pulled in members of her troop and community to design and build 12 raised garden beds for Center Village, an elderly community in her hometown of Glastonbury, Conn. Thanks to this work, the residents are able to enjoy their passion of gardening in quarantine conditions.

Michael from Texas

Who: Michael, Troop: 126, San Antonio, Texas

What: Michael wanted to help provide education and awareness of O.P.E.N. Trail, which provides equine-assisted services to children and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional challenges in the San Antonio area. Michael and his helpers cleared and landscaped the entrance to the main horse barn to create a rock garden with flowers that represent each special needs community served by O.P.E.N. Trail through its therapeutic riding lessons.

Issac from California

Who: Issac, Troop 107, Roseville, Calif.

What: Issac and his 34 helpers, including his entire baseball team, built a 160-foot landscape wall to prevent dirt and debris from further eroding and falling into the team’s practice area.

Thomas from New Mexico

Who: Thomas, Troop 166, Albuquerque, N.M.

What: Thomas led a team of 30 helpers to design and construct a new entryway for a preschool he attended 10 years prior. The preschool is affiliated with Thomas’ troop’s chartered organization.

Jack from Illinois

Who: Jack, Troop 924, Evanston, Ill.

What: Jack and his 80 helpers sorted more than 1,000 jazz music scores, entered them into a new database, and moved the scores from old black filing cabinets to new wood storage units. The project will serve the high school’s music department for years to come.

Benton from Texas

Who: Benton, Troop 303, McKinney, Texas

What: Benton and his 44 helpers built a granite pathway in the Community Kitchen’s garden so people would not step on the plants. He raised more than $1,675 over the price of the project, giving all the extra funds to the Community Kitchen to further their work.

David from New York

Who: David, Troop 28, Medina, N.Y.

What: David and his helpers demolished and cleaned up an old chicken BBQ. He then led the team in grading the ground and building a 24-by-40-foot pavilion with a 24-by-16-foot storage area attached in the back for his church, Hartland Bible Church in Gasport, N.Y. In total, David’s project used $19,000 worth of materials and required 813 volunteer hours.

Quinten from Wisconsin

Who: Quinten, Troop 36, Eau Claire, Wisc.

What: Quinten and his helpers cleared invasive species and laid wood chips at a local park.

Alex from Ohio

Who: Alex, Troop 610, Brook Park, Ohio

What: Alex and his helpers constructed a veteran’s memorial in the front flower bed of American Legion Post 610, where his troop meets. The memorial commemorates those who have served.

Brendon from Ohio

Who: Brendon, Troop 710, Cincinnati, Ohio

What: Brendon and his helpers completed landscaping and outside work for Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7340 in Cincinnati. The Scouts did work at the main entrance, memorial garden and banquet hall, including removing overgrown plants, installing garden wall blocks, replacing plants and flowers, and purchasing and installing new signage, a mailbox and flags.

Thomas from Virginia

Who: Thomas, Troop 900, Prince George, Va.

What: Thomas and his helpers renovated a 1983-era VFW Memorial at Scott Park in Prince George. This included removing the decaying concrete base and carefully taking out the original brass plaque, flagpole and flowers. Next, they put into place five flagpoles, added stamped concrete in a triangle formation, and installed granite bevel stones, a rededication black granite etched plaque, the original brass plaque, and a small plaque indicating this was the work of an Eagle Scout.

Brian from Virginia

Who: Brian, Troop 904, Arlington, Va.

What: Brian and his helpers removed the old wooden walkway and built a new wheelchair-accessible concrete walkway for a Buddhist temple.

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 us.

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.