Waterville scouts do clean up work at Fort Knox as a service project

Waterville Boy Scout Troop #436 members, from left to right, Dresden Laqualia, Sam Bernier, Malakhi Kornsey, Josh Knight, Nick Tibbetts (behind), Tobias Crocker and Xander (who was a guest), stand next to the Fort Knox sign at the entrance. (contributed photo)

by Chuck Mahaleris

On April 24, Boy Scout Troop #436, of Waterville, traveled to Fort Knox Historic Site and the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory (America’s Original Fort Knox), in Prospect, as part of a service project to ready the park for opening for its season which began on May 1.

Three adults, Bruce Rueger, Jim Kornsey and Dan Bernier, provided support and guidance to the eight youth who took part. The youth were Nick Tibbetts, Tobias Crocker, Malakhi Kornsey, Dresden Laqualia, Sam Bernier, and Josh Knight and a guest.

“Our first assignment was picking up trash in, around and on the fort! The Scouts enjoyed climbing all over the historic fort while doing their good deed. They had fun while lending a hand. That is a win,” said Scouting leader Bruce Rueger. “Our second assignment was going down to the west tower of the Penobscot Narrow Bridge to rake the leaves in the landscaped areas of the parking area near that tower (where the elevator is located).”

Afterwards, the Scouts enjoyed a visit to Camden Hills State Park for a hike. The hike selected was Maiden Cliff. “We did the hike, played on a lot of huge boulders, and found a geocache at the top,” Rueger said. “It was a long day, but a great day for Scouting in Waterville.”

Cleaning up around the fort. (contributed photo)