When an Earthplace official told Katie McGillion-Moore that refurbishing outdoor tables might not seem like a big deal, but would mean so much to the organization, she knew she’d found her Eagle Scout project.
Many families and youngsters enjoy Earthplace programs. For years, the tables were exposed to the elements. Katie sanded, stained and sealed them. She cleared weeds, then added a few tables too.
Katie McGillion-Moore with her Eagle Scout benches at Earthplace …
She did not work alone. Scouts and parents from Westport troops 139, 39 and 100 spent nearly 75 hours on site. They finished just in time for tomorrow’s Woodside Bash (Saturday, 7 p.m.) and Sunday’s Fall Festival (Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
Katie is hardly the first Westporter to complete an Eagle project. But she is the first girl to do so.
She is a founding member of Troop 139, our town’s first Scout BSA troop for girls. She’s enjoyed her 2 1/2 years of intense activities, including camping, hiking, leadership and service.
Scouts from Troops139 and 39 (from left): Olivia Beckwith, Amelia Gura, Vanessa Overgard, Annabelle Lott, Jordan O’Brien, Katie McGillion-Moore, Charlie McGillion-Moore, Josephine Dumery.
They meet once a week. They go camping, hiking, biking or backpacking each month, and participate in community service projects throughout the year.
The troop holds a welcome campfire in the Christ & Holy Trinity Church courtyard next Friday (October 8, 7 p.m.). Girls in grades 6-12 who want to learn more about Scouts BSA are welcome.
Questions? Email kjobrien72@mac.com.
FUN FACT: Katie is Westport’s first female Eagle Scout — but not the first one in her family to achieve that prestigious rank. Her brother, Jake McGillion-Moore, earned his Eagle in 2020. He refurbished a playground and created a garden at Bridgeport’s Caroline House.