EAGLE SCOUTS HELP BUILD OUTDOOR CLASSROOM

You don't have to be a grade-school student to raise your hand for volunteer work in the outdoor classroom at Clippard Elementary.

Boy Scouts, the Elks Lodge, parents, teachers, garden clubs and the Missouri Conservation Department have all contributed something to nurture the garden atop the hill that overlooks Clippard School.

The classroom was started in 1993 by a $500 grant from the Cape Girardeau County Soil and Water Conservation District.

"We didn't get that much accomplished in the first year because we had to rely on advice and information from the conservation department to get us started," said Clippard Elementary teacher Shelly Gorman.

Gorman and Linda Hill are the project coordinators.

"Thanks to the Boy Scouts and so many others, this has finally taken shape," Gorman said.

Marcus Jones, a Boy Scout and student at Cape Girardeau Central High, is building an amphitheater for the outdoor classroom.

For his effort, Jones will receive the highest honor bestowed on a Boy Scout: the Eagle badge.

The Elks Lodge donated $500, and Dr. Gordon Eller donated mulch for the project.

"It's a great honor to be doing something like this to become an Eagle Scout," Jones said. "It teaches you organization and leadership. Some past presidents have been Eagle Scouts."

Jones will work Saturday and Sunday digging holes to install posts. He will also help build benches for the amphitheater.

"We take advice from the conservation department and the project coordinators, but the organization and direction has to come from me," Jones said.

Brian Cook and Jason Azuma, who are also earning Eagle badges, have just finished their projects. Cook worked on tilling, preparing the soil, planting flowers and maintaining the Butterfly Garden. He also worked on the birdbath and watering system.

Matt Wilson built squirrel houses, two bird feeders, two wren houses and a wildlife feed plot. Matt's father, Ron, participated in the project.

"I think it's good for the parents to get involved," Ron Wilson said, adding that the more people who participate, the greater the interest in the outdoor classroom.

All four Boy Scouts have been recognized for their contributions at Clippard School.

"It gives the students a chance to learn how to work with groups and to pitch in any way they can," Ron Wilson said. "I remember one afternoon they came to work on the garden and ended up helping with a school cleanup project."

Gorman said Clippard started the outdoor classroom to take advantage of the spacious grounds that surround the school.

Classes will learn about nature and agriculture through future projects.

"Next week we plan to get students involved by planting bulbs and we'll also have a three-week series of talks from conservation agent Jay Barber," Gorman said.