Boy Scout cleans up Hempstead Harbor Trail

Stephen Romano

Hoping to earn one of his final Boy Scout badges, Kevin Dans said, he figured out a way to enhance the Port Washington environment.

Dans, of Port Washington Boy Scout Troop 7, built two picnic tables along the Hempstead Harbor Trail and cleaned up eroded wood chips along the trail for his Eagle Scout service project.

Working toward becoming an Eagle Scout, Dans met with his scoutmaster, Andy Johns, who suggested visiting the trail, Dans said.

Dans said he walked the trail twice, first noticing the wood chips and then realizing how nice picnic tables would look.

“A lot of people have told me they’ve walked past the area after the fixes and that they love it,” Dans, a senior at Paul D. Schreiber High School, said.

Dans began asking small businesses around Port Washington for funding and said he raised around $700 from individuals and businesses.

“It’s very impressive, and his project was no exception,” Johns said. “Everyone finds a way to benefit the community. They raise money and recruit volunteers to help. We’re just proud of our Scouts and all of the good work they do for the community.”

With a plan in mind, Dans said, he talked through the project almost nightly with his parents around the dinner table.

Dans, who has been in scouting for 11 years, said after he graduates from high school he wants to stay involved.

“I would definitely like to continue with the Boy Scouts,” he said. “I want to find a way to stay involved with the organization, whether it’s my own kids being involved or volunteering a couple hours a week.”

Having developed skills such as self-reliance and how to work well in a team, Dans said, his years in the Boy Scouts have been beneficial to his life and he doesn’t want to “give it up.”

“I wanted to challenge myself to make Eagle Scout, develop my leadership skills, and this has been useful for my potential career and life,” Dans said.

Dans said he wants to attend Binghamton University, and has already received scholarships and been accepted by Hofstra University, the University at Albany and Quinnipiac University.

“I want to study computer science, but focus more on the business side,” he said.

As he was finishing the project, Dans said, he received a few late donations that left him with an extra $233, which he donated to the town.

“The Hempstead Harbor Trail is just one of the town’s treasured outdoor destinations,” North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said. “We appreciate the generous efforts of our young residents and local Boy Scout troops in helping to beautify our parks. The new picnic bench will enhance the trail for all town residents.”

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