Chayton Song, a Jones County resident, made Eagle Scout recently at 13 years old. He is the first Eagle Scout troop 21 has seen in a while.
He’s always lived in Jones County and said he likes Jones County, because he’s close to everything.
“We aren’t too far from Macon, and we aren’t too far from a hospital, so it’s a perfect place to be,” he said. “Hospitality is nice in such a small town, so I just like it here.”
Song said he had to earn 21 merit badges and complete a service project in the community to become an Eagle Scout. He said he earned 47 badges in total, and he can still keep earning badges even though he’s an Eagle Scout now.
“I’m the only Eagle Scout in my family, since my dad or brother didn’t make Eagle. It was really exciting. I’m one of the youngest to get Eagle since I’m 13 years old,” Song said.
The Eagle Scout said for his Eagle Scout service project he had to complete, he made a sensory trail for Dames Ferry Elementary School. He said he is a former student of the school, as well as several family members. He said he got the idea for the sensory trail from his little brother, who has Down syndrome.
“I saw what the special needs students needed at the school,” he said. “I saw that they didn’t have a lot of outside stuff to engage in, so the sensory trail is eight squares full of rocks, sand and mulch. They can walk on it and feel it.”
He said it was an 80-hour project, so there were a lot of steps to do to put in the trail. He said they put it together in four hours once he talked to everyone and had all of the material.
He said he’s loved just about everything with the Scouts. He enjoys going to summer camp, and he plans to earn even more badges while he’s at camp this year.
Song’s father, Eric Song, said he was excited when his son made Eagle. He said it’s been pure joy watching his son go through everything.
“He started in Cub Scouts, so he’s been in Scouts since first grade. When he changed to Boy Scouts, things got more challenging. It’s been a joy watching him go through this to reach Eagle. I’m very proud,” he said.
Song said the Scouts have so much to offer. He said they learn many different skills and have fun while doing everything. He said children should consider joining since it teaches them so much.
“People should join the Scouts, because they can learn so much from it,” Song said. “If someone gets stuck in the water, you learn how to swim so you can save them. If someone gets stuck and hurt on a trail, you can go help them with first aid. It’s worth it to join.”
