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Eagle Scout project question Update on page 4: The Eagle has landed!!

Posted on 2/20/24 at 12:00 pm
Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
26551 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 12:00 pm
Hi everyone.

So the kid has decided on an Eagle scout project. Without giving out enough info to Dox ourselves ( ) he's going to be doing a couple of things to benefit a local suburban fishing pond. One of these is collecting old and new fishing equipment to rehab and donate to the Wildlife dept's urban fishery outreach program. He's looking to collect at least 30 rods, and would like to do closer to 50. He's going to visit all the big box outdoor stores here (cabalas, sportsman's warehouse, Scheels) soliciting donations of money and or equipment. He also hopes to put up some fliers for equipment donations in some of the smaller shops around. I think he plans on handing out fliers the fliers to his troop for distribution in their neighborhoods asking for used equipment in good condition. Before they finally donating them, the troop will rehab them by cleaning, lubricating them and respooling them with new line. FWIW, they will be used mostly by kids, and younger kids at that (so we're looking mostly at closed faced rods). There's more to the project, but this in the aspect I wanted to pick folks brains on. (Obviously I'm posting this for him because a 12, almost 13 y/o doesn't need a tigerdroppings account. I will, however, show him this thread and the replies.)

Beyond our neighborhoods, thrift shops and facebook marketplace, where else would you think to look for lightly used equipment for donation or purchase? What are we missing here that could help this aspect of the project? There's an event in Mid-may that he hopes to have everything competed by.

I know that if we weren't so far away, that many folks on here would offer to help straight up, and I appreciate that. But that's not really what I'm asking for (so before you get the urge to do that, don't worry about it). The folks here are smart enough, that we're really just looking for ideas and things we might not have thought of. That should be enough Thanks so much everyone!

ETA: And I'll post photos when he's finished!
This post was edited on 7/31/24 at 6:24 am
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
40752 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 12:10 pm to
good on your kid
i just gave away a whole bunch of stuff

i would put a wanted ad on craigslist, FB marketplace, etc
Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
26551 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 12:21 pm to
quote:

craigslist


Ah, good thought. Forgot about that one!
Posted by cbr900racer22
City of Central, LA.
Member since Sep 2009
1349 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 12:21 pm to
Local Bass clubs.
Local rod builders.
Message some of the manufacturers that are active on social media.

If you can't make the quota on rods look at soft plastics. There are tons of bait makers right now. Most have a collection of blemishes that they would be glad to donate. All are fishable of course.
Posted by Dam Guide
Member since Sep 2005
15947 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 12:32 pm to
Maybe see about hosting a fishing rodeo for cubs in the council or district and setup a donation as part of it. See if you can get businesses to sponsor it.
Posted by Tigerpaw123
Louisiana
Member since Mar 2007
17447 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 12:32 pm to
12 year old working on an Eagle Scout project? Interesting....

Sounds like a great project, go BIG contact national organizations, NRA, DU, state/local government, Zebco, churches YMCA, 4H, BASS, Bass masters
This post was edited on 2/20/24 at 12:34 pm
Posted by Barneyrb
NELA
Member since May 2016
5559 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 12:44 pm to
Pawn shops usually have a selection of gear, the right shop may donate some of the older (less valuable) gear.

Build him a jig and teach him how to wrap a guide back on a rod. Cheap and a lifelong skill for the future.
Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
26551 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 1:02 pm to
quote:

12 year old working on an Eagle Scout project? Interesting....


He just made life a couple of months ago. He still has ALOT of work to do before he's finished. I'd rather have him finish all of his eagle required badges before he started on his project, but this project kind of fell into his lap and based on his interests and it was too good/worthwhile for him to pass up.
Posted by KemoSabe65
70605
Member since Mar 2018
5466 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 1:07 pm to
Have him write a business plan and email the plan to major mfg; Johnson outdoors, Bass Pro Shop (address to Johnny Morris), Scheels, Tackle Warehouse, etc.
Can also contact your local and state fishing clubs (walleye/bass) and ask for help. Most of the pros have closets full of rods/reels they no longer use.
Will the equipment be chained up to keep it from walking off after use? If so, might as well hit up Master Lock and a chain supplier.
Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
26551 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 1:20 pm to
quote:

Will the equipment be chained up to keep it from walking off after use? If so, might as well hit up Master Lock and a chain supplier.


The DNR will take control of it. They keep it in a locked trailer and warehouse when not in use.
Posted by Smirkeaux
Member since Apr 2015
18 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 2:25 pm to
Reach out to the Certified Angler Instructor program in BSA. Better yet...have your son take the course and it will provide him with some info and tools to make the project better.

Cabelas and BassPro usually donate to BSA. They will help you.
Posted by calcotron
Member since Nov 2007
8671 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 2:27 pm to
Any old man's garage. I fear what I'll have to clean up one day from my dad's big arse room of stuff.
Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
26551 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 2:49 pm to
quote:

Reach out to the Certified Angler Instructor program in BSA. Better yet...have your son take the course and it will provide him with some info and tools to make the project better.


Thanks for that. He was the first scout in our troop to earn the Complete Angler Award.
Posted by TheBoo
South to Louisiana
Member since Aug 2012
4798 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 4:18 pm to
I'd imagine posting at local marinas that host tournaments would be a good idea. If I were to see that at a launch for a tournament and the owner / manager had a collection box that'd be easy for anglers to drop it off.
Posted by uncommon sense
Member since Feb 2024
125 posts
Posted on 2/20/24 at 8:20 pm to
The most man hours and probably best results will come from having his troop go door to door in uniform with a nice flyer looking for old gear to donate using plenty of scout spirit. Have a print shop donate the flyers. Hit Facebook and set up a donation point and date and have the troop man the drop point that day or days. Put the gear drop date on the flyer so people you miss can still donate. Also pass out flyers at the sporting goods stores and walmart, etc. Maybe even at schools.

Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
26551 posts
Posted on 2/21/24 at 10:10 am to
Had to run by Wally-World this Am. By chance they had a bunch of Zebco 202's and 33's on sale for less than $10. (The 202's were $6 and the 33's were $8) Too good a deal to pass up so I grabbed a bunch. Gonna dress the kid up in his uniform and take him around to the other stores around the area and see if they have any more that he might be able to get donated.

This post was edited on 3/3/24 at 8:48 am
Posted by 2geaux
Georgia
Member since Feb 2008
2648 posts
Posted on 2/21/24 at 10:39 am to
Fleamarket
Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
26551 posts
Posted on 3/3/24 at 8:47 am to
So proud of the kid. He worked Friday and Saturday with my buddy in his shop to get the tribute bench built (Part 1 of his project). He learned how to weld (something I've always wanted to do but never have), work the chop saw, and lots and lots of grinding. My buddy, did all the welds that needed to be "pretty" but the kid did the rest. It meant a lot more grinding, and more bee holes than a hive. But to quote my friend, "Your son worked his guts out." I can't always get him motivated at home but when he's working for others he flips a switch. I was so proud of him. He loved the welding.

This post was edited on 3/3/24 at 9:01 am
Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
26551 posts
Posted on 3/8/24 at 9:35 pm to
We reached out to a local rod company this week. The owner just called and offered to do all 30 rods! The kid got invited to speak at a the banquet of a local Anglers group next week. Everything is coming together.
Posted by Tigerpaw123
Louisiana
Member since Mar 2007
17447 posts
Posted on 3/9/24 at 6:21 am to
Good stuff , sounds like one hell of an eagle project coming together
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