Scout Works To Help Seniors Plant, Grow, and Harvest Their Own Veggies

At the end of fifth grade, Chris McGillicuddy joined Scout Troop 78 based at the United Methodist Church on Water Street.

Seven years later, the skills he has learned from Scouting is helping him on his goal to become an Eagle Scout.

McGillicuddy planned, organized, and constructed raised gardens at St. Patrick’s Manor in Framingham to allow residents to plant, grow, and harvest their own vegetables.

The Framingham High senior, along with the help of 15 Scouts from his Troop, built the raised gardens this past fall. Carby’s Lumber in Framingham donated the wood for the garden beds.

A musician, McGillicuddy played trumpet for the residents at St. Patrick’s Manor when he was trying to identify an Eagle Scout project. He asked ”Sister Maureen” if the Manor had any specific needs, and thus the start of the project.

Not only will the raised gardens provide the residents with a rewarding and fulfilling activity, they also can eat everything they produce.

“The Sister that I was coordinating everything with at St. Patrick’s said they (raised garden beds) came out really well and she was very happy with the results,” said McGillicuddy. “The residents will plant their vegetables in the spring.”

Next up for the Framingham resident is the “Board of Review,” which will decide if his project earns him the highest award in Boy Scouts.

“One of the big lessons I learned from this project is how much planning is needed for a project like this, said McGillicuddy. “There’s a lot of different people that need to be contacted and it all needs to be coordinated, scheduled and confirmed. Planning was the biggest thing I learned from this project.”

McGillicuddy said when he first joined Scouting he remembered “looking up to all the older Scouts as role models. I then slowly became an older Scout, and now I realize I love doing it because I am now the older Scout that is inspiring younger Scouts.”

He said he has “learned a lot of things from Boy Scouts: from basic skills, to being a good leader.”

He said Scouting has also given him “incredible opportunities,“ including a 9-day day canoe trip in northern Minnesota, and another trip to Key West, where he sailed and snorkeled in the beautiful waters of the Florida Keys.

McGillicuddy said the “number one thing that Scouting has taught me is leadership. I went to a leadership training camp for a week a few years ago and I learned what it takes to be a good leader, and then when I became the Senior Patrol Leader of my troop I was able to use the skills I learned to lead the troop’s weekly meetings and monthly trips.”

in addition to Boy Scouts, McGillicuddy 17, spends his Saturday’s at the New England Conservatory, where he plays in three different ensembles/symphony orchestras.

McGillicuddy started playing the trumpet in fourth grade. Since then he has played in the Framingham High School Band, Framingham High Marching Band, Framingham High Jazz Band 1 & 2. The New England Conservatory Youth Symphony, Youth Repertory Orchestra, Festival Youth Orchestra, Youth Brass Ensemble, Brass Quintet, and the Clafflin Hill Youth Wind Ensemble & Orchestra.

The Framingham High senior would like to continue his love of music, after graduation.

“I am currently applying to music schools for classical trumpet performance and music education. I love music, it is the one thing I never tire of, I love performing for people and teaching,” said McGillicuddy, who has started to teach private lessons.

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