To celebrate the 100th year of Scouting, the Boy Scouts of America brought back several historic merit badges last year. Among them was the Carpentry merit badge, first offered in 1911 and discontinued in 1952.
Merrill’s Boy Scout Troop 599 took advantage of the opportunity to teach Scouts how to use good old-fashioned hand tools, while finding a way to benefit the community in the process. Part of the merit badge requirement was to learn how to lay cedar shingles, a skill used on four doghouses donated to the Lincoln County Humane Society.
Boys from Troop 599 participated in the project, along with some from Troops 503 and 507. About 45 boys earned their Carpentry merit badge while working on the doghouses.
The project began with the Fall Camporee in October. The doghouses were built mainly by adults, with the Scouts pitching in on the shingled roofs.
Lincoln County Humane Society shelter manager Liz Friedenfels said the doghouses are appreciated and will be put to use providing shelter for dogs at the facility.