re: Eagle Scout project question (Where to find used fishing gear?) Number of Rods Update.

Oh Mom and Dad have helped plenty! But mostly by driving him places and arranging opportunities (mainly finding the right folks to talk to). I've been very clear with him that he is responsible to talk to people about his project. In the beginning it was somewhat difficult for him as his parents have pretty strong personalities, and we can tend to over talk him (but that's on mom and dad, not him.) I've coached him some on the public speaking part. For example he likes to lead my mentioning the person he's building the bench in memory of, "I'm building a bench at the pond for Mr. So and So" and I have to remind him, "They don't know who that is, so tell them about him and why he was important." Stuff like that. As he's talked to more people, he's gotten much more comfortable about it. The budget and time tracking are still a little challenging for him (writing everyone's time down and recording it on the computer), but he's getting the hang of it.

I did zero welding on the bench he build, but did cut the square and rectangular tubing to length as instructed by him and his project coach.