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Charles Williams found that he led by example on the Eagle Scout project. If he wanted work to be done, it was his job to initiate it.
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Greentown Park was the beneficiary of two picnic tables and a facelift. Neighborhood children watched their park take on a new personality.
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The two picnic tables built at Greentown Park will serve the neighborhood and their families for gatherings. Before Charles Williams' Eagle Scout project there was only one small picnic table to serve the community.
Williams led a team of volunteers building four picnic tables, each about 8-feet long, at Greentown Park and landscaping signage area at Moss Street. Ann Cunningham, Director for Greer Parks and Recreation approved the project.
Williams joins his brother Perry Jr. as an Eagles Scout. Their father, Perry Williams, Sr., was a long time scout master.
Charles Williams explains his journey to become an Eagle Scout, its benefits and how he will continue to be a mentor to Boy Scouts.
GreerToday.com: What made you pursue becoming an Eagle Scout?
Williams: I’ve always wanted to become an Eagle Scout. It’s always been important to my family and me. It made sense ever since I started in Boy Scouts. All of the Scouts’ core values help shape leaders. Boy Scouts shape young men to be good leaders.
GT.com: Was getting the Greentown Park project completed before your birthday (Nov. 22) a concern?
Williams: It was definitely in the back of my mind. I was concerned for a little bit but once I got the project approved the most difficult part was over. After that it was pretty streamlined and I didn’t worry about it.
GT.com: What made you select the picnic tables at Greentown Park?
Williams: The picnic tables are going to be there for a while and a lot of family memories and family gatherings will take place there. Before, they only had one table. I had heard they have a yearly barbecue and this will help accommodate more people.
GT.com: Is it a sense of relief or how do you describe your feelings completing the project that earns you the Eagle Scout.
Williams: It’s a good feeling and one of accomplishment.
GT.com: What has scouting meant to you?
Williams: For me, it’s been my life from Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and now. Scouting has helped shape the person I am.
GT.com: You’ve mentioned the leadership skills in Scouting and this recent project have benefitted you. Talk about that.
Williams: I have never experienced anything like planning and leading this project. I did a lot of stuff I’ve never done before. I had to plan, start and finish this project. If I wasn’t doing something to move the project forward, it wasn’t going to get done. This helped me a lot in communication and getting things done. It definitely showed me a way to become independent of everyone else. I realize once I go to college (engineering and business at Clemson or USC) I will need to be extremely independent on will be on my own.
GT.com: Was the commitment to Boy Scouts worth it?
Williams: Scouts have a lot to offer. I learned a lot I wouldn’t have learned had I not been in Scouting. While I was a Cubs Scout my brother was in Boys Scouts and I would go camping with him. A lot of them became Eagle Scouts and along the way they taught me a lot of things I needed to know to get here. I would do it all over again.