TURNER — Eagle Scout candidate Ben Rancourt has completed construction of a nature trail behind the Turner Natural History Club clubhouse and museum.
With the completion of this project, Ben will only need to earn merit badges in citizenship and family life to qualify for the Boy Scouts’ highest honor. He expects to complete all requirements by the end of the year.
The quarter-mile loop trail, which will be dedicated to the memory of former Turner Natural History Club President Nancy Steele, now has sturdy stairs and smooth walkways, constructed by Rancourt. The trail leads down the hill behind the clubhouse through a wooded area and returns to the clubhouse.
Local merchants furnished the material for the project. Donors included R.E. Lowell Lumber, Knowles Lumber, Hammond Lumber, Twin Rivers Lumber, Puiia Lumber and Gammon’s Landscape Nursery.
Club members furnish maps identifying the 20 species of trees that are marked along the trail. Next spring, the trail will be extended to the banks of the Nezinscot River.
Sixteen-year-old Ben Rancourt has spent 10 years in the Cub Scouts, Webelos and Boy Scout programs. His sash is full of merit badges. He is particularly proud of his shooting and rock-climbing badges.
Ben’s father, Kevin Rancourt, is his scoutmaster. Kevin praised the scouting program and recommends it for all youth.
The 15 members of Turner Troop 187 meet every Monday night either at the Boofy Quimby Memorial Center or a cabin on Bear Pond. For information on getting involved with scouting in the Turner area, contact Kevin Rancourt at 224-7575 or email rancourt@megalink.net.
The Turner Natural History Club, formed in 1920 with 15 members, was founded for the purpose of studying all aspects of the natural environment. It quickly expanded and opened its clubhouse and museum in 1932. There are numerous interesting exhibits on display, and the club meets monthly. For more information, contact club President Gordon Twitchell at 515-1857.
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- Turner Natural History Club President Gordon Twitchell and Boy Scout Ben Rancourt stand at the top of the quarter-mile-long nature trail loop that Rancourt built to meet one of the requirements for attaining Eagle Scout rank. The trail is located on Route 117 behind the Natural History Clubhouse and Museum.
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- Turner Boy Scout Ben Rancourt stands at the top of the nature trail loop he constructed as part of the requirements for becoming an Eagle Scout. The trail is behind the Turner Natural History Club and Museum on Route 117. It extends through a wooded area with 20 species of clearly marked trees.
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- Turner Natural History Club President Gordon Twitchell and Boy Scout Ben Rancourt stand at the top of the quarter-mile-long nature trail loop that Rancourt built to meet one of the requirements for attaining Eagle Scout rank. The trail is located on Route 117 behind the Natural History Clubhouse and Museum.
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