The Martha's Vineyard Times

Boy Scout beach project highlights beach rip current threat

By Nelson Sigelman
February 1, 2012

Photo by Judy Thomas

From left to right: Sarah Trudel of the Trustees Of Reservations, Devon Waite, Liam Waite, Peter Tennant, Dan Nelson (Scoutmaster), D. J. Nelson and Jesse Thomas.

On Saturday, Martha's Vineyard Boy Scout troop 93 scouts spent the day on Chappaquiddick with The Trustees of Reservation erecting signs warning people of the dangers of rip currents at Wasque Point.

Rip currents figured in several accidents last summer and one death.

Scout Jesse Thomas collected the money for the signs and organized the effort as part of his quest to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. The scouts put up six signs and plan to erect eight more.

The Eagle Scout Leadership Project includes the requirement that a scout, "plan, develop and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to his religious institution, school or community."

Jesse said he was grateful for the donations he received that helped him to purchase the signs. For more information, or to contribute contact Jesse at mvriptides@gmail.com.

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