Looking around a local park, Benjamin Dice saw a problem, and it was something he wanted to fix.

"I grew up playing baseball for the Elizabethtown Boys Club, and Old Trolley Line baseball field was my home field for my last season," said the 2025 graduate of Elizabethtown Area High School and the Mount Joy campus of the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center. "The field needed dugouts to help protect the players from the sun and weather."

Benjamin, who joined Cub Scouts in first grade, knew he could help. He installed two baseball dugouts at the park, located in Mount Joy Township. For his efforts, he earned his Eagle Award, the highest honor given by Scouting America.

"I was responsible for obtaining all necessary funds, permits and materials needed for the project through fundraising and/or donations," he said. "From planning to completion, my project took a little over a year to complete."

He began the work in March of 2024, obtaining approval from Mount Joy Township. Construction began in March of 2025, and the finishing touches were completed this past June.

"To complete the project, it took a total of 330 hours between planning and all of the volunteers that helped to construct the dugouts," Benjamin shared. "The final part of the project was adding gravel to the dugouts. I had enough gravel to place around the dugouts that I installed and also the benches at the smaller baseball field. The remaining funds were used to purchase a first aid kit and ice packs."

Benjamin is a member of Troop 117, based out of Christ Church United Church of Christ in Elizabethtown. He credits members of his family, friends and troopmates with helping him to complete his Eagle project.

"Mr. Keith Lloyd, Troop 117 committee member, was a big part of helping to plan the design and construction of my project," Benjamin said.

Benjamin, who lives in Elizabethtown with his parents, George and Amy Dice, and his younger brother, Adam, said participating in Scouts has provided numerous fun activities over the years.

"My favorite memories are of camping trips, campfires, playing games such as manhunt and hiking," he remarked. "My favorite trips were going to the National Order of the Arrow Conference in Tennessee in 2022 and Colorado in 2024."

When he's not participating in Scouting activities, Benjamin enjoys attending car shows.

"I'm also a photographer and enjoy taking vehicle photographs," he said. "I also enjoy working on my own vehicles."

Benjamin was recognized for his Eagle achievement at a Court of Honor on Oct. 19.

"A Court of Honor is an event in Scouts that recognizes the accomplishments that each Scout has done," he explained, noting that his family, close friends and members of Troop 117 attended the ceremony.

In addition to being a member of Troop 117, Benjamin is a Brotherhood member of the Wunita Gokhos Lodge 39 in the Order of the Arrow (OA).

"The OA is Scouting's National Honor Society," he shared, adding that he hopes other students will consider joining Scouts and going for their Eagle Award.

"I would encourage Scouts to get their merit badges completed and keep pushing forward," he said.