Ozark Society and Optimum Team up to Sponsor Boys’ Service Learning Day

Posted Date: 10/16/2024

On October 15th, 7th & 8th grade GT boys from Harmony Grove Junior High joined with 100 other GT boys from area schools for the first Bold Brave Boys Bonanza service day.  Ozark Society and Optimum provided $3,000 in grant funding for the bat houses and wood burning pens.  Hardman Lumber donated other needed supplies. ASU Three Rivers construction instructor Kamron Barber helped in the planning and two of his students, Case Roseberry and Joseph Canada served as excellent all-around helpers with the building and woodburning.

The boys were divided into groups named after different (and unusual bats) like the Trumpet-Nosed, Wrinkle-Faced, Big Woolly Eared and many others.  They were joined by 23 dedicated Role Model Men. The men shared how they use their leadership skills and other talents to make a difference in their communities. Everyone got to know a lot about each other through a fun icebreaker activity involving toilet paper. After everyone took as many sheets as they wanted, they found out they each had to share one thing about themselves for each sheet of toilet paper they took from the roll. 

Next, Phillip Jordan with the U.S. Forestry told all about bats, especially those in Arkansas, and the dangers of white nose syndrome.  He shared some incredible pictures of different bats he’s researched across the country.  The rest of the day was spent constructing 100 bat houses.  Each group also created a logo based on their bat species that they wood burned onto each bat house.  The bat houses are being donated to area nature centers and state parks across Arkansas.  Each school also took home two bat houses to hang in their community.  Thanks to all of the incredible Role Model Men who took the time to work with the boys and to our high school helpers from ASU Three Rivers.