Eagle Scout candidate Rob Cromley was returning from surfing on Pawleys Island last summer when he noticed the sub-standard playground equipment at Teach My People (TMP) Christian Youth Center on Waverly Road.
He decided he would replace that equipment with something attractive and safe, which he would complete as his Eagle Scout project.
“I was just thinking of something to do and it just kind of came upon me,” Cromley said. “I thought Teach My People might need help, so I talked to them to see what they needed.”
On Tuesday, more than a year after he presented his idea to TMP Executive Director Johnny Ford, about 50 children who attend the center, the administration and the Board of Directors gathered with members of the community to celebrate the grand opening of a new playground on the campus.
Ford says it has been a long time coming for the kids to have somewhere safe to play. The playground equipment they had before was second-hand from Waccamaw Elementary.
“We just thank God that this young man, Rob, came and wanted to take on this challenge — to put a playground here for this organization,” Ford said.
“From what we see today, with all the young people playing on the new playground, this is what we always envisioned around here to help promote healthy lifestyles. More importantly, it is just a great piece of equipment for young people to enjoy for years to come.” With a grant from the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation and donations from the community, Cromley, who is a rising senior at Waccamaw High School, was able to pay for the materials and playground equipment for the project. He then elicited help from his parents, Robert and Tish Cromley, and fellow Life Scouts from Pawleys Island Troop 360 to complete the labor.
They installed a concrete curb around the perimeter with sections cut out to allow for drainage. Then, they erected a chain-link fence and a clay base under sand also designed for drainage of storm water.
Bright yellow and blue playground equipment — including a three-person slide, monkey bars, ladders and balance beams — completed the picture. Cromley says there were many obstacles along the way, but with help from the community, the project finally came together.
“It has been a while and there have been some struggles,” Cromley said. “I have learned a lot.”
Tish Cromley says that she is very proud of her son, who is working this summer as a camp counselor for the Georgetown County Family YMCA.
“I’m just really proud that it is completed, especially during summertime when school is out,” she said.
The Cromleys are hoping Cromley will receive his Eagle Scout Badge in the next few months when the Boy Scouts hold an Eagle Scout ceremony.
Carl Falk, chairman of the TMP Board of Directors, says this playground adds to the atmosphere at TMP.
“We want to make TMP the very best it can be so these children will have every opportunity to come to know Jesus Christ as their savior, graduate from high school and go on to college,” Falk said.
“These children would often be going home to houses without parents. They’d be on their own, out in the street, enticed by drug dealers and gangs, or they’d be watching DVDs or playing video games. Instead, their choice is to come here in a fun, structured, safe environment where they feel loved by the community. What could be better than that?”
TMP is a wonderful center with positive programs that help our children in aspects such as academics, athletics, spirituality and moral values. They help to build character in the children to succeed in these areas. My son and nieces attend this wonderful center and my sister and I appreciate everything that this program represents in our community. We thank Mr. Ford and everyone that assists him with their time as well as finances and for dedicating their time to help our kids.We would like to thank Mr. Cromley and everyone who helped with this playground.
