Gari Melchers Home and Studio

Come, explore creativity!

We are grateful for the many scouts who have chosen to do their Eagle Scout project at Belmont. Please contact our Garden & Grounds Manager (bbarb3ce@umw.edu) to inquire about future projects.

A group of 5 men and boys wearing high-vis vests work on building a wooden bridge.
In 2025, Brooke Point High School senior Zachary Clary (pictured at left, back row), along with Boy Scout Troop #850 volunteers, built a bridge and three benches along Belmont’s woodland trails.
High school boy scout stand on wooden bridge in the woods.
In 2025, Eagle Scout candidate Joshua, a rising high school senior, who, along with volunteers, built and erected a large footbridge on a section of Belmont’s woodland trail.
Group of high school students holding tools standing outside in front of a bat box they installed.
In 2024, Eagle Scout candidate and Stafford High School senior Hannah Malin, (pictured in center) along with Boy Scout Troop #199 volunteers, built and erected two bat boxes that flank the lower parking lot and the field behind the cow barn.  Malin also constructed twenty sign identification posts for Belmont’s nature trail, to be installed in Spring of 2025.
Group of 11 boys and men standing outside in the woods on a wooden bridge.
In 2024, Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School junior Nathan Nguyen (pictured in white sweatshirt), along with Boy Scout Troop #171 volunteers, rebuilt a large footbridge on a section of Belmont’s woodland trail.
High school boy scout standing in the wood in front of a wooden bridge.
In 2023, Stafford High School senior Henry Malin, along with Boy Scout Troop #170 volunteers, rebuilt a large footbridge and installed pavers on a section of Belmont’s woodland trail.
High school boy scout standing in front of a wooden building.
In 2023, Stafford County school system senior Athan Liska, along with Boy Scout Troop #218 volunteers, beautifully restored our historic pump house and built a fence around it.
Picture of wooden steps in a wooded setting.
In 2022, James Monroe High School senior Sam Lewis, along with Boy Scout Troop #170 volunteers, replaced a section of steps on Belmont’s woodland trails and removed unwanted brush that was obstructing the view of the Rappahannock River.
Large group of boys outside working with shovels.
In 2020, Riverbend High School freshman Ethan Tammany, along with Boy Scout Troop #171 volunteers, added badly needed stone steps to a section of the woodland trail.
Head shot of a high school boy scout.
In 2019, Courtland High School sophomore Louis Wiltenmuth, along with Boy Scout Troop #171 volunteers, made improvements to the woodland trails.
Group of boys standing outside.
In 2014, Adam McKinney, along with Boy Scout Troop #171 volunteers, created a new section of stairs and added stepping stones to Belmont’s woodland trails.