Documenting the grave locations and headstone information from small cemeteries is a wonderful opportunity for Boy Scout troops and those needing an Eagle Scout project. Mapping a small cemetery provides scouts with the following opportunities:
- Leadership—Scouts have the opportunity to organize and direct different teams towards a common goal.
- Organization—Scouts experience how to build teams based on individual team member skills and enthusiasm.
- Cartography—Scouts practice basic cartography skills. They learn how to translate what they see on the ground to paper and ultimately to the website.
- Photography—Scouts practice basic photography skills and learn how to compose a picture based on lighting, shadows, angles, and headstone text legibility.
- Genealogy—Scouts gain an appreciation for those who have gone before. They come to a better understanding of life, death, and families.
- Data Entry—Scouts practice data entry skills, both on paper and at the computer. They come to better appreciate the need for care, accuracy, and personal pride.
- Community Service—Scouts help preserve community information that potentially could be lost forever.
Learn more about Boy Scouts mapping cemeteries--read about two Scouts who have mapped cemeteries for their Eagle Scout Service Projects!
Eagle Scout Maps New Hampshire Cemetery
Boy Scout Uses NAMES IN STONE for Eagle Project
Helpful Links for Mapping Cemeteries
Map a Cemetery
Mapping Recommendations from NAMES IN STONE
Tips and Tricks for Mapping a Volunteer Cemetery
Guidelines for Visiting a Cemetery
Social Networks