It was because of his maternal grandfather, said Dylan Schlichting, 17, of Walnutport, that he decided to become an Eagle Scout. So it was only fitting that, once he began looking for a service project to accomplish that goal, he sought out his grandfather's assistance.

According to the Boy Scouts of America, Life Scouts, like Schlichting, need to plan, develop and give leadership to others in an approved service project helpful to any religious institution, any school or one's community (other than a Boy Scouting organization) as one of several requirements to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.Dale Benninger, who grew up in Slatington and belongs to several service club organizations there, put his grandson in touch with fellow Slatington Lions Club member Pete Papay who, Benninger said, is often knowledgeable about such projects around town.In addition, Benninger suggested Dylan work with Papay to send letters to various local community groups, which resulted in not only the Lions Club but also the Northern Lehigh Historical Society and the Venture Group contributing funds for Schlichting's Eagle Scout project.That's what brought Schlichting and seven others from Troop 43, of Bath, out Saturday morning, May 17, to put the finishing touches of beige-colored paint on the pavilion along Slatington's Slate Heritage Trail by the covered bridge at Seventh Street.Schlichting said about 13 people, in addition to himself, showed up May 11 to paint the outside of the pavilion as part of his Eagle Scout project.That day the group worked about five hours and concentrated mainly on the exterior of the building to take advantage of the day's beautiful weather, he said.They saved all the inside painting until this past Saturday, Schlichting said, because of the forecast of possible rain showers and also saved some of the higher exterior work because he knew he would have scaffolding this time, loaned to him by one of the troop's leaders.He said he and the other volunteers hoped to have the rest of the painting finished in about two-and-a-half hours.When asked why they were helping Schlichting, the other Troop 43 Scouts had nothing but good things to say about both him and earning the rank of Eagle Scout."Dylan is a great guy, and I like to help him however I can," said Andrew Shaffer, 17, of Nazareth, who completed his own Eagle Scout project last year.Added Eagle Scout Michael Kukor, 17, of Bath, "It's good to do. It shows that you're responsible, and it looks good to the other kids."Troop committee Chairwoman Ann Costenbader said, "The kids love (Dylan), and they help out one another."Costenbader said the troop has 20-plus Eagle Scouts, mainly because it has "a really good program in place."Schlichting said he had begun scouting at a young age but had dropped out in fourth grade. Two years later, however, a friend convinced him to join Troop 43."(And) once I found out my (maternal) grandfather was actually an Eagle Scout, it kind of gave me a goal," he said. "I wanted to continue it on my mom's side, and I wanted to start it on my dad's side."Benninger said that when his grandson had come to him six or seven years ago and expressed an interest in scouting, he had told him, "I'm not gonna tell you what to do, but I would recommend you get involved in scouting. It's a good thing because it teaches values. And if you can, try to get your Eagle Scout … it tells that you have character and that you did something, you accomplished something, that you didn't have to do."