To all past and current students of Bath Elementary school, one tradition stands out: kickball day. 

In 2019, Revere opened the brand-new Bath Elementary school, a state-of-the-art facility located on the same property as the old school. The addition of the new school brought many outstanding opportunities such as a STEM lab and large gymnasium space, but the building was placed on the hill where thousands of students had spent countless hours playing and exploring, covering the notorious sledding hill and, of course, the kickball field. 

When RHS sophomore Freddie Mealy found out that Bath was losing their kickball field, he decided to take action and create a brand-new field. 

RHS junior Andrew Froelich along with Mealy have worked together to bring new amenities to Bath Elementary school while earning their Eagle Scout rank. 

For many years, Bath students and staff have culminated a successful school year with a kickball tournament. Bath Elementary School Principal Dan Fry explained the significance of the game.

“Bath students have been playing kickball in an end of the year tournament for over twenty years. Our tournament was always played on the field at our old school,” Fry said.

When the new school was built and the old field was covered up, they were unable to build a field in time for the tournament, eventually moving it to the Bath Baseball Park. 

“During construction of the new school, we moved the tournament to the Bath Baseball Park. It was played there for the past three years,” Fry said. 

Although having the game hosted at the local park was much better than having no game at all, something still felt missing from the tradition. Mealy and Fry agreed that the new Bath Elementary school needed their own field.

Reminiscing on his own time at the school, Mealy decided to take matters into his own hands. 

“They didn’t have a kickball field, so I had to [make one]. . .  They needed a kickball field. I was [in the kickball tournament at Bath,] so that was a big inspiration for making the new field,” Mealy said.

Fry shared the process of building the new field and showed his excitement that the tournament will once again take place at the school. 

“During the 2020-21 school year, the district partnered with the Revere Baseball Softball Association to create a kickball/tee-ball field on our playground. Beginning this year (2022), our kickball tournament will once again be played on the school field,” Fry said.

To bring his idea to life, Mealy had to spend many hours planning his vision. Additionally, he had to coordinate with Bath and the people building the fences for the property. 

“I had to coordinate with the fencing people and get them to [agree]. RBSA (Revere Baseball Softball Association) and the school paid for the fencing, but I had to pay for the benches. Then I installed the bases and everything [else for the field],” Mealy said.

One of Mealy’s additions was a set of benches. The sophomore customized the benches he built, adding a special Revere touch. Fry explained the impact of these benches. 

“Each bench is inscribed with our ‘Revere R’ and our ‘Be A Team Hero’ slogan. These benches are an incredible addition to our field and will serve as an inspiration to our Bath students for years to come,” Fry said.

Building the field and provisions of it was no easy task. Mealy explained some of the issues he faced while working on the project. 

“I had to rent and operate a jackhammer in the middle of my project because we couldn’t use the tools we had. I had to load over a ton of Quikrete and then rent an auger and operate that auger,” Mealy said.

Both Froelich and Mealy were inspired for the projects through scouts as each one of them worked to earn their Eagle Scout ranking. Froelich explained the steps to becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in Boy Scouts. 

“You come into scouts and get the Scout rank, which is just a bunch of [simple] requirements. Then you get the Tenderfoot [rank], which is like small requirements. Then Second Class, which is all stuff like cooking, knot tying, emergency preparedness, first aid… the fourth rank is First Class, which I don’t think there are any merit badges for,” Froelich said.

Once a scout has reached the rank of First Class, they have illustrated the preparedness and have all basic camping skills to fend for themselves in the wild, lead others on a hike or campout, set up a campsite, plan and properly prepare meals and provide first aid for most situations that may be encountered. 

The Boy Scouts have over 130 different merit badges to offer, each focusing on a different speciality. This allows a scout to focus on a field they are passionate about. In order to become an Eagle Scout, a scout must earn at least 21 badges. 

Froelich continued, explaining the next few ranks before becoming an Eagle Scout. 

“Then you get the Star [rank], which you need [to meet requirements] and get merit badges to earn. Merit badges are just like the cooking merit badge. There are several requirements for that which you need to get. You need to cook a backpacking meal or something like that,” Froelich said. 

After the Star Rank comes the Life Rank, which is achieved by volunteer hours, illustrated leadership and many other requirements such as a board of review. 

Finally, after the Life Rank comes the Eagle Scout ranking. Froelich explained the process of achieving the final rank, Eagle Scout. 

“We had to do at least 21 different merit badges that [covered] different skills. We had to have previous leadership experience, and we had to learn survival skills,” Froelich said. 

By the time a scout begins to apply to become an Eagle Scout, they must have earned badges, showing proficiency in first aid; citizenship in the community, nation and the world; communication; cooking; personal fitness; emergency preparedness or lifesaving; environmental science or sustainability; personal management; swimming, hiking or cycling; camping and family life. 

In addition to those badges and leadership, an Eagle Scout candidate must lead a project in the community. Froelich explained the guidelines for the project and his and Mealy’s approach. 

“We did a project; you have to come up with a project that is non-profit, so you don’t make any money, that benefits the community, and you have to lead it and plan everything, get people to come. We provided pizza and had to work with children,” Froelich said. 

Another part of the project involves working with other scouts, especially those younger and in lower levels. Froelich explained how he incorporated this aspect into his project. 

“We built it with kids in our troop for the most part. I sent an email to the whole troop offering service hours and pizza to come help,” Froelich said. 

For Froelich’s project, he built large planter boxes for the students at Bath, giving them the opportunity to grow a variety of plants.

“I built six raised flower beds. They were [constructed from] ten foot by six foot, two foot high beams, and I put dirt in them. They are right behind Bath, so [the students] can look at them. And now the kids can plant plants and vegetables in the spring for science class. There are two [planters] per grade,” Froelich said.

Froelich’s planters are only one addition in a series of new improvements coming to Bath. Fry shared the plans for a new Land Lab on the elementary school property. 

“The raised beds that Andrew built are a part of a larger project called The Growing Space. Our art teacher, Mrs. Amy Koch, wrote a grant for this project that will allow for a garden to become a permanent part of our Bath Land Lab,” Fry said.

Froelich combined efforts with Koch, helping design and build raised garden beds at the entrance to the Bath Land Lab.

 “Mrs. Koch was awarded a GAR grant called The Growing Space, which provided $10,000 for the creation of these beds. Andrew volunteered to help with designing the beds, ordering the materials and constructing the beds. Once the construction was completed, Andrew began the tedious work of filling the beds with soil. Mrs. Koch will be working with our Bath students to fill the beds with plants this spring,” Fry said.

The third, fourth and fifth graders attending Bath will also have a big role in helping with the Bath Land Lab. 

“Our students will assist with planting both annuals and perennials in our garden. The students will have responsibility for planting and maintaining the garden. Our teachers will use the garden to help teach their science curriculum,” Fry said.

To build the boxes, Froelich had to cut much of the wood himself. Additionally, he had to lead the project in a way that could easily be understood by those with varying levels of experience. 

“I had to cut eight footers in half to get four-footers. They were stacked four high, sixteen beams per side and the ten footers were really heavy, and I was working with little kids. It is tough to work with them,” Froelich said. 

Froelich explained his reasoning behind choosing the project. 

“I just wanted to build something because I’m more of a hands-on guy and I like the engineering type feel, like STEM, and it just appealed to me, plus they had a grant for everything, which made it really easy. I didn’t have to raise any money,” Froelich said. 

Furthermore, Froelich is happy about the addition of flowers and plants to the new landscape of Bath Elementary, while providing a learning opportunity for all students. 

“It’s good for the environment, [provides] a better landscape, fresher air, [and teaches the students to] grow vegetables, produce food, survive… I was helping [to] increase the natural beauty of the school, and they will be able to learn more from it,” Froelich said. 

Froelich optimistically looked forward to a bountiful spring with the addition of his gardening planters. 

“By then, it’s going to be cucumbers and flowers and tastiness. It’s the kids’ job to do the other stuff. I’m inspiring them to become gardeners,” Froelich said.

Fry also expressed his gratitude for Mealy and Froelich’s additions. 

“Freddie and Andrew were both Bath students and were able to donate their time and effort to improve the learning experience for future students. They have provided a lasting legacy that will be enjoyed by countless Bath students over the years. They are role models to our students and have demonstrated the value of service to your community,” Fry said.

Mealy and Froelich summed up their project, thanking the other for their contributions. 

“Freddie [Mealy] is happy he is able to provide enjoyment for the kids at Bath,” Froelich said. 

“Andrew [Froelich] is all about ‘beautying’ up the community,” Mealy said.