October 17, 2009 - More than 100 Boy Scouts from the Des Plaines Valley Council joined the McCook Quarry team for a great adventure to earn an insignia signifying an understanding in basic geology. The scouts converged on the quarry for the 2nd Annual Boy Scout Day to work their way through a series of lessons and stations - Geology 101, Fossil Hunt, Quarry Tour and Uses of Limestone - to each work toward a Webelos Geologist Activity Pin.

Over the course of various hands-on lessons taught by McCook Quarry staff, the Scouts learned how limestone developed naturally over thousands of years, how skilled workers produce construction aggregates, and ultimately, how the material is virtually everywhere from the concrete in the Trump Tower to their local streets, homes and schools.



"The Scout Day is part of our scouting and outdoor classroom. It's the best way for scouts to learn their impact on the Earth and know that everything they do has an impact on the world," said Christopher Isit, District Executive of the Des Plaines Valley Council and Boy Scouts of America. "Every partnership and connection that we bridge is one step closer to making sure we have responsible citizens who become leaders in the world."

The Scouts split into two groups, with half beginning their hands-on learning experiences starting in the morning and the other half beginning in the afternoon. Over the course of the day, the Scouts had a chance to mingle with members of the McCook team and learn about McCook Quarry's role in the community.

Vulcan's own field experts taught the lessons. Pit Supervisor Zach Hershey led a bus tour of the operation where children got an up close view of the 650-acre facility. The Scouts also hit the classroom for Geology 101 where Area Manager Jeff May and Quality Control Supervisor Dan Barnstable explained the basics of geology, how limestone is formed and where it can be found. Sales Manager Mike Saban and Shipping Plant Manager Danny Medina covered uses of aggregate. Following the lessons, the Scouts embarked on a fossil hunt.

"We're always grateful for the opportunity to provide an outdoor classroom experience to area schoolchildren," May said. "We can all work together to help make learning fun and to encourage new vocations. I think we've already met a few future mine planning engineers."

The Scouts will gather at their next scheduled meeting to discuss their learnings and display their fossils. They will be awarded a Geology Activity Pin after demonstrating their knowledge learned at McCook Quarry.






To see more photos of the event, please click here.