MEDFORD, Ore. (Feb. 15, 2026) — An Eagle Scout candidate from Troop 7 has completed a community service project at the Crossings in support of Rogue Retreat, building planter boxes designed to provide fresh herbs and vegetables for residents experiencing homelessness.
Payshens, a member of Troop 7, led the effort over two weekends, constructing metal planter boxes and organizing gardening supplies to support the site’s on-campus kitchen.
“My Eagle project focused on building metal planter boxes where residents can grow herbs and vegetables to use in the on-site kitchen. I also spray-painted and labeled the gardening tools with bright colors so they can be stored and easily identified in the shed,” Payshens said.
The project unfolded across two Saturdays, with volunteers dedicating the first day to building the planter boxes and the second to preparing them for use.
“The project took place over two Saturdays. The first day was spent building all of the planter boxes, and the second day was dedicated to filling them with soil, planting, and organizing the tools,” she said.
Payshens credited local businesses for helping bring the project to completion.
“I want to give a special thank-you to my main donors. Biomass One LP in White City donated 3.5 yards of planting soil, and The Four Seasons Nursery in Central Point donated perennial plants for the project,” she said.
According to Payshens, the decision to partner with Rogue Retreat carried personal significance.
“I chose Rogue Retreat because of the help they gave my mother when she was struggling. She passed away about five years ago, and when my Eagle advisor, Chris Donica, suggested Rogue Retreat as a project site, it felt meaningful to give back to an organization that once helped my family,” she said.
Rogue Retreat Crossings is described by the organization as an innovative urban campground with a 150-bed capacity, offering a structured pathway for individuals experiencing homelessness to achieve stability and self-sufficiency. The facility operates through three distinct phases: tents, non-congregate shelter and a village model.
In the initial phase, residents are accommodated in tents, providing immediate and safe shelter. The stage is designed to stabilize individuals’ situations and connect them with essential services and support while urgent needs are addressed.
The second phase transitions residents into non-congregate shelters, offering greater privacy and security. During this period, residents receive additional support and resources intended to foster independence and responsibility as they work toward personal goals.
The final phase involves moving into a village setting, where residents live in small, individual units and are required to have 30 days clean and sober. The village model emphasizes community building and peer support. Individuals who have experienced homelessness or addiction themselves provide guidance and encouragement to others throughout all phases of the program.
Rogue Retreat says its phased approach and emphasis on peer support are designed to create a structured and empowering environment that helps participants move from homelessness to long-term stability.
Organization leaders expressed gratitude to Payshens, her fellow Scouts and community donors, noting the planter boxes are expected to provide lasting benefits for residents at the Crossings while fostering connection, purpose and hope.
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