Charles County Local Scout’s Humanitarian Project Aims To Strengthen Southern Crossing, Raise Awareness

LA PLATA, Md. — A local Scout is turning leadership lessons into lasting community impact as he works toward Scouting’s highest honor.

Dylan Johnson, a member of Troop 1321, is organizing a humanitarian-focused Eagle Scout project to support residents at Southern Crossing in La Plata. The supportive housing and transitional living community is operated by LifeStyles of Maryland Inc. and serves low-income individuals and families working toward stability and permanent housing.

As part of the final step toward earning the rank of Eagle Scout, Johnson is collecting much-needed materials to help furnish apartments for residents. Donations are being gathered through an Amazon wishlist as well as local community drop-off days, making participation accessible for supporters across Southern Maryland.

In a recent interview with The BayNet, Johnson explained why LifeStyles of Maryland was his choice for his humanitarian Eagle Scout project.

“When I first went into my Eagle Scout project, I knew I wanted to do something humanitarian,” Johnson said. “So because I had a contact within the troop with the LifeStyles of Maryland, I approached them and asked what kind of things I could do along those lines for them. In that meeting my project was born as they told me about Southern Crossing, and that they struggled to have the apartments ready for their last group of tenants.”

Southern Crossing is designed to provide safe, short-term housing along with comprehensive support services, including case management, financial education, job and life skills training, and assistance in finding permanent housing. The project repurposes an existing property into a community where individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability can build a foundation for long-term success.

Johnson said his goal is to ensure residents feel comfortable and supported as they transition into their new homes.

“Most directly, I hope this project will give the people at Southern Crossing what they need to be comfortable in the new apartments,” he said. “But for the broader community, I hope this project will let more people know who the LifeStyles of Maryland are and the good work that they do. In this way, I hope to get more people involved in charitable organizations like LifeStyles.”

Community involvement is central to the project’s success. Johnson is encouraging residents to spread the word and contribute through the online wishlist. Please consider making a donation here.

“People can help me best by telling their friends and family members about the project and encouraging them to leave a set of donations from the Amazon wishlist,” he said.

For Johnson, the project represents more than a service requirement; it reflects years of personal growth within Scouting.

“The journey toward Eagle Scout has been a journey of learning how to be a Leader,” he said. “In my troop, leadership isn’t just expected, but enforced. I have had to learn how to lead meetings, organize events, send official emails and teach young men how to become better men tomorrow. The most important lesson however, was that failure is a teacher, and every great leader needs a great teacher.”

Through his efforts, Johnson hopes not only to meet the needs of Southern Crossing residents but also to strengthen community awareness and engagement across Southern Maryland, demonstrating how one Scout’s commitment to service can inspire broader support for neighbors in need.

Scouts BSA Troop 1321 is part of the Western Shore District of the National Capital Area Council of Scouting America. Scouting America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. Scouting America provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of actively participating in citizenship and develops personal fitness. For additional information about Scouting America, please go to www.scouting.org.

---