PENDLETON — Evan Humphrey has always been a Boy Scout.

He started out as a Cub Scout when he was 7 and became a member of Boy Scout Troop 232 when he was 10.

That’s why it wasn’t really a surprise when Humphrey decided to aim for scouting’s highest honor, an Eagle Scout Badge, his family said.

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In addition to earning multiple scouting merit badges, those seeking an Eagle Scout Badge must complete several other requirements, including finishing a lasting community project.

Thanks to a suggestion from his grandmother, who thought it would be a good idea to create several Little Free Libraries in the South Madison County community, Humphrey worked with the nonprofit organization to make it happen.

Little Free Libraries — the name of the international organization as well as the free-standing wooden boxes on a post with a door on the front — provide a place for people to drop off and pick up books without charge or obligation.

He built four of the structures, with three for Pendleton — one at First United Methodist Church, one on Tamarack Court in the Pines at Deerfield subdivision and one to be installed soon in Falls Park — and one at Central Park, 901 N. Main St., Lapel.

The little libraries are designed to inspire a love of reading, build community and spark creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world, according to the organization’s website.

Humphrey, 18, a senior at Pendleton Heights High School, planned and implemented the project with some help from troop advisers.

He presented the project and received required approval, then planned fundraising and building ideas.

Humphrey collected donations, bought materials and set up work days to get the work completed.

“I planned the phases of the build and what would be done at each work day,” he said.

When he completed the project, Humphrey wrote a project report to be presented to his scouting board for review.

The project and being a scout has been rewarding, Humphrey said.

He’s learned many useful life skills, such as communication, leadership, resourcefulness, organization, management and even cooking and other interesting skills, he said, such as how to properly tie a knot, sailing, fire building, climbing and astronomy.

While Humphrey plans to attend Ball State University in the fall to study audio engineering, jazz and foreign languages; he said the skills he learned from scouting and the Eagle Scout project will stay with him.

“I immediately learned that I had a lot to learn about leadership and communication, but leading the project taught me those skills, which I will carry with me,” Humphrey said.

When Humphrey chose the Little Free Libraries as his Eagle Scout project, his father, David Humphrey, didn’t really know how much detail and time his son would have to put into designing and building the libraries.

“Evan is a very detailed person and wanted to get his design perfected on paper before the building process began,” his father said. “He had help from fellow Scouts and adults when it came to building the libraries, but Evan oversaw and supervised the entire process.”

Being a part of the Boy Scouts has made a positive impact on his son’s life, David Humphrey said.

“I believe what Evan has learned in Troop 232 will stay with him his entire life.”

Calling his son a very selfless, compassionate young man with a big heart and an open mind, David Humphrey said he is extremely proud of what his son has accomplished in and out of scouting.

People can find the location of the closest Little Free Library at littlefreelibrary.org. Each little library created has its own charter number.