Some Limestone County students may be spending their spring break in warmer climates, at beaches or amusement parks.

That’s not true of Andy Cook, however. The 16-year-old student at Lindsay Lane Christian Academy has spent this week in the cold, drafty Scout House on Washington Street in Athens.

Cook isn’t being punished; he’s there by choice. He’s helping renovate what is more commonly known as “The Little Red Schoolhouse” as part of an Eagle Scout project.

The renovated structure will be used by the Athens Arts League as a music incubator for students. It will be a place where students can learn not only how to play instruments, but also produce music.

On Wednesday, Cook and fellow Boy Scout Trey Sayers, a freshman at Athens High School, cleared the last of the wood covering the original fireplace at the Scout House. Cook said it took five-to-six hours to expose the stone and brick that date back to 1938.

The pair will next start removing old Sheetrock if they get the go-ahead from Bert Bradford of Athens Public Works, who is overseeing the project.

Cook learned about the project from Kaye Young McFarlen at United Way of Athens-Limestone County. He then made contact with Bradford and Holly Hollman, grant coordinator and communications specialist for the city of Athens.

Cook issued a call for help to other Boy Scouts and Sayers volunteered his services.

During a break from pulling nails from old boards, the scouts marveled at how different the building must have looked when it was first built. Cook noted most of the interior walls were new, while the existing drop ceiling concealed the original vaulted ceiling.

He looks forward to seeing the completed project, considering the Scout House was originally built as a meeting place for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

“It has historic significance to the city and the scouts,” he said.

When asked how much longer it would take to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, Cook said he would need to put in more time on the Scout House project and also earn some merit badges.

“If I put my mind to it, it could be by the end of the school year,” he said, though he added he understood the Eagle Scout application to be “lengthy.”

He said being an Eagle Scout would help open doors to future accomplishments, especially since he plans to join the ministry.

“It will mean I have leadership skills tucked under my belt because that’s one of the core fundamentals of scouting,” Cook said. “I can say I’m an Eagle Scout and that will help me with real world experiences.”