Possible Eagle Scout Project

[mt_goodrich]

I have a Life Scout who is getting ideas together for his Eagle project.

First of all, I am proud of him because he is taking this seriously and has been making phone calls and actually meeting with various folks in the community to get ideas.

There is one I am not sure of that he brought up to me and I thought I 'd ask here:

Our small town has decided that it will no longer maintain parking meeting around the county courthouse and in a three block radius. This is approximately 100 old parking meters. They haven't been monitored or used in five years.

In speaking with someone with the local Rotary Club, this Life Scout learned that the town would like to get the meters removed. Unfortunately, with a tight budget, they are unable to do it at this time. An idea this Scout had come up with would be to remove the meters. Then, prepare a certain number of holes that would remain to be able to accept poles that will have smaller U.S. Flag/State Flag. He was thinking about 50. The person with the local Rotary Club said he could would assist in getting the material, including flags, donated. The flags would be put out on holidays and the town would be responsible for that.

However, he was thinking about having his project completed by November 11th and the grand finale of his project would be putting the flags out.

Remember, this is just a preliminary idea and one of a couple of others he is thinking about.

[wagionvigil]

Sounds Good to Me!

[Ursus Snorous Roarus]

That is a great idea!
Thoughts:
-How are the pipes secured into the ground: are they threaded pipes into bases - thereby need to rent/borrow enough pipe wrenches to remove the meters? Bring in some of the plumber’s union, or at least a bunch of handymen to assist? Funds to buy some/get donated if needed? - OR - are they poured into the concrete: saw cut the pipes flush...? Could be very time consuming, adults needs to run electric saws (cost of blades...). Is the plan to leave the 50 pipes there and remove others? Would need to make some kind of adapter for the flag holder….
-What about the remaining holes? Do they need plugged to prevent water freezing in the holes and cracking sidewalk?
-If it were my Scout, I would like to see him involved with going to the Rotary to make a presentation to their board/membership asking for their assistance.
-Should have a plan ‘b’ for raising funds in mind if they only offer partial assistance or are unable to do so at all. Is Plan ‘b’ feasible on such short notice?
-Other than the obvious of the date - What’s the rush? If it all falls together, great, but if not, maybe Memorial Day could be a alternative completion goal if any delays pop up and to give him a little more time.
-Plans for removed pipe/meters? Sell or scap for donation to local needy organization?
This is a good one... have fun!

[mt_goodrich]

USR...those are some great things to consider and I will print out your response and make them available to this young man.

We are going on a campout this weekend, but he has asked me that when we return that I walk with him and take a look and take some photos.

The presentation to the Rotary Club is an EXCELLENT idea, if he chooses to pursue this.

I will keep you posted.

[Bill Pitcher]

I agree with USR's suggestions and it IS a great project idea. Vet's day is a great goal , but it is coming up fast. Memorial day may be a more reasonable goal if the young man has the time. If he can get all of the help and support together, GO FOR IT NOW! Tell him good luck, mt_g.

[lifescoutforlife]

Sounds like a great project, hope he reaches his goal.

[mt_goodrich]

Oh...forgot to mentioned this is the same Scout I was venting about earlier in this post:

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=2785&p=31800#p31800

I honestly believe that he has never really been challenged before. He has seven brothers and sisters and is is second to the youngest. In speaking with him and getting to know a little more about him, he and his sister, who is two years younger, are the "babies". The next oldest sibling is their 28 year old brother. That is an eleven year difference to him and thirteen for his sister. He said that it was like having a bunch of moms and dads and these siblings did just about everything for them.

The kids range from 15 to 43.

He has nine months before his birthday and turns 18.

[Ursus Snorous Roarus]

Wow, interesting situation to say the least.
9 months? He better get scooting!

[smtroop168]

First MT..the project would qualify as an ESP

Second...sounds aggressive and a big challenge. Looks like Memorial Day is out based on his timing but he needs to get something on paper ASAP and get it approved. USR gave him a lot of details but there are a ton more.

Third...given your last post, your earlier venting post and your description of the family, I see him potentially not leading but following

Fourth...what else is he thinking about?

Best of Luck...making Eagle will the best thing that can happen to stand on his own.

[mt_goodrich]

I can honestly say this board is full of great resources....and smart folks.

smt.....I thought the same thing about possibly following and not leading on this project....the "old habits are hard to break" type thing.

However, I am confident that what ever he decides on, he'll do fine. I am getting the sense from him that this is "his" time to shine. His parents have both told me that he has already gotten the word out to his family that they will be part of his work crew.....no matter what he decides on and they told me that they wished I had been the Scoutmaster when he first got started with Scouting. They said he is very excited and is already looking to join a Venturing Crew.

Another idea he has is to assist with a project with the Chisholm Trail that runs just west of town. A non-profit organization is in the process of creating a parking and visitor center and have done a great deal. Some of the boys are working on the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge and we visited this site (Historical Trail). He is going to speak with the head person out there and see what they may have.

You notice a theme here? This young man is doing all the phone calls and meetings. This is something that has really surprised and impressed his parents. I already see the leadership part getting started.

[smtroop168]

As it should be. Always nice to see it click in.

Smart folks on the board? Maybe.

Dedicated scouters? Absolutely.

[OldGreyBear]

Sounds like a geat project, just a question on why adults would have to operate the electric saws, scouts can use power tools except wood splitters and chain saws.

How many of you remember what put Cool Hand Luke in prison in the first place?

[Quailman]

How many of you remember what put Cool Hand Luke in prison in the first place?

That's exactly what was running through my mind when I read the first post.

[smtroop168]

My rule of thumb (so they keep theirs) is that scouts do not use any power tool with a moving blade.

[Ursus Snorous Roarus]

You are correct. However, presuming a sawzall would be the tool of choice, it can be tough for an adult to control especially when cutting sideways and flush to the ground. I wouldn't recommend youth operators in this case.

[ASM-142]

I think that this is a great project idea. As far as using a sawzall I would have no problem with Scouts doing this provided they werre trained and had the proper safety gear.

[joat]

Luke's problem was hooch. Nabbed for stealing pennies and nickels.

The best you can do with a Sawzall is cut it off with an inch or more protruding; too much to grind off. I'd use a cutting torch or plasma cutter. Or a Porta-band could get close, maybe 3/8", then grind the rest.