To find a project that would meet be approved by my Eagle Scout Board of Review and have a lasting impact on my community.
Observation
A friend of mine who went to MAST (a specialized high school on Sandy Hook) told me that the old Navy barracks were getting really worn down and deteriorating fast. The buildings were considered historical landmarks and were being let to slowly crumble. Not only were these buildings constructed with harmful materials such as asbestos, but the lack of care for the buildings was causing a lot of debris to scraps to find its way into the ocean and harm the local wildlife.
CARSON GREENGROVE
Eagle Project
Project Overview #5
IDEA
I went around to all of the buildings in Sandy Hook to see if there was any way I could help out. I met some people at the American Littoral Society that showed me their gutters were completely cut off about 6 feet off of the ground.
When it rained, their basement would often flood because the water wasn't getting guided away from the foundation. I also took note that this was causing a lot of toxic runoff into the nearby bay.
I expanded on this initial idea to landscape the area around the building to make it look more visually appealing and put together.
To create a rain barrel system flowing to an organic garden that would fix their gutters, reduce runoff, reduce basement flooding, and make the building look much nicer. While creating an interactive and educational exhibit to inform the community on the status of local wildlife.
CARSON GREENGROVE
Eagle Project
Project Overview #5
Development
Step 1: Fundraising
I ran two major fundraiser events to get the funds for the project. I sold hot dogs at a fundraiser for the American Littoral Society New Year's Day walk and accepted donations along with the stand.
I also conducted a 50-50 raffle where half the money in the pot of the raffle would go to my project and half the money would go to the winner of the raffle.
In total I raised $650 for my project.
Step 2: Gaining Materials
I made it a point to save money wherever I could for the project and the main way I did this was by having a car wash donate their old 55 gallon barrels that they used for storing soap. This saved me the biggest expense of rain barrels. I then configured the barrels, with spigots and a screen filter. I also purchased timers and drip systems along with flowers and landscaping materials for the garden.
Step 3: Coordinating with Artists
I decided I wanted to incorporate an educational and interactive component to my project so that people would feel compelled to check the building out and visit it. I was put in touch with local artists who agreed to paint Jersey sea life on the barrels. I created an informational sign detailing every animal and plant that was painted on the barrels.
Step 4: Build Platforms
We had to build platforms so that gravity could push the water out into the drip system and water the plants on its own. We also built a washing station for them to wash down any fish or shells that they gathered for their work.
Step 5: Coordinate Work to be done
One of the cardinal rules of the eagle project is that during the actual 'work' being done, the prospective Eagle Scout is not allowed to lift a finger. He has to organize his fellow scouts, friends, and family and direct them to carry out his vision.
My dad and two fellow senior scouts helping me plant
Step 6: Present Project to Eagle Board
The final step in any Eagle Project is to present your project in its entirety to an 'Eagle Board' that will evaluate your leadership skills and impact that your project has made on the community. This requires the scout to keep a detailed account of everything including expenses, and provide pictures to the board to showcase the finished product.
CARSON GREENGROVE
Eagle Project
Project Overview #5
CARSON GREENGROVE
Eagle Project
Project Overview #5
Conclusion
Takeaways
I learned so much about project management from taking on a years long project such as this. Some of the things I learned...
Bureaucracy occurs when trying to complete projects that require levels of approvals, which is why it is so important to plan ahead.
How to effectively manage people and learned to trust them in the process of carrying out my vision instead of micromanaging.
How to bootstrap a project like this and find creative ways to save money.
How to finish a project from beginning to end and communicate it to anyone.
CONTACT
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