Mason and I had the opportunity to lend a hand on an Eagle Project. Joseph is soon to be 18 and joined scouts with Walker way back when they were cubs in first grade. His trajectory in ranking up has not been as fast as Walker’s as sports, work and school have often vied for attention. However, as his 18th birthday started to loom nearer, Joseph decided to step things up a bit so he too could end his scout career as an Eagle.
His project was to create paths on either side of the driveway at the St. John the Baptist Youth House. The goal was to complete the project in a single weekend since weather and winter would soon be an issue. Friday they prepared the ground for the brick paths. They measured and dug out the foundation where the brick will go and they filled the base with rock. We were delighted that the rock was left over from Mason’s Eagle Project.
When Mason and I arrived on Sunday morning, scouts were out in force, tamping down the rock and prepping the area with a layer of sand. Joseph’s dad was sweeping the driveway.
After the sandbags were dumped, we got down on our knees and smoothed it out.
Mason used the handy stick with measurements to make sure it was level and at the right depth.
Mrs. Ripke and Mr. Ruppel laid the bricks in a basket weave pattern six across. Two were placed landscape, then two were placed portrait and the last two were landscape again. Once they were snug, Tanay tamped them down with a rubber mallet.
Mason and I worked side by side further down the path cleaning the bricks. There was more than one pun about a Mason participating in the masonry.
The project was coming along well and then it was time for a break.
Joseph’s family provided lunch for everyone and the scouts sat at a social distance happily eating.
Coincidentally, the fire pit area is the site of Ben’s Eagle Project and the bricks that are being laid were extras from his project.
After lunch, I worked side by side with Joseph laying bricks. We made a good team and I enjoyed talking with him. The final step was to grout the bricks with another layer of sand that a team of scouts swept into the crevices.
Mason and I stayed until all the bricks were laid and then we said our goodbyes.
Joseph’s project is now complete and many will benefit.
I remember “little Joseph”…what a great Eagle project!