I have recently completed my Eagle Project.  I started planning this project a number of months ago when I met with Lapham Peak Ranger Brett Johanen.  We talked about many ideas for projects that I could do. I chose to re-sign 13 mile markers along the Glacial Drumlin Trail with high visibility signs and replace a rest stop sign along the trail in Sullivan. Much of the time spent planning my project was in the logistics of everything. I learned that there are always small problems that you will encounter while planning the project. For me, one was working around Brett’s schedule in order to complete the second part of my project. 

The experience has been extremely enriching. It not only taught me about leadership but also how rewarding it is to do something for the community and the users of the bike path.  

I would like to thank everyone who helped me with the project. All the help made my project go smoothly and quickly. Thank you to the Ferricks, Humphreys, Fuehers, Cedric Hong, Cameron Hegwood, Xavier Hazelberg, Daniel Drisko, the Reynens, Mr. Neimon, Adam Brewer, Home Depot for lending me a post hole digger, Pick n’ Save for water, and ofcourse my parents. 

Scout helps Lapham hikers find their way

Joey Neimon, 14, from Troop 49, Summit, wanted his Eagle Project to be one that would have a big long lasting positive impact on his community.  He wanted it to be something that would help people.   When he contacted Lapham State Park Ranger Brett Johanen about project opportunities he knew right away the project the Ranger had in mind was exactly what he was looking to do.  When you went into the park there were maps you could read, which had some intersection numbers on them and showed the trail system throughout the park.  The problem was that the numbers on the map did not have corresponding signage in the park and did not include all the intersections.  Furthermore, all that was in the park were some signs indicating whether or not you were on a blue, green or black trail.  If you were lost, hurt or in need of attention  these signs were of no use. 

The project initially was to add about 60 intersection signs (give or take) to assist staff and emergency personnel locate individuals who are in need throughout the park.  The task required that Joey modify the existing park map by creating a new numbering system, therefore creating a new map for the park.  Since the park is over 1,000 acres this alone was a large project and undertaking.  However, the Ranger had bigger plans that required adding new informational signs and replacing old signage on the west side of the park.

Just like all big projects there was a hidden agenda.  Joey’s goal was to complete this project before the end of summer so that he did not have the stress of a an Eagle Project looming over his head as he started his freshman year of high school at Kettle Moraine.   The plan was to work with a small group on the west side to figure out all the problems and develop work procedures for what was thought to be the tougher assignment on the east side of the park.  In early July Joey completed the west side of the park.  He identified, mapped and installed 15 intersections.  The adding of new information signs and replacing old signage bumped that total to about 155 signs.  So much for the west side being the easiest.  Mr. Johanen said that Joey had done enough, that he could stop and not have to do the east side.  Joey told the Ranger that he did not want to stop.  He did not want to tell people later on that for his Eagle Project he replaced intersection signs for “only half of the park”.  He was determined to install intersection signs throughout the whole park.

So after additional planning and a slight delay in work, so that he could go on a two week 100 mile high adventure trek in the mountains of New Mexico at a scout camp called Philmont, he was back on the job.  On August 24^th , and with a grand total of 200 signs, he completed the entire park.  In addition to the signs, he has renumbered the map for the entire park and created an informational sheet about the signs for park users.  Though the signs were initially intended for emergency personnel it had not taken long for park users to rely on them to help navigate the park.  “We would have people come up to us while we were working asking how to get to a location” said Michael Neimon, Joey’s dad and Scoutmaster for Troop 49, “we would tell them which numbered signs to look for and it would show them the way.”  They thought that was really cool. 

As for Joey he said he is really proud of the project he has done.  “It was a big project that will help a lot of people and maybe save someone’s life someday.”  That certainly sounds like a project that will have a long lasting positive impact on his community.

Article originally published in Living Lake Country  October 3, 2013

 
 Eagle Scout Builds Lockers for the Men at Salvation Army 

     On June 24, 2013 I officially placed my order for maple venire plywood all cut to the correct sizes with the Country Craftsman in North Prairie.
    On July 1, 2013 I pieced together my first locker just to see how everything fit together and to get familiar with all the pieces.  I didn’t actually assemble it, but I asked Rick at the Country Craftsman the last final questions I had on assembly. 
    On July 12, 2013 I set up for Day One by setting up one wood taping station, one sanding station, and three staining stations.  I also built two drying stations for all pieces with a width 16in. 
    Day One occurred the next day on July 13, 2013.  I had six scouts and four adults help out.  I first gave them all a short speech thanking them for helping out, telling them where the first aid kit was, and then directing them in how I wanted them to complete their tasks.  The main goal of Day One was to get every piece sanded, stained, and hung up to dry.  All workers sanded with gloves on to prevent splinters and those staining stained outside to prevent fume build-up.  I had adults tape the outside of every door with wood tape, which made them have a more stunning appearance. At the end of the day I accomplished my goal of having all locker pieces sanded, stained, and hung up to dry.
    Two days after Day One my dad and I assembled the first locker.  Upon assembling we found out that the Country Craftsman cut the tops and bottoms incorrectly.  The middle dados were 11.5 inches, whereas the outside dados were 11 inches.  So my dad and I took the half assembled locker and all the tops and bottoms to the Country Craftsman and he helped us reassemble the locker and recut the dados to the correct sizes.  After that speed bump my dad and I finished the first locker and clamped it using pipe clamps to allow the glue to dry correctly.  We also nailed the locker shut using wire brads and our nail gun.  The hardest part about putting the lockers together was the frame.  Each frame had to be put on uniquely for that locker and to line it all up was tough, but in the end it all worked out. 
    The next day we totally finished the first locker by putting on the doors, which was surprisingly easy. 
    On July 22, 2013 I put together two more lockers without frames or doors.  I began to get more efficient with the nail gun and glue/clamping process.     
    The next day I finished those two locker shells by framing them.  Also, I put one coat of varnish on the first locker bank to see how well it covered and get a feel for how much to put on and how many coats the lockers would need.  I found out the varnish covered very easily and that the outside would require two coats, especially the doors.  It was also very hard to see where I had already varnished due to its high opacity.  To help the scouts with varnishing I left the doors off the other banks of locker so the doors could be varnished separately.  Finally, I set up for Day Two by laying out the last 18 doors that needed varnishing and put the other two locker frames up on two by fours for easier varnish access.     
    Day Two occurred on the night of July 24, 2013.  I had three youth and three adults show up to help out.  I had the three youth varnish the doors and had the adults varnish the two banks of lockers.  My dad and I put together the last bank of lockers while the rest of the workers were varnishing.  My goal for Day Two was to get all the lockers assembled and completely varnished.  At the end of the day I didn’t quite reach that goal, I had all the doors varnished and the two banks completely varnished.  I did assemble the last locker bank, but didn’t get to varnish it that night. 
    The following day I cleaned up Day Two and put the varnished doors on the varnished lockers.  I found quite a few varnish bubbles on the doors that I needed to shave off and varnish over, but it wasn’t too hard to fix.  Also, my dad bought a paint spray gun to varnish the last locker bank with and the coat the other ones with.  Since we had the spray gun I put the doors on the last bank of lockers so this meant all the lockers were officially assembled! 
    On July 26, 2013 I drilled holes in every door for knobs using a measuring tool so every hole was in the relatively same place.  I decided to use knobs, because I originally planned on the men using either the top or side to open the lockers, but they are too close for that.  Plus, using knobs makes the lockers look much more complete and professional. 
    Finally, on August 5, 2013 I attached all the hooks (2 per locker) and drove them to the Salvation Army in Waukesha to install them.  Installation took about four hours.  It was relatively smooth though; we attached them to the wall by drilling into the cement blocks and screwing the lockers in.  After they were attached I put on the knobs and labeled them with letters A-L.  This day signaled the end of a very long and rewarding project.  The lockers were much appreciated by the Salvation Army.