Troop 396-Gordon Smith's Eagle Project Page

Gordon Smith 

Troop 396

Trinity United Methodist Church, Annapolis

The Capitol District

Baltimore Area Council

Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project

Fern Rain Garden and Bog

For

Chesapeake Children’s Museum

Annapolis, MD

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I           Introduction                                                                                            3

                  Project Selection                                                                                 3

                  Project Benefits                                                                                   5

II         Plan                                                                                                         6

                  Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook                             6

o       Project Description                                                                        6

o       Project Details                                                                               7

o       Estimated person hours                                                                  8

o       Estimated materials                                                                        8

o       Before Photographs                                                                       9

o       Approval signatures                                                                       10

III        Execution of the Plan                                                                             11

                  Approval process                                                                                11

      Design                                                                                                11

                  Site Evaluation                                                                                    11

                  Procurement of materials and supplies                                                  11

                  Execution                                                                                            11

                  Documentation                                                                                    12

                  Approval of Completed Project                                                           12

                  Approval of Community Representative                                               12

                  Approvals for Completed Project (Signatures)                                     13

                  Hours I spent on the project                                                                14

                  Hours others spent on the project                                                        15

                  List of donations, benefactors, and estimated value                               16

IV        Leadership                                                                                              17

      Utilization of Resources                                                                       17

      Communication                                                                                   17

                  Lessons learned/Time management                                                      17

      Things that worked                                                                              17

                  Things that didn’t work                                                                        18

                  Things I would do differently                                                                18

V          Acknowledgements                                                                                19

VI        Figures and Diagrams                                                                            20

VII       Appendices                                                                                             31

Letter of Appreciation                                                                         31

Letter of solicitation – Home Depot                                                     33

Donation Letter and Gift Certificate- Chaney Enterprises                      34

Thank you letter – Chaney Enterprises                                                 36

Thank you letter – Bowen’s Farm Supply                                            37

Thank you letter – Winchester Construction Company Inc.                  38

Thank you letter – DL Miller Backhoe Service                                     39

Thank you letter – Home Depot                                                          40

Thank you letter – James R. Walls Contracting Company                     41

Thank you letter – Arlington Echo                                                        42

Grant applications and websites                                                           43

 I. INTRODUCTION

            The Chesapeake Children’s Museum would like to provide an educational opportunity for children of the local community to explore the role of both exquisite plants and a bog as critical elements in establishing an environmentally sound watershed for the Chesapeake Bay. My project will convert approximately a quarter of an acre of the museum’s property that is currently in a dilapidated state to satisfy this need.

The Chesapeake Children’s Museum (CCM) is located at 25 Silopanna Road, Annapolis, Maryland and comprises approximately 5.24 acres. Pertinently, it is situated at the head of Spa Creek, which feeds into the Severn River and subsequently into the Chesapeake Bay. My contact at the museum was Special Project’s Coordinator Mr. Mel Wilkins.

            Improving the quality of water infiltrating into the Chesapeake Bay is the single most critical parameter in re-establishing its viability and ecological balance.  All other efforts, such as establishing grasses and aquatic species, are dependent on water quality and are doomed to failure unless infiltration is taken care of.  Water run-off from Anne Arundel County is one of the most highly polluted in the nation due to the convergence of several factors: buffering of the jet stream between the ridges of the Appalachians and the air from the warmer high pressures to the south, combined with pollution from human population in surrounding areas, including Washington/Baltimore metropolitan area and industrial centers to the west.  Surrounding the Magothy River a natural filtration system of wetlands has formed due to a sandy geological stratum that reaches the surface locally in this region.

            There are a variety of wetlands including ponds, marshes, swamps, fens, and bogs. A bog is an area of saturated sphagnum moss often associated with a small lake.    It is able to filter water through the moss and peat bed, binding heavy metals that are injurious to the quality of the Bay.  It also controls run-off by acting as a sponge.  Bogs have an acidic character, are low in nutrients, and a sandy soil base. Certain species of plants thrive in this environment such as pitcher plants, sedges, heaths, and bog orchids.  Bogs are also able to replenish by rich plant residue, which creates both an acidic environment and material that ultimately becomes its filtration system.

            Locally, Arlington Echo, an environmental resource for Anne Arundel County schools, has educational opportunities and materials relevant to understanding bogs.  Information can be found at www.arlingtonecho.org.  Other sites, see appendix, I found interesting in formulating my project include:

·        www.epa.gov/bioindicators/aquatic/types.html

·        www.enature.com/main/home.asp - follow habitat links

·        www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nw4/htm

Project Selection

Several factors were critical in selecting the project I chose to pursue in completing the Leadership Service Project requirement:

Project Benefits

There are number of benefits resulting from my project that include:

II. PLAN

The following is abstracted from my Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook Proposal.

Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook

Scout's name:               Gordon Philip Smith

Address:                       Omitted for web privacy.

Telephone No.:            Omitted for web privacy.

Unit No.:                       Troop 396

District:                         The Capitol

Local council:               Baltimore Area

Unit leader's name:       Mr. Paul Smith, Scoutmaster

Address:                        Omitted for web privacy.

 Telephone No.:            Omitted for web privacy.

 Unit advancement committee person's name:       Mr. William Steffey

 Address:                         Omitted for web privacy.

 Telephone No.:              Omitted for web privacy.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

“The mission of Chesapeake Children’s Museum is to create an environment of discovery about oneself, the peoples, the technologies, and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay area for all our children and for the children in us all.” (www.theccm.org)

The Chesapeake Children’s Museum would like to provide an educational opportunity for children of the local community to explore the role of both exquisite plants and a bog as critical elements in establishing an environmentally sound watershed for the Chesapeake Bay. My project will convert approximately a quarter of an acre of the museum’s property that is currently in a dilapidated state to satisfy this need.

What group will benefit from the project? Annapolis area youth

Name of religious institution, school, or community: Chesapeake Children’s Museum

Telephone No.:              410-990-1993

Street address:              25 Silopanna Road

City:                             Annapolis

State:                           Maryland

Zip code:                       21403

My project will be of benefit to the group because: It provides an opportunity to further appreciate the important role of a wetlands environment and associated flora in filtering water prior to it entering the Chesapeake Bay.

This concept was discussed with my unit leader on: October 23, 2003.

The project concept was discussed with the following representative of the group that will benefit from the project.

Representative's name:   Mel Wilkins

Representative’s Title:    Special Projects Coordinator

Phone No.:                      Omitted for web privacy.

Date of meeting:            October 23, 2003

PROJECT DETAILS

The previous use of the project area was insensitive to modern concerns about the environment. In consequence it has suffered from pollution and dumping of trash and debris. The first phase of my project will be to research suitable plants and bog construction with an expert at Arlington Echo, who has previously established such a landscape. From this meeting I will have developed specific plans for the project. Secondly, physical labor will be needed to clear the land, remove debris, and invasive plant species. This section of the project will need the most intense labor requirements with possible use of a skid steer loader to re-contour the landscape’s profile to provide the necessary drainage to establish a bog. This aspect may include the embedding of a filter fabric and plastic membrane, to stabilize the topography and retain sufficient run-off. The remainder of this phase will be accomplished by volunteers with regular garden tools to remove unwanted debris and prepare the surface for planting. Finally, I will plant appropriate species of bog plants with potential financial support from the Chesapeake Children’s Museum, through grants by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the Spa Creek Conservancy, to native plants such as ferns, pitcher plants, for example Venus flytrap and other desirable species. I will need support from volunteers in this planting process.

Tools Needed: Possibly a skid steer loader and power tools, garden tools (shovels, rakes, shears, etc.)

Safety Aspects: There are no poisonous plants in the area, nor hazardous materials in the ground. Only professionals will use the skid steer loader avoiding injury. Adults will use any power tools if they are used. I will request volunteers bring working gloves.

Legal Concerns: The Chesapeake Children’s Museum has already secured the necessary planning permission and permits for this project.

Materials: filter fabric and plastic membrane, plants (provided by the Chesapeake Bay Commission), removal of un-wanted materials (trash, etc.), trash bags, mulch

Financial Concerns: Little money will be needed to complete this project, because of donations and grants. The skid steer loader specifically will be donated and will require no rental fees. I will provide minor transportation and incidental cost of office supplies.

Estimated Person-hours

Estimated Materials

“Before” Photographs

Approval Signatures for Project Plan

Project plans were reviewed and approved by:

Religious institution, school, or community representative:

_________________________________   Date: ___________

Scoutmaster/Coach/Advisor:

_________________________________   Date: ___________

Unit committee member:

_________________________________   Date: ___________

Council or district advancement committee member:

_________________________________   Date: ___________

III. EXECUTION OF THE PLAN

Approval process:

            I first contacted the Chesapeake Children’s Museum on September 25, 2003 and obtained the necessary contact, Mr. Mel Wilkins, whom presented several ventures from which I selected the one described in this report. I discussed the project with Troop 396’s Life to Eagle Advisor, Mr. Matt Carr, on September 29, 2003 who felt that the project provide appropriate opportunities to satisfy the requirements for an Eagle Service Project. I then met with Mr. Mel Wilkins several times to prepare a proposal, which after review, I presented to the committee on December 1, 2003. The proposal was then submitted to The Capital District Advancement Committee on December 2, 2003.  I received notification that my proposal had been approved and met with the District’s representative, Mr. Charles Roydhouse, on December 14, 2003, to finalize the approval process.

Design:

            I set up an appointment to visit Arlington Echo on December 17, 2003 to learn and discuss the basics of bogs. Mr. Stephen Barry and Mr. Mike McQuade were available to help me for a better understanding. Mike McQuade offered his help throughout, for both the planning and execution phases of the project, lending his advice and knowledge of bogs.  Additionally, Arlington Echo provided me with contacts from which materials could either be purchased or donated.

Site Evaluation:

            Armed with this knowledge. I was able to survey the selected site at the Chesapeake Children’s Museum and decide on the scope of work necessary for the different phases of the project and materials needed. On December 27, 2003, I met with Mr. Roger Pastrana to inform him on the basic aspects of the project. A subsequent meeting with both Mr. Roger Pastrana and Mr. Mike McQuade on January 1, 2004 allowed for a combination of perspectives of a contractor and environmentalist. With their advice, a list of materials was established with the amount of each required.

Procurement of materials and supplies:

            Between December 27, 2003 to January 6, 2004 the following materials were gathered.  All were donated either through my presentation that included a solicitation letter with a copy of my Eagle Scout Leadership Project Workbook or through Mr. Pastrana, Mr. McQuade, or Mr. Wilkins.  These are summarized below with an estimated value of $880.  A copy of the solicitation letter and a gift certificate from Chaney Enterprises are included later in this report.

Execution:

Two days were required to complete the construction phase of the project.   The dates were January 3, 2004 in which an excavator was used to make the foundation of the bog.  The excavated material was built up on the down-slope sides of the worksite to produce a saucer shaped contour approximately 2 feet deep in the middle.  A water impermeable membrane was placed in the depression and a selected small workforce filled the bog with sphagnum peat moss and concrete sand. Only older scouts were used for this aspect as it involved working in a confined area to mix the 3 tons of concrete sand and sphagnum moss before transferring to the excavated depression.  The sphagnum moss and concrete sand are significant components in establishing acidic infiltration. The second date was January 6, 2004. This date finalized the execution phase of the project. Many scouts were used for this aspect as there were a variety of well-defined tasks to accomplish in the remainder of the site.  Work included: removal of unwanted debris, turnover of soil, mulching, planting, and cobblestone layout. Details of the work hours and participants is provided in a later section.   Refreshments were provided for both occasions.

Subsequent to the completion of my project, my mother contacted the City of Annapolis Public Works to offer to remove the graffiti from the sewage pumping station adjacent to my work site.  The contact person, Ms. Margaret Martin, Director was appreciative of the offer of assistance, but committed to have the graffiti removed by City employees.  I have included a picture, taken in early February of the cleaned building.  Ms. Martin suggested that our troop participate in the City’s annual Green Space program.  This is now included on the troop’s calendar of events.

Documentation:

            I spent several afternoons after school and evenings writing the Eagle Scout Leadership Project report. Most notably on January 7, 2004 and January 11, 2004, in which more than 3.5 hours each were spent. There were also many other occasions that were used to finalize the report, particularly meeting with Mr. Carr, Troop 396’s Life to Eagle Advisor, to review and make necessary changes to meet the requirements. After submission of my report on January 15, 2004 to the District’s Advancement Committee, I was asked to rewrite my Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project report.  This inconvenience, which added an additional 8 hours of effort, was due to misunderstanding and. miscommunication of the District/Council policies to me. 

Copies of the letters of appreciation, which included a copy of my report, are presented later.

Approval of Completed Project

            On January 11, 2004, I completed my documentation in the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook and, on January 12, 2004, presented the final version to Troop 396’s Life to Eagle Advisor who approved the content of my report and that it satisfied the District’s requirements.

Approval of Community Representative:

            On January 13, 2004 I presented a copy of the written report to Mr. Mel Wilkins (representative of institution). He signed the leadership report willingly, finalizing all necessary signatures and aspects of the leadership report.  He thanked me for my efforts and expressed the appreciation of the Chesapeake Children’s Museum.

Hours I Spent Working on the Project

Project Planning

Project Execution

Total hours I spent working on the project: 40 hr

Additional time required to rewrite my report                                  15 hr

Hours Spent by Scouts, Venture’s, or Other Individuals Working on the Project

Project Execution

Total number of hours others worked on the project: 82 hr

Grand total of hours worked on this project: 122 hr 

List of Benefactors, Donations, and Estimated Value:

IV. LEADERSHIP

Utilization of Resources:

To complete the project correctly, I first had to understand the concept and scope of work required. After these initial meetings I felt that I was able to call upon the necessary resources and expertise needed to complete the project successfully.  Following my meeting with experts at Arlington Echo, I was able to formulate a plan for the exact nature of the construction phase. To control and capture the run-off from the Weems-Whalen fields, I decided to re-contour the upper site to accommodate an 8’x15’ basin, approximately 2 feet deep in the center. This is covered by an impervious membrane and back filled with 3 tons of a 50/50 mixture of coarse concrete sand and sphagnum peat moss. This will permit critical aspects of the bog to develop: acidic water with low flow through. Mr. Roger Pastrana recommended an excavator rather then a steer-skip loader to complete the necessary task. I was advised to only plant Atlantic White Cedars at this time of year and identify existing ferns. With this overall vision and with the advice of Mr. Pastrana and Mr. McQuade, I utilized various resources, for different phases productively.

Communications:

Clear communication was vital in all aspects; planning, coordinating, and in particular the execution phase of the project to ensure volunteers were used efficiently and effectively.

            By presenting a copy of my written proposal, I found I was able to solicit donations from several sources (see appendix) that covered all requirements of the project. Thus I did not use any of the financial support from the CCM, making it available for other projects and activities.

Lessons Learned/Time Management:

I underestimated time spent on the project by roughly 20 percent. Planning took more time than expected, as I had to make certain that the construction met the needs for establishing a bog.

Favorable weather conditions allowed for project completion to be made as planned. If the weather had not cooperated the execution phases would had been more difficult to coordinate. My 18^th year was full of other priorities competing with scouting. I had not expected to spend 6 months in Brazil at school in my final year in scouting. Nevertheless it was a valuable experience.  My six months in Brazil were followed by an intense 5-month schedule of high school soccer obligations. In addition I had to take care of college applications and SAT requirements. I had recognized that these constraints, especially the time in Brazil which forced me to postpone working on my Eagle project during the summer break as I originally intended, would necessitate a tight timescale at the end of my eighteenth year to complete my project in accordance with the time frame required by the Boy Scouts of America.

Things that worked:

            Devotion of time to the project allowed for rapid and efficient completion of the project. Once I understood the concept, the execution phase, overseen with the expertise of Mr. McQuade, proceeded smoothly. Efficient communication ensured that all resources including volunteers were present when needed.

Things that didn’t work:

            The only thing that did not work to plan was my submission of the final report, which had to be redone.  This rewriting accounted for an additional 15 hours of work that is not included in my “Hours I spent working on the project”, and it caused significant hardship and aggravation at a critical time, as it detracted from the time I had available to create my “soccer highlight’s tape” as part of the submission process to college coaches and consideration for scholarships.

Things that I would have done differently:

            I would not have delayed working on my Leadership project until the final two months of my 18^th year.  My original plan was to work on my project during the summer of 2003, but my time in Brazil followed by my commitment to my high school sporting activities caused me to reschedule my project until the end of the high school sporting season.  Despite the fact that this only allowed a short time to complete the project requirement, I felt confident that I had the leadership skill and the ability to recruit volunteers to work on my project.  In fact, most of the people who helped me were scouts who I had helped with their Eagle projects or with their scouting careers during my time in scouts particularly as Senior Patrol Leader.
 

V. ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

In particular I would like to thank…

Roger Pastrana, whose help in coordinating the necessary materials made this project possible.

Mike McQuade, whose knowledge and expertise enabled a viable bog.

Mel Wilkins, for the opportunity, overall encouragement, and coordinating removal of debris and delivery of mulch.

Matt Carr, for advice and stimulation in the Life to Eagle process.

Jim McNitt, for excellent weather forecasts and meteorological accommodation.

Paul Smith, for encouragement in all aspects of the leadership project.

I would like to thank all those who donated their time and effort in various aspects of this project. I would have not been able to complete the project without their help.  I appreciate their efforts in establishing an environmental educational tool and hope they found the endeavor rewarding.

Rosemary Smith

Martin Smith

Eric Smith

Ryan Pastrana

Stephen Barry

Fred Kirchner

Colin Pastrana

Jeremy Henry

Nick Browning

Don Browning

John Davidson

Ryan Edes

Jonathon Darrow

Colin Macpherson

Chuck Roydhouse

Annapolis Public Works

Troop 396 Scoutmasters and Committee

VI. FIGURES AND DIAGRAMS

“After” Photographs

Page 21 - Figure 1: Jan 3, Fred, Martin, and Gordon excavating basin.

Page 21 - Figure 2: Jan 3, impervious membrane.

Page 22 - Figure 3: Jan 3, Martin, Gordon, and Ryan preparing a 50/50 mixture of peat and sand.

Page 22 - Figure 4: Jan 3, Ryan and Eric filling mixture into excavated basin.

Page 23 - Figure 5: Jan 3, Colin, Ryan, Martin, Roger, Mike, and Gordon laying straw on exposed            surfaces.

Page 23 - Figure 6: Jan 6, John, Nick, and Don turning soil.

Page 24 - Figure 7: Jan 6, Ryan Edes and Colin removing debris.

Page 24 - Figure 8: Jan 6, Mike and Gordon planting Atlantic White Cedar.

Page 25 - Figure 9: Jan 6, The mulch crew: Colin, Ryan, Gordon, Jeremy, Nick, Jonathon, Don, and John

Page 25 - Figure 10: Jan 6, Rosemary and Mel discussing contributions of Irish folklore.

Page 26 - Figure 11: Jan 6, Martin and Gordon showing asphalt run-off, rocks forming water break, water entry sluice, pine bark mulch, 50/50 peat moss/sand base, and plantings of grasses and Atlantic White Cedar.

Page 26 - Figure 12: Jan 6, finished pictured compared to a similar image contained in the proposal

Page 27 - Figure 13: Jan 6, Paul and Gordon working into darkness completing water break.

Page 27 - Figure 14: Jan 25, Gordon with graffiti free sewage pump building.

Diagrams

Page 28 - Diagram 1: Site Plan, showing location or bog and grade plan.

Page 29 - Diagram 2: Cross section of bog.

Page 30 - Diagram 3: Geographical location of Chesapeake Children’s Museum.
 

 
VII    APPENDICES

Letter of Appreciation from community representative

Spa Creek Conservancy, Inc.

 23 February 2004

Boy Scouts of America

Annapolis, Maryland

 To whom it may concern,

 This letter is to recognize the outstanding contributions of Gordon Smith and BSA Troop 396  of Annapolis. Gordon showed exceptional leadership skills and maturity in executing the Spa Creek bog bioretension area project. He showed great initiative and project management skills in researching the scientific requirements for the bog, obtaining technical guidance, securing the materials and heavy construction equipment, and the volunteer labor required to complete the project. His efforts far exceeded our expectations for the project. His ability to arrange for all the donations of material, equipment, and labor allowed the funds budgeted for the project to be applied to other high priority initiatives to restore Spa Creek.

 The bog project is an important endeavor that has been planned for two years. The bog is significant to the City’s and Spa Creek Conservancy’s goals for two major reasons. First, the bog acts as an effective bioretension area that serves as very effective bio-filter of pollutants that have been heretofore running directly into Spa Creek and contributing to the stress on the water quality and living resources of the Chesapeake Bay. Second, the location of the bog next to Bates Middle School and the Chesapeake Children’s Museum makes an outstanding living classroom for educating children (and adults) about the importance of bogs in the bay ecosystem. The bog’s location beside the well traveled Spa Creek Bike and Hike Trail gives it great visibility to the local community and visitors. The bog says, “we care,” and we are willing to help with the restoration and protection of our environment. This spring the Spa Creek conservancy will plant threatened Maryland species of rare bog plants and other vegetation to increase the efficiency of the bog with its storm water runoff filtering tasks. Carnivorous plants will be added to return the area to a more natural state and provide a specialized wildlife habitat. As a living legacy project it is hard to measure the benefits of something that may well serve the ecosystem forever, one can only say it will be great.

 Gordon must be congratulated for a job well done, a job that will serve humanity for a life time.

 Sincerely,

/original signed/

Mel Wilkins

Vice President

Spa Creek Conservancy, Inc.

Project Coordinator
Letter of Solicitation-Home Depot

January 15, 2004

Gordon Smith

  Omitted for web privacy.

 To Whom It May Concern:

            On behalf of Troop396 and the Chesapeake Children’s Museum I, Boy Scout Gordon Smith, request that you consider making a small donation of supplies to support my Eagle Scout Leadership Project. This project benefits the Chesapeake Children’s Museum and its mission of educating Annapolis youth to the environmental needs of the Chesapeake Bay. My project is to develop a demonstration bog that acts as natural filter of water run-off into the Bay. Water infiltration is the most critical factor in re-establishing the health of the Bay and enables other activities such as the establishment of bay grasses and oyster beds.

            I have enclosed a copy of approved Project Proposal and will submit additional documentation after completion. I expect to finish the project in the coming weeks. I have a particular need for a small donation of pine bark mulch. Two bags would meet my needs.

            Personally I am a life long Annapolis resident and have been in boy scouts since my fifth birthday. Both my brothers, Martin and Eric Smith, have made Eagle Scout.

Boy Scouts of America is a tax-exempt certificate number 31009690. Thank you very much for your consideration.

 Sincerely, 

Gordon Smith

Gift Certificate from Chaney Enterprises
Gift Certificate
Thank You Letter-Chaney Enterprise

Gordon Smith

  Omitted for web privacy.

 To Whom It May Concern:

            On behalf of Troop 396 and the Chesapeake Children’s Museum I, Boy Scout Gordon Smith, thank you for your consideration in making your kind donation of 3.41 tons of Concrete Sand and 1.57 tons of Cobblestone in support of my Eagle Scout Leadership Project. This project benefits the Chesapeake Children’s Museum and its mission of educating Annapolis youth to the environmental needs of the Chesapeake Bay. My project involved developing a demonstration bog that acts as natural filter of water run-off into the Chesapeake Bay. Water infiltration is the most critical factor in re-establishing the health of the Bay and enables other activities such as the establishment of bay grasses and oyster beds.

            I have enclosed a copy of approved Leadership Project Report. I hope that you find it interesting and fulfills your expectations for your community support. As you can see several other local companies joined you in their support and volunteers donated over a 100 hours of time to complete this project for the Chesapeake Children’s Museum.   Personally I am a life long Annapolis resident and have been in boy scouts since my fifth birthday. Both my brothers, Martin and Eric Smith, have made Eagle Scout. If you would like more details please contact me or my Troop (scoutmaster@bsa396.com).

Thank you very much for your consideration.

 Sincerely,

 Gordon Smith

Thank You Letter-Bowen’s Farm Supply

 Gordon Smith

  Omitted for web privacy.

 To Whom It May Concern:

            On behalf of Troop 396 and the Chesapeake Children’s Museum I, Boy Scout Gordon Smith, thank you for your consideration in making your kind donation of 5 bundles of Sphagnum Peat Moss in support of my Eagle Scout Leadership Project. This project benefits the Chesapeake Children’s Museum and its mission of educating Annapolis youth to the environmental needs of the Chesapeake Bay. My project involved developing a demonstration bog that acts as natural filter of water run-off into the Chesapeake Bay. Water infiltration is the most critical factor in re-establishing the health of the Bay and enables other activities such as the establishment of bay grasses and oyster beds.

            I have enclosed a copy of approved Leadership Project Report. I hope that you find it interesting and fulfills your expectations for your community support. As you can see several other local companies joined you in their support and volunteers donated over a 100 hours of time to complete this project for the Chesapeake Children’s Museum.   Personally I am a life long Annapolis resident and have been in boy scouts since my fifth birthday. Both my brothers, Martin and Eric Smith, have made Eagle Scout. If you would like more details please contact me or my Troop (scoutmaster@bsa396.com).

Thank you very much for your consideration.

 Sincerely, 

Gordon Smith

Thank You Letter-Winchester Construction Company Incorporated

 Gordon Smith

  Omitted for web privacy.

To Whom It May Concern:

            On behalf of Troop 396 and the Chesapeake Children’s Museum I, Boy Scout Gordon Smith, thank you for your consideration in making your kind donation of a dump truck and operator to move certain materials to the project site in support of my Eagle Scout Leadership Project. This project benefits the Chesapeake Children’s Museum and its mission of educating Annapolis youth to the environmental needs of the Chesapeake Bay. My project involved developing a demonstration bog that acts as natural filter of water run-off into the Chesapeake Bay. Water infiltration is the most critical factor in re-establishing the health of the Bay and enables other activities such as the establishment of bay grasses and oyster beds.

            I have enclosed a copy of approved Leadership Project Report. I hope that you find it interesting and fulfills your expectations for your community support. As you can see several other local companies joined you in their support and volunteers donated over a 100 hours of time to complete this project for the Chesapeake Children’s Museum.   Personally I am a life long Annapolis resident and have been in boy scouts since my fifth birthday. Both my brothers, Martin and Eric Smith, have made Eagle Scout. If you would like more details please contact me or my Troop (scoutmaster@bsa396.com).

Thank you very much for your consideration.

 Sincerely, 

Gordon Smith

Thank You Letter-D.L. Miller Backhoe Services

Gordon Smith

  Omitted for web privacy. 

To Whom It May Concern:

            On behalf of Troop 396 and the Chesapeake Children’s Museum I, Boy Scout Gordon Smith, thank you for your consideration in making your kind donation of excavator and operator, Fred Kirchner, in support of my Eagle Scout Leadership Project. This project benefits the Chesapeake Children’s Museum and its mission of educating Annapolis youth to the environmental needs of the Chesapeake Bay. My project involved developing a demonstration bog that acts as natural filter of water run-off into the Chesapeake Bay. Water infiltration is the most critical factor in re-establishing the health of the Bay and enables other activities such as the establishment of bay grasses and oyster beds.

            I have enclosed a copy of approved Leadership Project Report. I hope that you find it interesting and fulfills your expectations for your community support. As you can see several other local companies joined you in their support and volunteers donated over a 100 hours of time to complete this project for the Chesapeake Children’s Museum.   Personally I am a life long Annapolis resident and have been in boy scouts since my fifth birthday. Both my brothers, Martin and Eric Smith, have made Eagle Scout. If you would like more details please contact me or my Troop (scoutmaster@bsa396.com).

Thank you very much for your consideration.

 Sincerely,

Gordon Smith

Thank You Letter-Home Depot

 Gordon Smith

  Omitted for web privacy. 

To Whom It May Concern:

            On behalf of Troop 396 and the Chesapeake Children’s Museum I, Boy Scout Gordon Smith, thank you for your consideration in making your kind donation of 2 bags of Pine Bark Mulch in support of my Eagle Scout Leadership Project. This project benefits the Chesapeake Children’s Museum and its mission of educating Annapolis youth to the environmental needs of the Chesapeake Bay. My project involved developing a demonstration bog that acts as natural filter of water run-off into the Chesapeake Bay. Water infiltration is the most critical factor in re-establishing the health of the Bay and enables other activities such as the establishment of bay grasses and oyster beds.

            I have enclosed a copy of approved Leadership Project Report. I hope that you find it interesting and fulfills your expectations for your community support. As you can see several other local companies joined you in their support and volunteers donated over a 100 hours of time to complete this project for the Chesapeake Children’s Museum.   in my opinion I am a life long Annapolis resident and have been in boy scouts since my fifth birthday. Both my brothers, Martin and Eric Smith, have made Eagle Scout. If you would like more details please contact me or my Troop (scoutmaster@bsa396.com).

Thank you very much for your consideration.

 Sincerely,

 Gordon Smith

Thank You Letter-James R. Walls Contracting Co. Inc.

 Gordon Smith

  Omitted for web privacy. 

To Whom It May Concern:

            On behalf of Troop 396 and the Chesapeake Children’s Museum I, Boy Scout Gordon Smith, thank you for your consideration in making your kind donation of impervious membrane in support of my Eagle Scout Leadership Project. This project benefits the Chesapeake Children’s Museum and its mission of educating Annapolis youth to the environmental needs of the Chesapeake Bay. My project involved developing a demonstration bog that acts as natural filter of water run-off into the Chesapeake Bay. Water infiltration is the most critical factor in re-establishing the health of the Bay and enables other activities such as the establishment of bay grasses and oyster beds.

            I have enclosed a copy of approved Leadership Project Report. I hope that you find it interesting and fulfills your expectations for your community support. As you can see several other local companies joined you in their support and volunteers donated over a 100 hours of time to complete this project for the Chesapeake Children’s Museum.   Personally I am a life long Annapolis resident and have been in boy scouts since my fifth birthday. Both my brothers, Martin and Eric Smith, have made Eagle Scout. If you would like more details please contact me or my Troop (scoutmaster@bsa396.com).

Thank you very much for your consideration.

 Sincerely, 

Gordon Smith

Thank You Letter-Arlington Echo

 Gordon Smith

  Omitted for web privacy. 

To Whom It May Concern:

            On behalf of Troop 396 and the Chesapeake Children’s Museum I, Boy Scout Gordon Smith, thank you for your consideration in making your kind donation of two filter fabrics and several Atlantic White Cedar’s in support of my Eagle Scout Leadership Project. This project benefits the Chesapeake Children’s Museum and its mission of educating Annapolis youth to the environmental needs of the Chesapeake Bay. My project involved developing a demonstration bog that acts as natural filter of water run-off into the Chesapeake Bay. Water infiltration is the most critical factor in re-establishing the health of the Bay and enables other activities such as the establishment of bay grasses and oyster beds.

            I have enclosed a copy of approved Leadership Project Report. I hope that you find it interesting and fulfills your expectations for your community support. As you can see several other local companies joined you in their support and volunteers donated over a 100 hours of time to complete this project for the Chesapeake Children’s Museum.   Personally I am a life long Annapolis resident and have been in boy scouts since my fifth birthday. Both my brothers, Martin and Eric Smith, have made Eagle Scout. If you would like more details please contact me or my Troop (scoutmaster@bsa396.com).

Thank you very much for your consideration.

 Sincerely,

 Gordon Smith

Grant applications and websites

Chesapeake Bay Trust Grant Application form

 Arlington Echo

·        www.arlingtonecho.org.

 Other sites, see appendix, I found interesting in formulating my project include:

·        www.epa.gov/bioindicators/aquatic/types.html

·        www.enature.com/main/home.asp - follow habitat links

·        www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nw4/htm

...End...

This page was last updated on 05 October 2009

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Troop 396 is a part of The Boy Scouts of America, Baltimore Area Council, The Capitol District.  We are the oldest Troop in our city, having been chartered by Trinity United Methodist Church, 1300 West Street, Annapolis, Maryland, 60 years ago.

Address comments concerning this web site to the Troop Web Manager, ASM: Michael Merritt, Annapolis, Maryland