Scout designs picnic shelter for school
Copyright © 2001 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
FAIRFIELD — Scott Ogden was able to give back to the community in a very personal way, as part of his efforts to become an Eagle Scout.
Staff photo by JONATHAN MIANOScott Ogden, 17, of Waterville, sits near a picnic table shelter he designed and helped build for Kennebec Montessori School in Fairfield as part of his efforts to become an Eagle Scout. click to enlarge
The 17-year-old Waterville High School senior and member of Boy Scout Troop 436 designed and helped build a large picnic shelter for Kennebec Montessori School, where he once was a student himself.
"We had to do a project showing leadership, and do something as service to the community," Ogden said. "They (school officials) said, 'It'd be nice if we had a shelter,' so I figured, why not?"
Ogden had spent several years at Montessori, from age 4 to fourth grade. His mother, Mary-Lou, is a teacher and interim head of the school.
So for Ogden, the playground project became significant for the whole family. His father, Peter, a superintendent and engineer with Bridge Corp. in Augusta, guided him in the process. They talked with Albert E. Hodsdon III, an engineer and friend, who helped determine load specifics for the roof and other design specifications.
Chuck Tucker, a builder, gave 150 free hours of his time to the project and donated cedar shingles for the roof. Wink Brooks, a builder who works with Tucker, also helped with the project.
The Ogdens enlisted help from Ron Duplisea of Winslow, who helped with the design and layout. Ken MacKenzie drilled the holes for the posts, and Hammond Lumber Manager Al Feather and his crew donated $150 in materials and gave discounts on other materials, according to the Ogdens.
Mary-Lou Ogden said the final product is perfect, and she is proud of her son's work.
"It's much more than we ever hoped it would be because originally, the design was very basic," she said.
Children played at miniature picnic tables under the structure off Western Avenue this week on a sunny, warm day. They said that before it was built, a large tent stood in its place, but it was always blowing down when there was a strong wind.
"I think this is very nice, for just sitting in the shade when it's really hot," said Christopher Knight, 8, of Oakland. "When it's raining or sprinkling, we can eat outside and not have to go in. And we don't have to worry about the building. We'd be sitting inside the school during our lunch and we'd look outside and see this thing just crashing on the ground."
Scott Ogden started working on the design in September, and completed the construction, with lots of help, this month. His Scout Troop also worked on mulching around the playground equipment at the school.
He said the shelter project is his last in an effort to become an Eagle Scout, a rank that is given to those who have demonstrated all the best qualities of scouting, especially leadership. He currently is a member of the Order of the Arrow, a national, prestigious brotherhood of Scouts. Ogden now must go before a Board of Review, which will consider approving his building project.
Ogden hopes to go to University of Southern Maine next year to study music. He plays baritone saxophone and currently studies under Bill Street, a teacher at USM.
Amy Calder — 861-9247 acalder@centralmaine.com