Service Projects

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Service projects are important to the success of the camp, and help to involve more of the council membership, both youth and adult, in the stewardship process. Camp Agawam has survived for many years because of these efforts. Review the example projects below, or suggest a needed project to us.

MAINTENANCE PROJECTS: These projects help to maintain, repair, or improve the camp’s facilities or equipment.  Typical projects involve organizing tools and program gear, bettering campsites, painting, building improvements (some by adults only) and grounds keeping or beautification.

CONSERVATION PROJECTS: These projects directly aid in stewardship of the land or water, primarily in either soil or water conservation, but possibly in wildlife conservation as well. 

EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS:

• CONSERVATION-MINDED PROJECTS:
  • ROADSIDE & TRAIL MAINTENANCE – Prune back overgrown brush and limbs, collect deadfall, and remove invasive plants.
  • EROSION CONTROL – Coordinate with ranger taking steps to reduce erosion in trouble areas along hillsides.  Will include moving soil, adding silt fence, and planting vegetation.  Printed guidelines will be provided.
  • NATIVE PLANTS OR BIRD GARDEN – Group will need to obtain plants from approved list provided by ranger, camp can provide some mulch.  Purpose of garden is to attract wildlife and instruct campers on native plants. 
  • DRAINAGE CONTROL – This project requires a lot of digging by hand whether creating diversions or piped drainage with basins.
  • LAKEFRONT – Walk entire shoreline of lake owned by the camp, and lakeshore owned by the state, and pick up any litter or debris.
  • INVASIVE PLANTS SEARCH AND DESTROY – Learn which plants are invasive and non-native.  Hike around the property to identify and remove those to whatever extent possible.
• MAINTENANCE PROJECTS:
  • FIREPITS – Remove and replace damaged or rusted fire pits in sites.
  • PAINTING – Paint benches, signs, fences, etc. around the camp.
  • CAMPSITES – General “cleanup,” also re-establish fire pits and seating.
• UNIQUE PROJECTS:
  • PIONEERING TIC-TAC-TOE GAME – Build game that will be used for one season.  Return in the fall to remove the game.  Use natural materials, rope, and pulleys to create this fun game for enjoyment by all who visit the camp while it is set up.  Demonstrates a pioneering project.
  • GATEWAYS / FLAGPOLES – Cut and strip bark from poles, directed by the ranger.  Before project date, group needs to submit sketches of gateway design.  Finished project, using lashings, may last up to a couple years if done properly.  Flagpoles would be used in campsites only.
  • INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE – Identify various plants, moss, lichens, wildlife evidence, or other such items and create small sign posts drawing attention to those items and explaining them simply.
  • COMPASS COURSE AND/OR GEOCACHES – Create a small number of geocaches (for private use on the camp), or a basic compass course on the camp.

CUB SCOUT PACK OR DEN PROJECTS:  The above information is suited to troops and crews. Cub packs frequently undertake projects for 1 or 2 hours, usually while camping here or as an evening or after-school activity. Examples of successful Cub Scout projects are litter pickup, spreading woodchips, or raking leaves (the best project for the fall). Contact the ranger to arrange a Cub Scout service project.