The General Nathan Twining Observatory - History - Eagle Scout Project (August 1998)

Theodore Schuler-Sandy
BSA Troop 444, Albuquerque, New Mexico

On March 25, 1998, Alison Schuler contacted TAAS about the possibility of her son, Theodore, using the General Nathan Twining Observatory (GNTO) as a venue for his Eagle Project.

What is an Eagle Project? One requirement for obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout is to manage a public service project requiring at least 100 person hours. Theodore was a student member of TAAS and familiar with GNTO.

The TAAS Board of Directors approved the concept and asked the Observatory Committee to work with Theodore on details. The project was concluded on August 15, 1998.

The project was ambitious, well planed, and well executed. In all, over 60 people provided over 1,125 person hours of labor. Theodore raised $7,677.51 in cash, material, and service donations.

The fact that Theodore is only 12 years old makes all this even more remarkable.

Theodore at the end of the project - sun burned

Theodore at the end of the project.
A little sun burned and very tired.

April 9, 1998	Observatory committee presents the concept of an Eagle Project at GNTO to the Board of Directors. Theodore and the GNTO Committee are given the green light.
April 25	Theodore meets with GNTO Committee at GNTO.
May	Theodore makes several planning trips to GNTO. Sends first plan to Observatory Committee.
May 7	Initial plans presented to the Board of Directors.
May	Theodore refines his plan with input from the Observatory Committee.
June 3	Detailed plans presented to the Board of Directors.
June 6	Theodore makes a presentation to the members at the June general meeting following Dr. Harrison Schmitt's presentation. Photo.
June 18	Eagle project approved by BSA.
July 3	Theodore developes Environmental Impact Statement. Photo.
July 31	Final Planning meeting. Photo.
May-August	Theodore arranges for labor and materials.
August 6	Board of Directors updated on progress by the Observatory Committee.
August 8	Theodore makes his second presentation to the membership at the August general meeting. Raises $346.85 in cash donations.
August 9	Theodore works with Robert Ortega (Observatory Director) to perform an initial site grading.
August 13-15	The actual project.


Scouts give GNTO a fresh coat of paint	The gravel arrives	The work crew spreads 35 tons of gravel


A new smooth "potty-path"	The observing area is ready for concrete	The lecture area (equipped with 9 benches at project end) will give TAAS a place to conduct presentations before the evening viewing begins


The concrete truck arrived at about 9am on Saturday	Robert Ortega, GNTO Director, and one of two professional contractors working the project, starts to fill up the first observing pad	Linda Hixon (one of the concrete finishers) waits for the next pad to be poured	Ron Gasser puts a finish on one of the pads


The expanded viewing area and the new observing pads on the south side of GNTO	Onsite massages were given by professionals to help with those sore muscles.	Theodore not only planned the work but made sure the volunteers had a place to rest and plenty to eat and drink.


Robert Chavez (the other professional contractor) looks on with Theodore's Mom—Alison	Just a fraction of the entire work crew! (Theodore's dad is 3^rd from the left, standing)	The project is over and Theodore thanks those that stayed to the end.

Cash Donations
SBS Technologies, Inc.	$500.00
Contact Paging	200.00
Richard & Irma Schuler	100.00
Alaska Commemorative Ventures, Inc.	100.00
Myra & Richard Lynch	50.00
John J. Castonguay, DDS	50.00
Ruth Pendley	30.00
Hair Fashions	25.00
TAAS Members (from the August 8th meeting)	346.85
Total	$1,401.85

Materials Donated
Donator	Item(s)	Value
Materials, Inc.	3 benches, 6 pavers, trash receptacle	$1,760.00
C&P Statuary	Discount on tables and benches	549.00
Hacienda Home Centers	Paint,brushes, rollers, pans	350.00
Hunter Lumber	Expansion joints, stakes, brushes, pans	350.00
Wallin Construction	Gravel	300.00
Southwest Abatement	Work gloves	288.00
Parents	Miscellaneous	350.00
Irma Schuler, Shaklee Dist.	Performance Energy bars, Basic H	208.00
Quikrete Companies	Quickrete conrete	208.00
Robert Chavez	Grill	100.00
Louise & Chuck Peterson	Food	58.61
Hart's Home Center	Paints	35.00
Walmart	Gift certificate	30.00
Sears	Insect spray, primer	30.00
Dee's Cheesecake	Cheesecake	25.50
Sun Valley Fruit Fruit	Fruit	25.00
TLC Bakery	Bread	25.00
Subway	Sandwiches	25.00
Peli Inc.	Caution tape	22.75
Reddi Ice.	Ice	20.00
Wellborn Paint	Sandpaper, paint trays	15.00
Pure Water Technologies	Drinking water	10.00
	Total	$4,735.66


The tables and chairs for the Picnic and Lecture areas arrive.	Setting up the tables and chairs involved anchoring them in concrete.	The first one (of three) is almost done!	Only two more tables to go!

Donated Items (to be sold)
Donator	Item	Value
Alaska Commemorative Ventures, Inc.	30 tapes of "Journey Back to the Wild"	$600.00
Indian Teepee	Ornament	25.00
	Total	$625.00

Services Donated
Provider	Service	Value
Spirit Rising Natural Therapies	Massage	$715.00
Southwest Abatement	Haul gravel	100.00
Salazar Trucking	Haul gravel	100.00
	Total	$915.00