Build America Update - Week 3
Hey everyone! It's your ACC-Build America Correspondent Nick
Julian! I am reporting to you from our newest camp this week, Camp Fairlee
Manor in Chestertown, Maryland! While tomorrow we will begin work on a new
cabin and another nature trail clearing, here's a recap on the third week of
the Build America Trip!
We began our third week at Camp Merry Heart in Hackettstown, New
Jersey. Camp Merry Heart was our first visit to a camp run by the organization
Easter Seals. Easter Seals is a national organization that has been helping
people with disabilities for nearly a century. While they offer a variety of
services for people who are differently abled, they are perhaps most recognized
for their summer camps serving people with disabilities.
The first day began with a quick tour of the facilities and
unpacking into the tents that were set up for us. We also learned of the
project that we would be tackling for the next week: clearing a nature trail,
repairing some "outdoor experience" cabins, and laying down some "rubberized
mulch" in their playground.
After a quick meal and settling in, we were assigned to certain
tables, to make serving the campers a bit easier on the staff and counselors.
We had planned to move about the dining hall for meals, but by staying in our
assigned seats we got to know the campers so much more closely. It was truly
incredible.
The work we did this week was difficult. The sun was beaming and
the humidity made us all feel uncomfortable, but persevere we did. I was on the
team refinishing the cabins that were used to provide the campers with an
experience of living outdoors. These cabins had ripped screens, missing fascia,
and ramp deck boards that were past their prime. Luckily for us (thanks to our
awesome Concord Carpenter orientation), we were more than capable to tackle all
of these repairs and to do them safely and quickly. We primarily used our
DeWALT miter saw and some cordless circular saws from Milwaukee and DeWALT. The
whole project took the better part of three days.
The nature trail that had to be cleared was estimated to be about
a quarter of a mile long. The trail team was hard at work all week and even
recruited members from other crews to aid in their efforts as the days went on.
They cleared the overgrown shrubbery, downed trees, and even cleared some
boulders and roots from the path. The roots never stood a chance to our
Milwaukee and DeWALT reciprocating saws!
After doing this and laying down some
dirt, we laid gravel over the surface of the trail and it was beautiful.
However, due to late night downpours, we could not finish the trail as it
became progressively more swampy. Thanks to our work on the trail, the
groundskeepers would be able to redirect the trail and avoid the swampy area of
the camp.
The mulching crew had probably the roughest day of all mixing the
epoxy with existing mulch and laying it down by hand to ensure that the mulch
was evenly spread and good for the campers that enjoyed the playground. Nearly
all of the crew was covered in epoxy which left quite the mess, but considering
they were the first crew done, they'd be the first to tell you that it was a
mission accomplished.
The best part about this camp, like our last one, was the
campers. Because we got to spend all of their meal times with them, we got to
know these campers personally. We all walked away knowing things like their
favorite foods, songs, and things to do at camp. Additionally, we got to spend
a great deal of time with them during our evening activities.
After leaving the awesome group at Camp Merry Heart, we headed
into New York City for lunch stopping at Central Park. Of course being the
native New Yorker (I was born in Brooklyn, NY), I had to grab a slice of pizza.
After lunch, we headed over to Freedom Tower, saw the Statue of Liberty, and even
had the chance to drive through Times Square! For me it was extra special
because the last time I was in New York was ten years ago!
We then made our way
to Philadelphia, where we ate with some Pi Kappa Phi brothers who were alumni
from Drexel University, stayed in the Chamounix mansions, a couple of mansions
turned into hostels. After having a night out on the town and seeing "Philly"
by night, we went to Independence Hall, saw the Liberty Bell and had some
incredible cheesesteaks at Sonny's the next day. We even closed the night off
with an incredible Philadelphia Phillies game thanks to the help of a Pi Kappa
Phi Brother and UMass Amherst alumnus, Shawn Blubaugh.
So now here we are on the brink of Week 4, we are all excited and
ready to work here at Camp Fairlee. It is so nice to be in the wide expanse of
Chestertown, Maryland near the Chesapeake Bay. To feel that cooling bay breeze
and see farmlands as far as the eye can see truly makes you appreciate how
wonderfully diverse our country is.
Whenever I thought about places like
Maryland, I always thought of major cities like Annapolis and Baltimore. Now, I
will think about Chestertown and all of the friends I hope to make at Camp
Fairlee. The next time I write to you, I will be on my way to our nation's capital,
Washington, DC!
Help Nick Make His Build America Donation Goal
If you are interested in helping me or the Build America team,
you can make a tax-deductible donation on my fundraising page at www.nickbam.com or you
can learn more about Push America and our Build America team by visiting www.pushamerica.org.
