Cedar Grove Scouts Complete North End Bench Project

One day last year Michael DiGangi, Commissioner of the Cedar Grove Jr. Softball & Baseball Leagues’ Softball Majors Division, asked a question: Do you think the Scouts could build some benches for a field at North End School?  What sounded initially like a good idea turned out to be a great one, involving youth learning carpentry skills, team work and teambuilding, and the generosity of a local businessman.

The Boy Scouts of Troop 65 Cedar Grove were eager to help.  But plans were needed and materials had to be procured.  On that last point, when West Essex Building Supply in Verona was asked if they could help, Robert “Chip” Schneider, Jr., did not hesitate to cheerfully answer: absolutely – on top of generously pricing the lumber and hardware for three benches, West Essex would donate all the supplies for a fourth bench.

The Scouts of Troop 65 Cedar Grove were willing to learn some skills and, as is turned out, in 2010 a special Carpentry Merit Badge could be earned since in that year the Boy Scouts of America celebrated its 100^th Anniversary.  Earning the merit badge required learning the purpose and demonstrating the safe use of a variety of classic carpentry tools including a rule, square, level, plumb-line, mitre, chalk-line,  bevel, claw hammer, plane and cross-cut and rip-saws.  After learning to safely use the carpentry tools, each scout could earn the merit badge by building their own carpentry project. 

With plans obtained from a handyman’s website, and help from West Essex in selecting lumber and fasteners, the construction was ready to begin.  In a “driveway classroom” environment of Assistant Scout Master Brian Hegarty, the scouts learned about the carpentry tools as two of the four benches were completed before the onset of winter.  Fourteen scouts in all would complete an additional carpentry project on their own – ranging from shelves to tables and footstools – to earn the Carpentry Merit Badge.  Even though the construction of the benches would not be counted for the merit badge credit, each scout gladly helped build them for the spirit of it – contributing in total almost a hundred hours of their time for a good cause.  With the return of warmer weather in the spring the next two benches were completed, and all four were installed at North End School, for the viewing comfort of our home and visiting teams’ supporters.

The North End Bench Project turned out to be a win-win for the spectators who got some seats, for the scouts who demonstrated their carpentry skills, and for all of us to see how our local organizations and businesses care about our community.  A special thanks to Chip Schneider of West Essex Building Supply for his generosity, and a grateful recognition to the Scouts of Troop 65 Cedar Grove for a job well done.