Ramsey Pool Eagle Scout Project
Coordinated by Joseph O'Hara
The content of this site has been supplied by Joseph O'Hara in conjunction with the work he is doing for his Eagle Scout project. It is put together by the Rosedale Neighborhood Association as one component of our direct support for Joseph's work.
You can find the following information:
Project Status as of Summer 2004: Completion!! | | | |
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| Photos taken during the ribbon cutting ceremony
Click on thumbnail to see larger version of the photo |
On Thursday, 27 May 2004, 2004, Ramsey Pool opened for the summer season at 4pm. Joseph celebrated the completion of his 11-month long Eagle Scout project at Ramsey Pool with a 6pm ribbon cutting event at the pool. The simple ceremony included brief speeches by Jeff Archer, one of the co-presidents of the Rosedale Neighborhood Association, and the director of Austin's Aquatics program. Joseph and his family provided homemade cupcakes and refreshments. This event saw the initial use of the new benches and tables Joseph and his assistants had installed within and around the pool area, as well as the two new oak trees. Joseph reports that the entire process was even more fun than he had expected it would be!
In September 2004, Joseph's parents will host a Eagle Scout Court of Honor commemorating Joseph's attainment of the Eagle Scout rank.
Financial Status
- 158 Community Donations have been received since June 1, 2003, from Rosedale and Allandale residents, area businesses, Ramsey Swim team families, personal friends and family (from as far away as Cape Cod, Mass.!) totaling almost $6,700. Fundraising for this project is complete.
- 14 Business and Nonprofit Sponsors:
- Business Sponsors: Upper Crust Bakery, Taco Shack, Crenshaw's Athletic Club, BookPeople, Taurus Pet Services, The Draught House, Glenda Smith-DDS, Compass Bank, HEB Central Market, Loomis Austin Surveying Group, Bee Cave Contract, Kinko's-UT.
- Non-profit sponsors: Austin Parks Foundation and Allandale Neighborhood Association.
Recent Activities
- March 1st - received an in-kind donation from Kinko's-UT of a 5'x8' outdoor, color plastic banner commemorating the project with all the names of community donors and business and non-profit sponsors (value over $400). Banner will be on display inside Ramsey Pool at Ribbon Cutting Event and throughout June '04.
- March 7 - cleaned up grounds on west side of pool, spread 2 yards topsoil, re-staked and re-mulched two new trees with the help of 4 volunteers.
- March and April - continued watering two newly planted trees (both survived replanting and cold winter!), used organic fertilizer for grass on west side of pool and both trees.
- April 1st - Ramsey Pool Eagle Scout Project was featured on the cover of the Austin Family Magazine.
- April 5th - sat for my Eagle Scout Board of Review, presented my project to a board of four adults and answered questions for 90 minutes. Received local approval for my official Eagle Scout certification to be sent to BSA national office for final approval.
Volunteer Hours
- Community volunteers have spent more than 344 hours supporting the Ramsey Pool Eagle Scout project by community volunteers.
- I have spent approximately 180 managing and working on this project.
Future Activities
- May 27th -- Noon Austin Parks Foundation Board of Directors meeting; I will make a short presentation on my Eagle Scout project.
- May 27th -- Ribbon Cutting Event for this Eagle Scout Project (COA offered to open Ramsey Pool four days early to accommodate my schedule for a ribbon-cutting event). Pool will be open for the first day of the summer season on Thursday, May 27th, 6-8pm.
- September 2004 - My parents will host my Eagle Scout Court of Honor (the official event commemorating the attainment of the Eagle Scout rank), exact date and location tbd.
Project Status as of 1/12/04
Financial Status
- 158 separate donations have been received since June 1st from Rosedale and Allandale residents, area businesses, Ramsey Swim team families, personal friends and family (from as far away as Cape Cod, Mass.!) totaling almost $6,600. Fundraising for this project is complete.
- 11 business sponsors -- Upper Crust Bakery, Taco Shak, Crenshaw's Athletic Club, BookPeople, Taurus Pet Services, The Draught House, Glenda Smith-DDS, Compass Bank, HEB Central Market, Bee Cave Contract, Kinko's-UT.
- 1 non-profit sponsor as of 10/1/03 -- Allandale Neighborhood Association.
- 1 non-profit "partner" as of 10/1/03 -- Austin Parks Foundation.
Tamale Sale Information
| TAMALE FUNDRAISER WAS A HUGE SUCCESS -- I sold over 117 dozen homemade tamales at $7/dozen. We made them over Thanksgiving weekend and delivered them on Sunday, November 30. Austin American-Statesman Food Editor, Kitty Crider, even bought 2 dozen! [click thumbnail at right to see larger version!] |  |
Recent Activities
- November 8th -- hand delivered 8 routes for delivery of the Rosedale Neighborhood Assn. Newsletter, with the help of Troop 410 scouts and leaders.
- November 15th-16th -- planted a 45 gallon Monterey Oak and a 30 gallon Chinquapin Oak around Ramsey Pool. Many Rosedale residents stopped by and admired the trees. Mr. Jeff Archer and Mr. Colin Osburn were there the entire time. There were 19 Troop 410, COA staff, and neighborhood volunteers.
- December 1st -- placed final order for three benches and 4 tables (three, 8 foot benches, two, 42" sq. tables, one, 8' ADA table and one, 8' standard table). They will be constructed of plastic-coated expanded steel. The primary color is evergreen, with black detail, and all will be permanently placed in the ground. All tables and benches are paid for and are in storage in Austin at Bee Cave Contract.
Future Activities
- March '04: two separate implementation weekends will be scheduled for installing benches and tables. First weekend will be to dig the holes, pour the concrete and set the posts. Second weekend will be to assemble the benches and tables to the posts.
- During the installation weekends, I am also hoping to get neighborhood volunteers to rake all the leaves and twigs inside the pool area. I want to spread some perennial St. Augustine grass seed around the pool for the summer.
- Ribbon Cutting for this Eagle Scout Project will be the morning of the first day Ramsey Pool opens for the 2004 season.
Project Status as of 9/1/03
- 84 separate donations have been received from Rosedale residents, Allandale friends, Ramsey Swim Team families, area businesses, friends and family (from as far away as Cape Cod, Mass.!) totaling $2,486 -- AWESOME!!!!
- Now that the minimum financial goal is secure, we are moving in to the middle stages of my fundraising, and will continue to receive donations through Dec. 31, 2003. Depending on the final outcome, we may be able to order additional tables and benches, plant trees inside the pool perimeter for shade and maybe even construct an arbor.
- 4 business sponsors as of 9/1/03 -- Upper Crust Bakery, Crenshaw's Athletic Club, BookPeople and Compass Bank
- Still waiting to hear outcome of matching grant application for $405, submitted end of July to Austin Parks Foundation. Awards will be announced middle of September '03.
Project Status as of 8/14/03
- 48 separate donations have been received from Rosedale residents, Allandale residents, and Ramsey Swim Team families, totaling $1,580.00 -- AWESOME!!!! I am still in the beginning stages of my fundraising, and will continue to solicit and receive donations through Dec. 31, 2003, hoping to place my final order for benches and tables (based on fundraising totals) by mid-January '04.
- 2 business sponsors as of 8/14/03 -- Upper Crust Bakery and Crenshaw's Athletic Club
- Matching grant application for $450 submitted to Austin Parks Foundation. Awards will be announced middle of September '03.
Tamale Sale Information
- Pre-Paid homemade venison/pork tamale orders ($7/dozen) will be accepted until all 100 dozen are pre-sold.Ê
- As of 9/1/03, I have received pre-paid orders for 73 dozen tamales = $504. Which means there are only 27 more dozen tamales available for pre-sale. I will make the tamales in San Antonio with my grandmother and great uncles and aunts and a couple boy scouts the weekend after Thanksgiving. It is a great Vale family tradition (my mother's side) and one that everyone is looking forward to this year since it is benefiting my Eagle Scout project. Tamales will be delivered to home the first week in December (we'll call first).
- Delivery will take place between Dec. 1-15, 2003.
- Pre-paid orders should be mailed to my home address.
Project Timeline
- Hope to work with TreeFolks to plant some trees around the outside of the pool in the Fall.
- April 15-May 15, 2004: implementation period for installing benches and tables.
- I hope that the groundbreaking ceremony may be the evening before the pool officially opens in 2004.
- I will attend the Fall RNA meeting and provide a project update at that time.
- I am making a presentation to the Allandale Neighborhood Association at their September '03 meeting.
- Troop 410 scouts will assist in the hand delivery of RNA Fall newsletters.
Plans for the benches and landscaping
The company from which I will probably buy the benches and tables is called FUSION COATINGS, in Winona, MN. We have a personal contact with a salesperson in Austin who represents their company and who is giving me a very nice discount because this is an Eagle Scout project. Their website address is http://www.fusioncoatings.com/. The benches and tables I am currently considering are:
- Perforated Player Benches without Backs
8', surface mount or in ground
stock #FSC-D3025 - Single Bench with Back
8', surface mount or in ground
stock #FSC-F1348 - Square - Single Support Inground Tables
46" square with 4 traditional seats
stock #FSC-F1080
Sketch of Joseph's plan (click on image to see larger version) |  |
About Joseph
I began scouting in 1st grade as a Tiger Cub with Pack 55, and continued in Cub Scouting through Webelo II's, receiving my Arrow of Light and crossing over to Boy Scouts in the middle of my 5th grade year at Gullett Elem. Joined Troop 410 January 2001. Since this time, I have served as Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, Chaplain's Aide, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and, most recently, Senior Patrol Leader. I am currently an 8th grade Magnet Student at Kealing Junior High. Swim with the Capital of Texas Aquatics Swim Club. I play clarinet in Kealing's Wind Ensemble and the electric guitar in Kealing's Jazz Band.
I joined the Ramsey Redfish swim team in 1999, and have been on the swim team every summer since then. I learned how to swim by taking swim lessons at UT's Gregory Gym. I swam with Texas Aqautics and Weiss and Weiss in the past. Starting Sept. 2, I will swim with a new swim club in Austin, The Capital of Texas Aquatics swim club. My favorite events are the 50 yard butterfly, 50 yard backstroke and the 100 yard individual medley. I took 1st place in the City in my age group at the summer swim team City meet @ the UT Jamail Swim Center in July. I qualified to compete at the T.A.A.F State Swim meet in Ft. Worth at the end of July. Statewide, I place 5th in Backstroke, 6th in the Individual Medley and 10th in the Butterfly.
| | Joseph at Vicksburg Civil War Battle Grounds in Vicksburg, Mississippi. |
| | Joseph at summer camp (Camp T.L.James in Louisiana), where he got the nickname "Tex,' although he is not sure why. |
| click on images to see full-sized versions!! |
Background Information on BSA Troop 410 |  | Troop 410 scouts and leaders at summer camp 2003
(Camp T.L.James near Monroe, Louisiana)
[click on image to see full-sized version] |
Chartered out of Highland Park Baptist Church on Balcones Dr., Boy Scouts of America Troop 410 has been active for over 45 years, generating 111 Eagle Scouts thus far. During the school year the troop meets every Tuesday evening at Highland Park Baptist on Balcones Drive. This past year, Troop 410 almost doubled in size (good news spreads fast!) and now has more than 70 scouts on its roster from Allandale, Brykerwoods, Rosedale, Hyde Park, Highland Park and Northwest Hills. The troop continues to be recognized by the Capital Area Council as a "quality unit." Under the leadership of their Scoutmaster, Mr. Michael Sullivan, Troop 410 scouts epitomize the "can do" attitude, typically earning over 300 merit badges a year.
One weekend a month from September through May the troop heads out to nature, engaging in activities such as beach camping on Matagorda Island, rappelling Enchanted Rock, canoeing down the Guadalupe, or even snow camping in Llano. During the summer, the troop typically participates in Boy Scout summer camps in and around Texas. This past summer, 39 scouts and 7 adults leaders attended BSA summer camp at Camp T. L. James outside of Monroe, Louisiana. The troop also enjoyed a side trip to Vicksburg, Mississippi to tour the civil war battle site. The older scouts in the troop also enjoy the thrill of summer high adventures every year. Several older scouts recently returned from Philmont, in northern New Mexico. In addition, a group of older scouts (including Joseph!) spent seven days mountain climbing and whitewater rafting outside Salida, Colorado.
Recent Eagle Scout projects for boys in Trop 410 have been to host book and blood drives, to repaint Highland Park's outbuildings (in over 400 volunteer hours), to coordinate a household goods drive, and and to builtd new food storage shelves for Manos de Cristo. And more Eagle Scout projects are coming, including Joseph's work to expand the facilities at Ramsey Pool!
