By indyhaiders on July 30, 2021

Eagle Scout project enhances CEUMC’s chapel in the Woods

Jack McKibben, a senior-to-be at Cape Elizabeth High School and a member of Scout Troop 37 in South Portland, spent the weekend of July 24-25 making improvements in the church’s Chapel in the Woods.

Jack’s months’ long planning and work in the woods last weekend with fellow scouts, scout leaders, relatives and friends, was Jack’s Leadership project to become an Eagle Scout.

Jack McKibben (bottom, far left) and his Chapel in the Woods co-workers

The Chapel in the Woods has a deep history of Eagle Scout endeavors, beginning with John Hoskin’s initial vision and clearing of the area in 1994, Matt Braun’s reworking the grounds in 2005, and Preston Stewart’s further improvements in 2016.

Matt Braun and the Rev. Ruth Morrison in 2005

Preston Stewart and crew in 2016 with the Rev. Ruth Morrison

Jack’s work included installing a PVC drainage pipe covered with crushed stone and wood chips in the always wet ditch near the entrance of the trail leading to the chapel, covering the chapel floor and lead-in trail with fresh wood chips, installing backs on the existing benches in the chapel, and adding two new benches at the back of the chapel.

For his project, Jack received donations of lumber from Lowe’s, crushed stone from Home Depot, wood chips from Jordan’s Farm, and hardware for the benches from Shopper’s True Value in Mill Creek.

For the Leadership Project, Jack had a number of options, but selected the Chapel in the Woods after receiving a recommendation from the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust. He then contacted Pastor Priscilla and then Bob Webster from the church’s Eco Team before the project was set in motion.

“I really liked the idea of working in the chapel,” Jack said. “When I was in middle school we would come over to the woods and learn about nature and I have many memories of those times and they are special.”

Bob and Linda Webster testing out the benches

Joining Jack for his work in the chapel were his father and Scout Master Bill McKibben, Scout Master Ryan Morse, Jack’s grandfather Dave Blovin, Julie and Lucas Lefebvre, Drew Gellison, Skyler Morse, and Owen McAnuff. Owen and Jack were co-Class Presidents at Cape Elizabeth High School.

Thank you Jack and friends for the wonderful work you accomplished in just two days in the church’s Chapel in the Woods!