Service Projects for Groups camping at Birch Bend Campground

The following are all possible service projects while your group is in camp. Please see the camp host to identify the project for your weekend and to obtain tools and materials.

Upgrades or changes to the land or buildings can only be made with prior approval/coordination with the project manager or property manager.

Service Project Ideas (WG = west gate, EG = east gate) (H, M, or L) = priority
* Conservation related or BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award possibilities
General:
• * Invasive species removal – thistles, burdock, common tansy, gooseberries (H)
• Trim along entrance roadsides past the ditches. Do not cut any oaks April 1 to Aug. 1. (M)
• Paint/stain 6 sheds and 6 wooden outhouses (M)
• * Reseed grass worn areas. The State Fair is the best time for seeding grass. (M)
• * Cap white pines for winter protection from deer, mark w. cages, survey results in spring (L)
• Fall marked trees, cut, clean up debris, split wood, haul firewood to drying area, restock wood cribs with dry firewood (L)
• Burn dead and downed brush, sticks, and logs laying along campsite edges and roadsides (M)
• Clear fallen trees and branches from hiking trails and dead trees by roads or campsites (M)
• Rake campsites to promote healthy lawns (best done as a spring or early summertime task) (M)
West Gate List:
• Reverse the door on outhouse 10 by pavilion so hinges are on the left side, opens to outside (M)
• Improve ditches around WG group site 1, remove rocks near fire pit – site rehabilitation (M)
• Group site #1 picnic tables, finish is peeling – scrape, clean, and seal (M)
• * “Along the shoreline, thin some ironwood and maple trees to allow more sunlight to encourage shrubs to grow more densely between campsites.” – Don Arnosti, August 2010 (L)
• Trail from WG outhouse 14 to bridge: ditch downstream of PVC drainpipes, add gravel to trail (L)
East Gate List:
• * Transplant new trees to Bob’s Rock area and meadow hill, protect new trees with a cage (M)
• Thin brush on the south side of the pavilion (L)
• * Thin [especially ironwood & maple trees] around small pines by EG camp sites 2, 9 & 10 (L)
• Rebuild Pioneering pole rack with a roof (M)
• * Search for pine seedlings around Grandmother Pine, clear around, mark, and cage (M)
• Build a trail from site #4 to large pine (next item), about 80 degrees and 1/2-way to Quest Rd (L)
• * Search for pine seedlings around a large pine at N 46 08.984’, W 093 57.7285’, clear around, mark, and cage (M)
• Cut poles for the tipi, install them, and hang the canvas (L)
• Expand the rock retaining wall by the lake trail near EG campsite #10 (M)