Houston Astronomical Society

Boy Scout Project

Boy Scout Troop 404 out of Brookside came out to the Observatory Site on the Weekend of February 6th, 7th and 8th. The projects that the boys worked on were installing Entrance Road Lights, trimming brush along the East fence line, filling in pot holes in the road, and of course, having fun. The entrance road lights were installed to help members and their guest to be able to get around the curve on the entrance road. These lights are about four and a half feet high and are illuminated with dim red lights. Upon entering the entrance gate, the lights are on the driver's side of the vehicle and are about three to four feet from the road. The last light is located where the observing field starts.
Here are some pictures of the activities:

Scout Project

 (Full size 98KB) The troop trailer with troop number and ranks.

(Full size 91KB) Some boys helping to fill pot holes.

(Full size 90KB) Another picture of the 'Pot Hole Crew' leveling out dirt mounds.

 (Full size 94KB) The "Hero" Eddie operating the ditch witch. Every boy thanked him so they didn't have to dig up 310 feet of dirt.

(Full size 88KB) Another picture of Eddie and some of the "supervisors" in the background.

(Full size 133KB) Do you think they will see me if I pull the hood down far enough?

(Full size 133KB) Not unless you hide in an Orange Grove.

(Full size 94KB) The 'Orange Hooded Kid" at work.

(Full size 90KB) One of the boys putting wire into the conduit.

(Full size 100KB) The Glue Lady, Pipe Supervisor, and the Site Supervisor making the connections to the pipe.

(Full size 100KB) One of the completed light units.

(Full size 100KB) Another picture of two units that are finished.

(Full size 100KB) The completed entrance road light project.

(Full size 89KB) Two boys cleaning out the white storage box.

(Full size 92KB) The HAS 'hide and seek' champion.

(Full size 99KB) The brush moving party. A lot of boys to move one branch.

(Full size 91KB) The 'Garden Supervisor' at work.

The Scouts Play

After all the work that the scouts did, it was time to play

(Full size 98KB) The Rock Wall was the new item that the scouts brought to the site. It was a very big success.

(Full size 96KB) Needed some 'Big' help and on the left is the rope bridge being assembled.

(Full size 93KB) The rope bridge is being assembled.

(Full size 100KB) A 'victim' was volunteered to test the rock wall.

(Full size 102KB) A line forms for the rock wall. To the right with the yellow strap is the Zip line (another popular activity).

(Full size 104KB) Another wall climber. HAS member Richard Parker holds the tether line.

(Full size 102KB) A scout heading to the top of the wall.

(Full size 94KB) A scout crossing the rope bridge. Scoutmaster and cook Mike Guthrie is seen in the lower right corner of the picture.

(Full size 99KB) Everyone thinks safety first. Notice the helmets and the big bean bag at the bottom of the wall.

Time to Eat

After a long day of work and play, it was time to eat.

(Full size 57KB) It's time to eat. After all the activities, everyone had worked up an appetite.

(Full size 63KB) The food line grows.

After night fall, Jerry Grosman opened the Observatory and showed the Boy and Girl Scouts the Orion Nebula, Saturn, and some other objects. About an hour later, the sky started to cloud up a little bit. Around 10:30, everyone was in their tents sleeping good. A great time was had by all.
Photo credits: Mark Walker, HAS Member Richard Parker

Last updated 2/11/2004
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