Teen builds bluebird houses to achieve Eagle status
Local Eagle Scout candidate Sean Doran of Troop 927 was in need of an Eagle project. Leave No Child Inside was in need of bluebird houses for the May 4 greater Barrington area KidFest.
Doran completed his project of building nearly 80 bluebird house kits, along with compiling information regarding house maintenance and bluebird attraction for children. To celebrate June as Leave No Child Inside month, the annual Barrington Area KidFest, a free event combining the 12th annual Community Kite Fly and fourth annual Family Nature Fest, was held May 4 in Barrington's Citizens Park.
This family-oriented event was hosted by the Barrington Breakfast Rotary Club, the Barrington Park District and Leave No Child Inside of the Greater Barrington and Lake Zurich Area, three community-oriented organizations.
Doran researched birdhouse specifications, proper entrance-hole size and where to locate the birdhouse. He compiled a list of materials needed to make a minimum of 70 houses, developed a budget, approached local vendors for supply donations and implemented fundraising to cover the cost of materials.
Additionally, Doran led his volunteers in cutting the bird house pieces, pre-drilling pilot holes, entrance holes, ventilation holes and holes for clean-out mechanism.
The next step was assembling each kit, including two different length screws and an educational sheet about the importance of bluebirds
Lastly, Doran instructed his volunteers regarding the process of making the houses, setting up at KidFest and assisting children in making their own houses. As a special thank you to the Palatine Home Depot for their donation of materials, tools and safety goggles, one birdhouse sample was painted Home Depot orange.
To learn more about Troop 927 visit www.facebook/com/Troop927. For Leave No Child Inside information about reacquainting children and nature, in addition to photos of KidFest 2015, visit www.funoutside.org.
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