Monday, July 31, 2000
Scout builds bridge across creek
By Jennifer Mrozowski
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Morrow resident Derek Loesch wanted to bridge the gap — literally — between sections of ground at the Warren County Conservation Association. So he decided to build a bridge with a 10-ton weight limit as his Eagle Scout project.
“I started planning last June,” the 18-year-old Lebanon High School graduate said. “I didn't realize how much I had ahead of me.”
To become an Eagle Scout, a teen must acquire 11 required badges, 10 additional badges, meet a leadership requirement and complete a project.
Mr. Loesch said he wanted to do something nice for the Warren County Conservation Association in Lebanon as his project because the club has been generous in donating use of its grounds for Scout meetings and camps.
He hit upon the idea of building a bridge several years ago when some Boy Scouts riding in a truck got caught in a creek on the grounds. The group was trying to cross the 2-foot-deep creek to reach a campsite.
Lucky for Mr. Loesch, Warren County Engineer Neil Tunison is a Boy Scout member and volunteered to help the Scout design the bridge. It now measures 27 feet long by 10 feet wide and stands about 5 feet over the creek.
Mr. Loesch has been working steadily since April to raise money for the bridge materials. He enlisted the help of an excavating company, local businesses, fellow Scouts, friends and family to help him widen the creek, mix concrete mostly by hand, set beams and build the structure.
“A lot of people, especially adults, have given up a lot of time,” Mr. Loesch said.
The bridge was nearly complete when the entourage ran into a glitch. High construction costs prevented Mr. Loesch from securing the 90 10-foot-long 4x4 boards he needed for the deck. When he finally raised money to buy some of the boards, the conservation association agreed to pay for the rest.
Mr. Loesch's is away at camp during the week until mid-August. His Eagle Scout court of honor ceremony is set for Aug. 27. He'll have about a week before his ceremony when camp ends to finish the bridge, but that won't stop him from completing his project.
“I'm going to keep my word,” Mr. Loesch said. “I'll get it done.”.
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