Eagle Scout Project

To replace a rotting observation blind that had been unusable for 15+ years, Robert Mayo of Boy Scout Troop 278 on Kent Island raised over $4,000 to design and build a new waterfowl observation platform on Lake Knapp. Mayo’s Eagle Scout project gives CBEC visitors a comfortable platform for observing nature. From the platform, you can see ospreys, great blue herons, tri-colored herons, green herons, bald eagles, and marsh wrens; turtles, salamanders, peeper frogs, and water snakes; and an evening’s fabulous sunset. It’s a great spot to visit with a camera, spotting scope, or binoculars, but it’s also a quiet spot for peaceful observation.

Building the observation platform over Lake Knapp involved some sophisticated engineering and 680 hours of work, beginning with two days to tear down the dilapidated blind and remove the 3,700 pounds of debris. His father and grandfather, along with friends and scouts, helped with the project. After demolishing the old structure, Mayo used a jet pump to jet in 8-foot pilings, needing to pound in the last foot of piling with a sledgehammer. Using marine-grade lumber, Mayo built a 5-foot by 36-foot dock leading to a 15-by-10-foot platform. As a final touch, Mayo placed 1,005 feet of stainless-steel cable running parallel to the deck, providing a clear view from any height.