The following narrative was written by Eric Hurley, Sustainability Technology Instructor.
Some of the students from the A-B Tech CMT/SST programs along with a former student from WPCC and members of my family descended upon DuPont State Recreational Forest for our three-day service-learning weekend. This semester our live project was to demolish and replace the dock at Lake Alford along the Three Lakes Trail. Though we expected that we would only be able to replace the dock itself, we will return the first of November to replace the cover and bench. Students dove right in to demolish the old dock cover. From there, we took sections of the dock off and replaced them. We reused the current posts and at one time had to hold a section of the old dock up with a flat bottom boat in order to lay new beams, joists, and decking.
Our students loved it and work so very well together. Mostly, they were able to learn a great deal of skill in construction, problem-solving simple and complex problems, and all while working with new people. This is truly the best type of learning. These men and women worked like a well-oiled machine to finish the deck just after lunch on Sunday. Along the way, students were shown the beautiful natural resources that make DuPont SRF so desirable… the waterfalls. All students worked on this project as if their name would be on it because it is. Like all projects that I’ve taught at DuPont, they signed their names somewhere, unseen, on the project. To this job, students will always have the satisfaction of knowing they’ve been part of something others can enjoy and they can share with future generations. The only mishap was one student cracked the oil pan on his car. No other injuries are to be reported.
I would like to take a minute to thank DuPont SRF provides our accommodations for the weekend at Guion Farm. I would like to go the extra mile and say that Buck Jones is a wonderful shining gem of DuPont and really made us all feel welcome and wonderful to work with. Thanks to Friends of DuPont Forest for providing funds for the material we use and our breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Without you, we could not do the work we do nor could students learn. Thanks to Stephanie Morrow being our host Friday night at Hawg Wild and Helen Lee for breakfasts, our host (in spirit) at Twin Dragons Saturday night, and by bringing our lunches to us each day. I think you two are the favorites among my students. Food!!!!
I would like to take a minute to also say thank you to my family for supporting my efforts in teaching in a great place such as DuPont SRF. Each time a service-learning project it has taken my family is always willing to help. My great friend, Gus Hill and my daughter Sierra Hurley were again there to help instruct the students when I was spread thin and my son Andrew for his role as “Gopher”. A VERY special thank you to my wife Leigh Ann. She is the unsung hero of most of our work projects. Picking up scrap, tools, loading, and unload tools and material along with cleaning the Guion farmhouse, helping Helen set up and clean up and attending to all my students' needs, and helping anyone in need, you are truly my special queen and I love you so much.
Lastly, to those who came to learn, build, and enjoy….the STUDENTS!!
Andrew “Andy” Eubanks
Andrew Gambrell
Ashley Kepley (Loading our work trailer beforehand)
Bobby Styles
Christian Davis
Christopher Bussert
Foster Griffith
Ian Girard
Jordan Bruce
Lauren Rozman (Christopher’s girlfriend)
Mitchell Williams
Matt Buswell
Williejoe “J.J.” Mathis
Whenever possible, please thank these students for their time and share their work with those that question.
See more photos of the DuPont project on our Facebook page.