Eagle project enhances church grounds
Sam Classen stands near a cross on the St. Francis of Assisi Prayer Path. Classen completed his Eagle Scout project by directing the efforts of roughly 80 volunteers in extension and refurbishment of the path in a wooded area next to the church.
by Lisa Crockett: photo courtesy of the Classen family
It’s now a serene setting for thought and reflection, a quiet place for parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Castle Rock, but it started out as a heap of raw materials – 60 tons of road-base gravel and lots of cement. Thanks to Rock Canyon High School senior Sam Classen, a resident of the Castle Pines community and a prospective Eagle Scout, parishioners now have a place to pray and meditate.
Using the help of more than 80 volunteers, Sam completed his Eagle Scout project by directing the refurbishment and extension of an existing “Prayer Path” in a wooded area next to the church. In addition, crosses (which depict the stations of the cross) constructed by Eagle Scout Eric Masters in the 1990s, were re-located along the path. Benches (donated by a parishioner) will be placed along the path.
“Including the planning, the project took over four months,” said Sam. “In the background I had many supporters and helpers who helped me to do the work.”
Those supporters include Father Brad Noonan, Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi. When Sam approached Father Noonan about the possibility of doing a project at the church, Father Noonan gave him several options to choose from.
“I told Sam to take some time to think and pray about what he wanted to do, and he chose the most difficult option when he chose the path,” said Noonan. “I couldn’t be happier, Sam has really gone above and beyond. It’s such a beautiful and peaceful place for prayer and contemplation now.”
Sam is now finishing up the Eagle process, which includes finishing a write-up of the project and a rigorous review of the project by local Scout leaders.
“I think that my favorite part about earning my Eagle has been all the things I was able to learn along the way,” said Sam, “such as useful camping skills and how to plan, lead and execute a large project such as this. The experience and the good memories I’ve gained will never be forgotten.”
