The following projects are well suited for Boy Scout groups to facilitate participation in Service to America program co-sponsored by the National Park Service and Eastern National.

Lakeshore trail worker Dave Bos will be the primary coordinator for and supervisor of these trail oriented projects.

Project One: Summary: Bridge repair on the Lakeshore Trail near Munising, MI. Project is located near the junction of "F" and "H" cross country ski trails in Munising. The bridge is currently sloping at one corner due to creek erosion. Action to be taken: Raise and extend the bridge. Using jacks and pry bars, the bridge will be lifted and flipped over to the upstream side to temporarily get it out of the way. Support cribbings will be built using 6" by 6" timbers, hand drill, pins, small sledge hammer, and rock. The bridge will then be lifted (using mechanical devices if practical) up onto the cribbings. The bridge will be extended with the use of sill plates, stringers (6" by 6" lumber), planking and kick rails. Treated lumber will be used. Precautions: Protective clothing such as gloves, pants and long-sleeved shirts are a necessity. Protective gear such as goggles (for driving nails and spikes) and ear plugs will be provided by the National Park Service. Drinking water, along with lunch and/or snacks, should be carried in by participants. Hiking distance is about one mile from the end of City Limits Road in Munising. Work time estimate: About six hours. Desired crew size: Six to eight people.

Project Two: Project Summary: Bridge repair, on the North Country Trail, on a section that is also used as part of "F" trail on the Munising Ski Trails system. The bridge has collapsed at one end due to creek erosion. Action to be taken: same as #1, above. Precautions: Protective clothing such as gloves, pants and long-sleeved shirts are a necessity. Protective gear such as goggles (for driving nails and spikes) and ear plugs will be provided by the National Park Service. Drinking water, along with lunch and/or snacks, should be carried in by participants.

Project Three: Project Summary: Drainage construction / tread elevation on trail "A" of the Munising Ski Trail system. Problem: standing water in low area shortens the useable season of the trail, and causes icing of skis. Action to be taken: Construct "turnpike" using 2" by 8" lumber, petro-mat (also called filter mat), box culverts and soil. This will allow water to flow freely while keeping the trail tread higher where it can freeze. Two box culverts will be set between in the turnpike to allow for water flow. Soil will be obtained by digging side drains along the outer edge of the turnpike, and mined from nearby (close to the work site, but out of site of the trail). The turnpike will be slightly overfilled when packed. Special work conditions: We will be working in and around mud. Eye protection for driving nails and splattered mud will be provided by the National Park Service. Participants should wear gloves and protective clothing. Drinking water and lunch and/or snacks should be carried in by participants. Project location is less than one-half mile from Munising Falls. Precautions: Protective clothing such as gloves, pants and long-sleeved shirts are a necessity. Protective gear such as goggles (for driving nails and spikes) and ear plugs will be provided by the National Park Service. Drinking water, along with lunch and/or snacks, should be carried in by participants. Project time estimate: About 5 hours. Desired Crew size: 6 to 8.

Project Four: Summary: Same as above, only at a second nearby location on ski trail "A." Precautions: Protective clothing such as gloves, pants and long-sleeved shirts are a necessity. Protective gear such as goggles (for driving nails and spikes) and ear plugs will be provided by the National Park Service. Drinking water, along with lunch and/or snacks, should be carried in by participants. Project Five: Summary: Boardwalk construction across muddy sections of the North Country Trail (NCT) about one-half mile east of the NCT junction with the Sand Point spur trail, near Munising, MI. This project will require significant carrying of lumber from a backcountry cache to the project site. It is expected that all participants will rotate tasks so that everyone has an opportunity at both building boardwalk and carrying lumber. Protective clothing is required for handling treated lumber. Safety gear for driving nails will be provided by the National Park Service. Hiking distance to the worksite is about 1.3 miles. Drinking water, plus lunch and/or snacks, should be carried in by participants. Precautions: Protective clothing such as gloves, pants and long-sleeved shirts are a necessity. Protective gear such as goggles (for driving nails and spikes) and ear plugs will be provided by the National Park Service. Drinking water, along with lunch and/or snacks, should be carried in by participants. Project time estimate: 8 hours. Desired crew size: about 8.

Project Six: Summary: Same as above, just a little further down the trail. Precautions: Protective clothing such as gloves, pants and long-sleeved shirts are a necessity. Protective gear such as goggles (for driving nails and spikes) and ear plugs will be provided by the National Park Service. Drinking water, along with lunch and/or snacks, should be carried in by participants. Unsupervised projects: None known at this time For additional information or project scheduling, please contact:

Open Field Management Plan: cut/pull small trees along field edges. Long Term Volunteer Project: remove old barbed wire fences. Brush Removal from Scenic Overlooks. *All projects require 6-8 scouts.

FENCE REMOVAL: The park contains many former farms and an ongoing project is to remove old barbed wire fences and fence posts to allow wildlife and visitors free access to park lands. We can arrange work sessions lasting from a couple of hours, to a full day .

HISTORIC ORCHARD REHABILITATION: The park contains many old orchards of antique varieties of apples. These require periodic maintenance: removal of dead branches from the trees, and sticks and debris from around the trunks. Work sessions would not exceed a half day.

BRUSH CLEARING IN HISTORIC FIELDS: The park maintains some old farm fields in historic districts. These require periodic removal of invading bushes and small trees. We can arrange work sessions that range from a few hours to a full day.