Satvik Chandran, Eagle Scout
Total Volunteer Hours Worked: 54
For my Eagle Scout project, I designed and built a large wooden dining table for an elderly community center. The purpose of this project was to provide a durable, accessible, and welcoming space where residents can gather for meals, social events, and activities. The table not only enhances the functionality of the community space, but also helps support social interaction, which is essential to the well-being of elderly residents.
Observations and Challenges
The overall build process went smoothly. The volunteers worked well together, and we were able to finish the project within the scheduled two days. The table turned out stable, level, and professionally finished. The elderly community members and staff were very appreciative and expressed excitement about using the table.
One of the biggest challenges was coordinating the schedule so that all volunteers and adults were available at the same time. Another challenge was transporting the materials and tools to the site and managing space for cutting and assembly. We also had to work carefully to ensure all measurements were precise so the table would be both safes and comfortable for all elderly residents.
Changes (from original proposal)
After my proposal was approved, I finalized the table design, created a materials list, and coordinated with the facility to determine the best dimensions and location. I recruited volunteers, arranged tool and material donations, created a safety plan, and scheduled workdays. I also prepared detailed instructions for cutting, assembly, sanding, and finishing, so that the work could be completed efficiently and safely. Some significant changes from the project proposal that I made was the need of adding stability to the legs of the tables because I felt that they would fall over too easily; to resolve this I added 2 pieces of wood attaching both of the bases together.
Leadership
I demonstrated leadership by organizing the entire project from start to finish, including planning the design, sourcing materials, and assigning specific tasks to volunteers. I communicated expectations clearly, ensured that everyone was working safely and efficiently, and adapted as needed when issues came up. I also maintained a positive and encouraging attitude to keep the team motivated.
The most difficult part was managing everyone’s time and making sure all parts of the project moved forward smoothly. It was challenging to coordinate schedules, answer questions, and keep everything on track, especially when unexpected issues came up like missing supplies or measurement adjustments. We also had a slight shortage of wood screws on the first day, which caused a short delay while someone went to pick up more. Fortunately, we planned ahead with extra materials in other areas like sandpaper and wood glue, which helped avoid any major setbacks. The rest of the supplies were well-prepared and sufficient.
The most rewarding part was seeing the finished table and knowing that it would make a difference in the daily lives of the elderly community. It was also incredibly fulfilling to see the teamwork come together and hear the positive feedback from both the volunteers and the community members.
I learned that leadership is not just about giving directions—it’s about listening, staying flexible, and solving problems quickly. I also learned how to manage a team, keep morale high, and make decisions under pressure. This experience helped me grow in confidence and responsibility.
Project work days + completion