CHCA Sophomore Creates Trail for Outdoor Classroom

Hopes Lower and Upper Elementary students enjoy the improved trail.

NEWS RELEASE: Tammy Rosenfeldt ▪ Marketing Communications Associate

SYMMES TOWNSHIP, OH (September 29, 2020) – Josh Gaudet, Sophomore at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy chose to create special outdoor trail as his Eagle Scout project. 

As Gaudet (of Mason), considered what to do for his Eagle Scout project, he decided to focus on something that was on his heart since his 5^th grade year. As a student at CHCA, he has enjoyed spending time on the Nature Trail and Outdoor Classroom, located between CHCA’s Edyth B. Lindner and Founders’ Campuses. Appreciating all of the hard work that was originally put into the space by Laura Dykstra ’17 and Madeline Dykstra ‘19, Gaudet wanted to add to the space by fixing and further developing the trail leading to the classroom.

Using six tons of edging stones, Gaudet and his team of volunteers created a path for students to safely walk to the outdoor classroom. In addition to creating the path, he 

researched and planted twelve native plants along the trail for students to learn about as they walk to the classroom. Working with CHCA Technology Teacher, Adam Cool, he even created signs that gave descriptions for each of the new plants.

His original plan was to complete the project over Memorial Day weekend, but COVID-19 pushed his plan back to Labor Day weekend. In addition to managing the project, Gaudet also worked to make sure COVID social distancing guidelines and safety protocols were in place for all of his volunteers. 

“Josh is a hard worker and really poured his heart into this project,” said Cool. “I knew from the level of detail and thought he put into it that it would turn out great and it really did. My own kids love the trail and everything he added to it has made it more educational and easier to maintain. He should be very proud of how it turned out.”

In the end, the project required 47 volunteers and a total of 246 hours to complete. The cost was $3,100 with Gaudet raising $1,800 himself and the other half being donated by CHCA.

Gaudet hopes that the Lower and Upper Elementary students enjoy the newly renovated and improved trail. He is thrilled to see CHCA science teachers use the space for teaching beyond the classroom walls. And what next?  He plans to lead a Student Organized Service (SOS) group to maintain the trail twice a year!

About Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy’s Upper School is Cincinnati’s only Christ-centered six-year college preparatory school that exists to prepare students intellectually and spiritually for success in higher education and to impact and influence the world according to their unique gifts. CHCA is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit preschool-grade 12 academic institution with buildings in Symmes Township, Sycamore Township and downtown Cincinnati. To learn more about Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, visit chca-oh.org.