Eagle Scouts Build Picnic Tables for the Greenburgh Nature Center

Oliver BandsmaWhen most people think of picnic tables, they don’t consider the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into building them, especially when they’re part of a community Eagle Scout project. But for Oliver Bandsma from Troop 2 Scarsdale, the tables represented much more than places to sit and eat. They became a symbol of perseverance, teamwork, and service.

The project began with a clear goal: to build three large cedar picnic tables to install at the Greenburgh Nature Center. The initial plan depended on a generous lumber donation from a nearby lumberyard, which had previously expressed interest in supporting the endeavor. “We had almost enough for three tables,” Bandsma explained, “but we were still short on wood, and we needed more cedar to complete the job.” He and his family made repeated attempts to contact the lumberyard’s CEO and other representatives, but communication fell silent. “They had been incredibly generous already, so we didn’t want to push too hard or risk offending them,” he said.

Ian Rozens, Oran Bandsma, Adelia Bandsma, Moira Crouch, Woody Crouch, Connor Cassidy, Michael Cassidy
With the project’s timeline tightening and assembly day approaching, the family made the decision to purchase the remaining cedar from another lumberyard using funds raised by the Scout himself. It turned out to be a smart call. The original supplier never responded again, and the purchased wood allowed the project to move forward on schedule. “My dad went out and brought back the rest of the cedar, and we got to work preparing all of it for the build.”

On November 23, 2024, work began at the Bandsma home. Measurements were taken, and adults assisted with cutting and drilling holes. A last-minute discovery that the bolts purchased were too short nearly delayed the effort—but the team quickly returned them and sourced the correct hardware.

The main assembly day took place on November 30. A small team of volunteers tackled the job with only two drills and a lot of determination. “It was tough because only two people could screw in deck screws at once.” But it was worth it. Despite the setbacks, the group completed all three tables—with an hour to spare.

Matteo Buccellato, Connor Cassidy, Oran Bandsma, Simon Bandsma, Paulo Sorensen
Challenges didn’t stop at limited tools. The team faced difficulty aligning holes, and natural knots in the cedar added complexity to the build. But the imperfections only added to the tables’ character. Oliver sums it up, “There were a few minor errors, but they made the tables look handmade. You’d only notice if you were really inspecting them.”

Matthew Jakaitis, Manager of Facilities and Grounds at Greenburgh Nature Center said, ”The Nature Center is always looking for ways to become more accessible for everyone. With the accessible benches Oliver and his troop provided, we are now able to accommodate more visitors comfortably. Thank you to Oliver, Troop 2 Scarsdale, and everyone else who contributed to this project!”