When deciding on an Eagle project, Matthew F. Dondanville wanted to incorporate his religious faith as well as his love of the outdoors.
Rebuilding the outdoor Stations of the Cross trail at Columbiere Conference Center in Springfield Township fit both bills.
‘I wanted my faith to be part of the project,? said Dondanville, 17, senior at Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Pontiac. ‘It was a big project and it turned out well. I see people use it all the time ? I’m proud of it.?
The son of John and Janet Dondanville of Independence Township, both his brothers, Chris and Peter Dondanville, are also Boy Scouts. Chris? Eagle project in 2005, planting shade and garden areas, was also at Colombiere.
The 300-foot Way of the Cross trail, a 14-station devotion depicting Jesus? suffering and crucifixion in the Christian faith, is connected to Colombiere’s walkways to the northeast of the main building.
Matthew’s project took three days. The first was at home assembling each station, made of wood and bronze-coated panels, the next two at Colombiere working on the trail.
‘The trail was built 45 years ago and was in a state of disrepair,? said Matthew, Troop 185 of Clarkston and Waterford, Clinton Valley Council.
‘It was made of plaster and many were broken, and wood posts were rotted. It was at the point where they needed to be taken down or rebuilt.?
They built a new cedar handrail, installed a flagstone trail, and washed and stained a set of wooden stairs. They cleared overgrown vines and bushes and cut down dead trees, wood chipping them into mulch for the trail.
He worked with local businesses for more than $2,800 in donated and discounted materials, including wood mulch donated by Bedrock Express and Country Oaks Landscaping, slag sand donated by Lowrie’s Landscaping, Little Caesars for donating pizza for the workers, and Lowe’s for discounted project materials.
‘It was challenging, a lot of trial and error,? he said.
‘We’ve received very positive feedback from the people here,? Janet said. ‘They made it into a positive learning experience and did a good job with Matt.?
The trail is one way ? reaching the final station, walkers backtrack to exit. A path up a hill would complete the loop if it had a set of stairs, a good project for another time, he said.
‘Maybe another Eagle project,? he said.
Matthew joined scouting as a Tiger Scout in 1997, earning Cub Scouting’s highest rank, the Arrow of Light, in 2002. He was awarded his Eagle Scout this past August.
He earned 29 merit badges, eight more than required for Eagle. He is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, received the 2008 Camp Director Award of Merit and the Warrior of Owasippe Award. He has received two 50-Miler awards and a ?100 Nights of Camping? award.
He has served as an assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, senior patrol leader, and quartermaster for his troop.
‘I really enjoy the adventure part of scouting, as well as community service,? he said. ‘I like being outdoors.?
Scout trips include camping throughout Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, and Ontario, biking more than 250 miles from Cumberland, Maryland, to Washington, D.C. along the C. and O. canal, sailing Lake Huron, and leading two-week backpacking trips to Philmont Scout Reservation in Cimarron, N.M.