Christopher Reifsnyder Builds His Dream Shack

– By Robin Jovanovich –

Scouting has been an important part of Christopher Reifsnyder’s life since first grade. In 2006 he became a Life Scout. Last spring, the Rye Middle School student, then 13, met with Rye Nature Center executive director Russ Johnson to discuss Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project ideas. Among the projects on the nature center’s wish list was expansion of its maple-sugaring program. The idea stuck.
Christopher spent weeks ironing out details, lining up volunteers, coming up with a time schedule, and writing letters and meeting with local businesses and individuals for donations of time and money. Con Ed was already on board with a generous grant to purchase the building kit, but he estimated the project would cost at least an additional $500 — tile for the evaporator, chimney parts, paint, screening, cement and form tubes, and interior shelving. Not to mention snacks and drinks for the volunteers.
As he wrote in his proposal, “Site selection was difficult and required a great deal of planning with Russ Johnson and environmental educator Mary Gillick, who runs the maple-sugaring program. It was decided that the building must be accessible even in winter … and should be in a visible location to invite interest and discourage vandalism.”
Last September, Christopher submitted a comprehensive plan to the Rye Nature Center, the Conservation Commission/Advisory Council and the Eagle Scout Board of Review to build a 10- by 16-foot maple-sugaring shack at the Rye Nature Center. Once approved, he quickly assembled his team of volunteers, many from his Webelos group.
Christopher explained that he went to Home Depot and met with “Big Tony” in Contractor Services, who introduced him to Sherry who in turn referred him to Sol Axelrod, “who agreed that Home Depot could make a contribution to what sounded like a fine project.” Further contributions came from Kevin Butler, Costco, the Post Road Market, Byram Concrete, and San Marco Stone and Supply.
The volunteer team grew to 38 members, including his parents Don and Lisa, his brother Alexander, and his grandparents Brigitte and Jeffrey Sarnoff. All told, the project took 722 hours, with Christopher logging in 181 hours. The project, while “bigger, harder and longer” than he expected, met even his expectations.
At the April 29 ribbon-cutting ceremony, visitors had a chance to step inside the pine-sided building, which certainly redefines shacks. It houses a wood-burning stove to provide heat for the evaporator used to boil sap. Venting is handled through a handsome 8-foot-long cupola with hinged vents on each side. Information about the center’s maple-sugaring program is well displayed. Space was allocated for storing materials used for collecting and making syrup.

Christopher’s project plan, which once just filled a notebook, has filled a stated community organization need. The concept of a dedicated building that would allow more visitors to participate in maple-sugaring in a safe environment has become a wonderful reality because of a boy with a dream and remarkable leadership skills.