Shed Buildin’ – Costa Rica Style

Awaiting instructions from the maintenance staff

While some of us were sent off to build a outdoor shower, some of us were commissioned to build a shed to house all the recycling bins.  The folks as Camp Roblealto were big into composting and recycling.  All of their recycling bins were out in the open and needed a place so they could stay dry and out of the elements.

Step one in their project was to move three very large, very heavy compost bins away from the construction site.  They were so full and heavy that they had to empty the compost from the bins, move the bins then refill the bins.  It was very messy and stinky work.  This is why it’s great to have high school kids on a mission trip.  They are great at the dirty work.

While one group was moving compost, another group needed to clear and level the ground for the concrete to be poured.

This project moved along very quickly.  Before we knew it, they had support beams in place, scaffolding built and were putting on a roof.  I loved how the high schoolers were  happily working side by side with the adults on the group, many of whom were old enough to be their grandparent.  They were really respectful of the adults and leadership on the trip.

Before we knew it, it was time to pour concrete.  The camp had a small concrete mixer so it took several trips back and forth from the construction site to where the concrete was being mixed to bring in enough for the slab.

One of the projects our group was working on was chopping and clearing wood.  One of the camp maintenance workers took a piece of salvaged wood and made this cross for us to take home.

In five short days the construction group was finished with their shed.  It was pretty amazing to watch this group go from dirt to completed project in such a short time.  The head of the maintenance crew loved it and said it was exactly as he had envisioned it.  It’s amazing how everybody benefits when you do something for someone else, not expecting anything in return.  Imagine what our society would be like if we used that practice more often in our every day lives.