On November 2015 Life Scout Noah Mamula submitted a proposal for his Eagle Scout Project—an Outdoor Classroom for the Middleburg Community Charter School (MCCS)—to the BSA District Commissioner for approval. This began the 28-month odyssey of permits, blueprints, fundraising, and construction to make the classroom a reality.

The first step came from the support of the MCCS Board of Directors, school principal, and the Town of Middleburg Historic Review Committee. These happened in April and May of 2016 and were the easy part. Next, the project had to go to Loudoun County Public School, Construction and Planning Division—this was the hard part.

Bill Tenure, of Tenure Architecture, took on this project as the principal architect and assigned Dave Stern to work with Noah in getting the plans ready for the county. By January 2017, after many emails, site visits, and multiple plan changes, approval appeared to be right around the corner, this signaled to Noah that fundraising was the next step.

Noah began to implement his fundraising efforts to raise the $35,600 needed to pay for the outdoor classroom. On a suggestion from an MCCS board member, he decided to ask a local builder for a donation. His first call was to Piedmont Roofing, owner Stephanie Reed listened to his request. She would call him back the next day with a metal roof and installation donated in full!

This was just what this young man needed—a quick answer and support beyond his hopes. He was off to the races. Next stop was Southland Concrete, where a corporate officer and friend from Noah's church donated materials and installation for the concrete slab. Then he called D&S Groundworks who said yes to all the earthwork for the site excavation. Noah also did a letter campaign to friends and family and raised needed funds to finalize the project.

By March 2017 the county still had not issued final approval for the structure, but Noah forged on. Next, he needed to secure a construction manager for the project. This was a big one. He just walked into BOWA and Tim Burch in the Middleburg office graciously met with him. He explained to Tim what he needed—i.e. that he was only looking for a construction manager. Tim told Noah that he would get back to him. After a week, Noah called and asked if he was able to think it over. Tim's reply: "Oh gosh, sorry Noah, I was going to call you back—yes BOWA will be your site manager, but I was working on getting the rest of your materials donated too!"

We had to pick Noah up off the floor. To say that the support from the business community was overwhelming is an understatement! But that is exactly what kept this young man going.

Noah graduated from high school in June and planned on a trip to Europe with his high school friend. He had all the materials and crews ready to build—but still no word from the county! On Friday, June 23rd he finally received in the mail the approved plans for the outdoor classroom, and on the 25th of June, he was headed to Europe.

Upon his return, he moved forward with the project and in August began the last step, 6 months of construction, working around the school schedule, the winter weather and managing who needed to do what next. The outdoor classroom was finally finished on March 23, 2018.

The perseverance of one person and the support of key people in the Middleburg area business community who stepped up and supported this young man's vision made this possible.

On behalf of the Middleburg Community Charter School and Eagle Scout Noah Mamula, we thank you all more than you can know!