The Project
Durable storage shelving for the Humane Society of Tipton County
The full story of what we're building, who it helps, and the Scouting journey that led here.
What we're building
The heart of this project is a set of strong, free‑standing storage shelves lining the perimeter of the shelter's storeroom. The room measures roughly 10 ft 8 in by 7 ft 8 in, and the new shelving is designed to make full use of the walls so nothing has to sit on the floor.
The shelves are framed from about fifty 2×4s and topped with five sheets of ½‑inch plywood — carriage‑bolted, screwed, and glued into a simple, rugged design built to hold heavy bags of food and cases of supplies for years without sagging. Everything is sized to move easily through the storeroom's doorway and to fit the space exactly.
A project like this is about more than carpentry. As the Scout leading it, my job is to plan every detail ahead of time, gather the materials, recruit and organize a team of 5–10 helpers, and guide them safely through build day. Learning to lead a group toward a shared goal is the real heart of the Eagle Scout service project.
Storeroom
10'8" × 7'8"Perimeter shelving
Materials
Lumber & plywood50 2×4s · 5 plywood sheets · bolts, screws, glue
Crew
5–10 helpersLed by Quinn
Timeline
Summer 2026Build day
Cut list
| Part | Material | Length | 48″ ×3 | 36″ ×1 | 24″ ×1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uprights (legs) | 2×4 | 72″ | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Front & back rails | 2×4 | unit width | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Side rails | 2×4 | ≈15″ | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Shelves | ½″ plywood | width × 18″ | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Per‑unit 2×4s | from 8′ boards | ~9 | ~8 | ~7 | |
Totals for all five units: 20 uprights, 40 front/back rails, 40 side rails, and 20 plywood shelves — cut from the fifty 2×4×8′ boards and five 4′×8′ sheets of ½″ plywood, joined with carriage bolts, wood screws, and glue. Rail lengths are approximate and confirmed against the frame on build day.
Who it helps
The Humane Society of Tipton County
The Humane Society of Tipton County is a community animal shelter in Tipton, Indiana. It gives dogs and cats a safe place to stay — with food, care, and shelter — until they find a home of their own. Like most small shelters, it depends on the generosity of its neighbors and the dedication of its volunteers.
Good storage is one of those quiet things that makes everything else possible. When supplies are organized and off the floor, the shelter wastes less, finds what it needs faster, and can focus its time and money on the animals. That's exactly what this project is meant to make easier.
Where donations go: Contributions support the materials and supplies my project needs. Any funds left over after the project is complete are given to the Humane Society of Tipton County.
Quinn's story
From Cub Scout to Eagle candidate
My Scouting journey started years ago as a Cub Scout in Pack 50, earning belt loops and adventure pins one at a time and crossing over with my Arrow of Light — the highest award in Cub Scouting. Those early years taught me the values I still carry: to be helpful, trustworthy, and to leave things better than I found them.
Today I'm a Life Scout in Troop 686, part of the Crossroads of America Council. The Eagle Scout service project is the final big step on the trail to Eagle, Scouting's highest rank — and I'm proud that mine gets to help the animals at the Humane Society of Tipton County.
Helping animals isn't new for me, either — I was honored as Top Youth Fundraiser at the Humane Society for Hamilton County's Woofstock dog walk.
Be part of the project
Your donation helps turn this plan into sturdy shelves the shelter will use every day.