La Finca - Nicaragua wrap-up

Our project trip to the Young Life camp had three parts to it, all of which we were supposed to get done in country.  Usually EMI trips bring work home that the interns spend time working on.  However, the nature of this project, and the realities of what comes next in my life (post on that coming shortly!) led us to setting this trip up differently.

Bridge

La Finca needed a design for a pedestrian bridge.  Over the course of three and a half days, we were able to design and detail a bridge that the camp will begin building in a few weeks.

When we first got there, we thought that a suspended bridge might be the way to go.  But on the first day, as we all looked at the site, and met with the Bridges to Prosperity Project Manager, we decided that a bridge with piers in the water might be more appropriate for the location and the type of use.

Brad and Ian adding some survey data

In order to design a pier bridge, we would have to collect more survey data in the section where we would build the bridge, and we would need to collect some geotechnical information to properly design the footings.

Brian and Colter working on geotech

The bridge was the part of this project that I was most concerned about.  As I have shared with many of you before, there was a real sense of not being in control.  I knew that at the end of the day, I could not design the bridge.  If the team was stuck on beam sizing, or connection details, or size of footing, or rebar placement - I knew that I could not help them.  That week at La Finca was a good learning experience for me on relying on others.

Stormwater/Sediment Transport

The second priority for our trip was to take a look at the sediment transport issues that the camp has been experiencing as a result of erosion during storm events.

Laura and Jamey contemplating
a drop structure

This was the part of the project that I knew the most about, and I was able to help out with this team as they prepared their report.  We were able to get the report to a draft form while we were in country, and will finish up the report in the next week or two.

Walking up one of the two creeks

In general terms, the lake which the camp would like to use for boating and swimming, had filled in with sediment to the point where those activities were not possible.  There are two main streams entering the lake, and the team spent time in both of these watersheds looking for possible sources of sediment.  At the end of the day, there was no "silver bullet" that would solve the problem.  However, there are a number of changes that the Camp staff can implement which will help decrease the amount of sediment that makes it to the lake.

Camp Center - Graphic Design

Again, another aspect of the project that is outside my skill set.  Our team of Architects did a wonderful job of listening to the concerns and needs of the camp staff.  There are a number of major changes that the camp is considering regarding existing and propose buildings.  Sometimes, these changes are difficult to visualize.  And without a visualization, it is hard to understand the potential affects.

Draft version of one of the views that we are working on

Here is another view (still draft) that shows where the bridge is as well

Team

As always, these sorts of things only get done as a team.  Every trip I have been on so far I have been amazed at how over the course of just a few days, a group of people that hardly know each other become a team.  I think that it is something that we can easily take for granted, so I am continually challenging myself and my teams to think about how the lessons learned while on the project trip can be transferred back home.

and here is our team!  Wonderful people, each and every one!