ROCKPORT — Crockett Trail, the new cross-country trail under construction at Camden Hills Regional High School (CHRHS), is one impressive step closer to becoming a reality with the addition of a beautiful trailhead sign, courtesy of Jon Heath's Eagle Scout project.

Last week Heath, a rising junior at CHRHS, erected the first and largest sign for the new trail with the help of his Troop 200 scouts and leaders. Heath has spent much of 2017 planning and developing all the signage that will mark Crockett Trail for the runners, skiers and nature enthusiasts who will use it.

"I have really enjoyed working on this project especially because so many people in our community will be able to use and enjoy Crockett Trail," Heath said. "The new map marking the entrance is just the first of many more signs that will be installed once the trail is completed this fall."

Crockett Trail is named in honor of Penny and Charlie Crockett, who taught at the high school for a combined 69 years. Charlie coached boys' cross-country (XC) for 36 years and Penny established the girls' XC program and coached the team for 23 years.

A volunteer group, the Windjammer Trailblazers, has been raising money and clearing the trail through the woods on school property for nearly a year. Heath, meanwhile, has been steadily working through his plan for signage that represents the project portion of the requirements to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. His plan includes several nature trail entrance signs and more than a dozen strategically placed "XC" arrow signs that will guide both runners and skiers around the two-loop, 5K course.

The assembly of the main sign is a culmination of a tremendous amount of work on Heath's part. He first researched building materials and printing techniques that would be durable and weather-resistant. Then he approached local businesses to explain his vision for the project and ask for contributions. EBS provided hardware and crushed rock, Rankin's supplied the lumber, and Viking donated a large sheet of Azek board, a special material made of cellular PVC that is easy for carving, yet resists the effects of weather, insects, moisture, mold and mildew. Heath also spent hours with Chuck and Dale Dorr of Dorr Wood Carving and Sign Co. to actually learn how to design and carve the Crockett Trail sign board. Rafael Baeza, a teacher at CHRHS helped with the design of the trail map.

The main sign is finished, but the trail is not. The Trailblazers are working hard to get it ready for the XC season this fall, but they still need funds and materials, including crushed rock and stone dust. They have an online fundraising campaign at www.youcaring.com/crockett. For more information, or if you have equipment, materials or labor to offer, contact Shawn Stockman at sstockman01@hotmail.com.