It’s one of Ben Harvey’s Eagle Scout requirements
West Side Elementary recently had a gaga ball pit added to its playground, thanks to the ingenuity and efforts of a local scout.
Ben Harvey, a Life Scout with local Boy Scout Troop 243 built the gag ball pit as one of the requirements for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.
Harvey spent several days prepping for the project and completed the building of it on May 22 with the help of family members.
“I really enjoy playing gaga ball and I wanted to give back to the elementary school I attended for six years,” Harvey said.
A series of steps had to be met prior to work on the project actually starting. Early on in the process, Harvey first met with Ben Kitslaar, principal of West Side Elementary as well as the West Side PTO, to layout his plan for the gaga ball pit.
Upon receiving approval for the ball pit, Harvey then put together a plan to raise funds, acquire the materials needed and do the prep work for the build.
Harvey said Dunn Lumber of Lake Geneva deserved a shout out for giving him a discount on the lumber and screws needed for this project.
Harvey, who participates in several service projects a year, including a roadside clean-up and buck thorn removal at Bromley Woods, said community service is important.
He began his career with scouts as a cub scout with Pack 225 when he was in first grade. In fifth grade he crossed over to Troop 243 and plans to attain Eagle Scout by this summer.
Harvey said his favorite troop outings over the years have been the electronics campout, a day trip to Chicago to sail aboard the Tall Ship Windy and annual, weeklong summer camps.
He said he is looking forward to a 12-day backpacking trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico this summer that a crew of eight from Troop 243 will be participating in.
Harvey will be a freshman at Elkhorn Area High School in the fall. In addition to scouts, he participates in LaCrosse as well as band and enjoys all types of outdoor activities.
