The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Eagle Scout projects benefit community grounds
The hard work displayed by two teens committed to improving community grounds in Chardon has not gone unnoticed.
Mitchell Ewaska and Jacob Hougan, both students at Chardon High School, were recently honored with official resolutions of appreciation at a Chardon City Council meeting.
Each chose to assist the city while taking on projects qualifying them to earn Eagle Scout status with the Boy Scouts of America. Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouting program.
Helping to target areas requiring work was Joe Rodriguez, Chardon’s director of Parks and Recreation.
Rodriguez was aware that a concession stand built at Mel Harder Park in 2016 was bare bones and needed interior carpentry work to make it optimally functional. Also, picnic tables on Chardon Square that were showing their wear needed to be replaced.
Mitchell took on the concession stand project while Jacob assisted by building new picnic tables for the square.
During an interview at Mel Harder Park, Mitchell said that he was familiar with the park from earlier years and realized the need for concessions.
“I used to play baseball and I loved coming here as a kid,” he said. “When we were here we would have to bring our own snacks. It just makes it easier.”
For Mitchell, coming up with a basic plan was the first step in the process followed by convincing scouting leaders that the task was worthy of an Eagle Scout project. Formulating a supply list, obtaining financial estimates and sending letters to obtain donations to assist with the cost were next.
With the help of several donors, including $500 from the Fraternal Order of Eagles of Chardon, Mitchell raised more than $1,000 for supplies to build shelving, install cabinets and more.
Conscious of the cost, Rodriguez noted that “our service department would not have put in cabinets, we try to do the bare minimum.”
Completing the project took about 100 hours and required overcoming working in the rain and other challenges.
However, Mitchell is pleased with the outcome.
“I felt like I accomplished something very big,” he said. “Eagle Scout projects are major in scouting. They are meant to show leadership. They prepare you for leading others.”
Rodriguez noted that the new addition complements the whole park and that it’s another service the city can provide.
He added that those frequenting Chardon Square can thank Jacob for the dozen new, structurally sound, weatherproof picnic tables he constructed for his Eagle Scout project.
“The square was desperately in need of new tables,” he said.
Only a small fraction of boys who join scouting move forward to attain Eagle Scout status. However, the benefits from doing so are impressive.
According to a study conducted by Baylor University, Eagle Scouts are more likely than men who have never been in scouting to have higher levels of planning and preparation skills, be goal-oriented and network with others, be in a leadership position at their place of employment or local community, report having closer relationships with family and friends, volunteer for religious and nonreligious organizations, donate money to charitable groups and work with others to improve their neighborhoods.
Lisa Ewaska, who has seen her son Mitchell, and another son, Zac, complete Eagle Scout projects, highly recommends the program.
“Scouting really helps make them well-rounded men,” she said. “People should really know that it’s a great organization.”