NRHEG Eagle Scout builds 'Gaga Ball' pit

Thanks to an Eagle Scout project performed by NRHEG senior Wyatt Larson, a gaga ball pit now stands on the district’s secondary school playground in New Richland. Like all other playground equipment, it is available for use by students at the school, and for children who wish to make use of it outside of school time.

 

Larson explains Scouting America members are encouraged to make use of the skills and leadership abilities learned during years of participation to complete a project meant to bring lasting good. Performed prior to aging out of the program at 18, it allows participants to cap off their years of learning by earning the title of “Eagle Scout.” 

 

A chief expectation for the project is that scouts will use leadership, communication, and cooperation skills in order to acquire the resources and funds needed to bring their project to completion.

 

Remembering gaga ball as a game he and friends had enjoyed throughout their childhood, including at scouting camps, Larson said, “I want it to be there for other people to enjoy.” There was already a gaga ball pit at the NRHEG district elementary playground, which turned Larson’s sights toward the New Richland location.

 

Larson explains gaga ball is a variation of dodge ball that places players inside an octagonal enclosure with walls between two and three feet tall. Players–sometimes 15 or more at a time–attempt to put each other “out” by having the ball hit them anywhere at the knees or below. Players may hit the ball with their hands only once, then must wait until the ball has either bounced off the wall or been hit by another player before striking it again. The last person remaining in the pit is the winner.

 

An observer, Larson comments, will see lots of fast-paced, chaotic energy and hear shouts and laughter. Any one game is likely to last no more than five minutes, allowing everyone to get back into the pit and start again.

 

From the outset, he says, his goal was to build a high-quality, durable structure that would be visually appealing while also providing a safe, comfortable play area. His plans included a concrete pad underneath, two-inch thick treated lumber walls, special brackets to create the octagonal shape, and rubber mulch for cushioning.

 

Significant donations for the project included funds from Finley’s Wings at Work, Keen Bank, and the landscaping company Minnesota Roots out of Elk River. Donated supplies included lumber from Home Depot in Albert Lea; rubber mulch from Lowe’s; landscaping and leveling from Sequoia Landscape of Ellendale; and concrete rebar from Olson Masonry of Ellendale. Workers who donated their time to assemble the pit included Larson and his parents Shawn and Jody along with fellow scout Devon Nelton.

 

“Scouting is a really good program that can help people build friendships and skills,” comments Wyatt. “I’m really grateful for everything I learned, and I’m glad I could use it to do something good for others.”

 

He encourages others to consider joining Scouting America. Kids up to sixth grade would start by joining cub scout programs available at local communities.