Pewaukee Scout hits the target, literally
13-year-old spends hundreds of hours on archery tower for Eagle Scout project
Pewaukee — After spending hundreds of hours fundraising, poring over construction plans and building his Eagle Scout project, 13-year-old Jacob Stern put the finishing touches on an archery tower last week with the hope his project will benefit younger Scouts.
Jacob, an Asa Clark Middle School eighth-grader, has accrued about 200 to 250 hours working to build a 15-foot archery tower and three target stands in Muskego Park to earn his Eagle Scout award and help Cub Scouts and community members.
Jacob first got the idea to build the tower after his brother Samuel came home from Cub Scout day camp in Muskego Park and reported the park was missing archery. Jacob set to work recruiting volunteers, cold-calling businesses and meeting with officials.
"Fundraising was pretty tough," Jacob said. Jacob needed to raise $1,500 to build the target stands and tower.
Jacob and his dad, Doug, created a Web site to get funding and raise awareness for the project. Most hardware stores would not make donations, but he did get significant donations from a few banks and the Waukesha County Parks System, he said. Harris Lumber sold supplies to Jacob at wholesale and Target, Walmart and Culvers donated food for volunteer crewmembers.
Jacob met with the volunteer coordinator, park director and supervisor to decide on an appropriate location for the archery tower and recruited volunteers from his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brookfield, as well as friends from school and his soccer team, he said.
Jacob and the volunteers worked for days lifting heavy beams and digging four-foot deep support posts in mud and rain to complete the project.
"I've learned a lot about communicating and leading," said Jacob , who said his communication skills have improved through the project.
Jacob said he's also learned the value of dedication and "sticking with it."
While many scouts work on their Eagle Scout projects in high school, Jacob has put in extra hours on his own time to get to this level at an early age.
"I put a lot into scouting," said Jacob , who hopes to attend Brigham Young University in Utah and major in engineering, chemistry or physics.
Jacob said he feels a sense of accomplishment when he looks at the archery tower and realizes his hard work made it happen.
He said he hopes the Cub Scouts enjoy the archery tower.
"I hope they can use it and have fun and it can enhance their experience," said Jacob.
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