Local Scouts Earn Their Eagle Wings

It's a journey that often begins as Tiger Scouts during the first years of elementary school. After more than a decade of camps, badges and projects, Sussex residents Jack and Kyle Blaedow are now Eagle Scouts.

Before becoming an Eagle Scout, scouts must complete a community project among other requirements. Jack and Kyle both gave back to nearby organizations for their projects. Kyle constructed rescue toboggan shelters for the Sunburst Ski Patrol. Jack built an outdoor classroom for Meadowbrook Elementary School in the Waukesha School District.

Both Jack and Kyle will officially become Eagle Scouts during the Court of Honor at 6 p.m. July 18 at St. James Catholic Church in Menomonee Falls.

Kyle, along with family an mentors, spent over 380 hours in total planning, organizing, purchasing, and building his toboggan shelters. The materials alone cost over $2,000. Kyle even drew up the blueprints with software he learned in his middle school technology class.

"Every time I got off the chairlift this season and saw my eagle project, I felt proud of what I was able to accomplish," Kyle said. "I not only improved my own construction, leadership and organizational skills, but I gave back to an outstanding organization that has raised me."

Jack's outdoor classroom project included construction of six picnic tables, installing crushed stone ground cover for the 30-foot circular area, and installing a landscaped brick border. Jack also weeded out the butterfly garden which is adjacent to the outdoor classroom site.

"I learned that leading is not just bossing people around and that you need to work with your team to get things done," Jack said. "Good leadership starts with hours of preparation and planning. If you want to be a good leader, you need to be prepared and be able to think on your feet."

Both Jack and Kyle hope to pursue careers in the military.