The Hamlet Town Park will soon have a new activity available for people of all ages to enjoy on its grounds.
Bruce Wringer, 17 of Boy Scout Troop 235 from Hamlet is currently working on his Eagle Scout Project for the prestigious Eagle rank. An Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America program. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of individuals that join Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process. Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges with 14 of them being Eagle-required merit badges. An Eagle Scout must demonstrate Scout Spirit, an ideal attitude based upon the Scout Oath and Law, service and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads and manages.
Wringer who has been in the scouting program since the first grade, now looks to complete his Eagle project with the construction of an octagon-shaped “gaga ball pit” for the Hamlet Town Park. He went before the Hamlet Town Council to get approval for the project several months ago and was approved by the council during a previous meeting.
Gaga ball is a variant of dodgeball. Instead of running around throwing dodgeballs, the gaga ball pit limits the impact of potential injury. Players slap or hit the ball, aiming to hit other players at or below the knees. If you are hit, you are out. The last player in the pit is the winner. The game is relatively inclusive, since individuals don’t need to be able to run fast, and smaller individuals may even have an advantage over taller individuals.
Wringer says by introducing a gaga ball pit to the Hamlet Town Park, he hopes older teens and adults will come to enjoy the park more often. He said “I’m hoping to see a lot of youth, teens, adults and people of all ages using it.”
There will be six inches of sand at the bottom of the pit with wall covers on the eight walls constructed to be in a octagon shape and a rules sign in order to maximize safety. As part of the Eagle project, under Wringer’s leadership, this project will be executed with the assistance of fellow troop members and other youth and adults from the Hamlet community. Wringer stated projects such as these require community involvement through volunteerism and donations. He stated he has been able to move forward with this project due to donations from individuals throughout the community.
Wringer stated he is almost through the fundraising phase but if more donations come, he would add to the project that he says will begin construction some time this month. Wringer added once construction starts it wont be long before the project is complete. He said the project should be finished in September.
Once complete, Wringer isn’t done though. As of now, he has 33 merit badges but still needs to complete three Eagle-required merit badges before his 18th birthday in February of next year to be considered in his review. When asked what this project has taught him, Wringer says, “I’ve gained a lot of researching and communication skills because I have had to research so much and contact so many different people about donations, getting quotes and approval for things. It’s made me realize that this is definitely a project that’s benefiting not just the park but also me on a personal level.
If you are interested in contributing to the gaga ball pit, there are several ways in which you can contribute monetary donations. Checks are accepted and can be made payable to “Pack 235” and mailed to 7020 East 500 North in Hamlet. Monetary donations or materials worth $100 or more will entitle you to certain benefits. Your company or personal name will be added to a plaque of sponsors, which will be hung on the gaga ball pit.
