Local troop sees seven advance to Eagle rank
Eagle Scout projects involve leadership and planning
By the end of this year, Marathon Boy Scout Troop 458 will have 66 individuals who have completed their Eagle Scout projects since the organization started in the community in 1975. Of those, four young men became Eagle Scouts last year and three are set to join the rank this year.
Having seven individuals become Eagle Scouts recently is an impressive number, according to Charlie Altenhofen, who has been the Marathon troop’s scoutmaster for the last three years.
“For a while, the statistic was only 2 percent of all boys that entered scouting earned their Eagle rank,” Altenhofen said. “We are certainly well beyond that level, especially in the recent years. Having these seven candidates, that is really an exceptional number for the small community that we have.”
There are currently 29 scouts in the Marathon troop. Altenhofen said the group has been fortunate to see their numbers rise in the last several years, especially as other troops struggled to keep interest alive after Covid hit, putting a pause on some activities. In the last four years, the Marathon troop has doubled in size, according to Altenhofen, who credits some of the uptick in numbers to the effort they put in to keep things going when the pandemic shut down many group gatherings.
Altenhofen thinks another reason for the sustained interest is the presence of the Eagle Scouts and the involvement the troop has in helping with the projects. One of the main requirements of an Eagle Scout project is the candidate’s leadership role in the process. There is a provision that the individual leads a group, usually consisting of relatives, friends or other scouts, in the implementation of the project. Many younger scouts get to see the impact of the project by being involved.
“They’re much more motivated when they see it happening with the older scouts and they’re part of it,” Altenhofen said. “They look forward to being in that same position.”
Last year, four Marathon scouts finished their Eagle projects. Michael Kindlarski’s project made improvements at St. Mary’s School, adding a trail between benches on the playground as well as an outdoor bulletin board and sign at the front of the school. Drake Carlson’s plan involved marketing and creating sign boards for Empowered Dream Hunts, an organization that provides hunting opportunities for disabled individuals. Edward Hall’s work was for benches and improvements to a shelter at Tower Park in Marathon. Jacob Smith’s project crafted a new extreme level bike trail segment within the Ringle Mountain Bike Trail System. Smith’s venture was named runner-up for the Council Eagle Scout Project of the Year.
The projects in progress are Saul Beranek’s, which is creating supply and material backpacks for attendees of the Foundation for Nager and Millers Syndromes international conference; Derek Vesely’s, which is comprised of constructing new batting cages at Marathon High School; and Marcos Cruz-Bloom’s, which is working on the outdoor patio for the Women’s Community organization in Wausau.
Over the years, some Eagle Scout projects have been more noticeable, such as the construction of the village’s veteran’s memorial, while others are more subtle, like park enhancements. In either case, Altenhofen said the impacts can be felt and the candidates are completing a big accomplishment, especially as they are required to have the projects done by the time they turn 18.
“Many of these boys are completing this project by the time they’re 15, 16 years old,” Altenhofen said. “So it’s quite impressive considering what most 15-year-olds and 16-yearolds are thinking about. These guys are pulling off some pretty impressive projects and learning how to overcome challenges.”
Becoming an Eagle Scout has privileges that can extend into an individual’s future. Two of the main impacts the accomplishment can offer have to do with military service and jobs. According to Altenhofen, if an Eagle Scout enters the military, they start out one rank ahead of everyone else within basic training. When it comes to applying for jobs, Altenhofen said employers see the Eagle Scout designation as a sign that an applicant can demonstrate leadership and determination.
While not all scouts will reach the point of joining the Eagle rank, Altenhofen said there are many benefits and life lessons involved in any involvement with Boy Scouts. Throughout all ranks of the organization, participants must complete a certain amount of service work. And community support, especially from the troop’s sponsor, the Marathon American Legion, is crucial to the group’s success, according to Altenhofen.
“We have a lot of help,” Altenhofen said. “Whenever we have projects, we are able to raise the funds and get the input from the community. The American Legion, who is our sponsor, has been wonderful, a huge help for us. The community in general has been very generous in supporting us and giving us the things we need to function.”
