Stephen Mack Student Builds Outdoor Classroom Through Eagle Scout Project
The project was much more than construction. It was an opportunity to lead others while creating something that will benefit students for years to come.
What began as an idea on paper and countless hours of planning has become a lasting educational asset for local students and teachers.
Seventh-grade student Ethan Backus at Stephen Mack Middle School and Life Scout with Roscoe Troop 6222, recently completed an outdoor classroom at Rockton Grade School and Whitman Post Elementary School as part of his Eagle Scout Service Project. Located just outside the school's "Switzerland" doors along a walking path, the new outdoor learning space is designed to provide students and staff with a unique environment for instruction, collaboration and hands-on learning.
The project represents a major milestone in Ethan's journey toward earning the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in Scouting America. To qualify, Eagle Scout candidates must plan, develop and lead a service project that benefits a school, religious institution or community organization while demonstrating leadership and project management skills.
For Ethan, the project was much more than construction. It was an opportunity to lead others while creating something that will benefit students for years to come.
A Scout and a Leader
Ethan has been involved in Troop 6222 for approximately three years. During that time, he has served in numerous leadership positions, including Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader and Den Chief, mentoring younger scouts and helping guide troop activities.
According to Troop 6222 leader Roxanne Klingenmeyer, leadership has always come naturally to Ethan.
"Ethan is one of our Life Scouts currently working toward his Eagle Award," Klingenmeyer said. "He's a great scout, a former Senior Patrol Leader, a patrol leader and a den chief. He works with our younger scouts on a regular basis and serves as a role model for both our older and younger scouts."
She described Ethan as a highly motivated young man who is always searching for ways to improve the troop.
"He's always coming up with great ideas," she said. "He's one of the first scouts to come to me and say, 'Let's do this project,' or 'We can make this better this way.' He's innovative, helpful and always concerned about making our troop better and bigger."
Asked about her earliest memory of Ethan, Klingenmeyer laughed.
"A spreadsheet," she said. "His favorite thing in the world is spreadsheets. He's always got a spreadsheet for something."
Bringing the Vision to Life
The outdoor classroom required months of preparation and coordination before construction could begin.
Ethan presented his proposal to the Rockton School District and worked through the planning process required for Eagle Scout projects before gathering volunteers and materials.
He detailed the project's progression from start to finish.
"We started by marking all the holes with wooden stakes," Ethan explained. "The next day we came back with a power auger and drilled all the holes. We leveled them with gravel and put the posts in place."
From there, volunteers assembled the structural framework, installed the bench seating and created the butcher-block style design that forms the classroom's seating area.
"We had people from the troop come help with all the assembly," Ethan said. "Then we sanded everything, tightened all the threaded rods and got everything ready."
One of the most unique features of the project is the decorative concrete centerpiece featuring the Rockton Warriors logo.
Using his own 3D printer, Ethan designed and created a custom stamp used to imprint the logo into the concrete.
"We took a 3D-printed stamp that I made with my 3D printer and stamped the concrete with it," he said. "I use 3D printing for a lot of things."
The project also included installing playground-style borders, placing a centerpiece structure and spreading wood chips throughout the classroom area. Members of Troop 6222 assisted throughout the process, working under Ethan's direction.
The final result is a functional outdoor classroom that blends craftsmanship, creativity and student-centered design.
The Meaning of an Eagle Scout Project
The Eagle Scout Service Project is considered one of the most significant requirements on the path to the Eagle Scout rank. According to Scouting America guidelines, the project must be planned, developed and led by the Scout while benefiting a school, community organization or religious institution.
Unlike a simple volunteer effort, the project is intended to demonstrate leadership. Scouts are expected to organize volunteers, coordinate resources, develop detailed project plans and oversee execution while allowing others to assist with the work.
Projects vary widely and can include community improvements, trail enhancements, park structures, educational initiatives, conservation projects and other efforts that create meaningful community benefits.
For Ethan, the outdoor classroom offered an opportunity to leave a lasting impact on local schools while gaining valuable leadership experience.
A Family Tradition
Scouting is deeply rooted in the Backus family. Ethan's family has participated in scouting for generations and values the skills, experiences and life lessons the program offers.
Ethan said some of his favorite parts of scouting include camping trips, learning practical skills and building friendships with fellow scouts.
Those experiences, coupled with opportunities to lead, have helped shape him into the young leader community members witnessed throughout the outdoor classroom project.
The completed classroom now stands as a permanent reminder of what determination, teamwork and service can accomplish.
Interested in Scouting?
Families interested in learning more about scouting opportunities in the area can visit:
According to Troop 6222 leaders, prospective families can also contact Roxanne Klingenmeyer, Recreation Lead for Roscoe Troop 6222, or connect through BeAScout.org, which provides contact information and local scouting opportunities.
As students begin utilizing the new outdoor classroom, Ethan's accomplishment serves as a powerful example of how young leaders can make a lasting impact on their schools and communities.
Thank you Ethan Backus, his family, Roscoe Troop 6222 and Rockton Superintendent Dan Phelps for all the incredible work to get the project ready for the kids and for being shining stars in our community.
