Local Scout builds picnic tables for Yorkville schools

Zachary Robert Hartman of Boy Scout Troop 12 was officially made an Eagle Scout with Silver Palm on June 13, earning 39 merit badges.

Hartman started out in Cub Scout Pack 331, and then crossed over to Troop 12 at the end of fifth grade after earning his Arrow of Light. In addition to earning Eagle Scout, he also earned the Eagle Silver Palm. There are a total of 21 merit badges required for Eagle of which 13 are specific to Eagle required with eight chosen electives. There are six ranks that must be reached before earning Eagle rank: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life. Hartman also completed his “Ordeal” and is part of the OA Brotherhood.

For Hartman’s Eagle project, he chose to make six picnic tables for Yorkville CUSD 115, converting two of them to be handicapped-accessible. The legs of the tables were painted black, the tops red with a white “Y,” and were all fitted with an engraved plaque featuring information about Hartman’s project, name, troop number, and the year the plaques were engraved. Due to the cost of his project, this required special approval by the council. To cover the cost of this project, Hartman requested and received donations from local stores and also received donations from family, friends and his parents.

The project was completed at his home over two consecutive weekends. During those two sessions on each Saturday and Sunday, Hartman served a home-cooked meal to all the volunteers. Luckily, the weather was beautiful each day, with no rain or humidity, and was fairly cool. Hartman was recognized at a Yorkville District School Board meeting for his project.

Hartman will stay on with Troop 12 as a leader, and will be attending Kishwaukee College to study diesel power technology.