Eagle Scout project adds to options at middle school playground

Whitefish Middle School students have another option for physical activities thanks to a recent Eagle Scout project.

Gavin Carmichael, a sophomore at Whitefish High School and a Boy Scout with Whitefish/Eureka Troop 1936, recently built a gaga ball pit on the WMS playground with the help from six other scouts as a part of his Eagle Scout project.

Carmichael said he was brainstorming ideas of what to do for his project when he remembered having fun at Camp Melita Island playing gaga ball and thought it would be a perfect fit at WMS.

Carmichael said gaga ball is similar to dodge ball and is played in a enclosed area with a ball being thrown into the middle of it.

He said the ball can only be touched using body parts above the knee and if it touches anywhere below the knee, a player is out of the game. If the ball goes out of the pit, the last person who touched it is out. Players can’t hold the ball.

To begin his project, Carmichael spoke with Vice Principal Jackie Fuller which led to discussions with Principal Josh Branstetter and Head of Maintenance Chad Smith.

Carmichael was able to plan and lead other boys in the construction of the gaga pit.