Park kiosk dream comes true

Boaters in Waubedonia Park can rest assured if they forget their life jackets at home because Eagle Scout candidate Matt Baughman recently built a loaner kiosk.

“I know a lot of the boaters on the river don’t have life jackets, and I thought this could be a nice opportunity for them to boat safely,” Baughman said. 

According to Baughman, the 8-by-8-foot kiosk located near the park’s boat launch site also serves as an information center, providing a map of the park and pamphlets on fishing safety.

Initially, Baughman planned to construct a small structure to house the life jackets, but after speaking with Ozaukee County Parks Supt. David Nowak, he decided to take on a bigger challenge.

“I initially wanted to do a life jacket loaning station for my Eagle Scout project,” Baughman said.

“When I talked with Ozaukee County’s Parks and Recreation Department, they said that they were thinking about building up a kiosk in the park.”

Baughman said he decided it would be important for the structure to serve more than one purpose and opted to build a larger structure.

He began brainstorming plans for the project last September with his father Norman and started constructing the kiosk in February with help from fellow members of Boy Scout Troop 877.  

Baughman received $400 in donations from family members to pay for the materials, as well as a discount on supplies from Neuens Fredonia Lumber Co. 

Baughman said everything went according to plan but during construction, the biggest challenge was erecting the roof. 

“When we were putting up the roof, two of the beams that were set up started to split and crack,” he said.

“I was a little stressed out because I didn’t know if we would need new supplies or start the project over from scratch, but I realized later that it was an easy fix.” 

Baughman said another challenge was finding the time to work on the kiosk because he’s an active student at Ozaukee High School. He participates in the school’s music program and National Honor Society and works at Papa Murphy’s Take N’ Bake Pizza in Saukville.

Baughman finished the project last month and is currently waiting to undergo the review process to become an Eagle Scout. He hopes to have his ceremony at the end of the summer before starting his senior year at Ozaukee High.

Baughman’s been busy applying to colleges and hopes to study mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and pursue a degree in actuarial science.

He believes his experience becoming an Eagle Scout will serve him well.    

“Being an Eagle Scout is not easy and not every one can do it,” he said. “The biggest thing for me is that it shows the leadership skills I learned. I’m ready to apply those skills in school and in my future career.”