Centerville Elementary School students soon will be able to play one of their favorite games during recess without disrupting classes occurring inside the building.

As part of his Eagle Scout project, Caleb Keel, of Troop 349 in Mountville, will build a wall ball wall on the school's playground in one of his final steps toward earning Scouting's highest honor.

Wall ball is a game where participants throw a ball against a wall, and then another player attempts to catch the ball, Caleb explained. If unsuccessful in snagging the ball, that person must run to the wall and touch it before the next person throws a ball against the wall.

Without a wall ball wall, Centerville Elementary students have been playing the game against a side of the school building. PTO member Brianne Wagner reached out to Caleb's dad, Kevin, the leader of Troop 349, to find out if a Scout would be interested in completing an Eagle project at Centerville. Caleb volunteered immediately.

He first spoke with Centerville Elementary principal Tom Kramer to propose the idea. Caleb refined the plan and presented it in front of the Hempfield School District Board of Directors, which granted its approval.

"One of my goals is to always include students from the high school whenever possible at Centerville," Kramer said. "But in this case, being a former Eagle Scout myself, the opportunity to work with Caleb has been extra meaningful because I know the amount of work that it takes to reach that rank. This project is especially meaningful because it's something that will be used by my students on a regular basis at Centerville. The students play wall ball every day, so Caleb's project will be something that will be used all the time, and by being able to place it in another point on the playground, students will be able to use it all year round."

Caleb is in the process of obtaining the necessary materials. One of his dad's friends is an engineer at RigidPly Rafters in Lebanon County, and that firm will be donating all the wood needed for the project. Caleb is seeking a donation of concrete.

The Hempfield High School freshman is planning to complete the project during the last two weekends of May. The person pursuing an Eagle Scout badge is essentially the foreman of a crew that will perform the work. "My job is to navigate the job and manage the crew," said Caleb. He has signed up fellow Scouts from Troop 349 as well as friends from Troop 33 in East Petersburg.

Once the project is completed, Caleb will finish his last couple merit badges this summer before officially becoming an Eagle Scout.

It will be the culmination of a journey that began with Cub Scout Pack 125 when Caleb was in first grade. He said he became interested in Scouting because he enjoys camping and spending time outdoors.

His decision to join the Scouts has paid off. "Scouting really helps you," said Caleb. "In school, you learn all the academic things. When you go into Scouts, you kind of learn how to be a leader. You learn how to lead and manage people. You learn very important interviewing skills and how to be a good employee."

Grateful to have had role models guiding his Scouting career, Caleb plans to remain with Troop 349 to assist younger Scouts as they chase an Eagle Scout badge.

"I will always want to be involved with Scouting," said Caleb, who is a member of Hempfield's swim team, track and field team, and pickleball club. "It's a great program. Hopefully I will stay in the troop I am in right now, as a leader."

He appreciates the support from his dad and his mom, Kelley, who is a teacher at Mountville Elementary, the school Caleb attended. "They got me to all the outings so I could get done everything I needed for my requirements," he said.

Former Scoutmaster Joe Way was also a big influence.

The Eagle Scout project is a chance for Caleb to give back to the community that has aided him. "I'm really looking forward to this project, and I hope it will benefit the community."