Kids are gaga over Eagle Scout project at Aronimink Swim Club

   Oblivious to the relentless sun bearing down on them, the players dodged, jumped, struck, yelled and ran as they competed to be the “last person standing.”

   “The kids love the game,” said Max McGovern, 15, a sophomore at Malvern Preparatory School.

   Last month McGovern, a member of Boy Scout Troop 144 in Havertown, built a gaga pit at Aronimink Swim Club in Drexel Hill as part of his service project to achieve Eagle Rank.

   Gaga, a popular game for kids of all ages at nearby swim clubs and schools, is a form of dodge ball played in an octagon-shaped structure, or pit. Players hit the ball at each other with their hands, and are eliminated and must jump out of the pit if the ball strikes them on or below the knee.

   McGovern, a scout since he was seven-years-old, was required to plan, develop and lead a project which would be helpful to his community.

   “Max worked diligently to design the plans and arrange all the resources needed. We could not be happier with the outcome and, on a personal level, I am very proud of the maturity and professionalism Max showed throughout this project,” said Jim Leitz, president of the Aronimink Swim Club Executive Board.

   After receiving approval for his proposal from both the scouts and the swim club board, McGovern, a lifeguard at Aronimink, went to work on completing his Eagle Scout project.

   With assistance from his fellow Troop 144 scouts, his uncle Ted McGovern, a union carpenter, and friends and family, the group toiled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 15 to complete the $2,600 project. Beatty Lumber & Millwork Company in Upper Darby donated materials, in addition to Home Depot and Lowe’s. Brothers Pizza & Restaurant in Drexel Hill provided lunch for the famished volunteers.

   After its Memorial Day weekend debut, the gaga pit has created countless hours of enjoyment for many of the club’s youngest members.

   “It’s a lot of fun,” said Mara Hunt, 10, as she took a break from a recent game.

   McGovern says it “feels great,” seeing how much entertainment his project has brought to others. In addition to scouting and camping at Resica Falls Scout Reservation in East Stroudsburg, McGovern swims for Aronimink, Malvern Prep and the Lansdowne YMCA Marlins, as well as plays water polo for his high school team.

   “I’ve learned a lot of life skills being a part of the Boy Scouts,” said McGovern.

-  By Amy A. Winnemore