Youngsters have new playhouse thanks to Eagle Scout

When considering what to do for his Eagle Scout Service Project, Christopher Wright asked what he could do for his church.
His family attends Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair, where Boy Scout Troop 366 also meets, and he consulted with Jan Baumann, the church’s volunteer coordinator.
“Are you good at building stuff?” Baumann inquired.
When he answered that, yes, he’d done all right with various projects at home, she suggested that he consider constructing something for the church’s preschool.
Thanks to Christopher, some of his fellow troop members and adults to supervise, youngsters now have a spacious playhouse in which to frolic while they’re getting fresh air outdoors.
Prior to embarking on the project, the Upper St. Clair High School senior arranged to have wood donated by 84 Lumber and designed a brochure to recruit volunteers. Between 20 and 25 of them showed up on three Saturdays in the fall to complete the playhouse.
“I think the hardest part of building it was the roof,” Christopher said, “making sure the measurement was good, making sure it overlaps correctly and there are no holes that cause leaks.”

Playhouse nail gun
Christopher Wright uses a nail gun on the playhouse.
The son of Steven and Virginia Wright started with Cub Scouts in 2010, and since joining Troop 366, he’s earned a chest full of merit badges on the way to Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor. His Eagle court of honor took place March 31 at Westminster.
Christopher said his experiences in Scouting have helped him develop a strong sense of independence and self-sufficiency.
“It’s taught me to try something by yourself before you ask someone,” he explained. “Try it on your own first. If you can’t come up with any conclusions, it’s appropriate to say, ‘Hey, I need help.'”
He has helped with other community service projects as a Scout, including participating with road cleanups and assisting with the annual pancake breakfast that the Rotary Club of Bethel-St. Clair holds at Westminster.
As he approaches graduation in June, Christopher is weighing his options for where to attend college and what to study. Whatever his choice, he has developed a deep interest in local history, especially with regard to the since-demolished Mayview State Hospital, which he remembers visiting as a kindergartner.
“You can ask me anything about Western PA,” he said, “and I can try to answer.”