Pawlak, Chad Jr. “CJ” (Eagle Scout Award - 2014)
CJ comes together with the Chippewa Valley Council Board of Review members. Back row (l-r) Doug Ellis, Richard Bryans, Chad Yeager, Todd Beardsher, and Erick Huebler. Front row (l-r) CJ Pawlak, Chad Pawlak and Randy Reeg.
Chad Pawlak, Jr. (CJ). A 15-year old sophomore at Thorp High School, has recently been awarded the highest rank in Scouting. CJ has been an active Scout since he was a Tiger Scout in the first grade. After 10 years of scouting, numerous campouts, service hours, and leadership training, CJ concluded his advancement work by completing as eagle project to ensure safe bat habitats.
Over the last year, CJ has met with the Wisconsin bat conservation specialist in Madison on the proper housing requirements for Wisconsin bat species. He organized his troop to construct housing for up to 2,000 bats and met with Thorp’s Park and Recreation Board on the importance of bats in the community. His ten bat houses were then donated to the City of Thorp, Thorp School District, Clark County Parks, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
During his Boy Scout career, CJ attended National Youth Leadership Training, earned his God and Family Award, traveled to the National Jamboree in 2013, and earned the Brotherhood Rank in the Order of the Arrow. CJ earned 34 merit badges, held numerous troop level leadership roles, and is part of a continent of 16 Scouts and Scouters who will be traveling to the Florida Keys this summer to snorkel and go deep sea fishing.
A January Eagle Scout Court of Honor is being scheduled to celebrate this accomplishment and to thank those who helped make it possible. Scouting had been an important contributor to community’s young men since the 1950s. The outdoor education, citizenship and leadership training is fun and transformative.
Pictured left, J. Paul White, the Biologist at the Wisconsin DNR, with CJ Pawlak, each holding one of the state-certified bat homes that would soon be donated to one of the many areas in and around Clark County.
