Burrell Junior Jacob Hartung achieved Scouting America’s highest honor, earning the rank of Eagle Scout after successfully completing his Eagle Scout Board of Review on December 3, 2025. For Jacob, the accomplishment represents years of commitment, growth, and leadership — and a service project that will leave a lasting mark on the community.
As part of his Eagle Scout service requirement, Jacob led a team of youth and adult volunteers in planning, organizing, and completing improvements at Burrell Lake Park in Lower Burrell. His project focused on replacing the Nature Trail Guide sign at the park entrance, which had originally been installed as an Eagle Scout project more than two decades ago and had since fallen into disrepair.
Rather than simply replacing the sign, Jacob and his team designed and constructed a larger, more durable structure that includes a roof to protect it from the elements. In addition to the new sign, volunteers completed trail maintenance and repaired a footbridge along one of the park’s walking paths. The improvements help ensure the park remains welcoming, accessible, and enjoyable for visitors of all ages.
“Small public parks are an important asset to any community,” Jacob said. “My hope is that it will continue to make Burrell Lake Park a place enjoyed by many for years to come.”
For Jacob, earning the rank of Eagle Scout marks a milestone in a journey that began many years ago. “It is the culmination of many years of different scouting activities, life skills, and leadership skills learned,” he shared. He also hopes his accomplishment will inspire his younger brother to follow a similar path.
Jacob chose Burrell Lake Park for a personal reason. From his time as a Cub Scout through his years in Boy Scouts, many troop meetings were held at the park and nearby Fisher Hall. The location made the project both meaningful and familiar and was a chance to give back to a place that played a role in his Scouting experience.
One of the biggest challenges Jacob faced wasn’t the construction itself, but deciding on the project and learning to lead others through it. Coordinating multiple crews, planning timelines, and delegating responsibilities pushed him outside his comfort zone, which is exactly what an Eagle Scout project is intended to do.
“Learning how to plan and delegate responsibilities was more challenging than just doing the work myself,” Jacob said. “But that’s where the real leadership experience came in.”
Jacob credits his time with Troop 121 in the Japeechen District for helping shape his interests and future goals. A student with a strong interest in problem-solving, he plans to pursue a career in engineering. He says Scouting played a key role in that direction, giving him opportunities to troubleshoot, build, and think critically, while also reinforcing values through the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
When asked what advice he would give younger Scouts, Jacob kept it simple: stay the course. “It is a journey that not many complete,” he said. “When you finally get to Eagle, you’ve proven to yourself that you can do whatever you set out to do.”
As he looks ahead to life after high school, Jacob plans to explore his education and career options, carrying forward the skills and lessons he gained through Scouting. His Eagle Scout project stands as a lasting reminder of what can be accomplished through leadership, service, and dedication to community.