By Kris Leonhardt

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – When Lincoln High School Junior Wyatt Erdmann went to his cousin’s Eagle Scout ceremony in 2016, he decided right then and there that he would achieve the highest ranking in Scouting.

Erdmann said that he originally joined the Scouts because many of his friends were joining; just one of those friends had earned the Eagle Scout ranking upon Erdmann’s achievement.

To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills – a rigorous program which takes many years to achieve.

For his final project, Erdmann decided to build a storage shed for Jeremiah’s Crossing.

Wyatt’s older brother Chance, who has autism, first began riding at the Babcock facility – a therapeutic horseback riding ranch.

“It was something to give back to Jeremiah’s Crossing, because they let me and my brother – mostly my brother at first – ride out there. Then, they started letting me ride,” Wyatt said.

“So, I decided that it would be a good way to give back to them.”

“Wyatt’s older brother Chance, is autistic and took lessons, which were free, from Roger and Kathleen Harris, ranch owners for years.  When Wyatt was old enough, he was invited to ride with Chance as a sibling.  They loved these lessons together,” Wyatt’s mom Mary Pat further explained.

“There were some boys in the troop that need service hours, so the troop went out to clean trails,” recalled Wyatt.

When Erdmann asked if the organization needed any other projects done, Wyatt found his Eagle Scout project – constructing a storage shed.

“It’s a good 40-minute drive from our home and Neiman’s here in Wisconsin Rapids made it possible for Wyatt, his dad, and the scouts to build the shed on our property and then they delivered the finished product to the ranch,” Mary Pat explained, adding that Wyatt had to price his materials “three times before the project could even be started, as during the pandemic, prices of building materials skyrocketed.”

On March 20, Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Shane Blaser issued a proclamation stating that “having completed the requirements for, and having been examined by an Eagle Scout Board of Review, has been found worthy of the rank of Eagle Scout; and on the 20th day of March, before an Eagle Scout Court of Honor, Wyatt Erdman of Troop 187, shall receive Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor, the Eagle Scout Award; and Wyatt Erdman has demonstrated commitment to his fellow citizens through countless hours of tireless, dedicated efforts; and Eagle Scouts act as leaders and role models in the community; and the achievements of Wyatt Erdman, in scouting and in the community, have been numerous and commendable.”

Erdmann said that he was appreciative of the leadership training he received in Scouts and that completion of the project was very rewarding for him.

“(You) learn how to be on your own; learn how to problem solve things. With all of the merit badges, it teaches you different things within them. You are exposed to new ideas,” he added.

Erdmann has plans to enter a trade school after high school.

“I enjoy building things and working with wood,” he explained.

Wyatt is the son of Dan & Mary Pat Erdmann.