Teen builds K-9 obstacle course, earns Eagle Scout rank
By Marcus McIntosh
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SLATER, Iowa (KCCI) — At just 13, RJ Jansen of Huxley has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, completing the Boy Scouts’ highest achievement before his 14th birthday.
His Eagle project: building a K-9 obstacle course at Earl Grimm Park in Slater, a community amenity that he says is already drawing wagging tails.
Jansen, who started as a 7-year-old Cub Scout, planned the project, organized 30 volunteers who logged hundreds of hours and secured donations for materials.
“We got wooden stakes we drove into the ground,” he said, describing the build. “There were a lot of steps that had to go into this.”
The course includes a seesaw, steps, a ramp and a tunnel, with careful attention to making the equipment sturdy enough for dogs.
“It’s a real cool thing that benefited the dogs … and benefited the city of Slater,” Jansen said.
The family’s springer spaniel-border collie mix, Layla, was an enthusiastic test runner.
Troop 163 Scoutmaster Aaron Brand called Jansen “determined,” “motivated” and “not afraid of hard work,” adding he believes Jansen is the troop’s youngest Eagle Scout ever.
Jansen said he set an early Eagle goal as a step toward bigger challenges, while holding onto scouting values.
“I’ve learned how to respect people, how to have good conversations, how to take leadership well,” he said.
Outside of scouting, he plays hockey, is a drummer and earns As and Bs in school.
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