Teen finds need at work to complete Eagle Scout project

While working at the Owatonna Gun Club, Aiden Thurber came across something that he felt needed some attention and he set out to do something about it.

As part of his weekend duties at the club, the Owatonna teenager scores the shooters and loads targets. The scoring takes place from special scoring benches. “I noticed they were all beaten up and not comfortable,” he said of the benches. He added paint was chipped off and wheels rusted.

Looking for something to do for his Eagle Scout project, the benches fit the bill perfectly. After going to a couple of board meetings at the club, Thurber was off and running with his project.

Thurber described the process of renovating the benches as difficult. He began planning last May and started refurbishing the benches in October. Most of the work took place at his home with fellow Scouts and family members helping him. He estimated about 30 people were involved in the project.

He recently finished the last of nine scoring benches.

In addition to the extensive planning process, he also had to raise funds through donations from local businesses and community members. He raised about $1,900 for the project. Some of the major donators that provided supplies included Alexander Lumber, Ifacs, JJ Engraving and Nelson Sandblasting.

“The Gun Club hasn’t seen benches look that good for a while,” said Thurber, who has been in Scouts since he was in first grade.

One thing that took Thurber by surprise throughout the process was that he found himself in more of a leadership role than doing the work itself. “I was the lead on the project and delegated jobs to others,” he said. “It was difficult for me to tell people what to do. I’m used to helping others, but not delegating.”

Asked if he found the project to be overwhelming, Thurber responded: “Oh yeah, many times.” He estimates about 300 hours were involved with the project, including about one-third of that time from himself.

Thurber said he has gained leadership qualities and communication skills from the Eagle Scout project.

Recognizing that only one in every 10 scouts achieve such an honor, Thurber is especially thrilled to earn his Eagle Scout. He is the fourth member in Owatonna’s Troop 246 to earn the highest ranking in Scouts within the past year. They will be recognized at a banquet next month.

“It makes me feel really proud,” Thurber said, adding his entire family is proud of his accomplishment. He is the second member of his extended family to gain the Eagle Scout honor.

Thurber’s mother, Amanda Wille, said has enjoyed seeing his development. “It has been fun to watch him grow through the process,” she said.

In 2022, Thurber attended the High Adventure Camp in Florida where he canoed out to an island and stayed there for a week. He said he quickly found out that the world can revolve without the use of a cell phone.

Scouts isn’t the only activity Thurber is involved in. The junior at Owatonna High School is a member of the swim and dive team as well as trapshooting. In school, he enjoys computer graphics. He is considering a career focused on animations.

Thurber said he initially got into Scouts when his friend, Connor McBroom, convinced him to join as a Cub Scout. He finds it interesting that in later years, he convinced McBroom to join swimming and trapshooting.

“It’s heartbreaking and sad that scouting is coming to an end,” Thurber said.

But he knows the experience he has gained from Scouts will stick with him for the rest of his life.

Thurber is the son of Amanda and Mathew Wille and Dana Thurber.