On April 2, 2011, Isaac Huftel from Troop 599, celebrated his Eagle Scout Court of Honor in recognition of earning the rank of Eagle Scout.
Isaac joined scouts at the age of six as a Tiger scout in Pack 300. Isaac earned all the ranks of Cub Scouting including the Arrow of Light Award, and then transitioned over to Troop 599 chartered through the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Merrill.
As a Boy Scout, Isaac earned the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and finally the Eagle Scout rank. In addition he earned the religious awards Parvuli Dei and Ad Altare Dei. Isaac was called out to become a member of the Order of the Arrow on Aug. 1, 2007, and became a Brotherhood Member of the OA on July 31, 2008. Isaac continues to be active in the troop and has earned his first Eagle Palm on July 5, 2011. Isaac participated in two high adventure trips in 2010 with one being a five day whitewater rafting trip in Colorado and the other being a 10-day, 78 mile hike at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He also enjoys teaching the younger scouts skills needed to advance in rank and helped conduct swim tests for scout camp as he is a certified Red Cross Life Guard.
Isaac’s Eagle project consisted of guiding other scouts, friends and family in the construction of 12 Bat Nursery Houses. The 12 houses were placed in the various city parks and the Council Grounds State Park in Merrill. Several of the houses do have bats using them and two were lost to the storm that hit Merrill April 10.
Isaac is the son of Thomas and Audrey Huftel of Merrill and the grandson of Stan and Genevieve Huftel of Menomonie, and Leone Peloch of Praire du Chien. Isaac will be a junior at Merrill High School this fall. Isaac participates in soccer and track and is a member of the Octagon Club. He is member of the St. Francis Xavier Parish in Merrill serves as an usher. He also teaches swim lessons and life guards over the summer in addition to playing summer soccer, and is a member of the wait staff at Lincoln Lanes.