POLSON — Among the Boy Scouts of America, the Eagle Scout Project is a true marker of growing up.

Throughout a young man’s career in the Boy Scouts, he must complete various projects and display various leadership skills in order to climb his way through six echelons of seniority in the club before he is eligible to start his Eagle Project. If the project is completed before his 18th birthday, he will always be considered an Eagle Scout.

Polson senior Cash Sisler finally completed his Eagle project — on the evening of Friday, April 4, Sisler took the final steps to install a water fountain at Travis Dolphin dog park and another one at Kerr Dam sports complex. He chose the project to meet the requirements of the Eagle Project — to exemplify his own leadership while serving the community.

“It was a really hot day and I was running at Kerr Dam fields, and I noticed that there is no source of water there,” Sisler commented. “I thought that should be changed because kids are there all the time for sports like soccer and baseball. So I decided I would put one there and one at the dog park for the people who play there.”

In October, Sisler began meeting with the city board and the Polson Parks and Recreation department to garner support. He fundraised throughout the winter to raise the $2,500 required to purchase the fountain.

At the beginning of March, Sisler’s fundraising had been completed, and he was ready to begin construction. Due to some complications with his fountain order, Sisler’s project was not completed until the day before his 18th birthday, April 5. However, the fountain arrived on time and he was undeterred by the time crunch.

“It was difficult to deal with the project being pushed up to the last minute, but I had a plan. I’m just glad everything was done on time,” Sisler said.

During his time as a Boy Scout, Sisler has been involved in service projects in Glacier National Park, as well as hiking and skiing trips and projects helping other young men complete their Eagle Projects.

“Our troop is scout-run, and I like that,” Sisler commented. “The adults give us ideas, but we plan things together, and work on anything that could help us as scouts.”

Sisler has been involved in the Boy Scouts since he was 11 years old. He has been a Senior Patrol Leader and was inducted to the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s national honor society.

“The organization has built me morally,” Sisler said. “It has taught me responsibility, respect, the value of hard work and has really honed my leadership skills.”

Following his graduation from Polson High School in June, Sisler plans on attending West Point Military Academy. He feels that his involvement in Boy Scouts has also prepared him for that.

“Boy Scouts is loosely organized the way the military is, and it teaches similar lessons. I feel very prepared for the experiences I will have in the next several years.”