Eagle Scout project puts windmill at Outdoor Classroom

(Above) Eagle Scout Jacob Chizek and Ron Andrews

Clear Lake’s Outdoor Classroom has a new feature, thanks to Clear Lake Eagle Scout Jacob Chizek.  Chizek restored and erected a windmill on the southwest side of the two acre outdoor site, located adjacent to Clear Creek Elementary School.

Not only is the windmill a striking sight on the property, it also brings a smile to the face of Outdoor Classroom creator and longtime officer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Ron Andrews.  Andrews had purchased the windmill more than 20-years ago down in the Chariton, Iowa area while traveling for work.  For several years it has been hiding in the weeds at the Outdoor Classroom waiting for the opportunity to be used.

Enter Jacob Chizek.

Chizek became aware of the windmill when he began to search for a meaningful project to earn his Eagle rank, the highest achievement in the Boy Scouting program.

“Scouting is a lot of fun,” said Chizek, reflecting on his almost 10-years in the organization.  “It’s definitely a special organization.  I’ve had all kinds of experiences that I couldn’t have gotten any

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where else.  I like the idea of a group where you can learn things like camping, life skills and leadership.”

Chizek’s Eagle Scout project called upon many skills, including planning to create a nine-foot square concrete base, anchored four-foot into the ground.  Construction of the base also involved leveling and figuring the angles needed for holes to hold the legs of the 40-foot tall windmill.  The base of the structure was one piece; sections which had been sanded and painted were added piece by piece, with a newly-painted Aeromotor paddle fan placed on top.

“Everything had to be within 7/16th of an inch,” explained Jacob.

In addition to help from his parents, Becky and Paul Chizek, Jacob was assisted with the project by fellow Troop 30 members and Andrews, who called the project the most difficult of any Eagle Scout projects he has been involved with.

Donations of funds, materials and expertise was also provided by the Clear Lake Police Benevolence Association, Noon Lions Club, Beta Sigma Phi sorority, Woodford Lumber & Home, Superior Lumber and Dean Snyder Construction Co., which provided the crane and operator to lift the pieces into place.

Although the windmill is not currently running on electricity, the paddle fan turns in the wind.  Someday the structure may conduct energy and provide aeration to the pond, or serve additional purposes, not the least of which is the opportunity for Clear Creek students to learn more about windmills and wind power.

Chizek, who will be a senior at Clear Lake High School, this fall, joins his brother, Nick, as an Eagle Scout.

You can watch the ever-changing Outdoor Classroom by tuning in to Channel 600 on CL Vision. 

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