A trip to a YMCA Camp called Deer Valley Camp in Fort Hill inspired David Domalik’s Eagle Scout project.

After playing a variation of dodgeball, called gaga, which means “touch-touch” in Hebrew, David, 15, was disappointed by the lack of places to play the game in Pittsburgh.

“The game was played nonstop the entire week at camp, and I was surprised it was not more popular elsewhere,” David said. “After some research, I decided to try and build a pit as my Eagle project and share the game of gaga,” he said.

David, a Life scout in Troop 834 and the son of Daniel and Janet Domalik of Green Tree, will be building a gaga pit at Aiken Elementary School in the Keystone Oaks District in the coming weeks.

This marks the first time an Eagle Scout project will be done in Keystone Oaks.

Gaga is played in a hexagonal or octagonal pit and combines several athletic activities like dodging, running and jumping, where the last person standing is the winner. To begin a game, one player throws the gaga ball in the air and after three bounces, during which the players shout “Ga,” the ball is in play.

Unlike traditional dodgeball, players cannot throw above the waist and a player is out if the ball strikes them below the knees.

“I felt Aiken would be an idea location for several reasons,” David said. “The playground had a flat spot and was fenced in. Not much has been added to the playground in recent years, so a new game was needed,” he said.

“I thought this would be a good way to give back to the school. Aiken just seemed like the best place for the district and where it would get the most use,” David said of his former elementary school.

“Overall, it promotes fitness, outdoor play and will attract more people to the area,” David said.

He added, there is a hockey rink, soccer fields, baseball fields and a track near the school that pull in people from Green Tree and other areas, so a gaga pit should be the right fit for the area.

“Kids whose brothers and sisters play sports games behind Aiken but don’t want to watch them play can go play gaga while they are waiting,” David said.

Keystone Oaks is helping David out with the project by supplying $800 toward wood and other materials.

David was able to get some discounts on the price, which was originally nearly $1,000, by visiting local businesses. He said Ace Hardware on Greentree Road donated two gallons of wood stain, Home Depot in Collier gave him a $25 discount and Lowe’s of Scott gave him half off on the wood for the project. He said in total, the donations and discounts saved him more than $150.

“This is a great opportunity for scouts to collaborate with the district in providing a service project that benefits the district’s students and all children throughout our communities,” said William Stropkaj, Keystone Oaks superintendent.

“I’m so proud of David for giving back to his community with his time and leadership,” said David’s dad, Dan Domalik, who is a member of the Keystone Oaks school board.

“David loved Aiken and has very good memories of his years there The gaga pit will be a fun addition to the Aiken playground,” he said.

Mr. Domalik said he hopes many more prospective Eagle Scouts, Keystone Oaks alumni and other community organizations offer ideas to give back to the district.

Mr. Stropkaj agrees.

“I encourage future Eagle Scouts to reach out to the district when exploring possibilities for a project,” Mr. Stropkaj said. “This is a great way for the district to partner with the community and community organizations and to help build leadership skills in our children while they provide a service to the district and community.” 

“There is never a shortage of potential projects, large and small. Keystone Oaks residents love our districts and have many good ideas for ways to improve it. I hope Eagle Scout candidates and other members of the Keystone Oaks community contact Dr. Stropkaj or come to a board meeting with their ideas and offers to help,” Mr. Domalik said.

With the help of family, friends and his scout troop, David hopes to start construction at the end of July.

“My overall goal is to have the project completely finished by the beginning of the school year,” David said.

Deana Carpenter, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.

First Published: July 24, 2015, 4:00 a.m.