O’Neill Girl Scouts raise money, build Gaga Ball pit in Ford Park

O’NEILL, NE — Gaga means game on in O’Neill.

The O’Neill Chamber of Commerce and Girl Scouts Troop 1985 cut the ribbon on a new gaga ball pit in Ford Park on Saturday. Gaga ball is described as a fusion of four square and dodgeball played in an octagonal pit. It is gaining popularity across the country, especially at summer camps. That’s where 12-year-olds Savannah Gallagher and Grace Mitchell learned about the game. They fundraised and helped build the pit in order to bring gaga ball to town.

“A bunch of dads came out with their power tools and they drilled holes," Mitchell said. "(Then) we put the green parts on.”

“We have a garage sale once a year that helped and then we got some grants from the community also,” Gallagher said.

“Our cookie fundraisers and nuts and candy fundraisers helped to get the money for this,” Mitchell said.

The girls needed a project that included the whole troop and helped the community in order to earn their bronze award. They persevered through pandemic-related delays to get it finished. Parents say they notice kids using the new pit almost every day.