When 17-year-old Michael Zukoff stepped up and offered to plan and build an outdoor sanctuary at his family’s Clarkston church, he knew only one thing for sure ? if he was going to do the project, he was going to do it right.
Then a junior at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michael was on the path to becoming an Eagle Scout, and the undertaking at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church was to be his service project, one of several tasks required by the Boy Scouts for young men pursuing the rank of Eagle.
As he entered the 11th grade, Michael knew he was approaching the Boy Scout’s highest rank ? the journey began when he climbed into a Tiger Cub uniform at the age of 6, and continued year after year as he returned to the pack, even when other boys began dropping out. With each new accomplishment and each new skill, Michael’s dedication and enthusiasm for scouting continued to mount.
But Michael, who is a Life Scout and the Senior Patrol Leader of troop 192 out of Davisburg, knew that the title of Eagle Scout was an honor to be taken seriously. It had to be earned, and Michael wanted his service project to make an impact, and set a precedent for those rising in the ranks behind him.
‘Michael is a perfectionist,? said his mother, Colette Zukoff, adding that Michael’s brother Ryan, 14, also belongs to troop 192. ‘When he takes on a project he does it the absolute best he can. He’s always been one to set his sights high and never settles for anything mediocre.?
So when he heard Pastor Jonathon Heierman speaking that Sunday about impending improvements to the church, Michael, now a senior at Clarkston High School, knew he’d found the right place for his project. Recently confirmed at Calvary, Michael hoped he could offer something in return.
‘He felt like he gained so much from his confirmation,? said Colette. ‘He wanted to repay the church.?
Michael met with Heierman, who arrived at Calvary with his family in 1998, then he talked with other members of the church staff, tossed around a few ideas, and before long a plan developed: Michael would draw up plans, raise funds and build an outdoor sanctuary on the grounds of the church.
‘It was fun to see,? said Heierman. ‘It started out small, but as Michael got into the project it grew and it grew and grew. He had a passion to make sure it was right and he was willing to put a lot of extra work and effort into it to make sure it was right.?
The plan would require materials, of course, so Michael got to work with popcorn sales and other Boy Scout fund-raisers. He organized collections at the church and asked for donations.
He drew up plans for the sanctuary, and then drew them up again, and again, until the church approved all the ideas. He researched the materials, figured out what to buy, and asked for advice from his parents and other adults when he needed it.
And then, with the help of the scouts he was charged with leading, Michael got down to business.
All in all, the project includes the construction of a granite-top alter, a wooden crucifix, 15 benches, a brick patio, and a fire pit.
‘My troop found out that I’m really picky about details,? he said, recalling the times he pushed the boys, most between the ages of 11 and 16, to keep going and improve on the quality their work, even when they insisted the job they’d done was sufficient. ‘But I couldn’t have done it without them.?
Over the course of the project, said Michael’s mom, the family’s garage became a no-cars-allowed woodshop, and the hot tub house in the yard was rendered unusable ? except as a place to stain cedar boards that would become Calvary’s new benches.
The kitchen also became a makeshift restaurant as hungry scouts spent a great many hours working at the Zukoff home.
The outdoor sanctuary was finished in late summer and dedicated on Calvary’s Rally Sunday, Sept. 10. Several hundred people attended the service in the church, then came outside to receive communion and take part in the dedication ceremony, where Michael was publicly recognized for his work.
‘This was an absolutely awesome Eagle Scout project,? said Heierman, adding that members of the community are welcome to use the sanctuary if they check with the church office first. ‘We’ve had many, many Eagle Scout projects given to Calvary, and yet this one far exceeded our expectations.?
By the time all was said and done, Michael and his fellow scouts ? and perhaps a few other volunteers ? had logged 700 work hours over the course of a year to complete the project. The majority of Eagle projects are finished in far fewer hours.
‘An Eagle project is supposed to be a challenge for a scout,? Michael said. ? I have a strong passion for doing things the way they’re meant to be done.?
With the project finished, Michael must submit a report to the church and the Boy Scout Council, including a summary of what he learned.
That part, said Michael, would be easy.
‘I learned to never assume anything,? he said.
Calvary is located at 6805 Bluegrass Drive in Clarkston and can be contacted at 248-625-3288.