Local News

Cub Scouts climb to new heights at Cub Scout Fun Day

WALKER - Kootaga District Buckskin Council held its Cub Scout Fun Day at Camp Kootaga on Saturday afternoon.

The event provided a fun experience for Cub Scouts just joining the organization, "so that members have a bit of immediate gratification of joining Cub Scouts and having fun," said Andrew Murphy, scouting professional.

Murphy said the day is to "have a good first outing with Cub Scouts who are just joining for the fall recruitment drive, as well as an opportunity for them to do some cool stuff that they might not be able to do on the unit level."

The event included a free rocket that the scouts assembled and were fired off by Kootaga District Member at Large John Shepherd, at the end of the day.

He said the rockets "are cool because it gives them something they can do hands on to build, and then they get to see the results of their efforts."

Shepherd said the day was "a good day for them to come out, see some stuff we do in Cub Scouts, and get an opportunity to run around and burn off some energy."

Brandon Mercer, Kootaga District chairman, said Cub Scouts and Scouting of America teaches kids "a lot of skills that aren't taught in the classroom. We teach them to cook and clean. We teach them to be good citizens and participate in their local community."

The event was free for scouts and families were welcome to participate, the event featured an opportunity to "tackle the bouldering grotto or face off against the climbing tower."

Shepherd said joining Scouting of America is now designed for the whole family.

"It's family scouting, the family can come out and camp and the scout is going to learn responsibility, community, citizenship, and ethics. He's going to learn how to make good choices and we’re going to show him how to make those choices."

Sophie Wheeler can be reached at swheeler@newsandsentinel.com.