The Southwest Voice

These days Scouting is about a whole lot more than just tying knots. The Southern Sierra Council, Boy Scouts of America invites families to Sport Chalet at 5200 Stockdale Highway in Bakersfield on Saturday, April 12, 2008 anytime from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to get a “Taste of Scouting” and see just how far the program has come since it started in 1910 in the United States.

During the day, there will be continuous activities for the entire family to enjoy and take part in including camping equipment demonstrations where local scouts will discuss camping experiences, local camping areas, how to select a proper campsite and a proper tent and sleeping bag; there will also be a discussion and video on “Leave No Trace” principles.

Another area of interest will be a cooking demonstration of different kinds of camp food, proper food handling and cooking and the preparation and dispensing of food samples. Scouts will also demonstrate Emergency Preparedness techniques, how to set up your own home emergency kit, distribution of FEMA literature and demonstration of basic first aid practices the whole family can use such as preparing an arm sling, how to treat a sprained ankle and a head wound.

There will also be Fly Fishing demonstrations where scouts will demonstrate how to tie fish knots, talk about fish/wildlife management and equipment demonstrations by the Kern Flyfishers.

Bike Bakersfield will join the scouts that day and will offer a Bike Safety and Obstacle Course, geared mainly to first through fifth grade youth. Families are encouraged to bring their children’s bicycles and participate in this event.

Bike Bakersfield is also interested in organizing a Bicycle Venture Crew for young men and women at least 14 years of age and who have completed the eighth grade or who are 15 years old and not yet 21. More information on this exciting opportunity will be available at the Taste of Scouting event.

The Southern Sierra Council will offer Cub Scout age boys (1st through fifth grade) a chance to experience the excitement of a Pinewood Derby race as they observe a race in action. In addition, any Cub Scout age boy whose parents sign him up in Cub Scouts on April 12^th will receive his own FREE Pinewood Derby Car Kit. These new Cub Scouts are encouraged to bring their finished cars back to the Council Pinewood Derby Race on May 10^th and race them in the heat associated with their age group.

There will be other Scouting-oriented activities that day as well. The entire day is free to the public. The Southern Sierra Council will have a recruiting table where families can sign up their Cub Scout (1^st through 5^th grade boys), Boy Scout (completed 5^th grade and is at least 10 years old or is age 11 but not yet 18 years old) or Venture Scout age boy or girl (at least 14 and completed the 8^th grade or 15 years of age but not yet 21). The pro-rated registration fee for all programs is $8.00 per member.  There will be a list of available units, contact names, phone numbers and times of meetings to assist parents with finding the right unit for their child. For additional information, contact the Southern Sierra Council, Boy Scouts of America at 661-325-9036 or the event chairman Ray Bays at 661-599-9030.

Come see why Scouting is a whole lot more than tying knots. It’s about building character, developing valuable skills, and having fun!