The Southwest Voice

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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, October 18, 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 the U.S. Army Climbing Wall, U.S. Army Simulator, Salvation Army Emergency Communications Van, Monkey Bridge and more.  Since the day of this event coincides with the annual BSA shortwave radio event entitled “Jamboree On The Air” or J.O.T.A., local Ham Radio operators will be on site with their equipment and will allow the public to talk with Scouts and Scouters throughout the United States and around the world.  There will also be an internet version of this event called Jamboree On The Internet (J.O.T.I.) for those wishing to “blog” with Scouts throughout the country.

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.

Any Cub Scout age boy whose parents sign him up in Cub Scouts on October 18^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 March 14^th and race them in the heat associated with their age group. Pinewood Derby kits will be picked up by local pack leaders and issued to each new Cub Scout at a later pack or den meeting.

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 $3.00 per member good through December of 2008.  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!