Denise Riste said "show me."

She needed proof.

Riste had seen how the Cub Scouting experience helped her children, but she needed to see how it helped others.

Riste got the proof she needed and now there's no looking back. She is an enthusiastic Cub Scouting leader and one of several who will be helping with the Fun Camp Thursday and Friday at the Mower County Fairgrounds.

"Denise is a great volunteer for Cub Scouting," said Sue Register, also a scouting cubmaster. "She does so much for the boys. We need more volunteers like her."

Riste and her husband, Steve, have two sons, Nick, 15, and Dusty, 13. Both are active members of the Boy Scouts of American organization and Nick is a budding Eagle Scout award-winner.

Riste is cubmaster for Lyle Pack No. 120 of Cub Scouts of America. Lyle American Legion Post No. 105 sponsors the pack.

Eight years ago, Riste became involved as a scouting leader.

"I was a Brownie when I was a little girl, but after marriage and becoming a mother, I got involved in more things and scouting was one of them," she said.

Both she and her husband became den leaders in Lyle.

"What I like about scouting is that it keeps our family close," she said. "I think scouting also teaches children morals and they can learn a lot of the basic skills of life."

What really turned Riste on to becoming a scouting volunteer was the experience of being an adult leader.

"When you see them come to the meetings after school and they are so bored, but after spending an hour with their friends they don't want to leave when it's time to go home," she said.

Riste also said she and her husband met friends of their own by their participation in the Twin Valley Council activities.

On Thursday and Friday, Rise and 14 adult volunteers will gather at the Mower County fairgrounds in southwest Austin.

Over 50 Cub Scouts are expected to participate in the summertime ritual as well as 20 Wobbles.

For more information about becoming a Cub Scouting volunteer, call Riste at 325-4706.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com