Community Experience; Day camp for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts brings fun for all
Published 8:48 am Friday, June 8, 2018
- James Ekins, 10, and a Cub Scout, takes aim with a slingshot during the first daycamp for Cub Scouts, hosted through the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center on Thursday. Photos by Hannah Yang/hannah.yang@austindailyherald.com
Ping. Ping. Ping.
James Ekins took careful aim at a series of targets with a slingshot on the grounds of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center on Thursday.
A Cub Scout, Ekins was one of 28 children—along with his 7-year-old brother Clark— who came to learn the finer points about scouting, as well as enjoying the fun that came along with being an outdoors explorer. With a quick pull, his target was hit with a satisfying ping.
“The fun parts are fun,” the 10-year-old boy shared. “The outdoors stuff, playing frisbee and making friends.”
James hits a target with a slingshot during a day camp at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center on Thursday, as part of the Scoutreach program.
Hosting a day camp through the nature center was possible through a grant provided by The Hormel Foundation, United Way and Otto Bremer Foundation, according to Denise Zernechel, district executive for the Boy Scouts of America Twin Valley Council.
This day camp was actually the first time that was being offered to youth from Pack 111 for Scoutreach children, which is the BSA’s commitment to ensuring all youth have an opportunity to join the scouts, regardless of their economic or ethnic backgrounds, with an emphasis in urban and rural scouting programs.
“These kids are getting an opportunity that they wouldn’t necessarily be able to do,” Zernechel explained. “They’re learning to tie knots, and they’re learning to respect themselves and each other. The nature center has been really great to work with. This (day camp) is a nice way to top my year.”
Clark Ekins, 7, and a Cub Scout, practices tying knots during a day camp that was held at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center on Thursday.
Children got the opportunity to shoot slingshots, create oozing slime as a component of the scouts’ STEM focus, and went on an adventure hike to experience scouting in the outdoors.
Jacob Ekins, a former Boy Scout and father of James and Clark, was ecstatic that a day camp program was held at the nature center. He had enjoyed being a scout when he was a child, and was excited to bring his sons into the tradition of joining the Cub Scouts and eventually the Boy Scouts when they’re older.
“It’s really nice, and it’s a community experience,” Jacob said. “They’re developing skills and morals, and learning how to be good citizens. I did Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and loved it. My boys are happy to be a part of it.”
