Parent Magazine Volusia May 2019 | Page 26

Over 2 million young people have earned the rank of Eagle Scout. In 2018, over 1.8 million Merit Badges were earned nationwide. BSA programs serve boys & girls between the ages of 6 and 21. The Boy Scouts of America, or BSA, strives to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. They do this in a variety of ways for a variety of ages, ranging from boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth grade in Cub Scout programs, to young men and women in middle and high school as members of Scouts BSA and Venturing. Leadership is put in the hands of the youth, as they learn skills that begin with basics like camping, cooking, and knots, and progress to civics, personal finances, and project management. Scouting truly prepares young people for life. Back at Camp La-No-Che, a week later, 1000 Cub Scouts and their families gather for the first of the annual Cub Scout Halloween Weekends. The young Scouts, many of them only 6 or 7 years old, are full of energy, something the staff is counting on! When the flags are up and announcements have ended, the Scouts (and their parents and families) launch into a day full of program, from archery to swimming to crafts to scavenger hunts, taking them all over the 1600-acre property. By dusk, far from being tired, the Cub Scouts trade their uniforms for costumes and begin the “fright night” portion of the weekend, complete with houses and trails that are “haunted” by older Scouts, offering a “boo” and then a giggle to set the younger Scouts’ nerves at ease. That’s another thing that makes Scouting in Central Florida Council and the BSA unique: older Scouts are actively engaged with younger ones to help them learn and grow. Cub Packs and Scout Troops collaborate each week and month in meetings, sharing resources and guidance that help all Scouts grow. Camp is staffed, not by a full time staff of adults, but by older Scouts themselves, offering skills training and fun, helping the newer Scouts experience the adventure that they themselves experienced. Whether navigating a spooky trail for the first time or a shaky, ropes course high in the air, Scouts know that their older peers have their back, every step of the way. Scouting isn’t just for these young people, it’s for YOU! You are welcome to join the fun and adventure of all our Scouting programs in the Central Florida Council. Joining is EASY: just visit www.cflscouting.org/join-scouting for all the information needed to start your adventure. Does camp sound exciting? You don’t know the half of it! Camp La-No-Che is a WORLD FAMOUS outdoor destination, visited by Scouts and non-Scouts throughout the year for unparalleled programs! Your family, community group, Scout unit, or corporate team is welcome to use camp anytime. More information is available at www.camplanoche.com/reserve-camp SEE YOU ON THE SCOUTING TRAIL! www.camplanoche.com 26 | V O L U S I A parent M A G A Z I N E