Cubs’ cold competition

A demonstration on flying and landing a small plane also was presented.

By SEAN BARRON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

CANFIELD — When it comes to tugging, pulling and flexing a few muscles in cold weather, 11-year-old Sam Buzas isn’t shy.

“The tug-of-war was my favorite,” said Sam, a fifth-grader at Poland McKinley Elementary School. “It’s fun to have a little competition.”

Sam, who’s been a Cub Scout for five years, was referring to one of the team activities set up as part of Saturday’s annual Cub Scout Freeze-Out 2008 program at Camp Stambaugh, 3712 Leffingwell Road. The Poland boy came with his mother, Ginny Buzas, and also participated in two other events, he said.

A flight simulator and remote-control planes were at the top of the list for Eric Baker, 10, of Boardman, who came with his father, Steve Baker.

“My favorite activity so far is getting to fly a virtual airplane,” said Eric, adding that his desire to be a Cub Scout was enhanced by his father’s having been one.

Sam and Eric were among roughly 200 boys ages 7 to 11 from 18 Cub Scout packs, as well as about 170 parents and leaders, to attend the eight-hour program put on by the Whispering Pines District of the Greater Western Reserve Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The district serves Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

The youngsters endured 30-degree temperatures to participate in activities at four stations that featured rope making, global positioning systems, oversize soccer, an obstacle course, remote-control planes and a flight simulator. The groups rotated every 90 minutes from site to site.

At the rope-making area, the boys had to make and cut a 10-foot rope, and try to lift a 22-inch ball with four 15-foot ropes attached to a plastic ring. Rounding out the activity was a four-team game of tug-of-war.

Other teams used hand-held global positioning system devices to find markers at five locations throughout the camp. Each site had a container with candy.

In another section, unconventional soccer was played with four teams trying to protect their territory from incoming balls. Participants were encouraged to throw or roll the balls but could not kick them.

A pair of obstacle courses was set up nearby, on which a blindfolded boy had to maneuver by relying on instructions from his teammates.

For those more inclined to spread their wings a bit, instructions on flying remote-control planes were available. Afterward, the Scouts used a flight simulator to get a sense of what it’s like to fly and land a plane.

Whetting their appetite for taking to the skies was Stephen Gerish, president of the North Jackson-based Nighthawks Inc., who gave a demonstration on flying a helicopter and an electronic foam plane. A computer-operated radio helped control the small aircraft, which was capable of flying up to 100 mph, Gerish explained.

All of the activities are tied together by a heavy emphasis on teamwork, cooperation and a positive attitude, noted Tracy Rusk Jr., Whispering Pines’ program director for winter events

Rusk, Sarah Marino, Western Reserve’s district executive, and David Oaks, the district’s program chairman, coordinated the event.

The Freeze-Out program continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. next Saturday at Camp Stambaugh.