Scouts are home free in land of the braves

Special to The Vindicator

TEPEE TIME: Boys of Cub Scout Pack 100, based in Hubbard, enjoyed learning about American Indians when they roughed it at Camp Stambaugh in Canfield earlier this month. The theme was Native American Adventure.

CANFIELD — The Cub Scouts of Pack 100 in Hubbard have had an adventurous summer so far, especially since they braved part of it in Indian fashion.

Pack 100 attended Native American Adventure Cub Scout Resident Camp at Camp Stambaugh in Canfield from July 10 through 13.

The Scouts were given Indian names and were referred to as braves. The braves received coup sticks, which are long, slender sticks Indian warriors used to prove their bravery.

They would go up to an enemy and touch him with it, putting themselves at great danger, instead of shooting him from a long distance. The boys decorated their coup sticks with turkey feathers and all the beads they earned at camp, such as by getting bull’s eyes with BB guns and by showing Scout spirit.

Among the other activities were archery, nature hiking, Indian history, crafts and games.

In the evenings, the braves and elders enjoyed a campfire with roots in 1933, when a group of Scouts from Iowa saved ashes from their fire and began a tradition. The ashes have traveled around the world, and this was the 1,016th fire that incorporated the ashes.

At camp, three leaders were honored in a ceremony to earn the Stambaugh Patch.

The men had to have 10 days and nights of camping under canvas and 10 hours of service at Camp Stambaugh. Not only did Skeeter Baird, Robert Dixon and Steve Kacir earn their patches, but they also stood in the pouring rain for the ceremony.

Pack 100 is grateful to everyone in the Greater Western Reserve Council who worked to make this event a success. The boys had a great time and are already talking about next year. They also appreciate the work parents put in. The camp site decorations and all the hard work made the stay special.

The Scouts are getting ready for the annual Pinewood Derby from 4-7 p.m. Saturday at Harding Park in Hubbard. To find out more about Cub Scouts, call (330) 534-0847.