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Cub Scouts compete at Freeze-Out event
By Sean Barron
CANFIELD
About three months ago, Nick Johnson and his teenage sister were home alone when a circuit breaker malfunctioned in their home.
But the 9-year-old boy knew what to do to remedy the problem.
“He knew how to reset that breaker, thanks to what he learned in Cub Scouts,” recalled Nick’s father, Nick Johnson Sr. “I’m proud of what he has learned in Cub Scouts; it’s helped him out a lot.”
Suffice it to say that father and son received an added dose of pride – not to mention a slew of fun activities – thanks to Saturday’s 2017 Cub Scout Freeze-Out at Camp Stambaugh, 3712 Leffingwell Road.
More than 400 Scouts in grades one through five and their parents, along with Boy Scout members and other adults, came to the all-day outdoor gathering, hosted by Whispering Pines District Great Trails Council Boy Scouts of America. The annual event had a theme of “CubScoutGO” because it also was part of what’s called an in-real-life adaptation of Pokemon GO, a location-based, free-to-play augmented reality game developed largely for Android devices.
“Seeing my friends!” said an excited Nick, a member of Struthers-based Cub Scout Pack 101, referring to one of his favorite aspects of Scouting.
Nick’s father, a den leader for Pack 101 who’s also a certified first-aid instructor, said he’s pleased that his son and his other children have learned the set of life-saving techniques.
One of the Freeze-Out’s primary goals was to allow the youngsters to learn key concepts such as fire-building, safety and the EDGE (explain, demonstrate, guide and enable) method for teaching a variety of skills. In addition, the event reinforced valuable traits, including teamwork and respect for nature and people, as well as the importance of cooperation and good communication, all of which usually leads to greater self-determination, character-building, self-worth and success, noted Steph Kelly, event chairwoman.
Participants took part in five stations, four of which challenged them to “capture Pokemons” by successfully completing the requirements. One such activity had the youngsters toss balls into a commode, to reinforce the concept of conservation and being responsible for knowing what to do to properly handle one’s trash, explained Jeff Wormley, Troop 101’s Scoutmaster.
“It’s extremely hard to do,” Wormley told a group of assembled Cub Scouts about successfully performing all of the activities.
At another station, Collin Leonard, a member of Canfield-based Boy Scout Troop 115, explained to the Cub Scouts the EDGE concept during a flag-folding activity. Leonard said he learned the method while taking part in the National Youth Leadership Training effort, which is an incarnation of a training program the Boy Scouts of America offers.
“Even if they’re torn, give them the same respect as if they’re new,” added Mark Miller, Troop 115’s assistant Scoutmaster, as he demonstrated proper flag-folding etiquette.
Stephen Bartos, a Cardinal Mooney High School 11th-grader and a member of Boy Scout Troop 101, explained to a group of youngsters basic safety protocol for cold weather, such as being properly dressed and carrying water to prevent dehydration.
In a more subdued activity, about a dozen Cub Scouts gathered in what appeared to be a small, unfinished chapel for a few moments of silence to express gratitude for their health and being able to come to Camp Stambaugh.
“They were to thank the Lord for this campsite and for the kids to not be sick,” said Chris Ferrick, a Struthers Middle School eighth-grader and Troop 101 member.
Besides providing numerous fun-filled, challenging activities and invaluable knowledge, being part of Cub Scouts gives many youngsters opportunities to more greatly appreciate nature while taking a break from the routines of school and the ubiquity of technology, explained Chairwoman Kelly.
In addition, the experience lets participants incorporate the power of motivation and other positive traits that carry lifelong implications and worth, she continued.
“The very foundation of Scouting is, ‘Do your best,’” Kelly said, adding that it also motivates many parents to be part of the program.