By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Be Prepared. For more than 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has helped young men prepare for a responsible and productive adulthood. Great Bend scout organizations are hosting a free registration event on Tuesday, Aug. 30 with a free mini-golf game at the Walnut Bowl.
"They should definitely come and learn more about scouting, ask the leaders, have fun doing a round of golf," said Boy Scouts District Executive Kyle Moore. "The Aldridge Trust pays for their ability to be a member in scouting. They can definitely come and check out some extra meetings after that for free, as well. Their registration is covered."
Boy Scouts promotes family time, personal responsibility, problem-solving, independence, and good citizenship, among other qualities. There are summer camps, fundraising opportunities, and the always-popular Pinewood Derby races.
"The benefit of joining Scouts is it's a great way to make sure you spend time with your kids in the outdoors, helping them expand their learning potential," Moore said.
The Aug. 30 event, scheduled from 6-7 p.m., is for boys and girls who are interested in joining the scouting program. At least five girls in grade six and older would be needed to start a female troop, but girls in grades K-5 are welcome to attend pack meetings with boys.
Great Bend currently has two Cub Scout packs. Chrissy Charles' pack meets each Tuesday at the Lutheran church across from Jefferson Elementary in Great Bend. Liz Sander's pack meets biweekly on Tuesdays at the Presbyterian Church at 24th and Washington.
Great Bend Cub Scouts will be competing in the Raingutter Regatta at the Great Bend Alive event on Aug. 26. Similar to the Pinewood Derby, the race instead pits handmade boats against one another in an inflatable gutter. The boats are fueled by racers blowing into sails. That event, which is also free, will run from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26.
For more information about Boy Scouts of America, contact Moore at [email protected], or by calling him at (316) 491-7773. Sander can be reached at (620) 617-6435, and Charles can be reached at (620) 639-4559.