September 2003

Our den's summer vacation

The activities described in the March-April 2003 Front Line Stuff column for boosting pack summer attendance prompted me to share what our den has done during its summer vacation.

Cub Scouts Jeremy Schunk and Dale Anderson concentrate on game strategy during their den's summertime weekly visit with the residents of a local nursing home. Photograph Courtesy of Cassie Anderson

The boys volunteer their time reading to and playing games with the residents at Morris Nursing Home here in Bethel.

"It's fun!" says Cub Scout Jeremy Schunk.

"We like it!" adds Zachary Shaffer.

"My son enjoys reading books to the residents and playing games with them," says Carolyn Taylor, mother of Spencer. "He likes to make them feel special and happy."

"It's enlightening to watch the boys interact with the residents," says assistant den leader Nancy Schunk. "It's good experience for the boys, and it makes them feel important."

"Residents tell everyone about the boys and how they enjoy them," reports home activities director Betty Crawford.

"Meeting with the boys is such a blessing," adds resident Trish Riley.

The boys will spend some meetings throughout the year volunteering at other places, but I don't think any of them will ever forget their time getting to know the people at Morris Nursing Home.

Cassie Anderson
Den Leader, Pack 196
Bethel, Ohio

Enjoying the Jamboree-on-the-Air

The Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) 2002 was a big success in the Anthony Wayne Area Council last October. Scouts made contacts with Antarctica, England, Spain, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Japan, and places all over the United States and Canada, including lighthouses and ships.

The operator contacted in McMurdo, Antarctica, was a former Scout who gave a vivid account of weather conditions, job duties, and described seals giving birth to some 600 young on the ice shelf in front of McMurdo.

We had 756 JOTA participants at a camporee at the council's Camp Chief Little Turtle, about 100 at another camporee, and 50 at other locations. (One of our control operators was transmitting with the K2BSA call sign, with permission from the national office.)

The following are some of the radio clubs whose participation help make JOTA possible in our council: Hoosier Lakes Radio Club, Fort Wayne Radio Club, Huntington Radio Club, and The Land of Lakes Radio Club.

Al Bowman, KC9APT
Anthony Wayne Area Council Radio Club
Fort Wayne, Ind.

The Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) is sponsored by the World Organization of the Scout Movement and held every October. Look for details in the October Scouting magazine; contact JOTA Coordinator, BSA International Division, S221, 1325 W. Walnut Hill Ln., P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079, (972) 580-2405; or log on to http://www.scouting.org/international/jota.html.

Watching Scouts learn

I have the pleasure of working on the overnight Live-Aboard Youth Program at the U.S.S. Hornet Aircraft Carrier Museum. I taught school for years before joining the team here, so I love to witness young people learn.

This place is a perfect fit for Scouts. The strong values they learn during a visit are so visible to observers. I cannot express the joy I experience each time I witness a World War II veteran sharing a story about flying off the Hornet and watching the Scouts respond with awe and respect.

I know this world is going to be in good hands in the future because Scouting builds leaders. And, in a small way, we get to influence a few Scouts here by exposing them to history and patriotism.

Francine Herzer
Alameda, Calif.

The historic aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet is now a museum and memorial, moored at Alameda Point on San Francisco Bay. More information is available at U.S.S. Hornet Museum, P.O. Box 460, Pier 3, Alameda Point, Alameda, CA 94501; (510) 521-8448; or www.uss-hornet.org.

One volunteer's impact

Occasionally a pack will have a very special adult leader whose selfless devotion to the boys inspires everyone. Our pack has such a person—Kelly Endres.

Kelly began with seven new Wolf Cub Scouts. She mentored and guided them every week for four years, then watched their Arrow of Light ceremony as they all moved on to Boy Scouts.

The first time our family met Kelly was on a dark evening on our way to a pack campfire down a long, winding park road through the rain. We were hopelessly lost, when we came across a drenched woman with a smile, a poncho, and a flashlight, cheerfully giving directions to all the families at that gate.

In the two years since then, Kelly's smile never went away, and her devotion to our boys continued to inspire all of us.

We know that when our boys are adults, they will always look back fondly on her positive influence and impact on them. Thank you, Kelly!

Earl Richardson
Committee Chairman, Pack 603
Riverview, Fla.

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