Scouts enjoy camp
Published 8:58 am Monday, June 16, 2014
Approximately 150 Cub Scouts wrapped up a week’s worth of fun, fellowship and learning the essentials of scouting Saturday during camp at Five Lakes Campground in Bush.
The 40-acre property is owned by Col. Robert Miller and Jimbo Stillwell. Cub Scouts from Washington and St. Tammany parishes use the campground. The first week of camp ran June 2 through 8. The second week ran from June 9 to June 14.
One of the more popular activities includes canoeing on the lake. Activities centered on the lake included a water slide and rope swings. Shooting sports give scouts the opportunity to improve their marksmanship skills in archery, BB guns and slingshots.
Activities also included woodworking, crafts, nature appreciation, games of chess signifying the camp’s “Scouts of the Round Table” theme and instruction on appropriately folding the U.S. flag.
Scouts also get instruction on how to tie knots and learn the overall essentials of scouting.
“(The activities) help teach them life skills and help them get a head start to their next rank,” camp director Tammy Durst, who is in her third year as camp director, said. “It’s also a place where they can have fun, too.”
Volunteer Ann Arata is in her 10th year at the camp. She said she has seen how the camp helps youngsters grow.
“The camp exposes them to things they don’t normally get to do every day,” she said.
Laurie Bonura is the camp’s program director.
There were more than 80 volunteers working with the kids, who are in first through fifth grades, during the two camps.
Eight-year-old Will Culpepper and Jonah Holston, 9, were all smiles as they took their turns at the rope swing. Culpepper is in his third year at the camp, while it’s the sixth year for Holston. Both said they like every aspect of camp.
“I like camp in that it’s very fun and we get to do a lot of activities,” Culpepper said. “My favorite thing is waterfront activities like the rope swing, slides, canoes and beach area.”
“I like the walking and chanting and the waterfront activities,” Holston added.