MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Twenty-two Station children rounded out their summer vacation recently by participating in a Cub Scout Camp held at the Main Gym and surrounding area.
The camp served as a way to show young boys what the Cub Scouts are all about, and to raise their interest in joining the organization, according to Maj. John Forti, Cub Scout chairman.
"We actually had more boys who aren't in the Cub Scouts participating in this camp than we had regular Cub Scouts," said Forti. "Iwakuni just had a large turnover in personnel and we lost about 10 boys as a result. This camp has been an opportunity for us to show the youth on Station what the Cub Scouts has to offer them."
The Cub Scouts are open to any interested boys in grades one through five. Groups such as the Cub Scouts are especially important to children aboard Iwakuni due to the communities size, noted Forti.
"Being overseas, our community isn't as large and sometimes that limits the activities available to these kids," said Forti.
Boys who join the Cub Scouts gradually progress through different skill levels which are recognized with patches displayed on their uniforms.
"They'll earn buckles and patches as they work through the Scouts," said Forti. "They do everything from learning survival skills to learning about different kinds of music."
During the camp the boys also worked on a variety of projects involving woodworking and leather crafts.
"The projects they do are aimed at helping them learn and have fun at the same time," said Staci Sherck, Cub Scouts den leader. "It gives them a real sense of pride and accomplishment when they finish these projects and take them home to show their families what they made."
The Cub Scouts also pride themselves with trying to strengthen ties between the boys and their families as well, according to Sherck.
"Sometimes we give them projects they have to take home and have their parents help them finish," said Sherck. "The boys themselves have a special bond with each other by being in the Scouts. They're excited about scouting and seeing some of their schoolmates at the meetings."
It didn't take long to start enjoying the fun at the Cub Scout Camp, according to 6-year-old Spencer Keating, Cub Scout Camp participant.
"I like it a lot," said Keating. "Building the catapults has been the best part so far."
The Cub Scouts hope that what the boys learn in the time they spend in the organization will carry with them throughout their lives, noted Forti.
"Besides giving these boys a sense of belonging, it also helps them to realize their role in our community," said Forti. "We start every meeting with the pledge of allegiance and base what we teach them around values like respect, honesty and patriotism. All the things we hope will make them better kids."
The opportunity for the Cub Scouts themselves are possible thanks to assistance from the community and the hours given by volunteers who help out, noted Forti.
"The Station itself helps us every way they can and the hard work our volunteers put in really has an impact on these boys," said Forti. "I really feel that the boys and these volunteers benefit each other more than they realize."
Although this camp is over, the Cub Scouts hold regular meetings and activities throughout the year, noted Forti.
"We'll be holding a round-up event at the M.C. Perry Elementary school September fourth," said Forti. "We like to spread the word at school and get a lot of friends joining up together. One of the greatest lessons they learn in the Cub Scouts is simply how to interact with others."
To find out more information about joining the Cub Scouts, or to help by volunteering, call Forti at 253-3541 or Mary Jane Johnson at 253-2557.
"I had a great time at the camp," said Keating. "The Cub Scouts are really fun."