Holmes County Scout leaders host recruitment night at Millersburg Elementary

Scout leaders of Holmes County were on the lookout for some new youth ready to tackle the joys and challenges of the Scouting world on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at Millersburg Elementary, where Scout leaders from Killbuck and Millersburg came together for an evening of fun and education.

The Scout leaders invited parents and any youth from kindergarten to fifth grade to the school, where the parents heard more about their kids joining Cub Scouts, and the kids were invited to several outdoor activities including the rainwater regatta, a pop bottle rocket experiment that shot plastic bottles high into the air. They also talked about the experience of camping and everything Scouting entails.

Scout leader Melissa Biltz said this joint venture was designed to pique the interest of youth looking for a new adventure.

She said while many kids are involved in sports, they may not realize there is room for both sports and Scouts, and both ventures promote many of the same aspects, from teamwork and personal fitness to work ethic and developing leadership.

“It’s an introduction to Scouting,” Biltz said. “The one message we are really promoting right now is that kids can enjoy both sports and Scouts.”

Currently, Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery is serving as the promotional voice of Scouting in the nation. Montgomery was a Scout growing up and said the character-building traits and work ethic he learned from Scouting was instrumental in his drive to become a professional football player.

“He was an Eagle Scout, and he talks about how Scouting was actually his first play, and without it, he wouldn’t be where he is today,” Biltz said of Montgomery. “He said it opened the door to a new path that he might otherwise not have gone down. If he can do both sports and Scouts, anyone can. It is simply learning how to best manage time, and that is something that everyone can work on.”

She said making new friends while doing activities the whole family can enjoy together adds to the allure of Scouting.

While Biltz went into the Millersburg Elementary lunchroom to chat with the parents who came to visit during the evening, the youth remained outside, where Pack 357 Cub Scout Master Derrick Fox showcased some of the activities.

“The beginning of the school year is a perfect time to introduce kids to the joys of Scouting,” Fox said. “Most of these young kids may not know that much about the Scouts and the organization, so we are doing this to introduce them to some of the activities they would get to do pretty much right from the start of their Scouting experience.”

Fox said the fun of Scouting isn’t limited to just the Scouts, and the experience becomes so much more enjoyable when parents take an interest in what their youngsters are doing.

“It presents plenty of opportunities for parents to get more involved in their children’s lives in a very positive way,” Fox said. “Plus, the friendships these kids create through becoming a Scout are wonderful.”

He said regardless of whether a child is an outgoing leader or quiet, reserved and preferring to never be noticed, by the time they work their way through Scouting, they come out of their shell and lead in ways they never would have imagined.

“Our Scouts are often the kids who are first to raise their hand to volunteer, first to step up and help others, and it’s amazing the difference it can make in a young person’s life,” Fox said. “They develop a desire to get involved and grow.”

Anyone interested in learning more about Scouting should visit Scouters of Holmes County on Facebook.