Three Cub Scout packs and a Boy Scout troop went on an adventure together at Valley Trails Ranch earlier this month.
The free event lasted three hours and allowed Scouts to practice water bottle rocket launching, leatherworking, geocaching and pocket knife safety.
The event acted as a sort of mini summer camp, allowing Scouts to enjoy the great outdoors while learning some basic skills. The adventure was hosted by Pack 580 (Castaic), Pack 58 (Canyon Country), Pack 490 (Newhall) and Troop 583 (Castaic).
Chelsea Reheis, scoutmaster of Pack 580, said there were some specific things she wanted the Scouts to take away from the whole experience.
“Just really learning. Having different experiences and seeing all the different types of stuff that we do introduces them to new stuff, getting them outdoors and meeting new people,” said Reheis.
Michelle McKown, there at the camp helping out the older Boy Scouts, said one of her favorite parts of the event was seeing the Scouts grow from being followers and learners to leaders and teachers.
“I work with older Boy Scouts and it’s always fun for me to remember how cute the little Cub Scouts were and it’s really fun to see them grow through this process,” said McKown. “They start to learn and then they come to us when they’re a little older and as they continue their journey, they really hone their skills to the point where you can see our boys are leading other boys around.”
One of the older Scouts who was now leading the younger ones around the camp, passing on what he had learned, was McKown’s son, CJ. He said the entire experience was very rewarding.
“I think one of my favorite things is getting to see people learn how to do all sorts of things. I genuinely just get happy when I see people learning new life experiences,” said McKown.
