ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Monday evening, local Cub Scouts got their hands dirty cleaning up the DNR Pocket Park at the U.P. State Fairgrounds.
The Pocket Park cleanup has become an annual event for Gladstone Pack 471.
“We are blessed to have this park out here, from the fishing, the archery programs,” said Cub Master and Hiawathaland District Membership Recruitment Chair Gary Howell. “They invite the scouts out constantly, the school groups. It’s always open to the community. We’re in the middle of Escanaba, but it’s like the kids are actually out there in the woods somewhere. It’s like a little piece of heaven.”
The cleanup is the Cub Scouts’ way of saying “thank you” for everything the DNR Pocket Park offers for their pack. There was a job for everyone, and even the littlest scouts did their part.
“The Pocket Park just stocked the fish last Wednesday, so we’re going to clean up the pond some so the fishing’s a little bit easier for the kids,” Howell explained. “Doing leaf and debris removal over by the fire tower and the pellet gun range, going to clean up the sidewalks, trimming bushes and trees as needed.”
Tending to the Pocket Park is just one of many activities Cub Scouts do throughout the year. They are looking for new scouts to join them during a recruitment event at the Pocket Park on Saturday, June 1.
“Throughout the U.P., there’s just under 600 youth involved in the scouting program,” Howell said. “All too often we hear, ‘We never knew scouting was a thing in the U.P.’ We’re looking to get everyone out here, see what scouting’s all about.”
For these scouts, it’s about investing in their community and its natural resources.
“We’re in a controlled environment right here as we’re working on preserving nature,” said Howell. “It leads off into when we are off in the hiking trails or out at the campgrounds, as far as leave no trace, respect the wildlife. It’s all about getting them to show that they care and installing those values into our youth.”
The scouts say they also learn valuable life lessons along the way.
“How to survive when you have nothing and just helping people,” said Cub Scout Cameron Campbell.
“Being a better person and how to treat other people,” said Cub Scout Rolland Howell, who has already completed more than 40 hours of community service.
The June 1st recruitment event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature fishing, archery, first aid demonstrations from Rampart EMS, DNR biologists, a scavenger hunt, craft, games, and more. The event is open to girls and boys ages 5 – 10 and 11 – 14. There is a $5 admission fee, which will be taken off of any scout’s membership fee if they choose to join. Financial aid is available for families interested.
For full details on the event, click here.
