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WILKES-BARRE — Kurt Revak kind of stood out, even in a crowded room, thanks to the white helmet with the floppy visor and all those ropes and carabiners dangling from his Boy Scouts of America garb.
But if your goal is to get the attention of hundreds of youngsters walking through room full of games, snacks and information tables for organizations like the Scouts, standing out works.
So, yeah, the climbing instructor representing Cub Scout Pack 100 of Plains Township managed to, um, rope in people among the crowd at Wilkes-Barre Area School District’s sixth annual Harvest Festival at Kistler Elementary Wednesday, an event that offers free turkey dinners, games, music and other lures as well as opportunity to talk with representatives from area service agencies.
Revak drew the attention of Shanay Small’s daughters, Sanay, 11, and Jahnaya, 9. The elder acted like a typical tween, alternating between eyes lighting up at the suggestion of an available zip line in the region and straying as she watched her mother drift off.
“Don’t leave me, Mom,” she insisted.
The younger daughter mostly grinned as Revak placed the rope in her hands and guided her through the tying of an alpine bowline knot and a rope braid that makes a long length compact but pulls apart effortlessly.
“She’s always been interested in rock climbing,” Shanay said of Sanay, promising to try to arrange a chance for her to learn.
This was Shanay’s second Harvest Festival, and she praised the notion of bringing service agencies and families together. “It’s a chance to different things that can help you.”
The Harvest Festival is arranged under the auspices of F.A.C.E.S., short for Family and Community Enrichment Services of Wilkes-Barre Area, an effort that focuses on community outreach to connect district students and families with area agencies they may need.
