WILKES-BARRE — Scouts descended upon Kirby Park on Saturday to enjoy the “Rogue Scouts Winter Adventure,” sponsored by the Cub Scouts Two Mountains District.
The event provided a variety of activities for over 500 scouts from an archery challenge to a balancing game to a maze.
Ryan Murray, senior district executive, said the purpose of the annual event is two-fold — bringing Cub Scouts out to enjoy the activities and providing a chance for Boy Scouts to serve their younger counterparts by manning the games.
Boosting attendance, he said, was this year’s “Star Wars” theme, with scouts encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters from the sci-fi space movie series.
The theme also made its way into the event’s activities including “Balance of the Force” and “Death Star Trench Run.”
This year, Murray said, the Boy Scouts were the recipients of a portion of the proceeds for tickets to the event, using the money to fund their trip to the annual Jamboree this summer in West Virginia.
Michelle Libus, who with her husband, Chris, a scout leader, has been bringing her sons, Jacob, 10, and Joseph, 11, to the event for about five years, said although the scouts often look forward to snow for tubing and winter games, she was grateful that the day was warmer than in previous years.
“I remember one year I had to go sit in the car, it was so cold,” she said. “Although, the kids never seem to mind it.”
Also participating were the members of “Venturing,” a scouting group for girls and boys from 14 through 21.
The program provides meaningful activities for participants to pursue special interests, develop leadership skills and become good participating citizens.
Chairperson of the event Rachael Stark, both a member of the Venturing program and a Cub Scout leader, dressed as Princess Leah. She said she was especially enjoying this year’s event because of its “Star Wars” theme.
“I’m enthusiastic about scouting and I love “Star Wars,” so this is an especially nice day,” she said.
Murray said ga-ga dodge ball was a favorite of attendees, played in an enclosed space with one ball.
Keeping current on the latest trends whether it be “Star Wars” or ga-ga dodgeball, he said, makes it more likely that the scouting program will remain vigorous and continue to grow.
Members of the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department also were at the event with a smoke house, teaching young attendees what to do in the case of a fire.
Murray looks forward to the annual event continuing, bringing scouts and their families to the park year after year, to enjoy music, activities and fellowship as a way to beat the winter blues and help people understand the benefits of scouting.
