Jackson holds first Cuboree at city park

Jackson City Park was alive with Scouting activities when the first Cuboree was held throughout the park Saturday.

Shawnee District executive Bill Crowell said the objective of the event, held after the fall membership drive held at schools, was to give new recruits and potential recruits to Scouting a "really good first event." More that 100 Scouts registered. With parents, sisters and brothers added in, the event drew about 300.

In the center of all the activity was the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Chief Warrant Officer Michael T. Allen, Black Hawk pilot and Cape Girardeau firefighter, called the event a good recruitment opportunity. A National Guardsman who went through Scouting ranks from Cub to Eagle, Allen said Scouting "instilled a sense of leadership, direction and responsibility." At 5 years old he was interested in becoming a pilot, strongly influenced by the helicopters that flew into Sikeston, where he grew up.

"I used to hop on my bike and ride over there when I heard them coming in," he said.

Youngsters had the opportunity to sit in the Black Hawk, start up the FM TV utility cargo truck and sit it Humvees.

Sgt. 1st Class Jay Moore said that in addition to supporting the Cuboree, one reason for the National Guard presence was to make the community aware of the transition the detachment has made from quartermaster to military police at the Jackson armory.

"The budget for this first time event was zero. We called the National Guard hoping to get a few tents or something and they sent us a Black Hawk," said Laura James, committee chair of Pack 220, also a member of the Cub Scout Leader training team.

Other volunteers and donations gave Scouts a chance to try out archery, shoot BB guns, fish and make lures and see a model Boy Scout campsite, among other activities.

"The purpose of the event was to springboard the Scouts into the program year with a sampling of the available opportunities," James said.

Debra Hess of Delta, mother of two Scouts climbing on and pretending to drive the military vehicles, said, "Some activities fulfill badge requirements. The BB guns were a big draw. I wasn't going to try that, but I was glad they could come here for instruction."

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133