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February 7, 2010

Local Boy Scouts help mark 100th anniversary

Misty Watson

DALTON — Some of Greg Bruner’s most cherished memories with his sons were made during camping trips with the Boy Scouts.

“It’s a great father-son bonding experience,” Bruner said. “There are so many distractions for kids today, and Scouting provides that opportunity to make cherished memories.”

Bruner’s son Andrew, 18, is an Eagle Scout. Bruner’s son John, who died of a heart condition at 19 in 2007, was also an Eagle Scout.

“My dad was always part of (Scouts),” Andrew said. “I started young. I would go on camp outs with my older brother (John) before I was old enough to be a member.”

Bruner said Boy Scouts “reinforces family and church values,” such as serving others.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. There are a few special events planned nationally, but locally Boy Scout officials are using the anniversary to remind people that Boy Scouts is still a thriving organization.

“We want... to let people know we’re going to be around for another 100 years,” said Bruner, who serves as the Conasauga District chairman of the Boy Scouts.

The first troop in Dalton was formed in 1911, one year after the national organization was founded, said Scout Master Bob Oxford. That troop is no longer in existence, but there are 16 Boy Scout Troops and 13 Cub Scout Packs in Whitfield County.

Each troop has a charter organization, such as a church, that gives troops a place to meet.

To commemorate 100 years, “we’re asking all troops to talk to their charter organizations about doing a community service project,” said Daniel Errickson, district executive for the Northwest Georgia Council Conasauga District of the Boy Scouts.

“We want them to do anything the charter organization thinks would be helpful,” Errickson said. “We want to give back to them.

Nationally, there are some larger celebrations planned, Errickson said. There will be some radio and TV commercials airing later this year, he said.

There is a traveling, hands-on truck called Adventure Base 100, which is an “interactive museum” designed to teach about Boy Scouts programs, Errickson said. The truck is crossing the country and is scheduled to stop in Atlanta April 16 to 18 during the Dogwood Festival and in Chattanooga June 11 to 13 during Riverbend.

“It will have a ropes course and things to climb on,” Errickson said.

“We want to stay visible all year,” he said. “The 100th anniversary is a big opportunity for us to show we’re just as important to the youth of our country as we always were.”

For 13-year-old Peter Sigmon, the Boy Scouts is about “having fun.”

“It’s fun when you go camping and are learning new things... like, basic survival skills in the wilderness.”

Errickson said he grew up attending Cub and Boy Scouts.

“It’s a great way to learn self-reliance,” he said. “It teaches potential careers and hobbies. There’s over 120 merit badges. We sneak in character education and values. Scouting teaches you can do anything if you try. It teaches you to belief in yourself.”

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