Local Cub Scouts come together for pioneer camp

[June 24, 2011]  Eighty-six young boys from Lincoln, Mount Pulaski, Hartsburg, Emden, Middletown, Clinton and other local communities came together this week at the annual Cub Scout day camp in Memorial Park, Lincoln. This year's camp was called "Continue the Journey." Activities and games followed a pioneer theme.

Approximately 40 volunteer parents and grandparents coordinated games, supervised activities and crafts, and taught shooting and other skills. Volunteers must complete over 40 hours of training through the Boy Scout Council before participating at the day camp.

After three years of co-directing the camp, Mike and Stephanie Morecraft will pass the title and responsibilities to Jennifer Golden. Morecrafts' son has advanced to Boy Scouts, and they will focus their attention on the next level of Scouting.

Each day began and ended with a flag ceremony supervised by Chris Hanson, who chose a random group each time to perform the duties. Scouts can work toward Scouting achievement goals by participating in activities such as the flag ceremony.

Crafts included leather work and fitting pre-cut PVC pipe together to make marshmallow guns. Activities included an obstacle course, learning to shoot a bow and arrow, and learning to shoot a BB gun. Yard games were played at one station, offering Scouts time to run and play in groups. 

On Thursday, the final day, there was a crossover ceremony for Kayden Welch-Jording, who qualified by age and accomplishments to transition from Cub to Boy Scouts. He will be moving to Peoria, and the local troop wanted to conduct the ceremony before he left the area. Kayden is the most decorated Scout in the pack. His grandmother, Lincoln resident Carolyn Hinthorn, received a ribbon of pins representing Cub Scout symbols, recognizing her for being a "parent partner" -- assisting and participating in Kayden's Scouting experience.

Kayden's parents are Wendy Shoemaker of Peoria, and Tim Jording of Springfield. Additional grandparents are Denny and Phyllis Welch, Lincoln.

Individuals and companies that donated goods or services to the Cub Scout camp were Puritan Springs, providing bottled water; Graue Inc., ice each day; Longhorn Steakhouse, Springfield, hot dogs and condiments; Lincoln's city and rural fire departments, each scheduled to attend twice for a cool spray of water, although weather did not cooperate; Park Meadows Baptist Church, lending its gym on Monday, during a storm; Lincoln Park District; Shew Woodworking and Homes, trailer for overnight material storage; and Chad Rickman of Ice Dreams, Springfield, free snow cones on Tuesday.  

[By MARLA BLAIR]