Boy, Girl Scouts hold Future Leader's Day

Seven-year-old Rebecca Darnell grimaced as her fishing line flopped about halfway to its target — a Hula-Hoop filled with Velcro fish.

The Elizabethtown second-grader was playing a game at Future Leader's Day, a first-time event held by the Boy and Girl Scouts at Fort Knox. She was told by Ed Darst, an aquatic education coordinator with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, that she'd win a secret prize if she reeled in a fish in five tries.

"One more try," Rebecca mumbled as she cocked her pole and prepared to cast again.

With a whisk, the line sailed through the air. With a plop, the line missed its mark.

Rebecca was out of chances.

But nobody was looking.

So Rebecca cast her line again.

And again.

Meanwhile, Rebecca's mom, Shannon Darnell, was manning the Bluegrass Cellular booth at the event, teaching children how to dial 911 and how to use a cell phone properly. Darnell, a former Scout herself, said she hoped that Rebecca could join, too.

"I enjoyed it, and I think she would, too," Darnell said.

There were other booths and activities at the event celebrating the benefits of the Scouts. Current and future Scouts could check out a rock-climbing wall, a Jaws of Life demonstration, AH-64 and UH-60 helicopter displays and a fire safety house.

Scouts came from far away, including 11-year-old Chris Lewis of Louisville, who sure-footedly reached the top of the rock wall on his first try ever.

Two of Lewis' older brothers are Eagle Scouts, and he said he might be one day, too. He said all the non-Scouts at the event should join.

"It keeps me out of trouble," he said.

Jacob Bennett can be reached at 769-1200, Ext. 428, or e-mail him at jbennett@mail.the-ne.com.