Scouts hope to lead the way to family fun

Leaders come in all shapes and sizes.

Future leaders are usually just a bit smaller, and often come from Scouting organizations across America.

That's why the Fort Knox Scouting community is playing host Saturday to Future Leaders Day at Keyes Park on post. The event will offer Boy and Girl Scouts of all ages the opportunity to complete work toward badges, pins and patches.

The fair-style children's event is also open to the public.

"What makes this unique is that it's not limited to people already in Scouts," Willis Madden, Cubmaster of Pack 127 at Fort Knox, said Thursday. "Those children that are not involved in Scouting can do the same activities as those that are. We hope it shows the community and scout-aged children the things it will expose them to."

Girl Scout leaders in the area have a particular need for letting the community know what they do.

"Most people know that we camp and sell cookies," said Betty Tomes, membership development specialist of the Heartland Girls Scout Center in Elizabethtown. "But there are other things that we do aside from that.

"We want to let people know we're still around. We are a viable part of the community and we need the whole community to support us. We can't do it on our own."

The big-ticket events at the fair will include a rock climbing wall, Jaws-of-life demonstration, AH-64 and UH-60 helicopter displays and a fire safety house.

Representatives from local police and fire departments will also be on hand to talk to the community, and WJIE-FM will be broadcasting the event live.

"We're always in need of volunteers," Willis said. "If you have a child, it's a chance to have free family fun spending time helping kids learn new things. If you don't have any children, you might want to see what scouting is all about and volunteer your time to help out."

Although this is an inaugural event, Madden said he would like to make it annual.

n William Wilczewski can be reached at 769-1200, Ext. 238, or e-mail him at ski@mail.the-ne.com.