Boy Scouts interact with servicemembers Published Oct. 17, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Danielle Powell 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. -- Seventeen troops of local Boy Scouts visited CAFB Friday through Sunday during a camporee at SAC Lake. While at CAFB the scouts were able to learn more about the military lifestyle by interacting with many of the BLAZE Team members. The more than 160 scouts were given a military working dog demonstration by the 14th Security Force Squadron. Staff Sgt. Anthony Vick and his dog Leon put on the demonstration behind the fence while Tech. Sgt. Christopher Barnett talked the scouts through the demonstration. The 14th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department put on two displays during the weekend. They were on hand to give the scouts a fire pit demonstration, as well as give them a walking tour of the new Crash, Fire Rescue Station. The Fire Department put on six tours Saturday for the scouts, along with two fire pit demonstrations. Aerospace Physiology also interacted with the scouts this weekend. They gave five tours to the different troops Saturday. The scouts were also treated to static displays of CAFB aircraft and T-38 simulators by the 14th Operations Group. Not only did the scouts interact with the CAFB personnel, they also participated in Boy Scout events. They had ongoing competitions starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. These competitions include a blind folded tent build, a fire build and water boil, rescue knot, flag pole height and stretcher race. "The focus of the camporee was two-fold. The first aspect was to showcase the base by giving tours to the scouts and giving them insight on what happens here. The second was "scout skills." We wanted to give them an avenue to test their skills in the competition to help point out their strengths and weaknesses," said Lt. Col. Bruce Robertson, 43rd Flying Training Squadron. Boy Scouting is a year-round program for boys around ages 11 through 17. Through the Boy Scout program, young men can achieve the core objectives of strengthening character, personal fitness and good citizenship. For those interested in joining the Boy Scouts of America, call the Pushmataha Area Council at 328-7228 or visit www.pushmataha.org.
