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Cub Scouts 'dig' Fort Dobbs program
Bruce Matlock photo
Ben Truedson (tent) got help from volunteer, Cory Stutts, in the Webelos Wood tent.
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Published: June 17, 2009
Jeremy Erwin and Allen Lee found the pot handle in the dirt almost instantly.
"Look what we found," Allen, 8, said, holding up the piece of pottery.
Under the white tent at Fort Dobbs Historical Site, the two Cub Scouts were one of the first to experience the fort's newest education program, "Digging History," which was introduced at Gemstone Region's annual Cub Scout Day Camp.
The archeological program is geared toward connecting visitors to the fort, which has been the home of the Cub Scout Day Camp for more than 25 years.
Fort Dobbs Executive Director Beth Hill said the program gives them a hands-on learning experience on how researchers have learned about 18th-century living and the fort, and how that information will ultimately lead to its re-creation.
The scouts were given an introduction to the visitor's center and fort's layout, then handed brushes and trowel to rummage through the dirt.
For the boys, the best part was digging within the five inches of dirt in the simulated excavation site to find the buried reproduction items.
"I've dug before, but never digging for history," said 9-year-old Trevor Wooten.
More than 400 Scouts sporting bright orange or blue shirts attended this year.
"Every year, it's different, but you have the same core activities," said Noah Sprinkle, 13, who was acting as a den master.
Several of the day camp activities centered around this year's "To Space and Beyond" theme.
"Left, left, left, right, left," a group of Bear Scouts chanted as they pounded eggs in plastic bags.
The boys were learning to boil scrambled eggs, said Mike Cook, who is the Cub master at Concord Presbyterian Church near Scotts. In addition to learning different ways to cook on camping trips, the boys will also learn about the food pyramid.
"We are trying to give them the experience of being an astronaut," Cook said. "They all seem to have a good time."
That was probably why 8-year-old Benjamin Campbell, who has aspirations of being an Eagle Scout like his dad, was sucking the cooked eggs out of one of the bag's corners.
A lot of stepping-stones in the Boy Scouts of America are gradual and take some time, said Boy Scouts of America Field Director Jack Crawford.
Pulling off one of the biggest Cub Scout day camps in the state is a big undertaking, Camp Director Cindy Bell said. The Boy Scouts of America recognized Bell on Tuesday for her 20 years of service.
"You can't run a camp this size without being organized," she said.
In one week, the boys are given credit for more than half of the requirements required for rank and advancement, Bell said.
Bell said when she volunteered at the camp in 1988, she realized the camp wasn't well-organized and the children didn't have many chances to earn belt loops.
When Bell started acting as the camp director the next year, the program had around 80 participants. Now, the day camp is bigger than some of the Cub Scout day camps.
It takes Bell and Irene Elmquist an entire year to plan out all the activities and find sponsors for the camperships. Bell said she already has most of the activities planned for next year.
"Out here they really get the experience of being outdoors," said Nathan Cox, Iredell County district executive director for the Boy Scouts of America.
The Cubs enjoy the camp so much, many come back as "go-fors" when they advance onto Boy Scouts.
"It's a fun place where you can be yourself and have a good time," said Michael Kleinhandler, 11, who has attended the camp for the past four years.
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