Edwards AFB News

Edwards boys and girls 'scout' for adventure

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mike Young
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Team Edwards offers a way for both boys and girls to get involved with educational and recreational activities while focusing on character and building teamwork. 

Starting at a young age, scouts on base strive to learn new skills, achieve higher ranks and constantly work on self improvement. 

"Scouting can be a credential on a college application," said Bonnie McGee, Girl Scout service unit manager and leader. "It can also help build a child's self esteem, motor skills, academics, awareness for the environment, leadership and social skills." 

According to Ms. McGee, there are about 50 Girl Scouts registered on base. However, they would like to reach about 100. 

The troop and their leaders meet at building 5206 to map out various activities including fund raisers and community service projects held throughout the year. 

"A Girl Scout's goal is to make a difference for herself, her community and the future of the Girl Scout movement," Ms. McGee said. "The girls also want to have fun, go on adventures and earn patches." 

Some of the activities they participate in include day camps, game nights and lock-in's.
The girls sponsor an event every year called "Thinking Day," which involves cultural booths, food and crafts. They also set up food collections, clothing drives and an event called "Adopt a Grandparent." 

"Camping is my favorite part of scouting," Ms. McGee said. "Just knowing the girls are having fun is a big deal to me." 

Girls from 5 to 18 years old participate in these activities. During this time, they are constantly earning new rank and greater responsibility. 

The highest honor a Girl Scout may achieve is called the Gold Award. This award is equivalent to the Boy Scouts Eagle Award. By earning this, the girls can use it for a college application, military pay increase or other job applications. 

With many of the same core values and characteristics as the Girl Scouts, the Cub Scouts on base also work at earning new awards, honors and ranks. 

The boys usually start scouting in first grade. Starting out as Tiger Scouts, they work their way through the ranks of Cub, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear and Webelos. 

The Cub Scout pack is a large group of boys led by the cub master and the committee chairman. They also receive help from the assistant cub master, treasurer, secretary and committee members. The pack assists the scouts in achieving new ranks. 

Edwards Cub Scout Pack 741 currently has 22 scouts registered and is broken down into smaller dens or patrols. Den leaders meet with their smaller group of scouts once a week to help the scouts plan events, work on earning merit badges and participate in activities. 

Some of these activities include camping, Pinewood Derby races, rocket launches and fishing. 

"One of the most exciting activities is the Pinewood Derby," said Renee Magnusson, Cub Scout pack committee chairman. 

To compete in the derby, scouts receive a block of pinewood and other items in a kit to make a race car. They have a limited amount of time to construct the cars before the scouts put them to the test against their fellow cub scout's. 

Aside from their leisure activities, the cub scouts also interact with the community by selling Boy Scout popcorn, collecting food donations from the community and participating in a "Good Turn for America" project. 

"As a pack, we try to do as many community service projects as possible," Mrs. Magnusson said. 

These community projects and fun activities also allow the scouts to achieve certain honors and fulfill rank requirements such as beads, belt loops, gold and silver arrows and badges. 

The highest honor a cub scout can achieve is the Arrow of Light award. This is the only award the cub scout can wear on his uniform as a Boy Scout. 

To achieve the Arrow of Light, the scout must earn the rank of Webelos. They need to be active in the scouting program for at least six months and participate in various activities and fundraisers. The scout also needs to fulfill certain requirements in their Cub Scout handbook such as tying knots and learning the Cub Scout values, promise, oath, motto and the law of the pack. 

"We also highly encourage the Cub Scout's family to get involved." Mrs. Magnusson said. "By earning this award, the Cub Scout can gain the momentum needed for his Boy Scout career." 

"Scouting teaches many of the same core values as the Air Force," Mrs. Magnusson said. "It gives the youth a way to have a fun, educational time, while learning how to be a well-rounded citizen."