ROCKINGHAM – Under the supervision of their leaders, local scouts worked towards earning the Emergency Preparedness Award and a merit badge last Friday as they participated in educational activities at Rockingham Fire Department.
Cub Scout Pack 1215 and Boy Scout Troop 1215 spent the morning focusing on Fire Safety and Preparedness.
Six Cub Scouts and one Boy Scout participated in the scout advancement activities. The Cubs were working on their Emergency Preparedness Award for their ranks while the Boy Scout was working on earning his merit badge. Additional activities toward reaching these goals will occur at a later time.
Den Mother Nadine Samuel stated, “We are working on five different badges in the coming months.”
Earning merit badges gives scouts opportunities to explore and study many different areas of knowledge and skill. The merit badge program plays a key role in the scouting advancement program. Participation can begin as soon as a scout registers with a troop.
Ed Hairfield, engineer at Rockingham Fire Department, began the program by discussing safety measures in the event of a fire, including the importance of choosing a safe meeting place, the installation of smoke detectors and the importance of carbon monoxide detectors. This was followed by a demonstration and explanation of the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). This equipment, worn by firefighters, enables them to breathe clean air while battling blazes and searching for victims in smoke filled environments. Other discussion and activities followed.
Among those attending the program were Sarah Minks and her son. Minks stated that her son was working on the Emergency Preparedness Award. “This is his first year. He signed up after attending an assembly at his school.” Minks added, “He loves it!” She also stated that scouting has allowed her son to “get together with other boys his age and attend programs like this. It’s almost like a family group.”
Scouts are selling Camp Cards, fundraising discount cards sold to help scouts attend council and local events. Each scout earns 50% to use towards any of their upcoming events.
For more information on local scouting or to register your child, contact Wendi Hinson at 910-894-3261.
