Scouting For Lessons About Life Annual Scout-O-Rama Full Of Wonders Of Discovery

The gold rush was on at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds Saturday where several kids crouched down near a muddy trough and swirled around for their fortunes.

“Got one!” shouted Spencer Savage, 7, as he helped a fellow Cub Scout search for the gold-painted pieces of lead.

Spencer was one of about 3,000 kids and their parents from around the region who shelled out $2 each and converged on the fairgrounds Saturday for the second day of the 1996 Inland Northwest Scouting Council’s Scout-O-Rama. Many of the kids pitched tents Friday night for a camp-out and fireworks that kicked off the two-day annual event.

Cubs and Boy Scout groups set up booths at the fairgrounds where they demonstrated everything from making wind chimes and candles to setting up teepees and obstacle courses with water pits.

A popular activity was panning for gold.

Savage, who helped volunteer with his Tiger Scouts group, said the process is simple.

“You just take a pan and put it in dirty water,” he said. “And then you just twirl it and search for gold.”

Jim Savage, Spencer Savage’s father, said he was glad to see so many kids doing something positive.

“For every kid here, that’s one less kid getting out on the streets doing nothing,” Savage said.

The theme for this year’s event was “Lighting the Way Through Scouts.”

Groups came up with all kinds of twists on the theme for booth competitions, including a “Light ‘N’ the Weight,” exhibit that offered tips on how to pack light for a camping trip.

Jeffrey Ostrom, 13, gave these pointers:

“Dehydrate food, and put things in plastic bags,” he said.

Ostrom said he’s had fun being a Boy Scout.

“You learn how to be a good citizen,” which includes learning how to fold a flag, Ostrom said.

Wet kids raced around to catch water balloons and play on monkey bars and bridges, made by different Scout teams. Their cheeks bulged with licorice and caramel - goodies they picked up completing various activities.

The exhibits were a chance for kids to teach other kids about candle-making and star-gazing, among other things.

Stephen Moore, 8, helped people make multi-colored Popsicle stick bombs.

The process involves using five or six sticks and bending them into a square or triangle without breaking them.

“There’s no secret to it,” Moore confided. “You just have to watch someone do it.”

Moore said anyone can make the simple gadget.

“Just eat a lot of Popsicle sticks,” he advises.

Event organizers said they were happy to see so many parents getting involved with their children.

Parent Gail Schwartz, who brought her sons, Jordan, 8, and Aaron, 10, said her kids would be cooped up inside their home watching cartoons if it weren’t for events like Scout-O-Rama.

“This is a great way to spend a Saturday with family,” Schwartz said.

Many of the adults looked like forest rangers in their scout leader shirts and badges. Some were living vicariously through the kids.

“It’s a chance for a second childhood,” said volunteer Marcel Chevillet.

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