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Optimist Club hears from Boy Scouts

Courtesy Photo Optimist Vice President Jim Seguin, right, thanks the representatives from Boy Scouts of America Troop 92, left to right, Dr. Dave Dargis, Dana Howard, Matthew Benedict and Andrew Dargis, for their presentation to the Club.

Dana Howard, treasurer for Troop 92 of the Boy Scouts of America, introduced two of his Scouts that will be attending the 2017 National Scout Jamboree being held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia, July 19 through July 28. Also accompanying the scouts at the meeting was Troop 92 committee member Dr. Dave Dargis.

Howard began by noting the similarities between the Optimist’s mission and the Boy Scouts mission. The mission of both organizations is to prepare youth to be productive and caring members of their community.

Howard noted that this year Troop 92 will be sending 6 local Scouts to attend the National Jamboree at a cost of around $1,400 each. He then introduced two of the Scouts who will be attending: Matthew Benedict, son of Chris and Gretchen Benedict of Alpena, and Andrew Dargis, son of Dr. Dave and Julie Dargis of Alpena.

Matthew was the only Boy Scout from the Alpena area who attended the last National Jamboree in 2013, so he is helping the other Scouts out with what to expect at the 2017 Jamboree. Matthew said the first thing they do when they get there is to set up their two pallets.

The pallets are about an 8-foot square where they set up their tents and cooking tables where they will live for the length of the jamboree. Once they are set up there is a wide range of high adventure activities they can participate in, including scuba diving, zip lines, mountain biking and white water rafting.

Andrew added that he is very excited to be able to attend the jamboree this year and that he has spent the last five months preparing for and raising the funds needed to attend.

His father added that there is a lot of work to be done to prepare for the jamboree and that he is there to help the kids, and not carry them through the process. The preparation work must be done by the Scout himself.

In closing, Howard noted that this is the premier event for the Boy Scouts of America and they expect between 20,000 and 30,000 Scouts to attend this year’s National Jamboree.

Courtesy Photo
Optimist Vice President Jim Seguin, right, thanks the representatives from Boy Scouts of America Troop 92, left to right, Dr. Dave Dargis, Dana Howard, Matthew Benedict and Andrew Dargis, for their presentation to the Club.

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