Courtesy photo Pictured are members of Scout Troop 92 and Scout Pack 3092 preparing for a breakfast fundraiser last year. The troop will host another breakfast fundraiser on April 19 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

ALPENA – A special breakfast fundraiser is being organized by Alpena Scout Troop 92 and Cub Scout Pack 3092. The fundraiser will take place at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 19 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Breakfast is all you can eat for for $10 per person; free for children younger than five years old.

Scout Troop 92 Scoutmaster Steve Donajkowski said the fundraiser pays for members’ program fees. He explained that new scouts pay a $180 program fee and then the troop covers the annal fee thereafter.

“The troop pays the program fee every year for the kids, so the parents do not have to worry about coming up with that money every year to rejoin,” Donajkowski said.

He said that it costs the troop about $3,000 a year to re-charter and this will be the fourth breakfast the troop has hosted. The troop has also organized spaghetti dinners and other fundraisers to raise money.

“This is our fourth breakfast that we have done,” Donajkowski said. “We did it in September, October, and in December.”

Donajkowski said that the troop’s biggest fundraiser is its spaghetti dinner which occurs in February. He added that if the breakfast has a good turnout, the troop might consider hosting a breakfast every other month.

Donajkowski explained that scouting has proven to be an effective program for getting children outdoors, offering structured, hands-on adventures like camping, hiking, and canoeing. He said that scouting also gives children opportunities to grow as leaders in their community.

“Scouting is a very important part of not only the community, but also leadership,” he said. “We have had presidents and NASA members that were eagle scouts. Our kids need to get away from the computers, and the screen time, and spend more time outside enjoying the nature we have around us.”

Donajkowski said that the troop is hoping to gain the attention of local parents to reduce screen time in the home and increase the time children spend outside.

“We have 15 cub scouts and 15 scouts on the troop side, that’s all we have and I believe there are a lot more kids that could be interested,” Donajkowski said. “If the parents could get their children off of the video games, and off of phones, and get them out there doing stuff.”

Cubmaster Brian Ulch said those interested in joining the troop or pack can find relevant information by visiting the Michigan Crossroads Council website at michiganscouting.org/.

He added that both boys and girls are welcome to join.

“We are a male and female troop and a family pack, so girls are welcome to join, and we are always looking for volunteers,” Ulch said.

Josh Jambor can be reached at jjambor@thealpenanews.com.