Area Boy Scouts celebrate organization's first 100 years

Hitting the century mark hasn't slowed the Boy Scouts of America.

As part of the organization's 100th anniversary, roughly 10,000 area Scouts will be treated to a Scout-O-Rama unlike any in the past.

The Saturday event at Cantigny Park in Wheaton will feature more than 150 activities for the youngsters and Scout leaders throughout the 550-acre site. Tickets are $5.

The event begins at 9 a.m. with an opening ceremony featuring a helicopter landing on the parade field at the park and a Teddy Roosevelt impersonator presenting the colors to a U.S. Cavalry Unit. Roosevelt was a strong proponent of Scouting and remarks he made about the importance of Scouting appeared in the very first Boy Scout Handbook.

"The movement is one for efficiency and patriotism," Roosevelt wrote. "It does not try to make soldiers of Boy Scouts but to make boys who will turn out as men to be fine citizens and who will, if their country needs them, make better soldiers for having been scouts."

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. David C. Petersen, who commands the 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kan., will address the Scouts in the morning to recognize the importance of Scouting and the celebration of Armed Forces Day.

Traditional Scouting activities such as a pinewood derby, rope and monkey bridges, knot tying, rain gutter regatta and other events will be offered. Displays featuring old Scouting uniforms and vintage merit badges also will be on hand.

This year's Scout-O-Rama will feature the Amazing Cache Dash. Participants in that event can try their skills at this new outdoor sport by locating "caches" using official global coordinates and GPS units on four geocahing routes created by the Scouting Geocaching Committee. The event is sponsored by Cabela's.

Also, at some point during the day four sky divers are slated to parachute onto the grounds carrying $1,000 gift certificates for winning Scout units redeemable at Gander Mountain.

This year's Scout-O-Rama is one of nine major programs the Three Fires Council is undertaking as part of the scout's 100th anniversary.

If you goWhat: 100th anniversary Scout-O-RamaWhen: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 15Where: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road near WheatonTickets: $5Info: www.firstdivisionmuseum.orgFalse14372000Wheaton Scout Nicholas King took his turn at using an old-fashioned saw during 2008's Scout-O-Rama at Cantigny Park. Scouts will be celebrating the organization's 100th anniversary Saturday, May 15.Daily Herald file photo, 2008False