Cool Cruisers & Hot Dogs: Des Plaines Success Story for Scout STEM Program

Hundreds came out to view over 100 modern classic automobiles that were on display at Cool Cruisers & Hot Dogs, a car show benefiting the Boy Scouts of America Northwest Suburban Council's Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) Program, 10 AM – 2PM, Sunday, October 6, 2013, at Rand Red Hots, 1441 Rand Road.

Endorsed by Des Plaines Mayor Matthew J. Bogusz and spearheaded by Scott Dueball, a local car enthusiast, Eagle Scout (the highest rank attainable in Boy Scouting), Biomechanical Engineer at Life Fitness and founding member of the Boy Scout Council's STEM committee, Cool Cruisers & Hot Dogs was an overwhelming success with a great turnout by the public, as well as exhibitors.

According to Dueball, “Almost 500 hot dogs were sold and $6000 was raised between Cool Cruisers & Hot Dogs sponsorship, registration, product sales, and donations. We were also able to raise significant awareness for our science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs at the Northwest Suburban Council BSA. We are already planning for next year's show.”

In addition to Dueball and Mayor Bogusz, who was also awarded his Eagle Scout in 2004, the

following were instrumental in coordinating the Cool Cruisers & Hot Dogs event: Randy Rapp, Tri-R Service, Jim Ulett, Ulett & Associates, Inc., 2116 S. Wolf Road, Tony Bottalla, Rand Red Hots, 1441 Rand Road, and Lisa Earley, Boy Scouts of America Northwest Suburban Council STEM Program Specialist.

The Boy Scouts of America Northwest Suburban Council launched STEM earlier this year as an initiative to provide science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs within the scouting framework. Since its initiative, over 250 scouts have participated in activities ranging from building their own cell phone chargers to flying airplanes. One hundred Cub Scouts attended science camp in June where they conducted poolside experiments to learn about air and water pressure. Fifty Boy Scouts and Venturers attended STEM camp in August, learning about robotics, automotive maintenance, astronomy and aviation.

“Throughout college and now in my daily work, I continue to use the many valuable lessons and programs, such as STEM, which I experienced thanks to the Boy Scouts,” Dueball said.

According to Mayor Bogusz, the purpose of Cool Cruisers & Hot Dogs was to showcase the many “great” programs available to youth through the Boy Scouts of America while enjoying modern classic automobiles and hotdogs.

“Cool Cruisers & Hot Dogs brought out many families and car enthusiasts, residents and non-residents, some involved with scouting and many with no scouting affiliation. We were pleased and honored to host such a successful community event in Des Plaines. It was a perfect venue in many ways, right down to the weather,” Mayor Bogusz said.