Thousands celebrate Boy Scouts' 100th anniversary at Cantigny Park

A sea of tan-and-green uniforms covered Wheaton's Cantigny Park on Saturday, as thousands of scouts and their families gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.

Just about every activity associated with scouting was on display at the 100th Anniversary Scout-O-Rama: fishing, climbing, fire-making, storytelling, archery, wilderness survival and dozens upon dozens more.

The daylong event was hosted by Three Fires Council, a scouting unit that serves young people in DuPage, Kane, DeKalb and Kendall counties. Organizers said they expected 10,000 people to attend.

"We wanted to tie all the things we do together in this event," said Matthew Ackerman, president of Three Fires Council, which is based in St. Charles. "We wanted to show that scouting is still alive and strong."

That certainly was the case among the people who attended, none of whom could say enough about the benefits of being a scout.

Roselle resident Jared Picchietti, 14, said he enjoys the camaraderie that scouting creates.

"I get to meet all kinds of different people in different places, but we all have something in common," he said. "Last August we went to an event in Oshkosh, Wis., and there were thousands of scouts there. That was amazing."

Randy Geweniger, a parent and leader in Troop 61 just south of Aurora, said he thinks the program helps instill positive values in young people.

"My big thing is respect," he said. "You look around these days, and it seems to be disappearing. I think the Boy Scouts do a great job teaching kids how to respect themselves, each other, the world around them."

Saturday's event got under way in high style with the ceremonial landing of a helicopter in the park. Attendees then fanned out to enjoy the roughly 150 activities taking place throughout Cantigny.

One of the popular attractions was Sgt. Jim Ruff, commander of the DuPage County Sheriff's Hazardous Devices Unit. Ruff demonstrated the use of the sheriff department's bomb-dismantling robot in front of a rapt crowd of scouts and their parents.

"I love talking to groups like this," Ruff said. "The scouts have been so friendly, and they're genuinely interested in what we do."

Doc Rannie, a 62-year scouting enthusiast and retired professor of computer science at Northern Illinois University, gave hourly demonstrations of how to make fire by rubbing sticks together.

"It grabs people when they see you can actually do this," he said between demonstrations. "It's like an old pioneer thing."

Gary Wagner of Aurora said he didn't know much about the Boy Scouts until his three sons expressed interest in the program.

"Now I love it," he said. "It teaches good values, leadership, and I think it's going to help them become good adults."