SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- "I promise to do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the Law of the Pack."
More than 150 Cub Scouts recited these words to begin two days of fun and friendship on the fields of Area X, here, June 13-14.
The Scouts, who ranged in age from 7-11, had gathered to take part in the annual Cub Scout Day Camp for troops in the Ka'ala District of the Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
One of the largest districts within the Aloha Council, the Ka'ala District services youths in the Haleiwa, Kunia, Mililani, Pearl City, Ewa Beach, Village Park, Waialua, Wahiawa, Waikele, Waipahu and Waipio communities.
"At least half of the Scouts here -- around 70 Scouts -- have family in the military," said Sgt. 1st Class Nathaniel Vincenty-Cole, senior instructor, Jungle Operations Training Center, Lightning Academy, 25th Infantry Division, and program director for the 2014 day camp.
"This is open for not only military Scouts, but for Scouts all over the district," Vincenty-Cole added, "so this is a great opportunity for a lot of the non-military families to come and see what the bases are like, what Soldier life is like, and for some of the Soldiers to get immersed in the Hawaiian culture and meet other local people."
During the two-day camp, Scouts took part in a variety of activities centered on a "knights of the round table" theme, such as jousting and lassoing the "dragon."
Upon completion of each activity station, Scouts earned badges in real-life skills, like hiking, BB gun, archery, art and ultimate Frisbee.
"Day camp goes out into each one of the districts so that it is possible and feasible for every Scout to attend and earn awards that can only be earned in a camp setting," explained Vincenty-Cole, who is Cub Master for Pack 166, which meets here.
Boy Scouts and family members from 20 additional Aloha Council troops volunteered to help with the day camp.
Also, Soldiers from throughout U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii lent their time and services, to include those from 74th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 303rd EOD Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command; 2nd Bn., 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Bde. Combat Team, 25th ID; 2-27th Inf. Regt., 3rd BCT, 25th ID; and 25th ID's Lightning Academy.
In one activity, Scouts lined up to do their best impression of Robin Hood at the archery range, while EOD Soldiers gave others a chance to control robots or don bomb suits in order to learn more about proper safety.
"Besides the awards, (Scouts) are learning character connections, interaction with others and good manners at day camp," Vincenty-Cole said. "Scouting is more than just awards; it's being able to try something new, meet new people and learn a little bit more about being a good citizen."
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