Boy scouts get hands on experience in soil and water conservation

A group of nearly 150 boy scouts are getting hands on lessons in conservation of soil and water along with survival skills this weekend at Tozier Track.

It's part of an annual camporee session that takes place three times a year.

Ben Fish, camping chairman for the Great Alaska Council said it's a chance to unite local troops.

"It's important in that it gives an opportunity for all of the boys from the different troops throughout the Anchorage area and through the valley to come together, get to know scouts in other troops," Fish said.

Eagle Scouts like Puck Van Dommelen said they're also learning to lead by example.

"Boy Scouts has helped me a lot with my leadership skills, learning to organize projects similar to this," Van Dommelen said.

Leaders said while the scouts who are attending the camp are getting valuable experiences, they're seeing declining membership in Boy Scouts of America.

The Great Alaska Council voted in December to close Camp Carlquist near Chugiak, citing funding challenges, under-performing popcorn sales and declining camp attendance.

In a letter to its scouters and volunteers, the council said it would re-open the camp once membership and attendance improves.

Jim Foss, Assistant Scout Master for Troop 209 said he wants to see higher participation in the community.

"I would like to see the community encourage kids to participate more in the boy scouts as a whole, I'd like to see mothers and fathers help their kids mature in the community, grow up, this is an important foundation for us building our society," Foss said.

Isaac Lalonde said the path to achieving the Boy Scouts' highest ranking status isn't easy.

"It's important to not give up, not to stop working 'cause sometimes, you know, there was plenty of times where I didn't wanna do a merit badge or I didn't want to work on rank advancement, but you've just gotta keep doing it and it pays off in the end," Lalonde said.

According to its website, Great Alaska Council has 3 other camps in operation: Camp Gorsuch, Eagle River Scout Camp, and Denali High Adventure Scout Base.

The next Boy Scouts Camporee event is scheduled for September.