WINNEMUCCA - On Oct. 29, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hosting a nationwide Scouting Open House Night to celebrate its 100 years of affiliation with the Boy Scouts.
On this evening, scout packs, troops, teams, and crews are invited to come together to tell the story of scouting and to invite young people to join this life-changing program. 2013 marks the centennial anniversary of the church becoming the BSA's first official chartered sponsoring organization.
The large LDS church building at the corner of Melarkey and McArthur streets in Winnemucca will open its doors to all the local scouting units for a celebration and commemoration of scouting.
The event begins Tuesday evening, Oct. 29, at 5:30 p.m. Troop 223, sponsored by the First Baptist Church, will present the colors and Mayor Di An Putnam will be the keynote speaker of the local portion of the program. Congratulations and recognitions from Gov. Brian Sandoval, Sen. Dean Heller and Congressman Mark Amodei will be read.
That will be followed by an original production on the history and impact of scouting, which will be broadcast from the 21,000-seat Conference Center in Salt Lake City, and streamed live to church buildings across the nation. The invitation to attend includes civic leaders, and those who are not yet involved in scouting. All chartered organizations are invited to use the event as an opportunity for outreach and recruitment.
Local scout committee member Sam Routsen said, "This celebration is for everyone - current scouts, former scouts, family members, friends, and neighbors." He said all members of the scouting community are invited "to come together to celebrate the history and values that make us one."
Bill Delong, who works with Baptist church-sponsored Troop 223, said the values really do bring all scouts together.
"Sometimes when you read or view the news it can get pretty depressing," said Delong. "If you want to get some inspiration and hope for the future, go to a scout meeting; you'll see a program that builds character and you'll see the young people who are not making the headlines but will be future leaders."
A preview of the celebration broadcast is available at www.scouts100.lds.org. That website will also stream the broadcast of the national celebration live and will have a recording of the program available for viewing or download after the event.
According to that website, the production commemorates all that makes scouting great. It sends out the invitation to gather "as we remember, reunite and celebrate A Century of Honor." There will be scout choirs, and video inserts highlighting key moments and achievements over the past 100 years.
Eric Maas is a senior district executive with the Nevada Area Council based in Reno. He noted that Reno and Sparks will be joining together for the celebration at the Sparks Stake Center of the church. However, Maas will be in Winnemucca for the local celebration, as he specifically serves Winnemucca and Fallon and, he said, "Winnemucca asked me first." Maas noted that similar celebrations and viewing of the special broadcast are going on all over the state, nation, and internationally.
Maas has been involved with the Boy Scout organization since he became a scout in the second grade. Maas, who described himself as "the professional scouter for the Humboldt District," said that activity in scouting is one of the few things that boys can do that they can put on their resume until they retire. He said wearing his uniform in public places always draws positive comments.
Of the 11 troops in the Humboldt District, there are two sponsored by organizations other than the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, One is sponsored by the Winnemucca Baptist Church and the other, in Lovelock, is sponsored by the Lions Club.
The Humboldt District includes Lovelock, Winnemucca, Orovada, Battle Mountain, and Antelope Valley. There are about 400 scouts in 24 units.
The Nevada Area Council includes all of Nevada and some of northern California. Scouting includes opportunities for involvement in "packs" for elementary-age boys, "troops" for middle and high school age boys, "teams" for sports-oriented scouts aged 14 and 15, "venture crews" which can be co-ed with both boys and girls aged 14-21. There are 10,000 scouts in the Nevada Area Council.
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