Summer programs will be active and enriching for youth attending area Scout camps and Scout activities according to two leaders of these programs. Brittany St. Amand of Pittston and Shelley Connolly of Pittsfield have spent months organizing and getting things ready for these summer programs, according to a news release from Chuck Mahaleris, district chairman of the Kennebec Valley District of the Scouting program.

Brittany St. Amand Submitted photo

St. Amand will be the Cub Scout Day Camp director at Camp Gustin in Sabattus and Camp Hinds in Raymond this summer. She also is the Webelo Leader in Gardiner Cub Pack 672.

“I’m most looking forward to watching all the campers come together and have fun,” St. Amand said. “I especially enjoy witnessing kids learn new skills. Seeing their excitement in their own achievements always reminds me what it is that I love about being a leader in Scouts.”

Cub Scout Day Camps, with the “Off to the Races” theme, will be run July 17-21 at Camp Gustin, July 24-28 at Camp Bomazeen in Belgrade led by Julie McKenney of Belgrade, and Aug. 7-11 at Camp Hinds.

Shelley Connolly Submitted photo

At Cub Scout Day Camp, leaders provide adventures and an opportunity for your Cub Scout (or Cub Scout-aged youth) to experience Cub Scout activities in a day camp style setting. Cub Scouts earn requirements for rank advancement, special awards and gain recognition. Cub Day Camp is for youth in first through fifth grade. Youth entering first grade in the fall are welcome at camp, however an adult/parent needs to accompany them. And, Cub Scout Packs can register and attend Cub Scout Day Camp as a group. Day Camp, which runs from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, is often a youth’s first major experience in Scouting with their peers, under the guidance of trained and caring adult volunteer leaders.

Those who can attend with their child as a leader (a member of the racing pit crew) will receive $100 off the cost of camp for their child.

For more information on volunteering at camp, email Leah Barry at leahbarry@ptcbsa.org.

“Each day will have a different race theme that we will be focusing on. For example, one day will be about horse racing so the different stations will have activities pertaining to horses,” said St. Amand.

Preparing for camp takes months of organization and they must follow all State of Maine and Scouting requirements to operate.

“I’m entering my fifth year as a leader (in Cub Scouting) and it never gets old watching these kids learn and develop not only their scout skills, but their inter-personal skills as well,” St. Amand said. “I get to watch friendships grow and blossom. I get to see them overcome fears. I get to see their pride shining when they accomplish something they’ve worked hard on. That is why I chose to apply to run camp; to see it on a bigger scale, beyond just my den. It’s worth all the exhaustion.”

Connolly is the Cubmaster of the Pittsfield Cub Scout Pack and will be running the Conservation Camporee on July 30 through Aug. 1 at Camden Hills State Park.

“Getting kids outside and developing Scout skills (life skills) is so important,” Connolly said. “With the conservation camporee we are looking to develop conservation awareness and empower youth to be active within their communities. This will help us promote a strong relationship with our state park service.”

At Camden Hills State Park, youth will earn conservation-related badges while working on necessary projects to benefit the park. Connolly is also Scoutmaster and Venture Crew Leader and has gained experience working with youth at all levels of Scouting.

“I enjoy being involved with camp because I see the positive outcomes in youth and their personal development and relationship with nature,” said Connolly.

In addition to these programs, Pine Tree Council also offers Family FunPack Weekend on July 15-16 at Camp Hinds and July 29-30 at Camp Bomazeen; Webelos Resident Camp at Camp Hinds July 30-Aug. 2; and Scout camp at Camp Hinds runs through the month of July including hiking, swimming, boating, rock climbing, Scoutcraft and STEM and older Scouts can challenge themselves with Project COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience).

Those who have questions about these programs can contact St. Amand at b.stamandscouts@gmail.com, Connolly at bsatroop428maine@gmail.com. Those who have questions about any of the summer activities, contact Leah at Pine Tree Council If you have questions or need help, contact Barry at leahbarry@ptcbsa.org or 207-517-6196.

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