TORRINGTON – Foam darts soared through the air, striking plastic cups with a hollow ‘thwack,’ while nearby, warm marshmallows began to ooze and drip, ready to be paired with a section of chocolate and sandwiched between two graham crackers. 

Boy Scout Troop 26, Venturing Crew 26 and Cub Scouts’ Scout Me In – a special introductory event – was in full swing on Saturday afternoon at Jirdon Park in Torrington.

Along with a Nerf gun range and s’mores, attendees enjoyed fire-building demonstrations, a mock campsite, hot cocoa, games and more.

The recruitment campaign comes on the heels of Boy Scouts of America’s decision to include girls in Cub Scouts (in February of this year) and Boy Scouts (in February 2019):

“For kids, Scout Me In is a call to action,” according to official campaign materials (scouting.org). “It’s an invitation to take part in the fun and adventure that will help kids to build the confidence to find and forge a path to their own best self – today and in the future. 

“For families, Scout Me In is a call for togetherness. Today’s families are busier than ever. They are looking for options that welcome the whole family – mom, dad, sisters, and brothers – to the adventure of Scouting. 

“For the BSA, Scout Me In is a call for celebration. This is historic. By welcoming boys and girls into Cub Scouts – and into our older youth Scouting program scheduled for February 2019 – even more young people will have access to the character development and values-based leadership that will prepare them for a lifetime of success. It’s time to celebrate.”

“We’ll hold meetings together, go camping together, it’s just not totally the same leadership,” Scout Leader Howard Sinclair said of Troop 26’s plans to include females. 

“Basically, we’re trying to bring the entire family in – the one thing we’ve noticed in Scouting, several girls have wanted to be in Boy Scouts but couldn’t,” Committee Chair Dawn Mickle said, adding she was interested in joining BSA when she was younger. “My daughter wanted to be a Boy Scout, too. 

“We’re really excited we’re going to allow girls into Scouting – we’ve had a lot more interest from girls than boys in recruiting, interestingly enough.”

In addition, several Troop members are graduating this year, and the local organization is gauging interest in restarting its Cub Scout Pack.

“We’re hoping that if we do start another Pack, we have parent participation to make it work,” Mickle said.

Sinclair and Mickle emphasized BSA is not just camping, but includes exploration in technology, computers, robotics, how to surf safely online and handle cyber bullying.

Sinclair is also male advisor for the BSA’s Venturing Crew, a high-adventure co-ed offshoot group.

“We already know how to make co-ed work,” he said.

Venturing Crew is less about badges and more about adventure, Mickle explained.

“We started a little over a year ago (here),” Venturing Crew Leader Sandra Vanatta, who will graduate in May, said. “I moved up here from Colorado. We had a Crew where I came from, so we started one when I got here. I really like how you get to come together with friends, go camping, and have a lot of opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise.”

Kate Norton, female advisor for the Venturing Crew, said the group is always looking for new members.

“We love our crew, but we’d sure love to expand it, too,” she said, adding the current official roster is nine individuals. “It’s completely based on what the youth want to do. One of our most recent trips, we were able to go up to Haven on the Rock outside of Fort Laramie and went horseback riding and ziplining.”

No matter whether boys or girls are interested in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, or the Venturing Crew, Mickle said the goal of all groups is to promote family.

“That’s what’s great about (the Troop, Pack and Crew) – we’re very family-oriented,” she said. “We get really excited when parents want to be involved.”

If you missed Saturday’s event or are looking for more information, contact Sinclair at (307) 575-3586.