TOP PHOTO: Archery and more will be at this year’s Scoutfest. Scouts BSA is recruiting for area youth interested in joining the program.

By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Adventures like camping, rock wall climbing, archery, campfire cooking, boating and much more are all part of the Boy Scouts of America Scouts experience. Campbell County’s Scouting programs are recruiting for area youth interested in joining a troop this fall; adventure awaits and opportunities abound in BSA Scouts.

Right now is a great time to join Scouts, according to Troop 310 leader Chris Thacker, who said the Smoky Moutain Council’s Scoutfest is coming up soon. 

“Scoutfest is one of the most fun Scout events that I’ve been to. There is so much going on over there that you can’t see it all in a weekend,” Thacker said.

BSA’s Scoutfest is scheduled for Oct. 21-23 in Blaine, TN. This year’s Scoutfest is all about Saluting America’s Heroes!

Held every three years, Scoutfest is a “council-wide event of fun and fellowship.” You can attend for the day or the weekend. The fee is $40, and registration closes October 18, but walk-ins are welcome.

Scouts BSA is recruiting for area youth interested in joining the program.
 

Featured at this year’s Scoutfest will be exhibits, high adventure, trading post, outdoor cooking, shooting sports, blacksmithing, arena shows, demonstrations, zip lines, cub Scout adventures, camp-wide games, competitions and more. 

Fall is a great time to join Boy Scouts in time to attend Scoutfest with tons of fun for all ages. Scoutfest will give the new Scout a full variety of what Scouting offers, according to Thacker.

“Scouts provides kids with opportunities they likely wouldn’t have otherwise. I would never have been repelling or rock climbing had I not been a Scout,” Thacker said. 

He and other local Scout organizers hope for more area kids to get into Scouts.

“It’s a great opportunity to get outside, have fun and learn at the same time. We’ve been on so many adventures that I just wouldn’t have done without Scouting,” Thacker said.

“There are adults with time to give to the program; we just need to recruit the kids.”

Cub Scouts is open to boys and girls in grades K-5, along with Scouts BSA is for young men and women aged 11 to 18. Venturing and Sea Scouts is open to young men and women aged 14 to 20.    

For more information about joining Boy Scouts of America here locally, contact Chris Thacker at 423-494-6221.

For more information about joining the local female Scouts BSA troop 435, contact Liz White at 423.907.4160. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 10/14/2022-6AM)