Scouts learning archery skills during Scout Day at Seney NWR. Sept. 27, 2008 Photo by George Phinney

Scouts learning about firefighting during Scout Day at Seney NWR. Sept. 27, 2008. Photo by George Phinney

Scout building bird house with volunteer during Scout Day at Seney NWR. Sept. 27, 2008. Photo by George Phinney

Scouts practicing binocular skills during Scout Day at Seney NWR. Sept. 27 2008. Photo by George Phinney

Scouts collecting insects during Scout Day at Seney NWR. Sept. 27, 2008. Photo by George Phinney

Volunteers helping scouts with fishing skills during Scout Day at Seney NWR. Sept. 27, 2008. Photo by George Phinney

This fall 125 scouts and 113 of their adults flocked to Seney NWR to work on badge requirements.  This annual event attracts boy and girl scouts, ages five through fifth grade, from all over the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan.  Scouts could attend up to six, sessions throughout the day.  This years event included sessions about archery, astronomy, binoculars & spotting scopes, bird banding, outdoor cooking, alternative energy, fishing, fire starting, fire fighting & prescribed burning, insects, knots, first aid, orienteering, recycling, sensory hike, visitor center activities and bird house building. 

“this is a great event”….”hands on, interactive, entertaining”….”provides opportunities for scouts that I as a leader cannot give them”   - comments from scout leaders

While Scout Day is beneficial to scouts it also builds programming and event planning experience for young folks working on developing their career skills.  Coordinating Scout Day is a project regularly assigned to one of Seney’s Visitor Services Interns.  The intern plans all aspects of the event and organizes the assistance of staff members and about 50 volunteers.