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SABATTUS — The Wolf Den of Cub Scout Pack 109, of Lisbon, got a tour of one of Maine’s longest living traditions, the making of maple syrup and honey at Jillson’s Farm on April 7.
The Scouts, who are working on their World Conservation Award, started in the famous sugar,house, where they learned the process of turning sap from the trees into maple syrup.
They discovered that a 40 to 1 ratio of sap to syrup is a lot of work and that the sap is boiled seven degrees upon the temperature required to boil water.
Afterwards, they got a tour of the trees themselves, learning that syrup farmers use interconnected tubes to get the sap from all of the trees to move to a single point.
As one Scout pointed out, “You don’t have to walk around to every tree and get lost.”
Then, the Scouts toured the bee hives and the barn.
“It was a great learning experience for the boys, who took turns giving thanks to the Jillsons,” Gene Baird, their den leader, said. “Like our young Scouts, the Jillsons do things in support of their community: things like giving scouts tours of their operation.”
The tour of the facility and learning how the farm harvests the sap without damaging the trees goes towards the boys’ World Conservation Awards. Currently, only one Cub Scout in Lisbon, a member of the Pack 109 Wolf Den, has the award.
The other boys hope to earn it as well. Their last task is to assist the Lisbon Recreation Department with cleaning up Beaver Park in preparation for the upcoming summer.
The Scouts will walk every trail in the park to ensure branches are out of the way, roots are marked, and the trails are free of debris.
Their work will go a long way to ensuring that future generations of Mainers can enjoy the park. The combination of the events ensures that Scouts continue to know, understand, and appreciate their natural surroundings while living in them.
The World Conservation Award is not a required award, and the boys have already earned their Wolf Badges. However, this 12-member den is eager to accomplish more tasks, have fun outside, and be productive citizens.
PHOTOS: Ed Jillson gives members of Cup Scout Pack 109 Wolf Den a tour of his farm and of the animal barn in Sabattus April 7. The boys are working on their World Conservation Award. (Submitted photo)
