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BELGRADE — Camp Bomazeen Program Director Julie McKenney met with Boy Scouts in the Public Service program during Boy Scout Week 2 to discuss her views of the program, Scouting and the role of Scout camp.
“I love to see these Scouts grow from Cub Scout to Eagle Scout. It’s great that Scouts can come to Camp Bomazeen for Cub Scout Day Camp, Adventure Weekends, Webelos Resident Camp and then as Boy Scouts.” McKenney said.
“It’s nice to see them grow and mature.”
McKenney has been active in scouting since 2007, when her son joined the program as a Tiger Cub, and has served on Day Camp staff, on the Cub Scout Pack committee, and as an assistant Scoutmaster when she is not at camp helping plan and implement a diverse program that ranges from aquatics to shooting sports and from learning such skills as Native American crafts to welding.
She is pleased to see more Scouts attending Camp Bomazeen from all over Maine.
“In growing the camp, more people from all over will be able to experience Great Pond and the gem in Belgrade,” McKenney said, adding she would love to see the camp create an equestrian program in the future. Her camp duties range from ordering supplies to supporting the program to making sure the staff is trained and excited to deliver the program. She meets with parents to answer their questions and explains the program to leaders.
“If it happens in Camp, it’s program” is a Boy Scout saying, and McKenney does not slow down for long, as more than 125 Scouts were at Camp Bomazeen and its many program specialties.
“Next year we would like to have a fourth week,” she said.
Jason Goldrup, a second class Scout from Gardiner Troop 606, explained what he enjoyed most from the tour of Colby College’s LEED certified biomass-fueled steam plant. “We got an exclusive tour,” he said. “There was a lot to learn there. They have to keep the furnace running even in July.”
At traditional Boy Scout camps, Scouts attend different merit badge classes at different areas around camp. At Camp Bomazeen, the Scouts attend a unified week-long program at one area based on one concept. Different programs included Aquatics Week, Shooting Sports Program, Nechemis — basic skills for first-year Scouts, STEM, Trail to Eagle Week, Trades and Frontier/Bushcraft week.
“I really enjoyed camp,” Delile said after completing requirements for merit badges needed to advance to Eagle Scout, including and public speaking and journalism. “It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot.”
Several Boy Scouts collaborated and wrote this story as part of their efforts toward the Journalism Merit Badge while at Camp Bomazeen. Scouts Jason Goldrup, Zachary Delile, Ben Corwin, Michael Delorge, Adam Bastarache and Holden Johnson recently attended the Public Service Week program in Belgrade, completing the requirements for several merit badges. The Scouts interviewed leaders, other Scouts, toured federal and state facilities and visited a local newsroom.
TOP PHOTO: Ray Rayeski, right, explains the work he does at Colby College’s Biomass-Fueled Steam Plant. Scouts visited the facility as part of their Sustainability Merit Badge. Scouts Michael Delorge, Holden Johnson, Zachary Delile and Ben Corwin listen. (Submitted photo)
