FELLSMERE — Five packs of Cub Scouts set up event tents at Operation Hope in Fellsmere to have fun and earn belt loops in different areas such as geology, music and chess.
The event was two-fold – earn merits as well as collect school supplies for the non-profit, which promises to provide education, support and assistance to families in need, regardless of race, color or religion.
The idea came together when Richard Brown, Cubmaster of Pack 589, and Operation Hope President Jesse Zermeno, met at the Children’s Festival back in April.
“Jesse asked me if there was anything that we could do to help him and made mention that the back to school event was their next event,” said Brown.
The two agreed that, in exchange for the use of Operation Hope’s field for Loop-a-Looza, the different packs would collect different school materials for Operation Hope.
Cub Scouts in grades first through fifth gathered pencils, notebooks, binders, glue and even a Spiderman backpack to help the cause out.
During Loop-a-Looza each Cub Scout had a chance to earn a belt loop, which is a small metal clip with curved edge that wraps around a belt, depicting a type of activity.
During a game of chess, Brenda Carley, a mother of three Scouts and Indian River executive for the pack, explained that “a Cub Scout has to identify chess pieces, set up a game for play, demonstrate the moves of each piece to their den leader or adult partner and play a game against another cub” in order to earn his chess belt loop.
“By doing these things, they are learning sportsmanship, great strategies, they’re using math skills and they have to multi-think,” she said. “It’s actually amazing how quick they learn this game.”
Normally Cub Scouts only have meetings during the school year, usually from September to May or June.
In order to keep the young cubs interested and active during the summer, Cubmasters, like Richard Brown of Pack 589, will put on events such as Loop-a-Looza where the kids can get together, play and help support a good cause.
There were eight total academic and athletic stations for Cub Scouts to earn their belt loops.
“Cub Scouts is a wonderful, wonderful thing,” said Diane Jennings, a grandmother of one of the Cub Scouts. “It teaches kids morals, responsibility and loyalty.”
Jennings grandson, Jarek Jennings, has been in Cub Scouts for three years.
Cub Scouting, a division for younger boys in the Boy Scouts of America organization, has been around since 1930.
To make a donation to the Operation Hope thrift store, call 772-571-0003 to make an appointment. To make a monetary donation, mail a check to Operation Hope at 12285 County Road 512, Fellsmere 32948.