Local city hosts largest scout outing in U.S.

CORRECTION: Story should have read that the event was the largest council-run multinational scouting event in North America.

Haslett — Boy and Girl Scout troops from more than 20 countries gathered Tuesday afternoon at Lake Lansing Park South, 1621 Pike St. in Haslett, for a day dedicated to forming international friendships and working for better global understanding.

The 2008 Michigan International Camporee, hosted by the Chief Okemos Council of the Boy Scouts of America, is the largest scouting event in the U.S., and involves troops meeting at Lake Lansing Park South, before traveling to northern Michigan for a week of camping, said Camporee Chief Bruce McCrea.

McCrea said he came up with the idea after a previous event was held in Connecticut, but disbanded in the early 1990s. After receiving volunteer support, McCrea said he decided to host the first Camporee in 1997, and then once again in 2000.

However, McCrea said he had to change the event to every four years to allow for ample funding and program organization.

The gathering, which drew more than 600 people on Tuesday, brings people together from all backgrounds for a common goal, McCrea said.

“It gives troops from outside the U.S. a chance to experience life in the U.S. and in Michigan for themselves, instead of just seeing it on the TV or through the Internet,” McCrea said. “It also gives local troops a chance to meet and learn about people from other countries.”

Host scout troops from surrounding areas, including Lansing, Dewitt and Laingsburg, all took part in the Camporee, along with troops from Austria, Denmark and Costa Rica.

Christian Polt, a 25-year-old scout from Austria, who participated in the 2004 Camporee, chose to return this year. He brought 11 members from his hometown scout group, located in Perchtoldsdorf, Austria.

“It’s such a good time here that I have been waiting to come back since I left four years ago,” Polt said. “This gives us a great opportunity to make new friends from around the world and explore the American way of life, even though it is a little more strict from how we live back home.”

While the afternoon concentrated on socializing activities and letting participants enjoy the park and the beach, McCrea said much of the excitement surrounded the evening performances. Troop members and leaders from all locations were invited to perform singing, dancing or other routines portraying their country for the other attending troops to watch.

“We have a slideshow of pictures and also came up with a song that tells about our country,” Polt said. “We hope it clears up any prejudices about Austria, and teaches people that there are no kangaroos where we live.”

Valdemar Atterdag, a troop from Denmark, traveled to the U.S. for their first time to attend the Camporee. Composed of 21 members, the scout leaders said they decided to come after researching scouting camps on the Internet.

“We were looking for something in America to give everyone a chance to experience this country and meet a lot of different people,” said Palle Juel, a scout leader for the troop. “(The Camporee) is so well organized it makes it easy for troops traveling from far away, and for everyone to form friendships that can last a lifetime.”

Published on Tuesday, July 22, 2008