Wolves, bears and Webelos dressed in blue shirts, patriotic U.S. flag-like scarves and red, white or blue straw hats gathered for Twilight Camp, a week-long celebration of skills and traditions in Carson City.
More than 80 Cub Scouts were grouped at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into eight dens based on age, with the wolf den the youngest, followed by four bear dens and three webelo dens. The young scouts enjoyed 16 program areas including kite-making, woodworking, leather-making, marble-shooting, and the popular archery.
Josh Koch, 7, a tiger cub, and member of the youngest den, who sang his den's song "Who Let the Wolves Out?" fashioned after "Who Let the Dogs Out?" enjoyed target practice most of all.
"I got it all the time except once," he said, explaining he had shot five arrows.
Matt Boyd of Gardnerville, who hovered nearby, is a Boy Scout in Troop 411 in Minden, and one of many Boy Scout volunteers and parents who help guide the eight dens and lead activities.
"I like helping these guys. They're really funny. Aren't they?" he asked his den of young scouts.
Le Volberding, a shop teacher from Dayton, who showed scouts how to build remote-control holders and toolboxes, also taught the use of tool safety and made sure the boys protected their eyes with goggles.
"It's going great with these guys," he said, "And we're getting wonderful projects finished."
Tom Jones, a den leader for Pack 16 out of St. Teresa's Catholic Church in Carson City, had his two sons, Andrew, 9, and volunteer Kyle, 13, at the camp. Jones had been in an accident Wednesday, but still brought his scouts to Twilight Camp on time.
Andrew, whose favorite activity was archery, said he paid his way to camp through popcorn sales earlier in the scouting year.
"My dad would probably pay for it," he said, looking sheepishly at Dad, as brother Kyle walked by with a small lizard on his shoulder, leaving all the boys staring after him. "Daddy likes to come, too."
Jones said scouting is a great program, and he enjoys seeing boys grow and change every year.
"Scouting promotes community," he said. "And the oaths stick with them for the rest of their lives. Like I remember, 'Always do your best.'"
Over in the leather-crafting area David Beckman, activity director and Eagle scout, said he has been involved in scouting since he was a young kid, which is common for many of the volunteers at the camp. The scouts made marble bags, leather name tags and pocket knife pouches at his table.
"They love it," he said. "They think it's a blast."
Dahleen Kendler, coordinator of the camp for the seventh year, makes sure the boys are where they are supposed to be and keeps camp running very smoothly.
Her son, Matthew, a 12-1/2 -year-old Boy Scout, assists in the story-telling room, in which a story about a door with a knob that suddenly turns red is taking life.
"We only have our kids for a little time," Kendler said. "And I want to do the best thing I can for them. I might change one boy's life. I don't want recognition. I just want to see these kids achieve."
Twilight Camp ended Friday evening with a campfire and dinner of hot dogs, barbecue beans and watermelon. Each den performed a skit planned during the week. The final ceremonious act was the Cub Scouts' retiring of seven American flags.
