The forested hillsides of Millcreek Canyon aren't the usual setting for regular In-School Scouting activities of Whittier, Washington and M. Lynn Bennion elementary school students.
But this week the canyon Scout Training Center area was a beehive of activity as some 240 fifth-graders participated in cooking, outdoor crafts, nature study and physical-fitness games.Now in its fourth year, In-School Scouting is an alternative program administered within regular district classrooms for third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students.
The program focuses on such concepts as taking responsibility for one's actions, group decision-making and teamwork. It teaches principles of self-worth, self-reliance and social responsibility.
"I'm having fun today. It's some place to be, a nice place to learn, to help and be with people," said Shanequa Smith, 10, a Whittier Elementary student in her second year of the Great Salt Lake Council-sponsored program.
Brian Pharris, 11, a Bennion Elementary student, was among those listening attentively to a nature-study presentation by Dave Isom, Wasatch Peaks District executive and Webelos Woods camp director.
Pharris participates in the Blazer Scouting program in his church, but the boy said he has gained many new ideas from In-School Scouting at Bennion Elementary. Pharris and others responded readily to Isom's questions about the relationship of plants, animals and other creatures in the environment.
"Anytime we do anything in nature, we affect other things in nature," Isom explained as a Bulgarian rat snake curled around his arm. Isom outlined the importance of not doing anything to upset the balance of nature. He asked the students lots of questions, and they eagerly responded.
Other instructors, whose students rotated between classes near a large pond and the Scout council's training center, were mostly volunteer Scouters.
Myrl Silcox, Riverton, who recruited and organized 70 volunteers for the outdoor gathering, said they were "thrilled and wanted to be a part of the activity when I told them more about the purpose of the In-School Scouting program."
The volunteers included Wilson and Billie Dawn Clark, East Mill Creek, volunteer Scouters for more than 30 years; Gaylon and Peggy Smith; Hugh and Aletha Cannon; Jim Cannon, Wasatch Peaks District commissioner; Richard L. Cowley; and Faye Winkelkotter.
Winkelkotter, a volunteer on Wednesday but an In-School Scouting teacher at Bennion and Jackson elementary schools, said she likes the program because it provides character-building experiences.
"It gives the teacher a break and it gives the kids a break from the regular school program," Winkelkotter said.
Billie Dawn Clark and Lyman Gifford, the council's development director, said the program helps boost school attendance and children's enthusiasm for learning.
Wednesday, students sliced potatoes, carrots and other vegetables for a stew, and they made cherry, apple, pineapple and peach cobbler.
Rebecca Archer, Stephanie Asceneaux and Dana Wee, all 11, were among students who seemed to be having a good time working together to help prepare the meal.
Laura Hollen, Heather Fann, Mysty Mayne, Jennifer Albor and Rosario Gonzales were among those learning to tie bowline, clove hitch and square knots.
Reflecting ideas of teachers, principals, parents and students, Joanne Reinertson, Great Salt Lake Council director of In-School Scouting, said the program serves more than 1,000 students in 39 classrooms. In-School Scouting has helped to greatly reduce student absenteeism.
Ken Kraus, a member of the In-School Scouting Advisory Board, lauded the program and its effect on students and their families.
"It is a success story of reaching out and touching kids in a public school setting. It is a (program) with national potential because school districts all over the country are saddled with shrinking budgets, with shrinking credibility and seemingly insurmountable social problems," Kraus added.