Hundreds of Boy Scouts descend on Blue Earth
SARAH DAY — Sentinel Staff WriterArticle Photos
BLUE EARTH - A tent-city popped up at the Faribault County fairgrounds this weekend, along with about 750 people.
This year marked the fourth year of the Twin Valley Council Boy Scouts of America Expo, which is held once every four years. The Expo was held in Vernon Center its first year, and in Blue Earth the past three times.
Scout troops began arriving Friday night to set up their tents and join together around campfires in Cub Scout and Boy Scout groups.
Saturday was the most eventful day of the weekend.
"Today has been just full of activities," said North Star District leader Paula Nuessmeier.
Scouts got to build boats out of rigid foam insulation, work on wood carvings and learn how to use a ham radio. They also experimented with pop bottle rockets and played a wide array of lawn games.
From morning to afternoon, 258 scouts participated in the Young Eagle program, where pilots take them up in an airplane. Nuessmeier said there were 17 pilots that flew throughout the day at the Blue Earth airport.
Greg Hasse, Expo chairman, said due to the price of fuel they sought out sponsors for the Young Eagles. Young Eagles is a program through the Experimental Aircraft Association that lets youth go flying.
The University of Minnesota's Raptor Center held two shows, where the scouts learned about the birds and the environment.
The Prairie Island Mdewakanton Community dancers came and performed several different Native American dances and explained some of the old traditions, while scouts and leaders intently watched and listened to the jingling of the costumes, beat of the drum and voices singing in their native language.
Nuessmeier was excited that the scouts would be cooking their own supper on their campfires Saturday evening.
This year's theme for the Expo was "Transportation: On the Move."
With that idea, a utility truck, Blue Earth fire truck, semi truck and trailer, tractor, Blue Earth Police Squad, a new Minnesota State Patrol squad and a State Patrol helicopter were at the Expo. Children looked through them and in many cases honked the horn or sirens as they were told how the vehicles worked. But the biggest draw was the helicopter that landed in the baseball field.
Hasse said the day went well, and the purpose of the event was accomplished: "Scouting is about having fun, about getting into tents, being outdoors and having these physical activities," he said. "Kids can have fun outside their family room or rec room. We do it in a safe, non-threatening environment. Every boy is welcome to join."
Hasse and Nuessmeier were watching the helicopter land and overheard a young boy say "Wow! This is cool. I've never seen a helicopter land before."
"That made it all worth it," Hasse said.
He loves the aspect of changing the lives of children.
The evening ended with a bang, or quite a few. The Expo had a grand finale mix of entertainment, including music and awards, followed by the crackling bursts of fireworks.
