Courtesy photo Local Scouts from the Chief Logan District (Juniata Valley Council) and Keystone District (Laurel Highlands Council) attended their Fall Camporee from Oct. 1 to 3 at Camp Anderson in Tyrone. Scouts had the opportunity to earn their Weather, Surveying, and Disabilities Awareness Merit Badges. The Scouts gathered in front of the Memorial Lodge at the Camp for this group photo.

Local troops earn badges for weather, land surveying and disabilities awareness

TYRONE — The Chief Logan District of the Juniata Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America, held its annual Fall Camporee Oct. 1 to 3 at Camp Anderson near Tyrone.

The weekend drew 10 Scouts/BSA troops from Blair and Cambria counties, with approximately 100 Scouts, leaders and staff participating.

Todd Brinton from Troop 49 in Altoona served as chairperson for the event, spearheading a pumpkin-carving contest and traditional campfire ceremony on Saturday evening.

During the remainder of the weekend, the Scouts worked on up to three merit badges, including Surveying, Weather and Disabilities Awareness.

John Lubert volunteered to counsel the Surveying merit badge, which offered the Scouts the opportunity to learn about surveying instruments, geometry, math, deeds and how to become a professional land surveyor.

Christy Shields, a meteorologist from WTAJ TV-10, counseled the Weather Merit Badge, where Scouts had the opportunity to see a “Science with Shields” demonstration, ask questions and take a short quiz to qualify for their badge.

Casey Malenovitch served as counselor for Disabilities Awareness Merit Badge, appropriately held in Camp Freedom, an accessible campsite within Camp Anderson, which was constructed in 2006 as a Rotary Centennial project. Malenovitch helped Scouts learn about disabilities that many people experience, both visible and invisible, and increased their awareness of how public and private facilities serve and could better serve, the disabled community.

Scouting’s Merit Badge program is designed to allow Scouts to learn more about specific fields of interest, many of which can lead to careers.

Camp Anderson Corporation staffed the traditional “Trading Post” making snacks available during the event.

Anyone interested in learning more about or joining Scouting can find more information at BeAScout.org or by contacting Brennan Malenovitch, senior district executive, at 717-667-9236.