Boy scouts camp out at Goodfellow

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jon DuMond
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Boy Scouts had the chance to see Goodfellow AFB up-close when they held their annual District Camporee here last weekend. More than 100 Scouts from eight troops in Tom Green and Runnels counties camped overnight at Camp Sentinel, a training area on the base, and were able to see a variety of military skills demonstrations from a joint team of Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps volunteers.

After a flag raising ceremony at the DoD Firefighters Memorial on Saturday morning, Scouts saw a demonstration on Military Working Dogs by the 17th Security Forces Squadron. Afterwards, they travelled to the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy and saw a variety of training simulators that fire instructors use to teach students about firefighting as well as learning about special investigations, intelligence analysis, and medical first aid. Scouts also had the chance to go through an obstacle course set up by Marines outside the fire academy and see a demonstration of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. Soldiers also showed the Scouts patrol techniques and took them through a patrol training scenario.

"I applaud all the military personnel who gave their time and effort to the Camporee. It was a total team effort" said Mr. Sam Spooner, the 17th Training Wing Chief of Safety and an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 22.

Even with the Wildcat Fire burning north of the city, Team Goodfellow made the effort to spend time with the Scouts.

"I would like to especially recognize the firefighter instructors from the 312th Training Squadron who fought the fires near San Angelo until five in the morning and then came in to volunteer at the Camporee" Mr. Spooner said. "They simply didn't want to disappoint the Scouts and in true military fashion put service above self. It was an absolute success and made a positive impact on the Boy Scouts in our District."

Geoff Parker, Senior District Executive with the Concho Valley Boy Scouts, was also at the Camporee and was very impressed with Team Goodfellow's efforts to reach out to the Scouts.

"Scouts learned about a variety of career fields, specifically in the military" he said. "They were able to see first-hand what it means to be a good citizen, and to serve our country from the men and women of Goodfellow AFB. They enjoyed an action-packed day, and had a lot of smiles to show for it."