Youth led event teaches children survival skills and more during "Outdoor STEM and Skills Day"

As families lined up in the parking lot of Montour Preserve's Environmental Education Building to sign in, a dozen Scouts BSA youth from Venturing Crew 2307 and Sea Scout Ship 2323 (Sunbury), along with BSA Troop 419 (Selinsgrove), were busy gathering last-minute supplies and finalizing the activities for the more than 110 children registered for the event.

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 "Outdoor STEM and Skills Day" was a joint initiative involving Vernal School, Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, Susquehanna Kids, and the Susquehanna Council BSA. The event aimed to provide educational stations focused on natural sciences and outdoor skills, such wilderness survival and safety.  Youth members (ages 14-17) of Susquehanna Council BSA took the lead and staffed six of the seven stations as well as walk children through the events rotation schedule.

Through a special collaboration, The Vernal School was able to host a public event that also offered activities enabling scouts to fulfill advancement requirements. At the same time, it offered the general public education in fundamental outdoor skills, a subject in high demand at The Vernal School.  "Outdoor STEM and Skills Day" featured presentations and activities including fire building, emergency signaling, compass navigation, Leave No Trace principles, plant identification, bark rubbings, outdoor essentials, and reptile/amphibian studies.

Stations managed by older youth significantly contributed to maintaining the younger children's interest, keeping them engaged and actively learning. Meanwhile, the older youth acquired valuable experience in planning and delivering presentations, along with gaining leadership experience.

The Vernal School would also like to thank all the adults who also made the day possible.  Many people contributed to this event, including PA Master Naturalist, Deb Steransky, Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper, John Zaktansky and leaders from Susquehanna Council BSA.

If your child is interested in Scouts BSA, learn more by visiting beascout.scouting.org.

See photographs from the action-packed event in the gallery below.