Medina Conservation Club hosting ‘Taste of Scouting’ on Saturday

MEDINA – Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and boys from the community are invited to Medina Conservation Club for a Taste of Scouting on Saturday.

Scout campouts used to be done many years ago, said Jessica Bonham, director of the Western New York Scout Council.

“We are bringing it back in hope of making it an annual event,” Bonham said.

Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from Medina and Lyndonville will be participating, with Troop 28 taking charge of activities for the boys.

Bonham said they are inviting any boy in the community from kindergarten through fifth grade to attend and take part in activities from 2 to 4 p.m.

“Like so many organizations, membership is down since COVID,” Bonham said. “We are hoping to renew interest and recruit more boys to Scouting.”

Saturday’s activities will include fishing, archery and making smores.

Jim Olinger, treasurer of the Conservation Club, said they plan to open the skeet fields to let the older boys shoot clay targets under supervision.

He said he was excited when Dean Bellack, a member of the club, contacted him earlier in the summer about using the grounds for an event to involve the community.

“Not a lot of kids are involved in outdoor activities these days,” Olinger said. “It’s great to get them involved.”

Medina Conservation Club was incorporated in April 1940 for the purpose of protecting and restoring America’s woods, wildlife and waters, particularly in Orleans County; to provide its facilities to the Boy Scouts of America, Cub Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America and similar organizations for camping, hiking, fishing and participation in outdoor sports and conservations programs; and other causes in regard to increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation and to safeguard public health.

The Conservation Club currently has 140 members, Olinger said. It is located at 3748 Bates Rd., Medina.

Anyone interested in becoming a Scout can contact Bonham at (585) 993-5359.