Cub Scout Pack 317’s first annual bicycle rodeo

Cub Scout Pack 317 at the bicycle rodeo.

Safety was the main theme for Cub Scout Pack 317’s first annual bicycle rodeo  Aug. 17 at St. Charles United Methodist Church.

More than 30 Cub Scouts and guests gathered for safety and helmet checks, bike registration, and a bicycle course. The event was co-sponsored by the United Way of St. Charles that provided free helmets, refreshments, and two bikes that were awarded in a random drawing as part of their Bike United initiative. The annual event was also the kickoff to this year’s pack activities and membership recruitment.

“We wanted to give local children and Cub Scouts the opportunity to practice their cycling skills as well as offer them the chance to have bike tune ups and helmet fittings while showing potential new members what scouting is all about,” said Pack 317 Cubmaster Andie Savoie.

The event was set up with stations manned by parent volunteers of Pack 317. Upon arrival,  guests registered, signed up for the bike drawing, and were fitted for helmets and given a complimentary helmet courtesy of United Way of St. Charles. They were also given the opportunity to register their bike with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in the instance their bike is stolen or missing.  The last station before racing included a “tune ups” where volunteers checked and adjusted tires, brakes, chains, and seat heights to make sure that bicycles were safe and ready to ride.

Scouts checking bicycles.

Once cyclists were outfitted and checked, they tested the course by practicing take off, stops, turn signals, and riding through obstacles safely.  Once they were able to do so, they could take a stab at the “Slow Poke Race” which required participants to ride their bike as slowly as possible without touching their feet on the ground,” said Savoie. “In addition to teaching the children smart riding techniques, the rodeo also helped active Cub Scouts work toward several awards and adventure loops which help them progress in Scout ranks.”

She added, “We are really excited about the fun ahead for our Cub Scouts this coming year.  This event is the first of several that we are hoping will bring more learning and fun to our Cub Scout Pack and to encourage them to invite their friends to join in the fun. We have many fun activities planned for the upcoming year, such as an overnight camp out on the U.S.S. Kidd in Baton Rouge, the Raingutter Regatta, a group hike and picnic, Pinewood Derby, and so much more. We hope that other children in our community will join us in our scouting adventures.”

Cub Scout Pack 317 is located in Destrehan and sponsored by St. Charles United Methodist Church and serves youth grades K-5 in Destrehan and Norco.  Scout orientation was also held Sept. 10 at the church for families interested in signing up for scouts.

For more information, contact Andie Savoie, Cubmaster at destrehanpack317@gmail.com or visit the Pack Facebook Page at facebook.com/destrehanpack317.

 

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