VIDEO: Family Camping Weekend

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- More than 160 Cub Scouts and their parents are spending the weekend camping.

What could be better on a camp out than roasting marshmallows over an open fire? Maybe two friends playing checkers under lamplight? And for some, just tossing football around before going to bed.

The next day the scouts had all kinds of more activities like launching bottle rockets, firing a BB gun, and testing their skills with a bow and arrow.

“We are just so excited to be able to join up with the city of Tupelo and enjoy the beautiful weather that we have out here at Veterans Park. We to able to get out and camp because he promotes a sense of community with our Cub Scouts and our Boy Scouts. They’re also able to get out and meet other Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and build relationships and build friendships that are going to last a lifetime,” says Stephon Bookhart.

Stephon Bookhart is from Peppertown. He camped out with his two sons, Payton and Terrence. He says he was a scout himself and wanted to share the experience with them.

“I try to be with them to show them the ropes and to just let them know about what camping is all about and Boy Scouts and Boys Clubs is all about,” says Bookhart.
Bookhart’s son Payton took advantage of many different activities as well.

“[I] Play football and play with my friend Zach and fish BB gun and shooting bow and arrow,” says Cub Scout Zach Bookhart.

Den Mothers are also appreciated in attendance.

“The smaller kids they need that mother figure. We become mothers to all of them. I’ve been called mom by several kids sometimes you, it’s just I guess it’s easier to talk to the mother figure the ladies in the group. The guys have more of that get them in order and make sure they do what they need to be doing but the mom is kinda the one they run to or the the ladies they run to just for comfort and feel,” says Den Mother Beth Lesley.

“A female leader kind of helps soften some of the trouble they might have adjusting to being out in the outdoors and that sort of thing. The boys are younger the first through 5th grade and they’re not quite ready for the tough love of a Boy Scout, they still need a female there to kiss boo boo or hold a hand or something like that,” says Lesley.

The Cub Scouts agree.

“I think it’s really cool since my mom is the Weeblow 1 den mother for right now. I’m thinking it’s kind of cool,” says one of the Cub Scouts.

His den mother encouraged him while he tried out the bow and arrow.