ASHLAND — A regional effort to keep boy scouts engaged during the statewide stay-at-home order reached far more people than the Buckeye Council’s Director of Field Service Nathan Hopper ever could have anticipated.
The program’s HomeScouting initiative prompted 4,000 plus signups from around the world.
“We built it for local families, but when pushed out information about it, it took off and was seen by other scouts in other parts of the country,” Hopper said. “It ended up, it went viral and spread out across the world. We have signups from Europe and Asia, and some aren’t involved in scouting.”
The Buckeye Council, which is affiliated with Boy Scouts of America, includes troops in Ashland and Richland Counties among numerous others in North Eastern and Central Ohio. The Ashland and Richland chapters became part of the Buckeye Council in January 2017 and were previously part of The Heart of Ohio Council.
The six-week program was launched with local scouts in mind, but could be relevant to anyone stuck at home due to COVID-19, Hopper said. The program kicked off March 23 with programming on internet safety and continued with weekly assignments.
During week two, participants were encouraged to “break out their tool box” and help their parents with an at-home project, and in week three, children were asked to make cards for first responders and health care workers.
In Ashland, Victor Perez signed up both his children for HomeScouting. The older of the two is in Cub Scout Pack 502, while the other is younger and likes to tag along
“They enjoy the assignments, and it gets us outside,” Perez said. “And it keeps them involved in scouting, so they don’t forget about it, and it gives them something to do.”
Perez is a den leader, so he followed along the adult version of the HomeScouting program, which prompted him to advance his training and complete other requirements to maintain his role.
Meanwhile in Stark County, Hopper’s children were enjoying the at-home adventures, too.
“This week has been my favorite,” Hopper said amid Week 3, which involved card making for local helpers. “Service to other is so important to the organization, but also in general, and sitting with your kids, doing this, it puts power in their hands to make a difference.”
Because his wife works in healthcare, his 10-year-old boy and 7-year-old daughter have a unique understanding of the COVID-19 situation, he continued.
“The kids see her go to the hospital every day and can understand that,” Hopper said.
Scouts in the Buckeye Council who participated in the six-week program could earn the “spring breakout badge.”
“Our biggest hope from an organizational standpoint was that scouts stay engaged in their scouting adventure, but we’re excited so many people have joined as a part of it,” Hopper said. “Now, my biggest hope is that as scouting has always done, I hope it brings people together.”
