Efforts are underway to organize community scout troops. Community Troop 1307 and Community Pack 1307 will hold an informational meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Etna Community Center.

“The purpose of the meeting is to acquaint the families and young people of the valley with the Scouting opportunities available through the Etna community units,” said Norman Bos, one of the coordinators of the community scouting groups. “The Scouting program will be explained and questions will be answered.”

According to Bos, with the changes in local Scouting that will take place next year, when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will no longer sponsor Scouting units, community units will “be necessary for youth to complete or start their ‘Trail to Eagle’ and participate in the physical, intellectual and moral development that Scouting has to offer.”

“These community units are starting now in order to provide a seamless continuation of Scouting for the affected youth,” Bos said. “Youth can be dual registered in both their home troop and Troop 1307 or Pack 1307 and participate in both units if desired.”

The Cub Scouting program is open to boys and girls from kindergarten to and including fifth grade. The Boy Scouts of America program is available to boys and, after February 2019, will be available to girls from age 11-18.

“Both young men and young women may complete the Eagle Scout Rank,” said Bos. “Scouting is now a complete family program for youth from age 5 until age 18.”

If you have any questions before the Jan. 9 meeting, contact Charlie Fritz at (307) 880-0414 for Cub Scouts or Karl Scherbel at (307) 887-7890 for Boy Scouts.