Local cub scouts troop 51 had an hour and a half private swim lesson with three of Vogel’s lifeguards. Water features, like slides and fountains were turned off, so the scouts could totally focus.

Scouts listened closely to lifeguards as they explained life-saving skills–when to call 911, swimming with a buddy in lakes, look before you leap, and always be careful when diving.

After the initial lesson, scouts broke into two groups, one composed of lions (kindergarten), and one composed of Wolfs (2nd grade), Bears (3rd grade), and Webelos (4th grade), to practice additional life-saving skills.

Lifeguard Dominic Camacho taught the lion scouts much like a summer swimming lesson: bobbing and blowing bubbles, diving underwater for rings, how to kick, how to hold their hands when swimming (like ice cream scoops), and all about life jackets. Camacho made things exciting for the lion scouts by playing other games, like Mr. Shark, and incorporating pool noodles into the lesson.

Spencer Fix tries out the Shepard’s hook with lifeguard Lydia Fix.

“They kinda have it in the back of their minds, oh the deep end, but once they get their lifejackets on, they’re fine.” Camacho said.

While the lions were busy getting familiar with the water at various depths, the second group of scouts–wolfs, bears, and Webelos were led by lifeguards Keenan Davis and Lydia Feidt.

Their focus being demo rescues with a Shepard’s hook and life preserver, swimming techniques like how to push off from the edge and strokes like the butterfly, how to wear life jackets, and lifesaving floating skills like a safety ring.

The emphasis was safety, scouts also bonded and strengthened their friendships through these activities.

When asked what they like about scouts, Spencer Fix and Ezera Meyer both agreed on “Pocket knife training and camping.”

(From left to right) Ryder Kretsch, Spencer Fix, Ezera Meyer, Rayne Hartman, James Kober, and Wyatt Hartman gather to learn water safety at Vogel Recreation Center.

Andy Meyer, the pack’s leader of two years, explained, “The best skill the scouts would learn from today’s activity would just becoming more comfortable and familiar at the pool.”

Andy started scouts in kindergarten and obtained eagle scout, the highest rank a scout can earn. He feels that the 12 points to the scouting law still holds true today.

“Life is hectic and the time you have with your kids goes by very fast,” Andy Meyer said, “What scouts offer kids are many experiences by doing different activities, but all focuses on being a good well-rounded person. Also, it allows parents/families to participate in these experiences with the scout, kids thrive when their parents are with them.”

Because Troop 51 is a family pack, siblings can come to any and all events. Friends are welcomed, too. After the swimming lesson, Troop 51 had pizza, and several members stayed for open swim with their families.

The pack is composed of multiple dens with girls and boys, age kindergarten through fifth grade. New members are always welcome. If one is interested in joining scouting, they can find more information on their website https://www.twinvalleybsa.org (New Ulm, pack 51) or by contacting Andy Meyer at 507-217-7101.

The hope of just being comfortable in the water proved true when talking to the scouts about their experience.

“I learned how to swim 40 yards,” Ezera Meyer said.

“Basically, I learned how to float front to back. A pancake float,” Fix said.

Younger scouts earn a belt loops, a small metal piece that hooks on one’s belt, from the day’s activities. Lions, James Kober and Wyatt Hartman earned Time to Swim. Wolf, Ryder Kretsch, earned Paws for Water. Bears, Ezera Meyer and Spencer Fix earned Salmon Run.

Older Webelos earn adventure pins, a small pin that goes on the sleeve of their uniform. Webelo, Rayne Hartman, earned her Aquanaut adventure pin.

At the end of the year, after completing various adventures and activities such as this, the belt loops and adventure pins add up to a scouting badge.