Three Days of Scouting at Point Mallard Park November 7-9

For three days in November, hundreds of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, Explorers and adult volunteers will come together to test their Scouting skills and to promote brotherhood in Decatur, Alabama. An opportunity to showcase everything that is great about Scouting and the Greater Alabama Council Boy Scouts of America, ScoutFest 2014 will take place November 7-9, 2014, at Point Mallard Park in Decatur, Ala.

ScoutFest is a Greater Alabama Council wide event where Scouts of all ages can participate in a wide-range of activities and learning opportunities. All Packs, Troops, Crews, Ships, and Posts are encouraged to attend and camp both nights. The Point Mallard Driving Range will serve as the camping area.

ScoutFest offers a multitude of activities for Scouts of all ages. Cub Scout activities include several shooting sports such as archery, BB guns and slingshots; Pinewood Derby Extravaganza; pedal cars and a scavenger hunt. For Boy Scouts and Venturers, there will be axe throwing, wall climbing, woodcarving, an obstacle/skills course and a knot tying competition. Two high adventure activities - spar pole climbing and a canoe/portage course – will also be available for Boy Scouts and Venturers who are at least 14 years old. Additional activities for all Scouts include ice skating, ultimate Frisbee, Frisbee golf, flag etiquette, fishing in the Tennessee River, tethered hot-air balloon rides and more.

Along with recreational activities, participants will be treated to presentations and demonstrations, and members of the Coosa Lodge Indian Village will be on hand dancing to American Indian drumming and singing. The evening concludes with an exciting arena-type show and a fireworks display.

Registration is required to participate in activities. For more information on ScoutFest. including an online registration link, visit www.scoutfest.com or the Council’s website, www.1bsa.org, or contact Jeff Brasher at jbrasher@1bsa.org or 205-970-0251.     

Decatur Parks and Recreation officials are excited as the anticipation builds for the influx of hundreds of 2014 ScoutFest event attendees. To best inform local residents and visitors of the openings and closings within the park during preparation, Point Mallard Park Superintendent, Jason Lake said, “For the safety of the scouts and leaders, we will need to adjust access and hours of portions of the park. There will be no outside, unauthorized access of Point Mallard Circle from Friday, November 7 (after Eastwood Elementary School releases students) through Sunday, November 9 via either Point Mallard Drive near the Golf Course or Greenwood Drive, SE. The Point Mallard Ice Rink will be closed to the public Friday through Sunday, November 7-9 as well. The Strike Zone, T.C. Almon and the Jimmy Johns Tennis Center will be closed Thursday, November 6 through Sunday, November 9. We would like to point out that the Point Mallard Walking Trails will remain open; however, we ask that pedestrians show particular caution when approaching the Archery Park. The Point Mallard Golf Course and Point Mallard Campground will remain open as usual.” For more information on openings and closures at Point Mallard Park, call 256.341.4912.