Scouting’s flagship event is one-of-a-kind. It’s a gathering of tens of thousands of Scouts, leaders, and Jamboree Service Team members that showcases everything that is great about the Boy Scouts of America. Over the course of 10 summer days, once every four years, the Boy Scouts of America gathers together. Scouts and Scouters who attend will explore all kinds of adventures—stadium shows, pioneer village, Mount Jack hikes, adventure sports and more—in the heart of one of nature’s greatest playgrounds. With 10,000 acres at the Summit to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories.

The snow is almost gone, the sun is higher in the sky, the days are beginning to warm up, the sap is running (a good thing for Maple Syrup Days), and tent camping weather is right around the corner. As an old Biologist and nature lover, I marvel at the way the changing season brings life back into the woods. I saw my first robin yesterday, heard my neighborhood woodpecker working hard for his food, and had the first Asian beetles and boxelder bugs appear in my yard. Spring is indeed a time for renewal, and also a time to freshen up in preparation for the warmer weather. That is true of life, and is essential in Scouting.

It came off the lot in mid-May 2008. Little did I realize that it would continue into 2025--the longest I have ever owned a vehicle. Last week, however, after 478,146 miles, the red Prius was retired with as much fanfare at the dealership as 17 years ago.

On scout trips, there was a "pecking" order as to who could rise in Mr. Kraft's car, and who sat where. Three middle schoolers would cram themselves into the back seat while, generally, the eldest one controlled the satellite radio stations (with the proviso that the lyrics had to be appropriate.) We sang ourselves hoarse one return trip from summer camp because "he" found the stations that seemed to play this particular song that required sing-a-longs.

During staff week, it was loaded to the ceiling with the favored treats of camp staff--Sun Drop and Jolly Ranchers, delivered to all five Bay-Lakes Council camps. Unsure if it was truly built for terrain, but it often went off road, like up and down that big hill to the athletic field at Twin Lakes, to deliver ceremonialists and assorted gear. Or, known as the "red ambulance," to retrieve an injured scout (or leader) for an "urgent" trip to the hospital.

As a personal vehicle, it was the daily commute and the weekend family activities. Lotsa memories and lotsa experiences. But it was time to finally say good-bye and hello to new-but-used "wheels." The grandsons have already figured out how they could sleep in the tail gate area on long trips without touching each other. (Not gonna happen, of course) And the fold down center console will separate them nicely in the back seat--a level playing area for their joint games and cupholders when Opa allows "freezies" after karate lessons.

No profound message this time. (You can make up your own.) But, great thanks to the little Red Prius that could. And to those it transported from here to there, and safely back again.

See you on the highway! 

But remember it is no longer red, but dark grey on that trail!

Warren Kraft

Program Development

Bay-Lakes Council #635

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