On Sat., May 10, under ominous gray storm clouds that held back their heavy rain until late afternoon, more than 15,000 people attended the 21^st annual Big Red Xtreme Scout Show, presented at DallasMarketCenter by Circle Ten Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Cub Scout packs and Boy Scouts troops from the North Trail District, which comprises Richardson, North Dallas, and Highland Park, were among council units that created and staffed exhibits and demonstrations  showcasing Scout values, programs, achievements, and facilities.  A varied sampling of Scout activities filled the main exhibition hall as well as a part of the center’s outdoor parking lot.

Among participating North Trail District units:

• Pack 727, chartered by Richardson’s TrinityFellowshipChurch, made hats out of old newspapers to focus attention on caring for the environment through recycling.  “It was neat seeing kids walking around the Scout Show with our newspaper hats on,” said Paul Howard, 727 Packmaster.
• Troop 81, which meets at RichlandBibleFellowshipChurch, set up a rope bridge.  For much of the day, eager would-be bridge walkers waited in line to experience the thrill of crossing the temporary structure.  More than one child, immediately after successfully navigating the not-so-still ropes, was overheard telling a momentarily relieved parent, “That was fun.  I want to do it again.”
• Troop 118, which meets at the First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park in downtown Richardson, served more than 12 gallons of taco soup.  “Our soup was very popular,” said Scout Cody Moore.
• Troop 437, chartered by Richardson Home School Association, presented a display of insects while its Venture Band performed.  In addition to the outdoor activities, Troop 437 Scouts staffed a photography exhibit at an indoor council booth.  Scout photographers roamed the Scout Show, taking digital images, printed more than 80 of those images on a portable color printer, and gave them to the subjects. 
• Troop 778, which meets at First United Methodist Church of Richardson, challenged Scout Show attendees to display their prowess on the chess board.
• Troop 1191, which meets at JessHarbenElementary School, finger printed more than 200 Scout Show attendees with equipment provided by the Richardson Police Department.  Each person finger printed was given a card with his or her prints and encouraged to store it with personal information.    

With support from more than 15,000 registered adult leaders, Circle Ten Council offers leadership and character development programs for nearly 38,000 youth in 12 counties in North Texas and south-central Oklahoma.  In 2008, more than 830 young men in council troops earned the rank of Eagle Scout – the most for any single year in the history of Circle Ten Council.

North Trail District

www.northtrail.org

Circle Ten Council, B.S.A.

www.Circle10.org

Alan Edwards and his family have participated in, and supported, Circle Ten Council Cub Scout and Boy Scout activities for more than 13 years.