The Boy Scouts of America Chickasaw Council converged on Camp McCain last weekend for the biennial Operation Delta activities held at the military training facility located south of Grenada. A total of more than 1,100 Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts attended the event.
Council Field Director Casey Manning says the event follows up the annual fall recruitment for the scouts.
“This event is one of our largest events we do every other year,” Manning said. “We have other events in between, but it takes so much time and planning for Operation Delta. We just finished with our annual fall recruitment and this follows that period with the activities that we promised them during that recruitment period. Once we get them into an activity or event, that tends to give them more longevity in scouting because we gave them that opportunity.”
Garrison Commander Colonel Millard Guy Reedy IV says Camp McCain always likes to open its doors to the community.
“We like any kind of event that we can bring the community into the post,” Reedy said. “It allows us to stay connected with the community. The big thing about having the Boy Scouts out here is we are getting to see the future leaders. They provide young men that will grow up with a different set of standards from a lot of other organizations. It’s going to teach them leadership skills and different things about life. We just like being a part of that. This is a place where they can exercise and see the outdoors. It also shows them what we do in the military. Hopefully, one day they want to grow up and be a part of the military.”
The scouts were exposed to a lot of activities such as a 60-foot repelling tower, a rock climb wall, walking boards, BB gun, archery and knife-throwing to name a few. Those attending had a chance to climb on tanks and helicopters and look at them. The highlight of the weekend was an Apache attack helicopter that flew in from Tupelo.
Manning said the event was a success and the scouts thanked Camp McCain for the use of their facility for the event.
“Everything went really great – there were no glitches hardly at all,” he said. “We had nothing but positive reviews. The number of participants was more than we expected. Everybody had a great time. We appreciate Camp McCain and all their support.”
Manning said meetings will begin soon for the 2023 event.
“We will do a follow-up of what went right and what we need to work on and begin plans on 2023,” Manning said. “Then, we will have to get back with the military and see what dates work for them.”
The scouts camped in the great outdoors and were exposed to below freezing temperatures. Cub scouts actually picked up their polar bear badges for spending the night in their tents.
Activities came to a close last Saturday with a group campfire.
