Columnist Paula Del Giudice: Scouting good for kids

Wednesday, June 3, 1998 | 10:59 a.m.

PAULA DEL GIUDICE has been an outdoors freelance writer, author and photographer for 13 years. Her column appears Wednesdays.

MY 7-YEAR-OLD Kevin graduated from being a Tiger Cub Scout to a Wolf Cub Scout on Sunday. On Monday, we were at the Boulder Dam Area Council Office across from UNLV to purchase the remainder of his uniform.

After coming home and looking through his Wolf Handbook, I became recommitted to helping him achieve his Scouting goals and soar even higher than he thinks he can. The program has such good, strong objectives.

For some, starting a campfire or learning to tie knots may seem increasingly irrelevant in today's world. For me, the closer we keep our children to the basics and to the earth, the better we'll all be in the future.

Maybe the biggest reason for scouting's success is the commitment that parents must make to their kids. Parents have a lot on their plates nowadays, but increased involvement with their kids is a sure recipe for their success as parents and for the future success of their kids. Besides, scouting is fun for parents, too.

This summer there are a number of different camps and other family activities planned for Boy Scouts. It's a good way to learn more about the outdoors.

Call the Boulder Dam Area Council of Boy Scouts of America at 736-4366 for more information.

* RED ROCK SUMMER: The folks at Red Rock Canyon are gearing up for summer with great programs. Don't miss the "Desert Survival" session on Saturday. There will be a short hike and hands-on activities while participants learn what to do and not to do in the desert. Bring a hat, water and a snack. Also on Saturday is a family program led by UNLV Herpetologist Alex Heindl, who will teach about venomous reptiles in the area. On Sunday, bring your children and learn how amphibians survive in the desert. Explore Wheeler Springs on this easy one-mile hike. Also on Sunday, join in on an easy three-mile hike to Lone Pine Springs to learn about No Trace camping for your next wilderness adventure. For more information or to make reservations, call the Visitor Center at 363-1921.

* WETLANDS SEMINAR: The Friends of the Desert Wetlands Park will sponsor a public forum entitled, "Wetlands in the Desert" June 12 at 7 a.m. The main speaker will be Dr. Allan Wentz, the top biologist for Ducks Unlimited, Inc. The event is scheduled for the City of Henderson Government Center. For more information call 386-6083.

* FISHING DERBY: The Clark County Parks and Recreation Department has slated its Children's Fishing Derby at Sunset Park Lake for June 13. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. Prizes will be awarded in several categories. Participants much have a fishing license, if their age requires it, and bring their own gear and bait. For more information, contact 455-8289.

* WHIN BANQUET: Wildlife and Habitat Improvement of Nevada (WHIN) has scheduled its 1998 banquet for July 25 at the Gold Coast. For tickets, contact Denny Selleck at 451-1416 or Tom Bowen at 384-5006.