Scouting hails stamp dedication
Boy Scout Troop 4 and the local branch of the U.S. Postal Service partnered Saturday to host a stamp dedication event for the recent release of the scouting stamp.
The 44-cent first-class stamp, circulated nationwide July 27 with a dedication at the National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, celebrates 100 years of the U.S. scouting movement, according to the U.S. Postal Service website. At the dedication, “more than 30,000 scouts from around the nation set up camp for 10 days of premier scouting fun during the organization’s centennial anniversary.”
On Saturday, local scouts set up outside the Cape Coral Central Post Office for two hours to mark the release of the new stamp and raise public awareness about scouting and what it can offer youth in the community. Dawn Pfister, assistant scout master for Troop 4, said scouting can provide children with direction, knowledge and skill sets.
“There are so many people out there that need us,” she said.
A scout herself since her childhood days, Pfister explained that one can see the passion for scouting in those who have had the tradition passed down through their family. It is finding those who have never taken part in scouting and sharing that passion with them.
“It’s community awareness,” she said of Saturday’s event. “To let the community see a little bit of what we do.”
Outside the Cape post office, the troop offered free Dutch oven cobbler, s’mores, hot dogs and drinks. A campsite was set up give visitors an idea of what scouts call home when out in the wilderness, and memorabilia and photographs were spread out across one table to show what local scouts have done over the years.
Cape resident Kevin Bard stopped by the event with his 2-year-old son, Evan James Bard. Interested in signing Evan up for scouting, Bard said he was a Boy Scout once.
“We were just coming to check it out,” he said. “See what it (scouting) entails.”
According to Bard, scouting teaches things like social skills and how to tie a knot.
“He needs to learn stuff like that,” he said.
Carla Vazquez, of Cape Coral, agreed. Her 8-year-old grandson, Mark Vazquez, is a Tiger Cub in Pack 110. She said Mark wanted to be a scout after learning his dad had been one. Mark has learned much and he loves camping and hiking, Vazquez added.
“He’s learned a lot of values, being independent,” she said.
“When these kids grow up, they are good citizens,” Vazquez continued. “They help others and they are good people.”
According to Anne Murray, postmaster for the Fort Myers-Cape Coral area, the partnership between the U.S. Postal Service and the troop made sense for the stamp dedication because the two are both committed to helping the community. The U.S. Postal Service holds an annual food drive and takes part in Toys for Tots, she said.
“We share a lot of community service aspects with the Boy Scouts,” Murray said.
She considered the turnout and setup Saturday a positive surprise.
“I think Troop 4 went to a lot of effort to make this a special event,” Murray said.
Also Saturday, Cape Coral Mayor John Sullivan proclaimed Aug. 7 as “Scouting Day” and a flag raising ceremony was held, along with a performance of the national anthem. Other city officials were in attendance and the scouting stamps were available to buy.
The stamp “depicts the spirit and outdoor adventure of scouting through a backpacking scout and a large silhouette of a scout surveying the landscape,” according to the U.S. Postal Service website. It was created by illustrator Craig Frazier, of Mill Valley, Calif.
The Cape Coral Central Post Office is at 1030 S.E. Ninth Ave.