The Boy Scouts of America have a long-lived tradition in Cass County.

While the Boy Scouts will celebrate 100 years in the United States in 2010, Troop 202 in Cass County unit will celebrate its 99th anniversary next year.

Being a member of the Boy Scouts of Cass County not only teaches boys to give everything a try, but also helps guide them to grow into good citizens, said John Jones, scoutmaster of Troop 219 who has been involved with Scouting for 31 years.

“If they are going to be a good leader, they need to lead by example,” Jones said.

Diann Sedam, Chief Logan’s district executive, said the reason so many of those are involved with the organization is to teach leadership, trust and loyalty.

“When in the Cub Scouts, you want them to do their best,” Sedam said. “When they transition into Boy Scouts, their rank is based on proficiency in certain skills, community service and leadership.”

Cub Scouts begin as young as 6 years old with the Tiger Cub program. Activities for Cub Scouts are designed to teach citizenship, character development and personal fitness.

Boys graduate to Boy Scouts at the age of 11, or on completion of fifth grade. The objectives of being a member of the Boy Scouts are developing character, citizenship and personal fitness.

Cub and Boy scouts are able to take advantage of many activities at Sagamore Council’s 400-acre Camp Buffalo in Buffalo. Funding received from the United Way of Cass County is used to help with upkeep of the camp.

Cub Fun Day is one of several events at the camp each year, attracting around 150 Cub Scouts.

“A lot of new Scouts join when school starts in August,” Sedam explained. “This is the first big event of the year. They win a prize at every event, not because they won, but because they gave it a try.”

The boys have the opportunity to use BB guns and participate in minnow races, fishing, crafts, games and cooking demonstration.

Some of the other district activities during the year include “belt loop day” in October, which allows Cub Scouts an opportunity to earn awards, summer daycamp at Camp Buffalo, a fishing derby during the spring and Pinewood Derby races.

For the Boy Scouts in the district, there are fall and spring camporees, a winter klondike and the opportunity to attend camp or go on high-adventure activities.

The 11 Cub Scout packs and Boy Scout troops in Cass County also conduct their own group activities.

“We can help supplement the individual group activities with the district events,” said Sedam.

In addition, the United Way funding is used to help those in need under a program known as “camperships,” which helps send some of the kids to camp.

“We don’t ever turn a kid away because of money,” said Sedam.

This part of the program is important, especially with the loss of jobs people have been experiencing and other economic hardships parents have been encountering, according to Sedam.

“If it wasn’t for the United Way, hundreds of kids wouldn’t be able to experience day camp or Cub Fun Day,” she said. “Without this, I think those kids might be running the streets.”

Between 425 to 450 boys are members in Cass County.

Sedam feels the Boy Scouts are extremely important to the community.

“Any kid who wants to participate can find something to do that he likes,” Sedam said. “Another neat thing, it offers a unique opportunity the kids would never be able to do.”

For Sedam, there is one aspect more rewarding than anything else when it comes to the organization.

“Knowing we have made a difference in the lives of many young men,” she said.

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com