RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) – The Boy Scouts of America have been creating generations of leaders for over a century and that continued recently in Rio Linda.

Last week there was a Scout Safari Camp Out sponsored by Troop 136 at the Rio Linda/Elverta Historical Society. The mission of this camp out was to teach young men and women about leadership skills. It is also to teach them resilience and to depend on others to help you out.

"Sometimes you have to try and try again to learn something, and that is ok! That is why we are here," said Oscar Olivares Jr., who was standing next to his son Oscar Olivares III, who was grinning.

I asked Oscar the third if he was planning on an Oscar the fourth down the road, he just grinned big, shook his shoulders and looked up to his dad. Oscar Jr. also mentioned scouting is a family affair as it is with most of those in scouting.

“It is a great clean way to have valuable family time while learning life skills," he said.

Any child, boy or girl, can join the BSA. Girls have been allowed to join the BSA since Feb. 1, 2019. To see upcoming events and how to become part of a worldwide organization based on good citizenship please go to beascout.org. Put in your zip code to find the closest troop near your town.

There would be cooking out of doors, knot tying, group participation and single scout attention if needed. The big excitement this weekend is the ceremony of “retiring a flag.” It's when the troop is given a tattered or worn flag, beyond use. They build a fire safely, then the troop gather around the fire and collectively hold a salute as the flag is put into the fire.

Once the flag is burned up, the scouts can relax the salute. It was quite the ceremony to watch. After this they sat around and sang songs, followed by a night walk. The next morning the scouts make their own pancakes. After retiring the flag, I met Cole Spake.

"I started scouting at 8 years old in the Cub Scouts,” Spake said. “Then at 11, I went into the Boy Scouts. Now at 17, I am working towards my Eagle Scout badge. I like their motto of ‘no failures, only opportunities to learn.’”

He was very proud of his accomplishment, as he should be. It gives kids a focus in life to strive towards.

There was a lot to learn over this weekend and onward into life. They were surrounded by parents, most are also “leaders” and oversee the scouts along with teaching new skills. I wished Cole the best in his life. I heard lots of laughing and the smell of a controlled fire.

Be honest in all things, be a true friend and do for others as often as you can. This is my wish for the readers. This is my last article as I am heading off to Iowa in November. Thank you for reading my articles and I hope the very best for my Rio Linda Family!