More than 100 Ponca City Cub Scouts attended a western-themed campout this past weekend at Camp McFadden.

On Friday evening, they ate beans and Dutch-oven corn bread and were serenaded by a real-life cowboy around a campfire with songs and stories from the Old West.

Local Newkirk cowboy and former educator Bob Rogers brought his working chuck wagon to prepare the beans and his guitar to provide entertainment. Cornbread and cobbler were prepared in Dutch ovens, large cast iron pots that have tight-fitting lids, and are heated by placing hot coals on top of and beneath them.

The Dutch oven cooks for the evening were Curtis and Gaye Ann Grace and Jeff Koenke, master Dutch oven chefs who have competed and placed in International competitions. In addition to cooking, Curtis Grace shared the history of Dutch ovens and how they are used.

There were approximately 175 children and parents in attendance, with most pitching tents and staying overnight. The camp out was organized by Jay Wagner, Webelos Den Leader of Pack 3524, who aimed to introduce the kids to food and games of the bygone Old West era.

Saturday morning the Scouts played a variety of Old Western-styled games including a bucking bronco ride, horseshoes, potato sack racing, soap carving and cow chip tossing. 

All three Ponca City Cub Scout Packs were in attendance including Pack 3517 (Woodlands School), Pack 3524 (Lutheran School) and Pack 3553 (Trout School). Cubmasters are Lisa Eisele, Lee Stout and Zac Ladner, respectively. 

The Boy Scouts of America’s Cub Scouting program is for boys who are in the first through fifth grade. They participate in family-centered activities, group activities, and learn valuable life skills. In 2015 there were 1,261,340 boys enrolled in Cub Scouts nationwide. 

For more information on how to join or volunteer, visit www.beascout.scouting.org.