Ready, aim, Boy Scouts! This was the energy at the Tecumseh District’s Cub Scout Shoot-o-ree on Saturday at Camp Oyo. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. including lunch and plenty of activities for scouts ranging in age from 6 to 10. The event allowed area scouts to experience some fun and even strange ways of shooting. The set up was in various stations ranging from bow and arrows, bb guns, water rockets, paint ball, marbles, catapults and a shooting gallery using marshmallows. These activities also gave the scouts opportunities to earn belt loops and let them customize a T-shirt splattered with paint balls.

About 200 youth and 200 adults registered for the event.

Event chairman Mike Sines said to his knowledge this is the first Shoot-o-ree of its kind at Camp Oyo, and he plans to keep holding them. Sines wanted to create a family affair, inviting parents to watch and siblings to join in. He wants to give kids different opportunities to do things they would not ordinarily get to do.

“The idea was anything you can shoot, we’re going to be doing it,” Sines said.

Jay Nance and his 7-year-old son Jeffrey and 8-year-old son Jacob, were having fun at the event.

The boys were pleased with their paintball-designed shirts.

Both boys loved shooting the saltine cracker with a bb gun and most enjoyed how they shattered when they were shot. Nance, who has been involved in Boy Scouts for 34 years, loves having his sons in the program.

“I hope they become Eagle Scouts,” Nance said. “This helps them create better citizenship, and become better people.”

Matt Seifert, district executive for the Boy Scouts of America in the Tecumseh district and surrounding areas, said the Boy Scouts is all about positive values.

“Founder (Robert) Baden-Powell called it a game of purpose and really it’s about getting the boys out, having fun and doing things that will get them engaged and at the same time teach them different values.”

One of the scouts affected by those values is 17-year-old Life Scout Paul Dehart, who is working his way to Eagle Scout status, which he hopes to attain within the next month. Dehart has been involved in scouts since he was a Tiger Scout and says its been difficult but he has been benefitted immensely.

“I’ve learned self-respect, respect for others, how to communicate and work with others,” Dehart said. “Anything that’s a learning experience and fun is definitely worth it.”

KARA THOMPSON is a student at Portsmouth West High School. She can be reached at pdtnews@portsmouth-dailytimes.com.