Get ready for the 2015 Scout-O-Rama that will take place April 10-12, at Spring Lake Park in Texarkana. While camping and other scouting events will take place all weekend, the public is invited to attend Saturday, April 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.Activities include demonstrations of rope skills, outdoor cooking, fishing, boating, field first-aid, and climbing demonstrations. There will also be activities demonstrating the proper handling of the American flag. New this year is a zip line that will allow older scouts to zip across the lake. Food vendors will also be present to make sure that no one goes hungry during the outdoor festivities. Youth and adult leaders will participate in a Dutch-oven cook-off in which pre-registration is required.

The theme of this year’s Scout-O-Rama is a Tribute to Citizen Ross Perot – Texarkana’s most notable Eagle Scout. Perot will be helicoptered into the park Saturday morning, then address the crowd at 11:30 a.m.

“The Caddo Area Council is honored to have the opportunity to salute Citizen Perot for his unending dedication to his nation, our scouts, and the people of this community. His life’s contributions embody the definition of good citizenship,” says Charles Norton, Chairman of the 2015 Scout-O-Rama.

To commemorate the event, a limited edition "Event Patch" has been created featuring Perot and his life. Scouts can earn the patch by demonstrating proficiency in knowledge regarding Perot’s legacy. Scouts must memorize three quotes by. Perot and be able to explain the significance of at least 10 icons displayed on the patch. Patches will be presented Saturday night at the awards ceremony.

This year’s Scout-O-Rama will be attended by scouts from four councils. Beyond the Texarkana-based Council, scouts from Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas have also been invited to participate.

Because of such great participation from multiple councils and the special events surrounding Perot’s participation, Boys’ Life Magazine will be covering the 2015 Scout-O-Rama. The magazine is distributed to more than 1.3 million scouts nationwide and will provide invaluable exposure to Texarkana.

A website has been set up with details of the event SORCitizenPerot. It is also on their Facebook page. For more information call  Charles Norton at  903-826-8081.

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