Hope dentist and Scoutmaster Lester Sitzes told members of the Hope Lions Club Monday that Hope’s Scout Troop 5 recently returned from camp and continues to maintain a busy schedule of camping trips, community service projects and advancement opportunities for its members.

“We just got back to summer camp this weekend. I haven’t unpacked yet, and the office is pretty crazy. I’ve been gone for a week,” Sitzes said.

The troop attended summer camp at Camp Kinsey near Shreveport, Louisiana. Sitzes said the group he accompanied was smaller than usual this year, with only seven attending.

The Hope troop distinguished itself during the week, according to Sitzes. “We’re the only troop from Arkansas that goes down there,” he said. “I tell the kids, when we go to camp, they’re going to know who we are when we leave.”

Toward this end, the troop decorated its campsite with Razorback-themed items and wore matching Troop 5 apparel. “We got a big inflatable Razorback at the entrance of our campsite,” Sitzes said. “We got Razorback this, Razorback that, they know who we are.”

The Scouts participated in merit badge classes including archery, shotgun shooting, rifle shooting, first aid, nature, fish and wildlife management, space exploration and disc golf. According to Scoutmaster Karen Smith, all but one of the Scouts completed their merit badge requirements during camp.

Sitzes said the location of the campsite proved advantageous. “We had our campsites right by the rifle shotgun and archery range, so it was real easy for our kids to go over there and do that stuff, and they [practically] lived over there,” he said.

Several Hope Scouts excelled in shooting sports. “We had some excellent shooters,” Sitzes said. “We had two boys that are on the trap team here, and they went and shot. I know Caden did 24 out of 25 and Cody did a 25 out of 25.”

The troop plans to continue its outdoor activities in the coming months. In fact, Sitzes said the Scouts may conduct another survival camp this fall.

“We do have a survival camp that we may be doing this fall again,” he said. “We do it about every three years, and it’s pretty interesting, something unique that we do.”

A trip to DeGray Lake is also scheduled for August. “We’ll be back. We’ll have a pretty good turnout for that,” Sitzes said.

The troop also continues to make progress in its advancement program. Sitzes said Drake Mathis is nearing completion of his Eagle Scout requirements. Smith reported that Mackenzie Golden recently received approval for her Eagle Scout project and Cody O’Brien is also preparing his project proposal. “Hopefully by the end of the year we’ll have three more Eagle Scouts,” she said.

Troop 5 continues to maintain a close relationship with the Hope Lions Club through service projects. “We’ve been great partners over the years. We appreciate that,” Sitzes said.

The troop has also benefited from support from the Lions Club in community fundraising efforts. Sitzes said bingo fundraisers and donations helped make it possible for every Scout attending summer camp to do so without paying a camp fee.

“That was our goal. And we did make it.”

The troop experienced similar success last year with a Colorado adventure trip. “The kids got to go on the Colorado trip for no charge, and I didn’t know that we could pull that off, but we did, and it was fantastic,” Sitzes said. “

Troop 5 currently has about 15 active Scouts and expects continued growth through its Cub Scout program. “Our Cub Scout program in Hope is doing better,” Sitzes said. “Your main feeder is your Cub Scout program.”

The troop also remains active in community events, providing color guards for ceremonies throughout the area. “We do lots of color guards,” Sitzes said. “Our kids are real good about that.”

Looking ahead, Sitzes expressed confidence that Troop 5 will continue to thrive through the dedication of its volunteers and Scouts.

“We can put on our own summer camp very easily,” he said. “We’ve got so many people that have skills that will help teach merit badges.”