20th International Scout Rally Draws 1,000 Participants to Hessel Woods
By Amy Polk

Les Cheneaux Lions Club member Herb Melcher (right) and his brother, Edward Melcher of Ontario, slice one of the five deep fried turkeys cooked and donated to the 20th International Scout Rally by Troop 346 of Negaunee Township. The Melchers and several other scout leaders and assistants prepare meals throughout the three days of the rally in a camp kitchen that rivals the size of a restaurant kitchen; it needs to be that big to feed the hundreds of scouts at Bay City Lake. Stoves are even brought in and set up under tents.

As scout leaders cook supper in a makeshift outdoor kitchen, a tall wizard strolls by. He is soon followed by giggling girls in poodle skirts, then pirates, policemen, and a fairy with cotton-candy pink wings.

The characters are headed to a performance at the edge of the lake at Bay City lake Campground in Hessel. They are in a costume and skit competition at the 20th Annual International Scout Rally, which has taken place at this site every third weekend in September.

An estimated 1,000 scouts and leaders made it to the rally September 15 through September 17. The International Rally joins scouts from Canada and the United States to share cultures and the scouting tradition.

Boy Scout Troop 140 of Les Cheneaux coordinates the event, led by Dale Streichert of Cedarville, John Kenn of DeTour, and members of the Les Cheneaux Lions Club, which sponsors the troop. Lions President Judy Izzard is one of the volunteers.

"It's a great event that unites people of two countries, and happens because of the cooperation of a lot of dedicated volunteers," she said.

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America represent the United States at the rally, while Girl Guides and Canadian Scouts are represented by scouts from Ontario. This year's theme was to incorporate as many themes from the past 19 years into this year's celebration. That proved an enjoyable task for the troops, who had to choose from themes like Medieval Days, favorite television shows, the Wizard of Oz, Pirate Days, covered wagons, and the history of scouting.

Some of the traditional, practical outdoor skills are evident in the International Scout Rally, where

nearly 30 activities are brought by participating troops. The activities are designed to teach endurance and survival and include knot tying, climbing, and cooking. Activities culminate in a youth dance for all the scouts Saturday evening. Everything takes place outdoors.

Next year's theme is Nursery Rhymes, and scouts plan to meet at the lake again Friday, September 14, to Sunday, September 16.