Scout leader helps make men out of boys By Pamala Pérez Su har CChales Bowden, committee chairman for the Miami Lakes ‘area Boy Scoutsof America chap- ter helps make men out of scouts ser thy come the nothing” said Bowden. He is proud of helping his trop itera Iy ean the ropes of kno tying. fist aid, camping. ard other wideress survival skis they ‘can ay apply tooter aspects oftheir ves He fist got involved with the member trop thre and a all yeas ago after his own so, also famed. Charis, joined. Now, however enjoys living the Boy Scout experience he never ad ‘iearouslyalonside his son. “Among the things he likes most the authentic scouting experience the local chapter fers. “1 a great to0p,” Bow den si, mainly Beene of wo reasons, “The parents get involved and this: troop really sticks to the scouting program. ‘We try and follow te iterature” For the kids, that means roughing it once a month on Camping trips headed by Bow- en and other leaders. Bowden has helped head monthly camping trips ranging 23 fa south as Boa Chia in ‘West and as far north as Mer Taland, near the Kennedy Spoce Center, where instead of wateh- [futessed the space shut land- ing ovethead. ‘age some Kind of outing once 2 ‘month, but the toop has decided to play exactly by the book and set out for their own outward ound weekends. They've just returned from Camp Seminole in Fort Lauderdale In three weeks, ‘theyl be headed to Camp Miles pendence under {in Punta Gorda. ‘onditons with between to and ‘The dediestion to camping sx adult, from involved paren, such 2s In his opinion, the troop is Bowden, and eager troops has completely self-suffient andthe won them fist place eght mes aduls rest there to give guld- tthe annual Camporee Compe: ance and occasional direction, tition, which rewardsbasiescout- “Theboys decide what they want ing. and survival techniques. to doand they do ithe sid. ‘Their most recent win was two One trip on which may have years ago. required a litle extra direction (On these tip, the troops are _was a recent activity they com expected to be completly sel pleted earlier in February called suificent and endure the given the “Barefoot Mailman Hike,” natural envionment “We go ent The hike s part ofa tradition ampouts where you have 10 started 30 years ago lo commem- tary your own backpack,” suid orate somie of the first postal Bowden. workers contracted inthe 15005 Heemphasized the conditions to deliver the mall fom West can get tough: “That means no Palm Beach io Miami toilets” he sud. However, “the Bowden’stroop completed the ‘more rustic, the more they lke walk that stretched from Pom- a ‘ano Beach to South Beach over a ‘When they're out in the weekend. The first sojourners wildemess, Bowden assures the found it easier to go the distance ‘scouts are in charge: “The boys on barefeet, ence the name. do andthe adults are Troop 4, however, is required therefor guidance" he said. t0 don shoes alongwith their In becoming completely sel entire gear forthe length ofthe sufficient, the troops have had to twoday trek “Each boy has tobe develop not enly their outdoor selfsuficient and carry his food, skis, ut their domestic side a8 clothing and sleepin gear,” said ‘well. “They leamed haw to cook Bowden. “The ony thing tht is ‘and how to help around the supplied to them is water” house,” he sai "The kind of stength and Bat for some, Bowden is just endurance from the selFimposed satisfied with seeing them attain of adventures ike that affords ‘edibleculinary skills Just eam- the troop the courage they need ing cook egs ib someting for moments ral iss seca ald Bowden remembered one tp Te ee ae ima en eee owt fat ds pract also Sad dB calpepartion for realfe The younger boys flowed the imirocsm older boys in what to do. They ustlikein just got under some shade and 2 family, you have argumenls waited it out” and disagreements, but you're Being involved in the troops Still a troop. (The scouts) bond hasn't just given him special Together inthe end.” moments vith his sony but ith “The great cutdoor experience allthe boys involved in the troop. coffers the troops chance at inde “Ws a hidden plas for adults ‘because you get to see not only your fon. but oe Boys “he said. He Hic that the out doors has been = say for many Kids to "broaden thie fein indoors, the scouts have also proven thee eff enc by ping to ‘ehrblch he Ma {kes Community Genter n span of 200" hour, the eee aoe ion Si pot by TOM KLUBENS “Tey alo helped. Charles Bowen, head of Boy Scout Troop to pul a Stfcct 49 in Miami Lakes. long. shade root neta et eco ceter in Carl iy. To encourage new men ters, scout coordinate real ment forts by holding a schoo! second chance to service his com- munity though the troop, the ‘Miamn Lakes area natives only regret remains that he was never {Boy Scout "I wish Thad been in ‘twhen Iwas younger,” he said. right” for potential scouts “Although he has been giver a