November 2, 2016 at 4:03 p.m.
Boy Scouts earn rare skating merit badge at RIA
Boy Scouts earn rare skating merit badge at RIA
By Kayla Thomason-
During the three-hour clinic, 22 Boy Scouts from seven different troops worked hard for to earn their badges.
"For most of the boys it was their first time on skates, even the Boy Scouts who had skated at open skating events said that the skills they were required (to do), like skating backwards and gliding on one foot, were challenging and they had never tried them before," said Dean Hoger, event organizer. "The relay races at the end of the event were also a big hit with the boys."
The high school girls taught two Boy Scouts each, making it easier to offer more attentive training.
"The two-skater-per-coach ratio is perfect and allows the skaters to get the individual attention they need to succeed," he said, adding that he heard many positive comments from the Boy Scouts and their families.
"One comment I heard over and over again is that it was fun to have a coach to work with, something not available to most new skaters," he said. "The comments from the parents about the patience and skill level of the high school girls who helped out was extremely positive."
At the end of the clinic, as the Boy Scouts were leaving, Hoger asked them if they had fun and what they thought of the sport.
"There were lots of smiles and requests of when there was open skating times at the RIA," he said.
The opportunity to participate in the clinic has sparked a passion in some Boy Scouts. Hoger knows of two first-time skaters that joined hockey programs after participating in last year's clinic, he said.
"Merit badges are about trying new things, this was definitely the case on Sunday," Hoger said.
The Skating Merit Badge is labeled as "rare" because the number of Boy Scouts that earn it each year is low compared to other badges.
In 2014 there were 2,010 skating badges earned, while the cooking merit badge was earned by 99,908 boys.
All the Boy Scouts at the clinic earned the skating merit badge.
"A special thanks to Brett Aylesworth from the RIA for finding ice time and helping make the event possible," said Hoger. "I cannot say enough about the coaching from the Northern Edge figure skating team, without them there is no way we could hold the event."
Dr. Eunice Corujo-Incha volunteered as the medical advisor.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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