We are excited about the completed park improvements for both Labrum and Bennion Parks. The Bennion Park expansion and upgrade is complete and includes additional swings and an assortment of spring toys. Labrum Park (Phase1) completed park improvements include installation of the main pavilion, restroom, walking trail and fencing. 

We believe parks play a vital role within our community – studies have shown that successful parks meet visitors’ basic needs, which include access to water, seating, shelter, restrooms, and a sense that the park is safe. It is important to us that residents are able to utilize and enjoy the parks right here in Taylorsville; we are proud they are being maintained and upgraded for more active uses, such as picnics, community events, and general recreation.

We were very excited to learn that Labrum Park was recently utilized for a local BSA Scout Klondike Derby that took place at the end of January. This event included Scout troops from Taylorsville, so we asked two Scout leaders to tell us about it.

 The Klondike camp was attended by 200 boys from ages 11 to 13 years old and 40 leaders. Prior to their arrival, the boys learned to plan, procure, and utilize a budget for their meals. Upon arrival - they began setting up their camps, including setting up their own tents. The scouts prepared their own meals and did their own clean up. A campfire program that included singing songs and performing skits made for a fun evening. Each Scout troop prepared a dutch oven cobbler to be entered into a dessert contest. It is of great importance to note that these desserts were 100% prepared by the Scouts without assistance from the leaders. Council member Armstrong, UPD Taylorsville Precinct Chief Tracy Wyant, and UFA Battalion Chief Prokopis were invited to judge this contest. The winning cobbler was prepared by Valley Park Troop #491 which was a marble cake with strawberries and whipped cream. 

A STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Activity took place the following day allowing some of the scouts to earn the Entrepreneur merit badge.

 They have used Labrum Park many times in the past for Scouting events as it is a great location for a winter camp. It allows time for the boys to get set up and get cooking before dark. It eliminates the safety concerns with driving in winter. The new main pavilion, restrooms, walking trails, and fence were utilized and helped make this a great location. They plan to continue to use Labrum Park for this event.

Scouting has programs designed for various age groups of young men from age 7 to 16 – beginning with Tiger Cubs at 7, Cub Scouts at 8, scouts at 11, Varsity Scouts at 14, and the Venturing rank at 16. Each is designed to help the youth expand their knowledge and leadership skills through merit badges and rank advancements. 

The US military recognizes the value of Scouting by giving recruits an automatic rank advancement if they are Eagle Scouts. Many businesses give preference to Eagle Scouts over other applicants because of their values. Some of the most valuable tools scouts learn is how to cook for themselves, how to survive in extreme weather conditions, companionship – the buddy system, good sportsmanship and competition, planning for unexpected conditions, to better appreciate their mother’s cooking, respect for our country and the flag, and leadership by taking turns leading the group.

Richard Flink has been involved in Scouting for 34 years. He has been with the camping committee for the district for 15 years. Richard has been a Taylorsville resident for 50 years. His first job as a young man was working at the Jones Dairy washing milk bottles and picking corn, onions, and potatoes. He said the pay was ten cents a bag for bagging potatoes. All three of his sons are Eagle Scouts and served in leadership positions for Order of the Arrow. Richard is a Taylorsville Dayzz committee member and works at Intermountain Health Care in Murray. Richard also participates in Mountain Man Rendezvous twice a year. He believes that the young men in Scouting will be the leaders of the future and any time spent helping them to grow is time well spent. Richard says there is no greater reward than watching their minds awaken and see them take charge in the planning and execution of these events.

Council member Dan Armstrong has been involved in Scouting for 27 years serving as a Varsity Scout Coach to Venture Trainer, at the troop level and as district trainer. Presently he is serving as the Venturing Committee Chairman of 7 Venturing Units, and is also the Venture advisor of one of those units. All four of his sons are Eagle Scouts and have gone on to very successful careers. When Dan is asked about Scouting and camping – his usual response is “I’ve never slept in a tent… I’ve laid in a lot of tents, but I’ve never slept in one”. Only an adult Scout leader will understand that statement. I have the utmost respect for Scout leaders. They usually donate the use of their camping gear and purchase not only their essentials, but many times purchase things that are needed by the youth with whom they are working. They donate their vacation time to take the boys to Scout Camp, and weekend camps. They prepare for and attend weekly Scout meetings. They donate their vehicles and many times the fuel for these events. And they do all these things without pay or accolades, with the hope that somehow they will make a difference in a young man’s life. Then payday comes when a young man calls to say, “…hey, I was just made Scout Master and want to be as good as you…what advice do you have for me?” You respond, “love what you are doing and be a good example.”