These Scouts celebrated. Find out why.

Despite a torrential downpour getting in the way of their weekend, the Boy and Girl Scouts at this year’s “Camporee” still gave back to the community.

Troops from across Nassau County gathered at Hempstead Lake State Park on May 20 for a three-day weekend of learning, team building, and fun. However, plans had to change when the skies opened up

“These kids, let me tell you, they were not discouraged by the rain at all,” said Councilwoman Laura Ryder. “It’s a learning lesson to persevere, to go forward and do it as planned. Life gives us the opportunity to either back out or step up. And this was a perfect example of them stepping up.”

The annual Camporee kicked off on May 20th with scouts from Malverne, West Hempstead, Lynbrook and East Rockaway. The plan was a three day weekend jam packed with games, obstacle courses, barbecues and more where young boys and girls develop teamwork skills. Unfortunately, the rain became simply too much for the outdoor activities. But despite the weather, troops still spent their morning cleaning up Hempstead Lake State Park.

“It’s part of what we do,” said Lawrence Vodopivec, leader of Troop 824. “The biggest thing of all the troops within our area is to give back to the community.”

“The purpose of the camps is to help all kids in the scouting program to build their self confidence, leadership skills, citizenship skills, and character,” said Legislator Bill Gaylor, who joined Ryder in commending the scouts on May 20th. “It’s a great opportunity for the scouts to build closer friendships and develop character, which is what it's all about.”

Ryder said that it’s these kinds of group activities that set a foundation for these kids to become successful adults — working together toward a common goal.

“They have to work together, rely on each other and support each other throughout all of the activities,” she said. “They are looking at it as just having fun, but it's instilling those positive character traits which will carry these children through their lives.”

Ryder was especially moved by watching the scouts start the morning with a color guard and the national anthem. Even in the rain, the kids took a moment to pay respect to their community and the nation as a whole.

“To build that foundation of love of our country, and respect for our flag, is so important,” she said. “And both Boy and Girl Scouts do a phenomenal job teaching that to our kids.”

“They’re learning how to be good young men and women, good scouts, but more importantly, they’re learning good citizenship skills that will influence their adult lives,” Gaylor said. “An Eagle Scout is usually destined for nothing but good things in life.”

He noted that many presidents, astronauts, businessmen, and more have been Eagle Scouts. Gaylor served 24 years in active duty, and said that the Scouting program develops many fine men and women who go on to join the military.

“We know how important scouting can be to the future of our nation,” he said.

With a generation of young people who would spend hours in the rain cleaning up a beloved community park — even knowing their long-awaited weekend of fun would have to wait until next year — it’s easy to have faith in the future. Ryder said that the good deeds and perseverance of the kids that weekend is exactly what makes the Boy and Girl Scouts great, and why she wants them to know they are acknowledged and supported.

“What the scouts do — teaching respect and leadership skills and courage —  it's just terrific,” Ryder said. “It was really a pleasure to be there, even in the rain. It was well worth it.