Cub Scout ‘Bat Pack’ hopes to earn Conservation Good Turn Award

Posted on November 7, 2018 By Editor Junior Residents

Wade Lindsey guides the drill wielded by Jacob Mercer, as Tim Page holds the plywood and Stepp Hurst awaits his turn.

Scoutmaster Wade Lindsey with Cub Scouts Thad Lindsey, Reynolds Watson, Auggie Page, James Hartman, Jacob Mercer and Stepp Hurst

San Marco Cub Scout Pack 35 could find they have a new nickname, thanks to a unique project. In an effort to earn the Conservation Good Turn Award from the Boy Scouts of America, the “Bat Pack” built bat houses to distribute throughout the San Marco community to encourage the important role bats play in the environment.

At the Pack’s Oct. 18 meeting at Southside United Methodist Church, the boys heard from Miramar resident Jason Evert, a biologist, who spoke about how bats help the community and can control mosquitos. One bat can eat thousands of mosquitos in an evening, said Evert.

“I was a Cub Scout while in elementary school in Michigan, when I was mostly interested in turtles and frogs, and even had a baby snapping turtle as a pet. I graduated college after doing research on ducks, and then moved to Florida to attend the University of Florida to do research on alligators,” said Evert.

After Evert’s presentation, the Pack divided into their respective dens and built bat houses and worked on other bat-related projects.