PARRSBORO, N.S. – Scouting was once strong in this community, and Frank Occomore is hoping to see it that way again.
The new district commissioner for scouting in this area is putting out a call to anyone interested in the activity, and hoping to gather soon for a meeting to get the organization together.
“When I was looking at my sheets, I saw that it wasn’t that long ago that Parrsboro was up and running,” said Occomore, who recently took over the position. “It was still showing active in the system, and nothing was disbanded there.”
After speaking to Parrsboro Fire Chief James Shaw, he confirmed that the fire hall would be available to host an initial meeting to get scouts up and running again. The fire department was the sponsor of local scouts in the past.
A call on social media showed Occomore that there was still some interest in the area.
“A lot of people want to sign their kids up, but I’m trying to get it out there that we need bodies to fill the role of scouters,” he said. “We can’t have a program without people. There are a couple who were in it before that are interested, but they can’t do it alone.”
The Parrsboro area also has one of only two scout camps available in Cumberland County, with the other being in the Long Lake area. Both have had new roofs added within recent years, as well as new outhouses. The Parrsboro camp is still viable for scouting use, and has even been used by other organizations such as air cadets.
Occomore’s efforts are to renew scouting in parts of the county where it has grown dormant. He has already seen success in Springhill, where things are “moving right along” with kids and leaders. He is also exploring Oxford and the level of interest there.
He is hopeful in getting a meeting scheduled in Parrsboro within the next two weeks.
“What we’re running into is trying to get leaders,” he said. “I’m hoping if we do an information meeting, we can get some people out, and give them an idea of what it takes to become a leader. It’s not a big job, just some training to do, which is free, and a uniform, which is free.”
If he gets leaders, he will work on putting a group committee together.
Anyone looking for information can contact Frank Occomore at 902-669-0128.
