Times Observer photo by Lorri Drumm Scouts learned some first aid skills during the 2019 Chief Cornplanter Council Cub Scout Summer Adventure. The event runs through Sunday at Wilder Field near Youngsville.

Not even torrential downpours and flooding dampened spirits at this year’s Chief Cornplanter Council Cub Scout Summer Adventure.

The event started Thursday and runs through Sunday at Wilder Field near Youngsville. Jim Shaw, district council executive, jokingly renamed the site “Wilder Lake” in tribute to the ample amount of ponding water and mud the scouts and volunteers are tromping through.

The annual summer event is for cub scouts from kindergarten to those entering fifth grade in the fall, according to the event’s director, Ruth Shaw. All the staff for the event is made up of volunteers, including a lot of older scouts.

Each year, the event has a different theme. This year is Seneca-themed, Shaw said. Cub Scouts take part in activities that teach them about the language and culture. The scouts are split into groups based on Seneca clans such as bear and deer, she said.

In addition to learning about Seneca cultures and customs, scouts take part in activities that sharpen a variety of skills. Before the call went out for lunch on Friday, scouts were racing boats, shooting bb guns, taking part in archery and learning some first aid skills. They had also done some soap carving and proper flag folding, a skill needed for flag retirement ceremonies, according to Shaw.

Volunteer Jonathan Martin shows Rory McBriar the proper way to shoot a BB gun during the 2019 Chief Cornplanter Council Cub Scout Summer Adventure. The event runs through Sunday at Wilder Field near Youngsville.

Scouts and volunteers also created an authentic wigwam. The structures were used as temporary hunting shelters by the Seneca, according to DeVlieger. “The longhouse was their permanent dwelling,” he said.

The assortment of trees used to create the frame was each inserted two feet into the ground. The structure was built to last at least 10 years.

Benches covered in animal pelts lined the inside of the structure and drying aromatic plants hung from the ceiling. The Wigwam has just one entrance/exit but traditional ones often have two — one for people and one for spirits.

Several volunteers who each got into learning about the Seneca culture through scouting, are passing along their knowledge to the young scouts. “We’re giving them an overview of culture, language, and music,” said Bill DeVlieger. “Just enough to wet their whistle.”

Gary Campbell shared his flute-playing skills and Alex Watkins taught some traditional dance, according to DeVlieger.

Volunteer Mike Koers guides Carter Neiport as he learns the proper skills in archery during the 2019 Chief Cornplanter Council Cub Scout Summer Adventure. The event runs through Sunday at Wilder Field near Youngsville.

Events such as the annual summer adventure bring people with many skills together, according to DeVlieger. “The volume of talent in this area is almost unknown,” he said. “Old skills are kept alive.”

Those old skills were passed along to lots of young scouts.

Volunteer Mike Koers guides Carter Neiport as he learns the proper skills in archery during the 2019 Chief Cornplanter Council Cub Scout Summer Adventure. The event runs through Sunday at Wilder Field near Youngsville.

Times Observer photo by Lorri Drumm Scouts and volunteers constructed an authentic wigwam in the woods near Wilder Field during this year’s Chief Cornplanter Council Cub Scout Summer Adventure. The event runs through Sunday at the field near Youngsville.

Scouts and volunteers get ready for lunch (a favorite activity) during the 2019 Chief Cornplanter Council Cub Scout Summer Adventure. The event runs through Sunday at Wilder Field near Youngsville.