Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami University Athletics Hosted Scout Campout 2008
9/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
Sept. 18, 2008
Despite the threat of heavy rain, Miami welcomed local Boy Scouts to the second annual "Night Under the Stars," Sept. 12-13. The overnight campout began with an evening of sports-themed activities on Friday, Sept. 12, and concluded when the boys led the Pledge of Allegiance and formed the "Fan Tunnel" at the beginning of the Miami football game against Charleston Southern on Saturday, Sept. 13.
"The boys all had a great time," said Scout leader Heath Kelly. "Being able to go on the field was an amazing thing."
As part of this program, the different troops were able to experience many different aspects of college culture; the boys were exposed to both the athletic culture as well as introduced to the academic element of Miami. After spending the night in Millett Hall, the boys spent Saturday morning touring the Miami geology museum, and some chose to explore the hiking trails throughout Miami's campus.
The Scouts said that their favorite parts of the campout were playing on inflatable games and forming the "Fan Tunnel" on the field.
Although the boys agree that they had a good time, the purpose of the program was to share the Miami experience with a younger generation. Red Alert and the sports marketing team, who sponsored and organized the event, sought to open the young Scouts' eyes to college life, while simultaneously involving the boys in the game-day experience.
Students involved with Red Alert and the Miami Sports Marketing Academy helped organize the event, and many Miami student-athletes appeared at different activities, including the basketball and synchronized skating teams, which helped serve breakfast and lunch to the Boy Scouts.
"We are committed to utilizing our resources to enhance and educate our young people; we are equally pleased by the volunteerism from Red Alert and our student-athletes," stated Anthony J. Azama, marketing director.
Although it was originally planned for the Scouts--who came from all around the greater Cincinnati area and Butler Country--to pitch their tents in Yager Stadium, rain drove most inside Millett Hall for the night. Throughout the evening, the boys played on inflatable games and watched Little Giants--a movie about youngsters forming a football team--before sleeping in tents on the concourse of Millett Hall. The following morning, the Boy Scouts woke to breakfast served by the Miami men's basketball team.
Each Scout who participated in "Night Under the Stars" received a commemorative patch, with the beveled "M" embroidery, that can be worn on his uniform.
