Cub Scouts Reel in Fun at Cooke Family Wildlife Conservation Park
ASHLAND COUNTY – The squeals of excitement, the splashes of fish hitting the water, and the high-fives of victory filled Cooke Family Wildlife Conservation Park on Saturday, August 16th, as Cub Scout Pack 7126 made their first-ever campout at the scenic Ashland Park District property.
For the Scouts – who hail from Bellville, Butler, and Lucas – the day was more than just camping and fishing. It was about discovery, laughter, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
A Lesson in the Outdoors
The highlight of the afternoon came when Bob DeSanto, President of the Ashland Park District Board, gathered the Scouts together for an impromptu fishing class. The group of wide-eyed kids listened intently as DeSanto, a lifelong outdoorsman, shared his knowledge and passion for conservation. To their delight, each Scout received a special gift box containing DeSanto’s three personal favorite fishing lures. (That’s right, folks, not the park’s favorite lures – Bob’s own top-secret arsenal.)
“You saw it – these kids are squealing, catching fish, and just loving it,” DeSanto said. “This is what the Park District is all about – giving families and children the chance to connect with the outdoors. Our world is becoming more crowded and commercialized, and we need places like this where kids can experience the wild. Some of these children will never forget this day – it could spark a lifelong love of the outdoors.”
Scouts, Smiles, and Big Catches
The Cubs, ranging from kindergarten through 5th grade, wasted no time putting their new lures – and new skills – to the test. Two young Scouts who had been hesitant to even attend the campout because they “couldn’t catch fish” were soon grinning ear to ear after landing back-to-back catches. The two immediately celebrated with a high-five, proving that sometimes all it takes is a little encouragement, the right tip, and the perfect spot.
Meanwhile, their leaders looked on with pride.
“This is like stepping back into the old world – peaceful, serene, and just wonderful,” said Aaron Dearth, Cubmaster for Pack 7126. “We’ve camped in a lot of places, but nothing compares to this. It’s affordable, it’s accessible, and it gives these kids – many of whom don’t often get these kinds of opportunities – the chance to experience the outdoors the way it should be.”
A Campout to Remember
The campout was part of Pack 7126’s annual Fishing Derby, which had already been postponed twice earlier in the summer due to storms. But on this perfect August day, the third time truly was the charm.
As the sun set over the park’s ponds and meadows, Scouts and leaders alike reflected on the beauty of the space and the joy of the experience. For the Ashland Park District, it was a clear win – families using the parks exactly as they were intended. For the Scouts, it was a weekend full of laughter, fishing, campfires, and new memories.
As DeSanto summed it up:
“The fish are catching the kids – and the kids are catching a love for the outdoors. That’s what it’s all about.”
