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Studying insects appeals to Scouts
CLEVELAND, Okla.– Scouts at camp are having the chance to learn about insects this summer largely due to the efforts of Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension entomologist Jack Dillwith.
On a recent Tuesday, Dillwith was at the Will Rogers Boy Scout Reservation near Cleveland, with entomology graduate student Andrine Morrison, to help scouts learn and obtain their insect study badge. Morrison is the entomology educational outreach coordinator.
Scouting has long been an interest for Dillwith, who is chairman of the Cimarron Council Advancement Committee. He is responsible for oversight of all scouts pursuing their Eagle rank from the council.
At OSU, Dillwith works researching the biological processes of aphids and ticks. His work is important to wheat and alfalfa producers. He also instructs entomology students in biotechnologies, insect biochemistry, pathogen control and scientific presentation.
This summer Will Rogers’ campers are studying about nature at a brand new facility, the Ray Clark Memorial Nature Pavilion, said Ed Henderson, senior district executive for the Cimarron Council.
Clark, a long-time pharmacist at Central Drug in Stillwater, and scouting supporter died of a heart attack last fall. Just finished this spring by state scoutmasters and scouts, the nature lodge was funded by his wife Gay in his memory.
“I feel that Ray would have liked that,” Gay Clark said. “He loved scouts.”
In planning the nature lodge as a memorial, she said she wanted it to be “something useful and lasting.”
The Clark’s were involved with scouting even before they had
children, she said. Their son, Mike, became an Eagle Scout.
“Ray Clark was a very active leader in Stillwater First Presbyterian Troop 820,” Henderson said. “And like so many who recognize the importance of scouting, he stayed active long after his own children were grown.”
Henderson said, “The nature lodge will be the primary place where we are going to teach 6,000 scouts nature, ecology, conservation, bird study, night-time astrology study and observation, reptilian and mammalian study and other major nature emphasis.”
Materials and supplies that include telescopes and weather equipment for those studies can be housed in the building during camp sessions.
Dillwith and Morrison will spend three weeks working with Will Rogers’ scouts using extensive collections of insect specimens from OSU’s department of entomology and plant pathology.
Being able to access collections and material in the new Clark Nature Pavilion during camp will be a great benefit to the scouts, Dillwith said.
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CUTLINE:
Insect Study
Andrine Morrison helps Collin Hutchenson and Kelyn Andrasko on their Insect Study badge requirements while Jeremy Duck assists, under the new Ray Clark Nature Pavilion at Will Rogers Boy Scout Reservation. (Photo by Janet F. Reeder)
Janet F. Reeder
Communication Specialist
OSU AG Communication Services
142 Agriculture North
Stillwater, OK 74078
(405) 744-3651
janet.reeder@okstate.edu
