The Laker/Lutz News

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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Greater Tampa Bay Area Council

Eagle Scout project yields outdoor classroom

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Ashton Offutt was just in fourth grade when he came up with the idea of creating an outdoor classroom — but it wasn’t until he was a high school junior that the idea became reality.

When he was in fourth grade, Ashton Offutt came up with the idea of creating an outdoor classroom. The Gaither High student recently led the effort to build one, as his Eagle Scout project. (Courtesy of Lynnette Offutt)

Ashton, who is seeking the rank of Eagle Scout, enlisted the help of volunteers and raised money to create an outdoor learning space, with a sunshield, at Claywell Elementary.

Ashton said part of the motivation for creating the classroom outdoors is because he knows having that would have benefited him, personally, during his early school years.

The Gaither High student estimates it took about 40 hours to plan the project and about 30 to complete the work.

Tampa Electric Co. stepped up to help — donating poles and providing some physical labor.

He had lots of helpers.

Tampa Electric Co. stepped up, donating six 15-foot poles and a crew to help install them.

They had planned to use a crane, but that had to be scrapped because the concrete was too thin and the weight of the crane could have cracked it, Ashton explained.

So, five grown men worked together to lift and guide the poles, which had to be buried 5 feet into the ground to support the sunshade, Ashton said.

The weather-resistant fabric stretches above 12 classroom benches, a dry erase board and a communication board.

The communication board is a tool to enable students who can’t speak to convey what they want to say, Ashton said.

In addition to the TECO crew, folks from the BPOE Elks Tampa 708 and others pitched in — for a total of 57 volunteers. Ashton also raised $3,845 to pay for the project.

Scouting has been a way of life for Ashton who became a Tiger Scout shortly after finishing kindergarten. He’s now a member of Boy Scout Troop 339, in Lutz.

Second-grade teacher Dawn Phillips takes advantage of the new classroom, to move learning outside for her students.

Ashton has a connection to Claywell because he went to school there. To this day, he appreciates the help he received from his tutor, Jenny Paloumpis, who is still a teacher at the Northdale school.

Permission for the project at the school came from Claywell Elementary Principal Rob Jones and from the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, said Lynnette Offutt, Ashton’s mom.

Besides scouting, Ashton enjoys orienteering with the Gaither High School ROTC program, and operating remote-control cars.

He plans to attend college, but isn’t sure which one yet — and he aspires to join the U.S. Army, where he hopes to be part of a bomb squad, working with canines to sniff out explosives.

Published September 09, 2020

Scouts’ food campaign aims to impact hunger

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Powered by thousands of boys and girls in local Boy Scouts of America groups across West Central Florida, an initiative called Scouting for Food is seeking to collect a record-setting amount of food to fight hunger.

Boy Scouts from the Tampa Bay Area Council visit One Buc Place for a photo op with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ mascot, Captain Fear, to promote the Scouting for Food campaign. (Courtesy of the Boy Scouts of America, Greater Tampa Bay Area Council)

Scouts ages 5 to 17 will go door-to-door on Jan. 25 in their neighborhoods to attach door hangers with program information, then return to collect nonperishable food donations left on front porches one week later, on Feb. 1.

Scouting for Food will take place on the weekends leading up to the Super Bowl, as the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council—the region’s branch of the Boy Scouts of America—is joining more than 4,000 participating groups in the Souper Bowl of Caring, a nonprofit organization that collected more than 4.5 million pounds of food in 2019.

Boy Scouts of America is a program that teaches young men and women values, leadership, adventure and, most importantly, how to lend a helping hand and assist those in need.

“Serving others is at the heart of what Scouting is all about,” said Scouting for Food event chair Melissa Snively, in a release.

“In Florida alone, more than 850,000 children struggle with hunger. Our Scouts will be energized knowing they are helping other young people,” Snively added.

More than 15,000 Scouts are members of the local branch of Boy Scouts of America, the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council. The council and its Scouting for Food effort covers nine counties, including Hillsborough and Pasco.

Food collected in Pasco County will be benefit the food banks of Helping Hands Choice Food Pantry (Wesley Chapel), St. Vincent De Paul (Land O’ Lakes) and Metropolitan Ministries (Holiday).

To stay up to date on the progress of the food campaign, visit TampaBayScouting.org, or follow Scouting for Food on Facebook.

Published January 15, 2020

First annual Swing for Scouting set for July 9

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An amateur long drive competition will be to raise money for area Boy Scouts.

The first annual Swing for Scouting contest takes place on July 9 at The Abbey Course in St. Leo from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The longest drive competition will have three divisions: Youth (under 18), Adults (18-50) and Senior (over 50).

The first annual Swing for Scouting long drive contest will take place at the Abbey Course in St. Leo on July 9. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
The first annual Swing for Scouting long drive contest will take place at the Abbey Course in St. Leo on July 9.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The contest is for amateurs only. Those competing must supply their own clubs and all club heads must conform to the standards of the United States Golf Association. Golf clubs cannot be longer than 50 inches long. And, all contestants will be provided three balls to hit. Those competing will not be allowed to bring their own balls to the competition.

Proceeds from the event will go into the general fund of the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, which is chartered by the Boy Scouts of America.

Funds raised by the event will be used for camp upkeep, scholarships and administrative purposes.

Jason McCombs, vice chairman for the Allohak District, came up with the fundraising concept after he recently passed by the golf course for a different scouting event. The Allohak District serves eastern and central Pasco County, including the communities of Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Dade City, Zephyrhills and Lacoochee.

McCombs is looking to have at least 200 long drive participants, and hopes to raise about $4,000.

“Being the first year that we’ve ever done this, we’re shooting for the moon, but we’re hoping to just hit the target,” the district vice chairman said. “We’re very close to making our (fundraising) goal for the year, so this is just going to put us over the top.”

In addition to the longest drive contest, there will be other golf skill challenges, including a putting contest and a closest to the pin game.

“The main one that we’re doing is the longest drive competition,” McCombs said. “If we have other people interested, there are things there like the practice putting green and a pin that’s off to the side that you can practice pitching (wedge shots) with. It’s just a little small thing to keep people interested waiting for their turn or waiting for their results.”

McCombs has interest in organizing a Swing for Scouting event each year, with plans to rotate to various golf courses or driving ranges throughout Pasco County.

“I would like to see it move around; maybe next year we can do it in Land O’ Lakes someplace or Wesley Chapel. We’ll have to see how it goes,” he said.

In March, the Gulf Ridge Council and West Central Florida merged to form the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council. The council now encompasses nine counties and serves more than 26,000 youth in 200 Cub Scout packs, 212 Boy Scout and Varsity Scout troops, 46 Venturing Crews and nearly 17,000 Learning for Life participants. It also maintains six camp properties, including Camp Owen J. Brorein in Odessa.

McCombs noted the importance of the Boy Scouts of America, which he says creates “fun with a purpose” for youth.

“We give them life skills,” he said. “With our merit badges, we can teach them and expose them to things they may be interested in doing a career in. Plus, we give them the ability to become leaders in their own community…and just basically give them a chance to grow up.”

Advance ticket prices for youth are $12; adult prices are $22. To preregister, visit http://tinyurl.com/SwingForScouting.

For more information, call Jason McCombs at (813) 368-7282.

Published June 29, 2016