Boy Scouts from Holmen, Onalaska and other Coulee Region packs showed up at Valley View Mall last weekend to race pinewood cars, blast marshmallows at targets and display some of the projects they’ve been involved in over the past year. They were there to have fun, but also to encourage others to become Scouts.

“What we’re doing today is basically a showcase of scouting,” said Trevor Sprague, Gateway Area Council district executive. “Believe it or not, next year is the centennial year of scouting so we’re trying to bolster our recruiting efforts in the region.”

That region covers a lot of territory as the Gateway Area Council oversees Scouts in nine counties, both in western Wisconsin and in Southeastern Minnesota.

Sprague emphasized that scouting in the area is healthy and continues to grow, and he expressed enthusiasm about some of the organization’s new camping programs. Many of these take place at Camp Decorah — a state-of-the-art camp north of Holmen that offers a climbing wall, a pool, a full-service dining hall, a fishing pond, river access and miles of trails.

Sprague also wanted the public to be aware of an important fundraiser coming up next month. The annual popcorn sale runs from Sept. 21 until mid-October.

Also, area Scouts will hold a blood drive Friday, Sept. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dahl Automotive, 561 Theater Road in Onalaska.

Anyone in the area who’s interested in having a youngster join scouting is encouraged to call the Gateway office at 748-4040.

“They can just tell one of the ladies who answers that they’d like to join one of their local groups and they will be directed to the right people,” Sprague said.

In addition, Holmen Cub Scout Pack 91 is holding its annual recruiting night at Viking Elementary School on Sept. 8 starting at 7 p.m. Interested parents can call Jeff Frank at 399-1037 or e-mail him at holmencubmaster@yahoo.com