For years, Boy Scouts gathered to showcase their skills and experience an adventure at the annual Scout-O-Rama; but the pandemic put a wrench in that beloved tradition.

When it was brought back last year, the Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America took the opportunity to share the fun, opening the event up to families in the community.

“We wanted to reintroduce ourselves to the community,” said Kevin Le, marketing director for the OC organization. “It is really a more interactive experience for the Orange County community now.”

On Saturday, families interested in learning more about scouting – the organization is also now open to girls – can try their hand at many of the activities that teach scouts skills, including Dutch oven cooking, archery, how to create a campsite, panning for gold and more.

The event is held at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center and adventurous visitors can try the zip line and rock climbing wall. There will be a science center, pinewood derby, games and more.

The event is free, but registration is required online ahead of time because participants will be given an “adventure pass” with a time slot for the high-demand activities such as flying down the hill on the zip line, Le said.

“I just love seeing all the kids there and doing the zip line and see their excited faces when they climb the rock wall and see what scouting is about,” he said.

Last year more than 100 stations offered activities and information – the event harnesses the volunteer power of the scout troops to organize the stations and pull off the day, Le said.

More than 4,000 people are expected, he said.

Scout-O-Rama will be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday; registration is open at www.ocbsa.org/sor. Parking will be at nearby Santiago Canyon College, 8045 E. Chapman Ave., with a shuttle to the education center.

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