East Texas

Okee Tuklo District of East Texas Area Council Boy Scouts of America will hold recruitment rallies in late August and early September.

The district serves Smith and Wood counties.

Most rallies are set for 7 p.m. Sept. 4.

"Most community elementary, primary and intermediate schools are having their recruiting night Thursday (Sept. 4) in the school cafeterias, but there are a few exceptions," said John McDougald, district director.

"Cub Scouting is a neighborhood-centered program for boys in grades one through five. It combines fun with educational activities and lifelong values to teach boys to be self-reliant, dependable and caring individuals," he said.

He said a recent study showed "character may be defined as the 'willingness to do what is right, regardless of circumstances.' Cub Scouting teaches boys what is right, in part by encouraging them to reflect on lessons learned through Cub Scouting activities," McDougald said.

Tyler schools holding rallies at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4 include Austin, Bell, Birdwell, Bonner, Clarkston, Dixie, Douglas, East Texas Christian Academy, Griffin, Jack, Jones, Orr, Peete, Ramey and Stepping Stone.

Other schools in Smith and Wood counties holding rallies at that time include Alba; Arp; Chapel Hill Jackson, Kissam and Wise schools; Quitman; Whitehouse's Brown, Cain, Higgins, and Smith schools; Winona; Winnsboro; and Yantis. Lindale will hold a rally at First United Methodist Church.

Schools that have set rallies on either a different date or time are: All Saints (Sept. 11), Andy Woods (6 p.m., Sept. 4), Caldwell (Sept. 11), Hawkins (Aug. 28), Owens (Sept. 9), Rice (6 p.m. Sept. 4), St. Gregory (Sept. 11).

Mineola will hold its rally at the First United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. on Sept. 11.