Scouts Show Off Skills at Festival : Camarillo: Nearly every aspect of troop life is featured in more than 100 exhibits at the annual countywide event.

The number of pins, medals and merit badges on display at Freedom Park in Camarillo on Saturday would have made a five-star general proud.

The brass was gleaming as hundreds of Boy Scouts from throughout Ventura County gathered for an all-day festival to show off their skills at everything from tying knots to first aid. The annual Scout-O-Rama featured more than 100 exhibits about nearly every aspect of Scouting, organizers said.

“It’s kind of putting something on display,” said David Graska, an executive of the Ventura County Council of the Boy Scouts of America. “We can show what we do.”

Ventura County is home to about 275 troops with about 7,350 Scouts, Graska said. Scouting is particularly popular in the Conejo Valley area, he said.

“Our mission is to change a person” by inspiring responsibility, leadership and citizen participation, he said.

For Harvey Mahler, Scouting is a way to get closer to his three children. The 43-year-old Thousand Oaks dentist said he was a Scout until he was 15, and his three sons--ages 7, 12 and 18--are all in Boy Scouts.

“We can do things together, and it teaches them values, keeps them off the streets,” Mahler said.

On Saturday, Mahler was helping out his youngest son’s troop by hawking orchids for Mother’s Day and selling chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies. Many troops sold food to raise funds for their camping trips.

Scouts also had displays about first aid, basic survival skills and other camping activities.

Ian Chapman, a 13-year-old Scout from Simi Valley, was demonstrating how to toast bread over coals.

With a coat hanger and a piece of balled-up aluminum foil, Ian formed a primitive skewer and wrapped dough around the end. He held it over hot coals, patiently waiting for it to turn a golden brown.

When it was done, he handed it to a parent who filled it with chocolate pudding. He said he hasn’t used that particular recipe on a camping trip yet, but will try it next time.

Ian, who has been a Scout for three years, said camping with his troop is the best part of Scouting.

“We learn basic survival skills,” said Ian, whose blue hat and khaki shirt were festooned with pins and badges. He has earned seven merit badges so far.

Peter Elsley, a 15-year-old Scout from Thousand Oaks, remembers the time he and his troop stumbled across some lost bikers during a hike.

“We gave them food, kept them warm and they survived the night,” said Peter, who was demonstrating 35 ways to tie a knot. “This is probably the safest place to be other than a hospital if you have a heart attack.”