BY K. MCSTAY

HERALD DEMOCRAT

SHERMAN -- Downtown Sherman swarmed Saturday with Scouts of both genders, while their leaders helped set up and run an exhibition of events ranging from making lip gloss to shooting off rockets.

"It gives Sherman and the surrounding areas a chance to see Scouting in action," Boy Scout leader Gordon Sidler said. "We have a long tradition of outdoor and community work, and this shows the cities of Sherman and Denison a picture of what's going on in the Scouts."

The Boy Scouts showed off some of their traditional events, as well as more unique creations. The organization's Pinewood Derby, a race of miniature wooden cars, is recreated on a smaller scale at the event, and Scouts lined up along a tree branch to learn to tie knots. A station near the Grayson County Court House was packed with Scouts making stomp rockets. "It's pretty impressive: they can go as high as the roof," Sidler said. "Their goal is to get it on the roof," Adult Leader Jamie Stephens said.

On the other side of the courthouse lawn, a pavilion was filled with Girl Scouts and their leaders. "We promote positive leadership in girls," Membership Specialist Ashley Wood said. The group wants to show the community that Girl Scouts in the area are truly a "sisterhood."

"We want to teach the girls that if you want to be president, you can be president."

The girls focused on making lip gloss and trail mix, a trial run for September's arts festival. There, the Girl Scouts will make both, allowing anyone interested to participate. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 6, the Girl Scouts will also have a membership drive at Fairview Park.

"We do art, and I never knew I was good at art," Scout Abigail Brockelman, 10, said. "It teaches girls to be who they are," Wood said.

Nine-year-old Lauren Brooks said that over her four years of girl Scouting, making lip gloss is her favorite activity, though she's learned first aid as well. Bethany Farmer, a member of the organization since age 5, said that in Girl Scouts, the goal is not just to socialize. "Sometimes, the money (from fundraisers) goes to special places," the 9-year-old said. Her favorite charities are those for cancer research and assistance. "People need help, and the money goes to buy stuff for the cancer."

"It's good to get people to see what we do," Austen Stephens, 13, said of the event. "It's more interesting than a bunch of boring old people standing up and talking to them," William Mandrell, 12, said. Both boys say camping trips are their favorite part of the group, and William adds that fishing and the occasional water-gun fight are also fun.

The Scouts, Jamie Stephens said, is necessarily a family activity, and if follows that Scouts in the Square is family oriented. "Anytime you have families, you have siblings," she said, and the Scouts want to make sure that everyone is included.

"This is our second year," Sidler said. "It's grown and gotten bigger." The event is all about the kids, he said. "We want them to come and experience it."