Vintage 1960’s Cub Scouts Slide Lost In Saco Maine, Found Visually, Without A Metal Detector
« Three generations of scouting history, lost in an instant—and the ultimate ‘Good Deed’ that brought a grandfather’s 1960s slide back home! 🪵🇺🇸
« On Sunday June 14th, Flag Day, I received a call, from Doug, about a lost Cub Scout Neckerchief Slide. A ceremony was held at Ferry Beach State Park , in Saco, Maine, for a local Cub Scouts Pack #350. This Cub Scout Pack services the Saco, Maine , Biddeford, Maine and Old Orchard Beach, Maine communities. The ceremony was a “Rank Up” ceremony in which the cub scouts would be “Ranking Up”, achieving the next “slide”, as they advance in age and grade (More on this later.) As the ceremony ended, all the scouts, parents and leaders were leaving, walking down a wooded trail, towards the parking lot. Doug’s son Wyatt noticed his slide was missing. Now, this was no ordinary slide. This slide was actually the slide that Wyatt’s late grandfather had received, 65+ years earlier. YIKES!!! Doug told me that the scouting troop or about 20 people had been searching for the silde for 20-30 minutes but were unable to find it. The group had ended the search and were now on their way home. Doug thinks the most likely scenerio was that the slide fell off Wyatt’s neckerchief and was then kicked into the leaves and brush along the trail. I told Doug I could be there in 15-20 mnutes but just needed to know which trail to search. Doug then told me he would turn around and meet there, showing me exactly where the trail was. Perfect!!! Always a greater chance of success, when we know the exact area, to search.
Once I arrived at Ferry Beach State Park, I saw Doug and Waytt, next to the Ranger’s booth. After a quick introduction, we retreived my equiptment out of my vehicle and Wyatt was completly enthralled with the metal detector and pinpointer. I told Waytt he was my official pinpointer person, on this search and a huge smile came across his face. As we walked to the trail, we talked about what this vintage heirloom slide meant to the family and how important it was to find it. Once we arrived on the trail, I was asking lots of questions about could it be on the beach, etc.. My last question was “When was the last time you saw the slide” We walked maybe 10 more feet and Doug says “ It was in ths area”. As Doug was motioning with his hand, drawing a circle of the area he says “I can’t believe it. There it is. How did we not see it?” Just off the trail, sitting under a small plant was Wyatt’s slide, once belonging to his grandfather. WOW!! I couldn’t have been happier for them as a hugh relief swept across us. I hadn’t even turned my metal detector on yet and it was found. Wyatt did have the pinpointer on and placed it noxt to the slide and got a thrill, when the pinpointer went “beep, beep”. We then turned on my metal detector and Wyatt had a chance to use it, sweeping of the slide and getting more “beeps”, from the brass alloy slide. Wyatt was very happy to have his slide back but I think he was happy and excited to use the metal detectors. Amazing how the mood shifts, when a succsessful search is made. The walk out of the park was much more joyful, than the walk into the park.
We have seen this more than a few times. When someone loses a cherished item, their mind may go into a tailspin of panic, stress, or anxiety. Their emotions are now total overwhelm, brain may lock up, creating a literal mental block that makes it impossible to see what is right in front of you. You can stare directly at the grass or sand for hours, but the fear of losing that memory forever blurs your vision and clouds your judgment. You are too gripped by dread to even think about food or taking a breath.
However, when the we step onto the scene, the emotions start to ease. Just having someone there who knows exactly what to do allows you to finally exhale, lowering the panic and letting you catch your breath. As your nerves settle, your head clears, and you can finally step back and think straight again. With the frantic energy gone and calm restored, the chaotic search transforms into a clear, focused effort, and that is exactly when the missing item is finally spotted. I am not saying this happed today but we have seen this situation over and over again. Just having someone there helps with the frayed nerves.
Helping a young Cub Scout recover a treasured, vintage 1960s neckerchief slide, brought me back to my own Cub and Boy Scout Days. Tracking down this irreplaceable piece of history became the ultimate « good deed for the day, » transforming a family’s deep worry into a triumphant, successful recovery. Seeing the Scout’s face light up with pure relief when the classic brass slide was safely returned made it a deeply rewarding win, perfectly honoring the spirit of both scouting and community helping hands.
So, another Cub Scout Siide back on the hankerchief. Remember, “If it matters to you, it matters to us.” I have the best job in the world. I love my job.
