On May 10, 2025, the History Park in San Jose, CA, was buzzing with excitement as hundreds of booths and over two thousand scouts gathered for the largest local Scout-O-Rama event of the year. The Santa Clara Valley Carvers, a local woodcarving club, was proud to be a part of this fantastic event, which ran from 10 AM to 4:00 PM.
Woodcarving Booth at Scout-O-Rama: A Standout Attraction
The Santa Clara Valley Carvers’ booth was among the many exhibits on display, and we were thrilled to receive a special yellow ribbon indicating that our booth was one of the best equipped with unique and engaging content.
Our three tables were filled with an array of woodcarving and whittling projects, including intricate ball-in-a-cage designs, wooden chains carved from single pieces of wood, chip-carved plates and coasters, and progression projects showing various carving techniques.
A Day of Activities and Exhibits
The event offered a wide range of activities that scouts and visitors could try, including archery, chess playing, knot tying, origami paper folding, fire starting, sign making, painting, and many more. One of the highlights of the day was the free rides on the San Jose Railroads’ historic streetcar number 124, which took passengers on a scenic tour around the History Park.
Demonstrations and Interactions
Throughout the day, our club members, Roman Chernikov, Mike Campi, and David Osterlund, were on hand to demonstrate chip carving and whittling techniques, answering questions from curious scouts and visitors. Many were fascinated by the craft and expressed interest in trying woodcarving themselves, with some even considering joining our club.
We distributed over 200 flyers with information about our club and upcoming events, including an introduction to woodcarving for scouts scheduled for September.
A Special Thank You to Scout-O-Rama Organizers
We want to extend our gratitude to Dan Brady, the Chairman of the Scout-O-Rama Organizing Committee, who not only helped facilitate the event but is also an active member of our club. Dan’s passion for scouting and woodcarving is inspiring, and we appreciate his dedication to helping scouts earn their wood carving merit badges.
Scout-O-Rama 2025: A Well-Organized Event
The Scouting America Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council organization did an excellent job coordinating the event, including attendance management, booth setup, safety inspections, and various food options from local vendors like Judie’s Tacos Locos and Grillzillas trucks. The atmosphere was lively and engaging, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Overall, the Scout-O-Rama 2025 event was a resounding success, and we feel proud to have been a part of it. We look forward to next year’s event and the opportunity to share our passion for woodcarving with even more scouts and families.
