The Herbert C. Bonner Scout Reservation at 978 Harvey Road, Washington, near the entrance to Pamlico Plantation, is hosting 1,300 scouts and leaders this weekend, April 26 – 28. The theme for the 2013 Council Camporee is STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

All day long today, Scouts will be competing in STEM events. They include Blastcar, which uses CO2 engines, Geocashing, building a Da Vinci Bridge, starting a fire with a battery and building and launching of a water bottle rock. A Da Vinci Bridge is built using poles without the use of nails, lashings or anything to hold the bridge together except resistance and friction. The water bottle rocket uses air to force water out of a two litter bottle and creates enough force to send a the bottle hurling into the sky.

The public is invited to attend the event. Meals and a trading post are available on site. Saturday night will include a band concert from the group “Heartland.” The event will close on Sunday after church services.