MORAVIA - “The only problem with the Boy Scouts is that there aren't enough of them.”

That expression, first uttered by entertainment personality Will Rogers, is quite an understatement. In the 95 years of its existence, the Boy Scouts of America has seen millions of youngsters learn to both “Be Prepared” and “Do a Good Turn Daily.”

To echo Rogers' sentiment, on Monday, several Moravia-area Boy Scout troops held their annual School Night, an event that serves to recruit young men to be a part of the international scouting organization.

The program, held in the Millard Fillmore Elementary School cafeteria, was attended by numerous young hopefuls who filled out applications in order to join troops corresponding with their particular age group.

“This sign-up night is a council-wide event, held at different places all over Cayuga County,” said Gary Kieffer, leader of Moravia's Pack 55, which is part of the Boy Scouts' Cayuga County Council, based in Auburn.

Programs like Monday's School Night have been held at schools and community organizations across the country for many years, he continued, allowing potential scouts to learn just what the organization is all about.

Kieffer himself has been involved with Boy Scouts for 18 years, he explained, because his oldest son, Justin, now 23, first joined as a Tiger Cub at a young age.

“I continued on (as scout leader) even after Justin dropped out, and now I'm starting all over again, because I have three younger boys who are just reaching the age where they can join (the Scouts) too,” he added.

The advantages of being involved with scouting are numerous, Kieffer said. “These days - and I speak from experience - a family's time is extremely valuable,” he said.

One of his favorite characteristics of the program is that it provides ready-made opportunities for parents to spend time with their sons.

Advantageous, too, is the social climate that scouting presents, he said.

“Every year, we sign up kids who say they've heard from their friends how much fun they have,” he added. “Scouting is so many things - it's leadership, kids learn good citizenship, character development... the list goes on and on.”

At Monday's program, about 20 boys, some as young as six, attended with their parents, who helped them fill out applications for the program. Also on hand were several Boy Scout veterans, who talked with the younger children about what scouting involves.

One of those veteran members was Richard Elskey, of Moravia, a third-grader who said he is entering his fourth year being involved with Boy Scouts.

“My favorite part (of scouting) is when you get to go camping,” he said, wearing his blue Boy Scout shirt festooned with badges and ribbons. Elskey said he also enjoys activities such as learning about the safe use of pocket knives and other equipment.

“Last year, we went house to house selling popcorn, and the people who sold the most won lots of cool prizes,” he said.

To learn more:

Who: Cayuga County Council

What: County-wide Boy Scout organization

Where: 7235 Mutton Hill Road, Auburn

For more information, call 252-9579, or visit www.scouting.org