Farmington Area
Joint Unit Group for Scouting

CARES Annual Duck Race & Family Fun Day
August 5, 2026 - Shiawassee Park

Hello Farmington Area Scouts, Parents and Leaders:

Scouting has proudly supported CARES of Farmington Hills for many years. CARES now needs our help with the Family Fun Day & Duck Race on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at Shiawassee Park in Farmington, Michigan. I spoke with CARES Executive Director Todd Lipa about ways Scouts can assist, and he recommended two projects that are a great fit for us.

Duck Wardens:

On Wednesday, August 5, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., CARES is asking our Scouts BSA and Venturing youth to serve as Duck Wardens and help keep the Duck Race safe by making sure no ducks escape. Some larger Scouts who are BSA Swimmers will enter the river with large nets to collect ducks along the course and at the finish line. Other Scouts will assist from the riverbank and support those working in the water. Please note that Scouting America and CARES have different safety standards. As a Scouting America activity, we must have a Camp School Certified Aquatics instructor, Connie, on site to evaluate water conditions and determine who may enter the water.

Scouting CARES Fun & Games:

On Wednesday, August 5, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., we need Scouts of all ages, along with parents and leaders, to help run Cub Scout-style fun and games as part of the Family Fun Day activities. This is also a great opportunity to promote our Scouting units to the thousands of community families attending. Last year, Crew 179 gained a new member, and a Life Scout found an Eagle project through the event.

Finally, no sign-up is needed: Please help promote the CARES Duck Race & Family Fun Day activities and join the fun by wearing your Scout uniform or unit T-shirt.

Please use this link to our Sign Up Genius Form: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4FA9AE23A1FF2-50353178-cares