Greeting presented by EANC Youth Committee member Häly Laasme at the Opening Ceremony of the US Estonian Scout Camp METSAPIDU at Camp Järvemetsa on August 9, 2025, (Scroll down for Estonian version)

Hello, Järvemetsa Family,

The Estonian American National Council is so happy to see so many young people here under the pines of Järvemetsa.

Just like the Poku characters in Edgar Valter’s children’s book, Guides and Scouts enjoy living here among the trees in this beautiful and somewhat humid forest land — not just for the chance to feel the lush spaciousness, with a protective forest at their backs and a little pond nearby – but because we all have a great need in summer to kick off our shoes and ground ourselves in just-the-right-amount of damp woodland soil – and here, of course, in the legendary white sands of Lakewood.

But the Pokus were different from our Estonian Guides and Scouts in one way — they had never even heard of a sauna, let alone washed themselves in one. Of course, when they eventually did see a sauna and were told what it was for, the Pokus immediately thought that in such a house it must always rain inside, and perhaps lightning is common, too. — How else would such a strong scent of smoke be present?

Of course, guides and scouts know that the wonderful smell, heat, and smoke are thanks to Saunamaster Mati’s hard work.

EANC’s mission is to share and promote Estonian culture and to support Estonian communities and organizations in America. We have always been glad to support Estonian Scouts and Guides,  who want to plant their toes in Järvemetsa soil, sweat on the sauna stage, and practice the Estonian language.

And while today marks the start of new, wonderful memories for all of you in this sunny pine forest by the glistening lake, under the blue arch of the sky — we must not forget that our good and magical experiences as Estonians here were won at a great cost.

Last year marked the 80th anniversary of the 1944 Mass Flight from Estonia, a time when so many Estonians were separated from their homeland. It is all of our duty to remember Estonian history and pass it on to the next generations. Our history holds valuable lessons to be learned from by all.

Now, I’d like to invite the Eesti Gaidide Malev USAs and Eesti Skautide Malev USAs to come forward, to receive a small gift from ERKÜ for use in the guiding and scouting programs.

Presents book bundle featuring childrens books in two languages, memoris and novels, and the chronicles and records of Estonians living in DP camps after häving fled their homeland to survive the 1944 Soviet occupation of Estonia

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Tere Päevast Järvemetsa Rahvas,

Eesti Rahvuskomiteel Ühendriikides on nii hea meel näha nii palju noori siin Järvemetsa mändide all.

Nii nagu pokudel, Edgar Valteri lasteraamatus, on gaididel ja skautidel meeldinud elada siin parajalt niiskel metsaalusel, ikka mõni välu avaruse tunnetamiseks, kaitsev mets selja taga ja mõni veekogu õige lähedal , sest kõigil on hirmus suur vajadus, et nende varbad saaksid suvel olla parasjagu niiskes mullas.

Kuid pokud olid erinevad meie eesti gaididest ja skautidest selle poolest, et nad polnud ennast elu sees pesnud. Vähemasti saunas mitte! Kui nemad vaatasid sauna ja said teada, et selles majas pestakse ennast, siis nad järeldasid, et järelikult sajab selles vihma. Võib-olla lööb isegi välku – kuidas muidu selline tugev suitulõhn saab tulla!

ERKU mission on tutvustada ja edendada eesti kultuuri, ja toetada eesti kogukondi ja organisatsioone Ameerikas. Meil on alati olnud suur rõõm toetada eesti skaute ja gaide, kes soovivad oma varbaid Järvemetsa mulla sisse poetada, sauna laval higistada ja eesti keelt harjutada.

Ja kuigi täna saavad paljudele alguse imelised mälestused sellest päkselisest männimetsast ja järvest sinise taevakaare all, ei või me unustada, et see hea ja kaunis siin, on ka võidetud suure hinnaga.

Eelmine aasta möödus 80 aastat suur-põgenemisest ja lahutus kodumaast ja kodust paljudele eestlastele. Ajalugu peab alati püüdma meeles pidada ja järgnevatele põlvkondadele edasi kandma, et sellest õppitakse. Nüüd ma paluksin ette kutsuda skaut ja gaid malevate juhid, et anda üle väike kingitus malevatele.