PHOTOS: Community Comes Out to Support Burr Ridge Boy Scouts

A steady stream of people started their July 4 holiday by making a stop at the 's Walker Park Recreation Center Wednesday. The annual fourth of July pancake breakfast put on by the Troop 69 boyscouts of started at 7:30 a.m., and folks filled the room for pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee and fresh juice.

Although temps reached more than 100 degrees yesterday, that didn't put a damper on the tradition.

"The turnout has been really good ... I don't think [the weather has affected the turnout,]" said Bob Fierke, assistant scout master for Troop 69. "[The holiday's] in the middle of the week, so a lot of people aren't gone for the weekend. That will help us out a lot."

Fierke said the pancake breakfast is one of the year's biggest fundraisers for the troop.

"It helps us buy our equipment for climbing, buy tents, get tents repaired, buy stoves," said Fierke. "Each group of kids uses a stove to cook for themselves."

Fierke said that by teaching kids to cook for themselves and clean up after themselves, it helps them understand how to do things for themselves, as opposed to waiting for their parents to do it for them.

Joanne Mennemeier said she really appreciates the influence being in scouts has had on her son, Nick, a student.

"After the first time he went away camping, he came home and said, 'I'm going to make scrambled eggs for the family.' He cracked 14 eggs and said, 'Do you think that's enough, Mom?' I said, 'Yes, I think that's enough," Mennemeier laughed. "He really likes to take what he's learned, and show us."