BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Members of Wisconsin's 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team are teaching Iraqi children to "be prepared."

It's the Boy Scout's motto and one the children in Iraq are embracing.

"I think this is a great example of how -- no matter where you are in the world, kids are kids. Scouting here in Iraq is the same tasks as back in the States," said Sfc. Christopher Donovan.

Donovan said he is involved with a Scout troop in his hometown of Marshall, Wis., and was happy to help organize the weekend event in Baghdad for more than 150 Iraqi children, their schoolteachers, and Iraqi police and firemen.

The event included exercises in the woods, lessons in tying knots, as well as soccer matches.

The Iraqi teachers told the Wisconsin soldiers that Scouting is part of their curriculum, but they didn't have the resources to hold regular exercises, according to Donovan. That's when the Wisconsin soldiers started a campaign to help the teachers out -- they pooled resources from several other countries working in the International Zone.

Sun Prairie resident Spc. Coady Shiltz was a first aid instructor at the Scouting event.

"It's great. I like working with the kids here. I work back in the States at a Boy Scout camp so being able to come here & teach 'em the same thing, it's real fun -- a good thing," said Shiltz.

"I wish I could be home with my kids doing this, but since I can't, I'm more than happy to be here to help organize this and to help Iraqi children," said SPC Terrance Marsh. The Edgar resident served as a team building instructor.