It all started with a photo. When my son C was three we sent him off to school, while there he became friends with another little boy, G. G happens to have awesome parents who we really like. And as a bonus G has a younger brother who is the same age as my daughter E. But back to that photo, the teacher at the preschool sent us a photo of G and C holding hands and walking on the playground. They were so cute, little guys just being friends.
Fast forward a few years, both of our families have transitioned to other schools. Our school has a long history of scouting but partners with a church and when C was old enough to start scouts it was a transition year for the Cub Scout leadership there. It was uncertain if a Pack was going to be active. G's school was a newly opened campus and had put out the word they needed parents to create extracurricular ideas. G's mom started making phone calls and the one I was part of invited my son and family to help start a new Pack.
It was easier than expected to open a new Cub Scout Pack. After a few meetings with a Boy Scouts District Executive and lots of forms we had a Pack number, sponsor organization, meeting space and the required five boys and five adults. But it wasn't five boys it was twenty-one!
Over the past school year we have camped out, held a pinewood derby, learned all about the circle of blood, and so much more.
As the Summer has progressed our Pack is still rolling along and having way more fun than I expected. The way our group breaks down is into Dens for each grade level and then the parents work as the force behind all of our activities. We are very lucky to have a group of very talented and generous people helping our children learn about scouting and the character development that is offered. If you decide to build a new Cub Scout Pack I must advise you that having a BBQ Chef and a carpenter on your parent team makes things so much easier.
Pack 333 is about to launch the second year of our charter and I am excited to be eligible for a "Founder" designation for a scouting group.
If you have children that are school aged (K-College) there is a scouting option out there. Boys and girls are part of the international programs offered. Scouts are growing in Middle Tennessee, having gained 3000 participants in the 2016-2017 academic year.
Last thought, the program in and of itself is very well designed. Before you join a scout group talk to the leadership. Those are the people who will make or break your family's experience in scouting. My son is a fourth generation scout following his dad, great uncle, and great-grandfather into the program developed over 100 years ago. There are changes since my grandfather was a scout in the 1930's but at the core it is still the same
A Scout is:- Trustworthy,
- Loyal,
- Helpful,
- Friendly,
- Courteous,
- Kind,
- Obedient,
- Cheerful,
- Thrifty,
- Brave,
- Clean,
- and Reverent.
