Pack 242 and Boy Scouts: A Weekend in the Woods

The weekend of Oct. 3-5, Cub Scout pack 242 enjoyed Webelos Woods, hosted by Riverside Troop 90 at Camp Emerson in Idyllwild. Eleven boys from Webelos I and II (rabid squirrels and killer cobras patrols) were able to go and wear themselves out. Webelos scouts have achievements they work towards to meet requirements to cross over into Boy Scouts. Webelos Woods offered our boys the ability to work toward many of these achievements. The rabid squirrels worked on their scientist (using air rocket models that they designed and powered), engineering, readyman (where they learned a lot about first aid), and showman achievements. The killer cobras worked on their scientist, readyman, handyman (they got to learn about bicycle and vehicle repairs) achievements and practiced their BB gun and archery skills. Boy scouts also joined the pack in camp to practice their knot-lashing skills. The boys set up their own tents and took turns at kitchen duty. With the help from dedicated and talented parents, they set up a functional outdoor living space. Camp leaders were so impressed, they called Pack 242 to the front of the campfire and announced that they had the best camp site. The boys were awarded by being released first to go to the front of the line for that night’s cracker barrel of apple crisp, and being able to find seating together with chips and veggie platters provided. It wasn’t all work though; these boys enjoyed plenty of play. Campfire programs at night, Star Wars games where they formed teams and built forts to protect, cracker barrels at night, a raffle in which a few of the boys came home with some new camping gear, designing their own marshmallow treats (slimy lemon-mellows), and dancing with glow-sticks to music streaming from a few fathers’ cell phones (not really electronics). The weather was perfect, the mountains beautiful. A loan owl watched silently over the camp and the echoing coyotes made sure we had no desire to stray far. The boys had a wonderful time, and the parents enjoyed themselves too. If any local boys are interested in checking out Pack 242, feel free to come by. Weekly Wednesday meeting take place at the Junior High on DeBerry and Mt Vernon at 6:30 p.m.