Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Boy Scout Pack 30 is back

It started out with only four students from Gurdon Primary School. But eventually 12 more trickled in, with their parents tagging along, to rekindle Cub Scout Pack 30 of Gurdon.

Former GPS teacher Richelle Clark was the Cub Master for two years before she left Gurdon for a job opportunity in Arkadelphia, which left the Pack obsolete until recently.

Joe Farrell, executive director for the Ouachita Area Council, met with the interested students and parents Thursday, April 10, to discuss bringing back the pack.

The Pack 30, which has been in Gurdon off and on for 40 years, consists of Scouts in the area. The Pack is managed by volunteering parents of the scouts, and meets approximately twice a month.

Volunteering parent Mary Strickland will be the new Cub Master for Gurdons Pack 30.

Parents are required to be involved with the organization, attending all Boy Scout meetings and events.

The advancement of Cubs is in the hands of the parents, Farrell said. The most important thing about being a Cub is spending time with family and teaching responsibility.

Farrell taught the Scouts-to-be a few essentials of being a Cub Scout, including the handshake, the salute and the sign  along with a few Scout cheers.

Farrell will return for another meeting in the Gurdon Primary School Thursday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m.

Cub Scouts is organized by age group. Tiger Cubs are for boys in the first grade, or seven years old. The Wolf program is for boys who have completed first grade, or eight years old. The Bear rank is for boys who have completed second grade, or nine years old. The Webelos rank is for boys who have completed third grade, or 10 years old. In order to proceed to a higher rank, Scouts must past a series of achievements.

A Scout Pack, aside from meetings, hold events throughout the year for recreation and recognition.

Akela Camp

Scouts meet at Ross Rhodes Scout Reservation in Bismarck each October for Akela Camp for BB and archery events and an evening campfire.

Blue and Gold Banquet

February is the Scouts anniversary month, and during this time Packs hold Blue and Gold Banquets to highlight the upcoming years program.

Pinewood Derby

Scouts have an opportunity to build and race their own race car with the help of their volunteering parent or guardian. Winners of the Derby go on to compete in the District and Council races.

Cub Scout Fun Day

Each spring, Cub Scouts hold their Fun Day to earn advancements and recognition. Packs from the Ouachita Area Council held Fun Day Saturday, April 12, at Lake DeGray.

Cub Twilight Camp

Each summer a week-long camp is held that offers advancement, swimming, BB and archery contests and special guests to Scouts. A campfire put on by Scouts ends the week.

For more information about Boy Scouts of America, visit their Web site at www.scouting.org