Submitted by Neil Deininger
Do you have a son or daughter that loves learning new skills, working with other kids and spending time outdoors? If so, Cub Scouting might be right up their alley! Cub Scouts are a division of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) that is specifically designed for elementary age children grades K through 5. Scouting is a very family oriented activity and many Scout siblings, including sisters, are active in Scout events. In recognition of this inclusive aspect of Scouting, last year the BSA opened enrollment in all of it’s programs to girls. The response has been very positive and many girls in the area are actively participating and earning badges alongside the boys.
Scouting is full of adventure, fun (for not just the scouts but the whole family), character building, learning leadership skills and so much more.
In Scouting, boys and girls start with their best “right-now” selves and grow into their very best future selves. Younger Scouts look to older Scouts as role models and are recognized with badges and ranks as their skills develop. It’s fun, hands-on learning and achievement that puts kids in the middle of the action and prepares them for today – and for life.
Cub Scouts have the opportunity to participate in many exciting events such as sleepovers at the Battleship USS Massachusetts, Boston Museum of Science, and ski trips. The Pinewood Derby model car race is a signature event as is the Klondike Derby toboggan race for 4th and 5th grade Scouts. Fishing derbies, group swims at the YMCA, and pumpkin chucking (with a catapult) are other favorites. Cub Scout family camp is a great weekend when both kids and parents get to try their hand at archery, BB guns, fishing, swimming, biking, and arts & crafts.
Scouting also strives to impart a sense of citizenship & community service. Cub Scouts attend Veterans Day and 4th of July ceremonies. Scouts can be found collecting food for local food pantries and participating in community environmental cleanup days. Around the holidays, Scouts often sing and visit with residents at local nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Hingham has a long tradition of scouting and currently has three separate Cub Scout packs who always welcome new scouts. Packs are comprised of kids in grades K-5 that typically attend one or two local schools.
The pack is then subdivided into grade specific groups known as dens. Each den has at least two trained adult leaders who are present at all events. Den leaders and all other BSA volunteers are background checked and required to complete recurrent training on an annual basis.
Scouting is not only a great experience for the kids - in addition to the satisfaction that comes from mentoring kids and giving back to the community, leaders enjoy a sense of camaraderie and fun amongst themselves. In addition to the events listed above, all three packs offer monthly hikes, family camp outs, local field trips and volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
Pack 41 is made up of kids from East School and Plymouth River School. They will be celebrating their 50th year in 2020. Pack 41 is very active and focuses on the outdoor aspects of scouting. Their annual end of year picnic and recruitment event is on Sunday, May 19th from 12:30-3 at the PRS School, on the rear field adjacent to the teachers’ parking lot. It’s a really fun event - some of the highlights include model rockets, water balloons, tug of war & s’mores! Contact Neil Deininger at neilyd1@msn.com to learn more or feel free to stop by the picnic!
Pack 27 covers Foster School and St. Paul’s School. Their cub master, Chuck Cuplin, suggested if anyone is interested in joining, they would always be welcome to attend one of their meetings. He can be reached at chuckculpin@gmail.com.
Pack 4 covers South School. Cubmaster Lain Anderson just re-started this Pack and his numbers are growing fast. Contact hinghampack4@gmail.com to join the fun.