The Haddonfield Cub Scouts of Pack 65 have been busy this year doing some good around the community. They’ve cleaned up Hopkins Pond and donated more than 350 bags of groceries just in the past month.
The reason they are doing this is just part of the Cub Scout way. Scouting teaches valuable skills and the significance of helping the community to the boys, all while having fun working together.
“Scouting teaches and reinforces critical skills on managing time and priorities; it stresses the importance of duty to oneself, the community and the planet; and most importantly for boys of this age, it is fun,” Cubmaster Peter Westover said.
Scouting has been part of Haddonfield since 1924. Cub Pack 65 has 85 registered members and is chartered to Haddonfield United Methodist Church. Cub Scouts is for boys in first to fifth grades and their families.
Since its beginning, the Cub Scout program has been a fun and educational experience concerned with values. Besides providing a positive place where boys can enjoy safe and wholesome activities, Cub Scouting focuses on building character, improving physical fitness, teaching practical skills and developing a spirit of community service.
“Cub Scouts fosters an appreciation of nature, the importance of community and the value of leadership,” Westover said.
Some activities Cub Pack 65 has done this year include camping, ropes courses, clean up day and its annual Cub Olympics. In November, the boys collected more than 20 bags of trash from Hopkins Pond and in December collected more than 350 bags of groceries and donated them to St. Rose of Lima in Haddon Heights, which serves more than 100 families in the area.
As for the rest of the year, the Cub Scouts have their annual winter “camp in,” this year at the Philadelphia Zoo.
Next year, the Scouts will go skiing on Super Bowl Sunday. There will also be lots of excitement for the Pinewood Derby and canoeing at Goshen Pond in the Wharton State Park.
“It can’t be beat,” Westover said.
Cub Scout Pack 65 has a philosophy of flexibility and inclusiveness. It tries to work with schedules for other important activities the boys might have, as it is important for the boys to stick to activities they love. It also tries to incorporate the whole family in activities.
“Our programming is designed to work alongside of sports and the many other activities boys are interested in. Everything we do is open to the entire family — parents, grandparents and siblings,” Westover said.
For those interested in joining the Cub Scouts or learning more, they can email Cub Pack 65 at cubpack65@gmail.com or visit www.cubpack65.com. New Scouts can join anytime.
