Cub Scout Pack 95 holds annual Blue & Gold program in Georgetown

For Cub Scout Pack 95’s celebration of the annual Blue & Gold Program, 33 out of 41 scout members gathered March 1, along with parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles in Jones Hall of Wesley United Methodist Church, Georgetown.

The afternoon started off with the Arrow of Light scouts presenting the colors, followed by the opening prayer, and then the introduction of guests by Committee Chair Louise Rathfon, who also shared a talk and slide show about The History of Scouting. The slide show included famous people who were scouts as well as Eagle Scouts. All scouts in the audience were asked to stand and then just Eagle Scouts, so all were recognized. Entertainment by the Webelos Den and the Wolf Den came next.

Rathfon covered several important pack announcements, including a reminder about the Wednesday, March 18 camping meeting plus information about summertime activities in June, July and August. Scout Sunday patches were handed out along with a mention of donating any used uniform items back to the pack.

Nolan Wharton won a gift bag with camping items for guessing closest to the actual number of how many mini-snowballs were in a prize jar.

Rathfon talked about pack leaders who at this time next year will be moving up to the troop, letting parents know there will be open leadership positions to be filled. Cubmaster John McCarty contributed to the discussion to help parents understand the need to step up.

Next in the program was the Arrow of Light Ceremony for the four worthy scouts, as well as their den leader. The Indian ceremony was presented by scouts from Troop 95 – Kyle Munson, Caleb Anderson and Lincoln Hazel in full Indian regalia. Scouts Brody Backman, Clay Beauchamp, Grady Dickerson and Dylan Justice were called up to the front of the hall, and their completed tasks were reviewed as their parents were called to stand behind them. Each Scout received a beautiful wooden plaque engraved with their name and an arrow attached to the bottom. They also received a certificate along with their rank patch and a parents’ pin. Den Leader Matt Backman presented each scout a lovely handmade wooden keepsake box.

A short break was followed by information about Troop 95 so parents and scouts could hear what is next in line as the members move through the ranks from Lion to Tiger to Wolf to Bear to Webelos and then Arrow of Light, during the period from kindergarten to fifth grade.

The last event was the crossover ceremony, marking when the Arrow of Light scouts cross over into Troop 95. Scouts Brody, Clay, Grady, and Dylan were welcomed by Scoutmaster Paul Dorey, along with Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Shane McCray, and Quartermasters Shane Jones, Kyle Munson and Lincoln Hazel. Other scouts helping welcome the new Pedros Patrol members were Caleb Anderson and Benjamin Dorey. The scouts received their new neckerchief and red loops for their shoulder epaulets, along with their Pedro patch and leather which holds their campout beads. Matt Backman also received red loops, the leather and the Dutch Oven Patrol patch. Parents were also welcomed by the scoutmaster.

Rathfon thanked all those involved in making this Blue & Gold Program a success, with special thanks to Wesley UMC and the Kiwanis Club of Georgetown as the chartering organization.

The closing benediction was given, the Webelos Den retired the flags, and everyone enjoyed refreshments.