Who are Those Boys in Neckerchiefs?

On Monday May 30, in the midst of marching war heroes, decked out fire trucks, and Trumbull high school marching band members, one will see a group of young boys, dressed in their Class A uniforms with neckerchiefs neatly tied, displaying their love for country and community. These young boys are Cub Scouts.

Many Americans recognize the value of Boy Scouts. After all, it produced the likes of Neil Armstrong, Gerald Ford, Ross Perot, and Steven Spielberg, to name a few. Each of these men earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. On a local note, Father Brian Gannon, pastor of St. Theresa Parish, also earned Eagle. Only about four boys who join Scouts will earn the impressive rank.

Few Americans realize that the seeds for Boy Scouts are planted through Cub Scouts, an organization that educates first- through fifth-grade boys in community and home values. Sarah Bean, Webelos Den Leader for Pack 168 explains, “Scouting provides boys an opportunity for character development, while at the same time forming new friendships and experiencing new adventures.”

Michael Novajosky is the Pack Leader of Pack 168, based at St. Theresa Parish. He adds that scouting gives boys opportunities they might not otherwise have, especially in regards to experiencing nature. 

“Our Scouts have learned about nature through camping, cookouts, and service projects at area parks,” Bean notes. “Our Scouts also learn how to use tools, by building Pinewood Derby cars, bird houses, and tool boxes, and doing leather craft projects.” 

Cub Scouts also organizes outings to local and regional venues. “Our adventures have included outings to an artist studio, a construction site, a mining company, and an area impacted by forest fire,” says Bean. “We’ve visited mummies at the Peabody museum, conducted simulated Challenger missions at the Discovery Museum, and joined hundreds of other scouts in sleepovers at the hockey arena and on battleships.”

One notable outing was to Yankee Stadium, Novajosky maintains. The pack was able to walk on the field and sit in the dugout. Other remarkable trips included “boarding the Nautilus submarine, the Eagle, a tall sailing ship in Groton, and several weeks spent at Cub Scout Day Camp at Indian Ledge Park.”

Both Bean and Novajosky have enjoyed watching their sons go through Cub Scouts.

“Parents sharing the scouting experience with their sons help teach important concepts such as fitness, safety and citizenship at an age appropriate level,” says Bean. She adds that most important of all, scouting helps build stronger family relationships.

For more information on Scouting in our area, visit http://www.ctyankee.org/. Local Cub Scout Packs are holding various recruitment events. To contact Pack 168 directly, visit http://www.pack168bsa.org/.