Orland Park Cub Scout Pack 383 held its Blue and Gold Celebration on April 10 at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park. Held annually to celebrate the birthday of the Boy Scouts of America, Pack 383’s event included the advancement of 60 scouts to the next rank along with the graduation of its Webelos II Scouts to Boy Scouts.
“This was a special day for all of our scouts, including the younger boys who moved up a rank as well as our fourteen Webelos II Scouts who advanced to Boy Scouts,” said outgoing Pack 383 Cubmaster Gerry Klotz. The celebration also marked the debut of the pack’s new bridge, hand crafted by an Eagle Scout in Minnesota.
Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin stopped in to congratulate the pack for its service to the community, encouraging the boys to pursue becoming Eagle Scouts. “We recognize Eagle Scouts at the Village Board meetings all the time,” the mayor said.
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Fourteen graduating Webelos II Scouts received the Arrow of Light Award, the highest honor earned in Cub Scouts. Those graduating from the Webelos II Scorpion Patrol included Mohammed Almassad, William Davis, Belal Jaber, John Jakstavich, Tim Klotz, Vince Scaravalle, Joe Scuderi and Nate Sporleder. Graduates of Webelos II Den 5 included Michael Benson, Ethan Hufnagl, Dylan Mardoian, Bryan Morales, Scott Sharkey and Evan Valiga.
At its Blue and Gold, Pack 383 thanks individuals and organizations that have helped the pack throughout the year. The pack’s nineteen den and assistant leaders were honored with service stars, being thanked for their years of volunteer service.
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“Many people contribute to Pack 383’s success,” said incoming Cubmaster Jim Rybarczyk. Honorees included members of the pack’s charter organization, American Legion Orland Memorial Post #111, including Commander Matt Piwoworski and Member Warren Koerner.
From the Village of Orland Park Veterans Commission, the pack presented appreciation awards to Recording Secretary Gail Blummer and Commissioner Chuck Groff, who teaches the scouts flag history and conducts the pack’s Flag Retirement Ceremony each year.
Representatives from Rizza Ford, including Phillip Rizza, Gary Precin and Liz Black, were thanked for hosting the pack's annual Pinewood Derby. Pack friends from the Calumet Council of Boy Scouts, including Field Director Tom Hoogland and Unit Commissioner Al Moy, were thanked for their assistance to the pack.
The youngest honoree was Eagle Scout TJ Petry of Oak Forest Boy Scout Troop 341, an alumnus of Pack 383. “We were happy to honor TJ Petry, both because he is the most recent Eagle Scout from Pack 383 and because he included Pack 383 in his Eagle Scout Court of Honor last fall,” Klotz explained. “That was a big deal for our Webelos who participated in TJ’s Court of Honor Color Guard,” he added.
The winner of Pack 383’s Patch Design Contest was announced at the Blue and Gold. This year’s theme was “What the Cub Scout Promise Means to Me,” with scouts submitting designs for the commemorative vest patch for the event.
Pack leaders and committee members voted on the designs, not knowing which was whose and Bear Scout Owen Toppi was named the winner after a tie breaker. “Owen’s design will be mass produced on the patch that each of the attending scouts will receive to commemorate the pack’s Blue and Gold 2011,” Klotz explained.
Two graduating Webelos II scouts were honored for earning the religious emblem for their faith. Mohammed Almassad and Belal Jaber both received the Bismillah Religious Emblem. “This is a great honor for both of these scouts, to have earned the emblem for their faith as they’re moving onto Boy Scouts. We’re very proud of both of them,” Rybarczyk said.
“Pack 383 has wonderful leaders, committee members and families that all work together to create a great program for the boys,” Klotz said. “We’ve met some fantastic people and we look forward to having them join us when their scouts move on to the new Orland Park Boy Scout Troop 383,” he added.
Cub Scout Pack 383 is part of the Nishnabec District of the Calumet Council of Boy Scouts and includes boys from Orland Park, Tinley Park and surrounding communities.
The pack will hold its Spring Round Up on Thursday, May 26th beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Franklin E. Loebe Recreation Center, 14650 South Ravinia Avenue. Boys currently in kindergarten through fourth grade are invited to attend the round up with their parents to learn more about Cub Scouts in Orland Park. Additional information about Pack 383 is available at www.orlandpack383.org.
