Submitted by Cub Scout Pack 194
Scouting has a strong history in Bedford, with a presence that can be traced back almost 100 years. Bedford Cub Pack 194 – the scouting group for younger boys, first through fifth grade – has been in continuous existence for 50 years. Cub Scouting in Bedford was represented prior to this by other packs, which slowly merged/changed leaving us with our current unified pack.
Through the last month of the scouting year Pack 194 participated in the Beautify Bedford clean-up campaign, the ceremonies and parade marking Memorial Day, and their end-of-year celebration on June 6.
Beautify Bedford
Pack 194 sponsored its annual Beautify Bedford event on Saturday, May 9th. For a number of years the Cub Scout pack has supported this civic service project, which invites the Scout groups (boys and girls) and other citizens to help clean up public and environmental areas around town. Scouts and parents teamed up to go to local public areas and carefully remove trash and debris, or identify bigger items for the DPW to be notified for pickup. Older Boy Scouts assisted at the Job Lane house, preparing it to open for tours for the season. Other groups, some large, some small, moved about town returning with trash bags, donated by the DP, filled with rubbish that had found its way to public and conservation areas.
The event has become a sort of scavenger hunt over the years, with kids excited to find the most interesting or largest debris. Event lead Chris LaPorte, from the pack, had a table set up displaying some of the interesting finds of the day, including a small Buddah statue, a piece of metal from a snow plow blade, and several pieces of lumber in various sizes. Returning to the DPW drop off area, scout team members Kelly Warhover, from Girl Scout troop 85078, and Quinn Ricci, new to Boy Scout Troop 194, balanced a large plastic sign they found at the edge of the Shawsheen River, while holding their prize “find” of an old basketball, like a king’s orb.
Memorial Day
On Memorial Day, Scouts took a prominent role in assisting in the town ceremonies. Boy Scouts from Troop 114 assisted at the VA hospital, helping transport veterans from wards to the chapel for a service. Scouts from Troop 194 assisted with ceremonies at the American Legion Post and other memorial points, as an honor guard. Troop 194 then joined Pack 194 Cub Scouts and the many Girl Scout units, identified by their troop flags and colored tunics and vests, to march in the parade, and finished their community service by assisting at the Veterans Memorial Park, handing out programs and water to the observers and participants. It was a great example of the dedication of these youth groups and their civic duty.
Campfire Ceremony Marks the End of the Scouting Year
Rainy weather did not deter the Cub Scouts from having their end of the year campfire ceremony, though the fire itself had to be sacrificed, as the event moved indoors. The American Legion, sponsor of the Cub Pack, made their hall available so the young boys could still have a fun-filled event, performing skits and songs, and being recognized for their last advancements of the scout year. Incoming Cubmaster James Reynolds emceed the event, and attempted to keep the ambiance by having boys sit on the ground in rows with the lights dimmed. Laughter erupted, interspersed with a few giggles and groans when things got corny, as each den (small units) and assisting Scouts from Troops 114 and 194 had their moment “on stage.” Reynolds closed the meeting by recognizing outgoing Cubmaster Peter Ricci with a “tip of the hat-curtain call,” and reminding the boys to tell their friends about scouting opportunities, giving the tech savvy youth of today the website to pass along to their friends.
Learn More
For more information on Cub Scouts in Bedford, go to www.Pack194.net .
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