Submitted by Tricia Patricco
Over a hundred Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, leaders, families, and friends recently came out to celebrate at Pack 182’s Blue & Gold Banquet, held at Warren Middle School, Warren, New Jersey. This annual event is a milestone in the Cub Scout year; this year it marks the 108th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America. It is also the event where fifth grade Webelo Scouts earn their Arrow of Light badge, the highest award in Cub Scouts, and are bridged from Cub Scouts up to Boy Scouts during a special ceremony.
Marking the celebration was special guest, Victor Sordillo, Mayor of Warren, who shared words of inspiration comparing our Scouts to the great men who lead our country throughout America’s history. We hope their futures will be bright and they will find ways to become strong leaders too.
The pride was clear in the voices and faces of leaders, parents and scouts as eight boys from two dens earned their Arrow of Light and graduated into Warren’s Troop 228 Boy Scouts. Michael Armao, Tyler Fu, Laurence Gibson, Cole Klein, David Krause, Christopher Kolb, Dylan Mayerchak and Edward Walker each received their badge, as well as an arrow symbolizing their journey through Cub Scouts to the achievement of the Arrow of Light and then passed across the bridge to Boy Scouting. The Scouts were given special gifts: a compass, a sharpening stone, and a knot tying kit to use as their journey continues. Upon crossing the bridge, the Boy Scouts from Troop 228 gifted each of the boys with a Boy Scout handbook, welcoming them to the group.
During the dinner banquet that followed, many adult leaders, volunteers, and contributors were recognized and thanked for their efforts to make the Pack a success throughout the year. Pack 182 was most fortunate to partner with a new chartering organization this year: the Watchung Hills Elks Lodge #885. Dan Larsen, their Esteemed Leading Knight, Trustee, and Exalted Ruler was in attendance and spoke for a few minutes about the new partnership. We are so fortunate and appreciative to receive help and our sponsorship from the Elks going forward.
In a final ceremonial act, our eight new Boy Scouts passed down Bear Claw necklaces to next year’s rising fifth grade Webelos. The evening closed, as it began with a flag ceremony as Pack 182 Scouts retired the colors until next meeting.
Cub Scout Pack 182 in Warren Township serves the local community and surrounding towns. To join Cub Scouts or find out more about Pack 182 visit our Facebook page: facebook.com/Pack182WarrenNJ/, our website warrenpack182.org, or by contacting us at membership@warrenpack182.org.
(above) Cole Klein receives his Boy Scout Handbook and is welcomed into Boy Scout Troop 228 by Jaison Desai.
(above) David Krause receives gifts from the Pack: compass, sharpening stone and knot tying kit
(above) Eight new Boy Scouts. (Top row l-r): Laurence Gibson, Michael Armao, Christopher Kolb, Edward Walker, and Tyler Fu. (Bottom row, l-r): David Krause, Cole Klein, Dylan Mayerchak.
(above) Laurence Gibson receives his Arrow of Light badge from his father Larry Gibson.
(above) Michael Armao receives his Arrow of Light badge from his father Mike Armao.
(above) Cubmaster Adam Gioia hands out arrows to each of the eight Arrow of Light recipients symbolic of their Cub Scout journey.
