Series that features tenants of the Clear Lake Area Community Center
Clear Lake Cub Scout Pack 130
‘…to do my best…..to help other people at all times…’
By Muriel Nelson
Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts have long been tenants of the Clear Lake Community Center. Today, Cub Scout Pack 130 continues this tradition at CLACC.
Cub Scout Pack 130 currently has five members and is open to boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 10. They are separated by age into Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears, and Webelos. The Scouts usually meet twice a month, September through May, in their scout room located on the third floor of CLACC. Meetings start at 5:30 pm with Cub Master Dale Wirth leading the members in the Scout’s Oath.
Once official meeting business is completed, the Cub Scouts, along with their parents, move on to specially planned activities. Note that all activities are designed to be age appropriate. In October, Scouts will carve a pumpkin, possibly using power tools and always under careful supervision, of course. A Christmas party is planned for December. In February and March, their parents will help them make a derby car from a block of wood. Then, Scouts get the chance to race their finished car on a racetrack designed solely for that purpose.
Sometimes the Scouts have their meetings offsite or even on a different day so that they can participate in community service projects. At holiday time, pack members take turns at bell ringing for the local Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign.
In April they lend a hand at Clear Lake’s Service Day. They also learn dedication to community and country when they participate in Memorial Day Services and another time, at the American Legion’s flag burning ceremony. The Scout Master may set aside a Saturday for day camp at an area scouting camp, such as the Fred Andersen Scout Camp at Houlton.
Not to be overlooked are two important fund raising events. Mark your calendar for the popcorn sale in early October. After all, is there any better popcorn than what the Scouts sell? (Probably not.) Second is the wreath and garland sales that begin later in October with pick-up around Thanksgiving time. The wreaths and garland are made by a local nursery so they’re sure to be fresh.
Cub Master Wirth has an extensive background in scouting including being a Scout in his youth. He remains active in scouting because he appreciates how the program not only includes parental participation but also encourages boys to try new skills that they can safely learn. Dale is looking for opportunities for this scouting pack to grow. Children can join at any time during the school year. Also, there will be a chance to join Cub Scouts during Clear Lake School’s orientation on September 5. There is a fee to join which can be difficult for families with multiple kids. For this reason, a Cub Scout scholarship is available for families who have 2 boys or more to join. For more information, contact Dale at ddwirth@mmm.com.
Cub Scouts is a special organization. It provides youth, kindergarten through 5th grade, the chance to “learn by doing” with a parent (dad, mom, grandparent, etc.) alongside to help or just observe. Clear Lake’s Cub Scout Pack 130 has planned far more activities for the 2023-24 year than those mentioned in this article. Scouting is a great activity for a growing boy with even the slightest curiosity. Contact Cub Master Dale Wirth if you have any questions (ddwirth@mmm.com).
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