The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Covid’s misery went far and wide. One of many Sisters Country casualties was a local scouting group. Due to ongoing parents pleas and the determination of a core group of scouting adults, Cub Scout Pack 139 will again be active starting with the new school year.

Cubs are aged 5-10, basically grades K-5, and Cub Scouts, since 2018, include girls as well as boys.

“Cub Scouts is a year-round program whose mission is to develop character and ethical decision-making skills for children. Cub Scouting is organized into groups called packs and dens, each of which is led by dedicated volunteer leaders who teach Cub Scouts fun, valuable lessons, help learn citizenship, and develop physical fitness,” said Bob Hann, assistant council commissioner of the Crater Lake Council.

An exploratory meeting was recently held and 35 family units, with about 20 percent girls, expressed interest.

“We expect a flood once school starts,” Hann told The Nugget.

Families will get their next look at scouting and the process for enrollment on July 16 at a potluck picnic starting at 1:30 p.m. at Village Green Park. All are welcome.

On August 5, tentatively scheduled at 1:30 p.m., prospective Scouts are invited for a fun outing and information session at the Fir Creek Park splash pad.

Cubs meet once a month for a pack meeting lasting an hour. Packs are broken into dens with dens meeting more frequently depending on age. Pack meetings for Pack 139 will take place at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration located at 121 Brooks Camp Rd., on the corner of Hwy. 242.

Dens are led by an adult den leader and the pack is under the leadership of the cubmaster.

“We have a committed group to make up the unit committee,” Hann said, “but we are looking for a cubmaster.”

There are some 1.3 million Cub Scouts in the United States, supported by 395,000 adult volunteers. More than 130 million persons have participated in scouting since its inception in 1910. Hann figures that there are hundreds of former scouts in Sisters and is counting on one to step forward.

At the moment there are 20 children ready to enroll.

“We hope to double or triple that number,” Hann said.

For first-time scouts the program cost is $145 for the year. Those with previous scouting experience pay $125. Uniform costs are $130 for kids and $100 for leaders.

Pack 139 Cubs are eligible for Scout Camp. The camp for Sisters scouts is Camp McLaughlin at Lake of the Woods in Klamath County.

For information, to enroll, or to volunteer, call Hann at 808-295-3337.