Scouts gain skills, confidence alongside friends, caring adults
The meeting began with a show of respect, honor and tradition. It ended the same. But between the serious bits, about 70 young boys got to race, shriek and laugh themselves silly as grown men cheered them on.
Cub Scout Pack 14, meeting at a north Modesto church in late October, represents only a fraction of the 6,388 youth and 2,800 adult volunteers who are active in the Greater Yosemite Council, Boy Scouts of America.
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But Pack 14 represents them well. The first- through fifth-grade dens together raised more than $75,000 in popcorn sales this fall, an all-out effort that generally places first or second in the nation. They pitch in for the Scouting for Food drive to gather and distribute about 15 tons of edibles to the needy each year.
The Pack is one of the largest and oldest around, with alumni now pitching in to help the next generation, said Pack 14 organizational overseer Dan Machado.
“There’s a lot of discipline, respect, how to take care of themselves,” said mom Sarah Lozano, watching her son reciting the Scout Law to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful and all the rest. “They have a lot of fun.”
“There’s a sense of belonging. For boys, it’s so critical,” said mom Marian Kaanon.
Brian Adams, watching his son run a relay, said, “They get an exposure to the outdoors – boy stuff. There’s not a lot of that out there. They get plenty of technology, so this is a counterpoint for that.”
Eagle Scout Justin Nance gained confidence, said his mom, adult volunteer Kathy Nance. “He’s definitely more organized (because of Scouting). His leadership skills are off the chart,” she said. “It’s a part of his life forever.”
Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are the best known of the Greater Yosemite Council’s youth groups, but there are others that take girls as well as boys. Explorers volunteer alongside professionals to learn about careers. Sea Scouts learn nautical skills. Soccer & Scouting learn a sport. Venturing crews specialize in a variety of interests. In high schools, chapters of the Hispanic Youth Leadership Council help young Latinos find a sense of place and purpose.
About the agency
The group’s mission is to prepare young people to lead successful lives by instilling in them the values found in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.
Program list
Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorer, Hispanic Youth Leadership Council, Soccer & Scouting
Funding needs
Funds will go toward the Ryan Dickerson Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support for families that need help paying for Scouting activities.
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This story was originally published November 19, 2016 at 9:59 PM with the headline "Scouts gain skills, confidence alongside friends, caring adults."