Cub Scout packs of Plant City are starting up again for the new school year, and their leaders are recruiting boys in first through fifth grades who are looking for fun, education and adventure.
“You can sign up anytime, but it’s best to sign up at the beginning of the school year,” said Claude Carson, committee chair for Pack 734. Pack 734’s first meeting of the year will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8, in the cafeteria at Cork Elementary School, 3501 N. Cork Road.
There is a $10 fee for new members who join in the fall, which covers the remainder of 2014. The cost to participate for a full calendar year is $24. There are additional costs for uniforms, the Cub Scout Handbook and activities.
Carson said there is always financial aid available.
“In real hardship cases, we can just waive the fees and sign them up,” Carson said. “We never turn anybody away because of financial problems.”
The pack also raises money through fundraisers, such as popcorn sales, and some of those funds are used for the boys’ scout-related expenses.
Pack 734 has two campouts planned for the fall, including a spooky-themed trip at a Boy Scout camp. Participants will enjoy a climbing wall, bow and arrow practice, hiking trails and scary stories around a campfire.
Carson is also organizing a pack outing on Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day. Museums across the country are offering free admission Sept. 27, for anyone who presents a free ticket downloaded from Smithsonian Magazine’s website.
“It’s a good outing for anybody,” Carson said.
Right now, there are about 30 boys active in Pack 734. Carson expects to recruit about 20 more this fall.
Carson has been a Cub Scout leader for more than 30 years.
“I tell people I’ll quit when I get it right, and I haven’t gotten it right yet,” he said.
Part of getting it right is in the club’s philosophy. John Mitchell, Cubmaster for Pack 744, believes in it.
“Even though we have a lot of fun with different activities and events throughout the year, we also teach our Cub Scouts about being responsible, mature adults, teaching them core values of good will, honesty, compassion, responsibility and respect for nature and others,” Mitchell said.
Boys in middle and high school are welcome to join the area’s Boy Scout troops, which correspond with each Cub Scout Pack. New members can join at any grade level and do not have to have been a Cub Scout prior to joining.
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.
Plant City Packs
Cub Pack 5
Meeting time: 6:30 p.m. Mondays
Location: American Legion Post 26, 2207 W. Baker St.
Cubmaster: Donnie Hull
Contact: hulldonnie@gmail.com
Cub Pack 734
Meeting time: 6:30 p.m. Mondays
Location: Cork United Methodist Church, 4815 W. Sam Allen Road
Cubmaster: Chris Thompson
Contact: cubmaster@pack734.info
Cub Pack 744
Meeting time: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays
Location: First United Methodist Church, 303 N. Evers St. (third floor)
Cubmaster: John Mitchell
Contact: mechtechguy@gmail.com