Lisbon Scouts kick off the new year at Camp Gustin

PHOTO: Troop 109 Scouts take part in the award ceremony. (Submitted photo)

LISBON FALLS — Lisbon’s Cub Scout Pack 109 jump-started their scouting year by having fun at Camp Gustin on July 25.
The day started when the older cubs, Arrow of Light, gave a class to the younger scouts on how to properly unfold and raise the American flag, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Immediately afterwards, the younger Scouts began working on arts and crafts by creating small wooden boats and racing them in shallow water. The task was the final achievement for those moving out of the Wolf rank, and the first achievement for those moving into the Wolf rank.

Meanwhile, the Webelos ranks met near the waterfront to plan out their meals for an upcoming event and discussed budgets and shopping for what they would need. Afterwards, the Webelos went for a swim and snorkeled. All of them were tested by BSA standards before being allowed in deeper waters, and all of them passed the test. The group snorkeled way outside of the normal swimming boundaries, led by their lifeguard and den leader. They observed turtles, multiple birds, crawfish and fish in their natural habitats.
Troop 109 joined the pack by bringing canoes for all to use under the watchful eye of Scoutmaster Keith Kettlehut, who taught canoeing techniques to Scouts. The troop then joined the Webelos for a dip, jumping off of a floating dock and having a great time with their counterparts.
In addition, Troop 2019, from Lewiston, joined for some fun in the sun, helping younger Scouts with arts and crafts, teaching songs, and fire starting. Some of the older Scouts were given swim tests upon arrival, and all passed with flying colors and were able to enjoy a cool dip in deeper waters.
To cap off the event, fires lit by Hannah Arsenault and Natalie Poulin of Troop 2019 were used for an award ceremony that saw numerous Cub Scouts receive award after award, as this is a very active pack.
The Wolf Den saw its Scouts accomplish every single achievement possible for a scout of that rank to earn; the Bears received achievements that they taught to themselves; and two Webelos, Jake Baird and Johnny Breton, received the Historic Trails Award.
After the awards ceremony, more than 20 tattered flags were retired in the camp fires. Assistant Cub Master Ed Poulin directed the young Scouts as they moved forward with flags, gently laid them on the fires, and rendered the Scout Salute before walking away. The fires were then extinguished and all moved toward the flag pole for a class on lowering the colors properly.
Every Scout pitched in when it came to folding the flag into its proper triangular form.