LISBON — The Bears of Cub Scout Pack 109 worked up a sweat while hiking and doing community service for the town of in November.
The pack’s first event in the month was a 2.1-mile jaunt up Mount Pisgah in Winthrop.
Cub Scout Master Gary “The Bear” Hauger joined the Scouts on their ascent to the fire tower at the summit. The 1.7 mile ascent includes rock formations and wooden steps. The Scouts did navigate some, but this hike was more of an endurance hike, and the Scouts learned about elevations and the reaction the body has to thinner air.
At the top, the Scouts climbed the fire tower and surveyed a good chunk of the region. The Scouts’ discussion beforehand included what to carry, hiking on Sundays to avoid hunters, wearing bright clothing and avoiding herculean efforts while hiking. The idea was to move steady and take breaks. Along the way, a pretend injury was acted out and the group performed first aid on their fellow Scout before continuing on.
On Nov. 4, the den kicked off its give back to Lisbon month. Eight Cub Scouts scoured the streets of downtown and picked up trash and other unwanted items. Each Scout filled at least one shopping bag before the job was done. A Scout mentioned that the den basically “cleaned up the Halloween mess.”
Afterwards, the den marshalled up at the recreation center and performed physical activities including sprints, jumping jacks, high knee drills, lateral runs and backward running. One Scout has already earned the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award and others hope to do so as well.
The community service did not stop in the downtown area. The Scouts met again on Nov. 18 to clean up the area surrounding the Lisbon Falls Baptist Church. The church facilitates a Thanksgiving Day meal that is sponsored by the town, so the den did its part by beautifying the area for those who wish to partake in the meal and services provided that day. Before the cleaning, the den practiced the proper way to fold a flag and discussed the proper way to retire the colors from service. They learned the significance of the flag and its history.
As an extra, the den worked on their International Spirit Awards by saying “salamat,” which means “thank you” in Tagalog, a language used primarily in the Phillipines, and cooked dishes from other countries: Swedish meatballs, Mexican burgers, curry chicken, Greek salad and more. They presented the dishes to the pack and discussed where the dishes are made, traditions surrounding the dishes and conveyed their dish’s primary ingredients.
The pack, as a whole, conducted food drives for Lisbon Area Christian Outreach, one of the larger contributors for the area. Fitness, citizenship and respect were the three elements of scouting that were focused on this month, but giving thanks was the pack’s theme.
PHOTO: Lisbon Cub Scout Pack 109 members and their parents at the top of Mount Pisgah include Bentley Bosse and Lyndsey Davis, Rex and Courtney Turnell, Maverick Clark and Monique Heckenberg, Jake and Gene Baird, den leader. (Submitted photo)
