Lisbon’s Cub Scout Pack 109 hits fall full force

PHOTO: Cub Scout Pack 109 members, from left, Ben Jagger, Logan Diaz and Orion Murray, on a recent leadership hike.(Submitted photo)

LISBON — Cub Scout Pack 109 leaned into the fall months heavily in late September and early October, adding new Scouts to its fold and conducting a few important lessons.
The Webelos and Bears filled the month with activities that hit home runs. The first year of Webelos, Web 1, started everything off with a 4.5 mile hike to Piazza Rock Sept 26. Along the way, the Scouts created an “easy access” first aid kit and took turns in leadership positions, such as trail lead, first aid lead, and many more. The scouts, along with Den Leader Tala Pine Grove, set out early that day and returned in the late afternoon.
The second year of Webelos, Arrow of Light, received a short civics lesson from Lisbon Town Councilor Jeffrey Jewel Ganong, Oct. 11 at Lisbon Falls Baptist Church. Arrow of Light member Jake Baird learned what a councilman is, how one becomes a councilman, and how the town of Lisbon works. At the same meeting, Troop 2019 Scout Natalie Poulin asked questions revolving around the rule of law and other government issues.
Both Scouts asked questions regarding issues facing the town and what the council is doing to help out. According to Ganong, one issue involves the effect COVID-19 has had on the economy in Lisbon. To assist newly established restaurants, the council played a heavy role in closing the lower end of Main Street so those establishments could continue to operate under Gov. Janet Mills’ CDC-based guidelines.
“Issues like these are why we have a town council,” said Ganong. Once done, Jake and Natalie raked leaves and pine needles around the church to help make it look more presentable, as leaves were beginning to pile up.
The Bear den, not to be outdone, met on Oct. 17 in Beaver Park to learn how to safely use a pocket knife. They received guidance on how to open, handle and pass a knife. They were shown how to establish safe distances for knife use and how to properly whittle without injuring anyone, practicing with plastic butter knives until they’ve receive further experience.
According to Den Leader Ed Poulin, “This was just one meeting of three that these Scouts will have regarding knife safety.” Scout parents assisted their den leader and worked with Scouts to practice whittling and properly handing knives back and forth. Afterwards, Egyptian musical instruments were created for a different scouting achievement. The group met despite the rain, using a pavilion at the park with walls fashioned out of plastic tarps to keep the breeze out.
For more information regarding the activities of Cub Scout Pack 109, visit its Facebook page — Pack109.Lisbon — or email pack109.lisbon@gmail.com.