SHERBURNE – The Sherburne Cub Scouts of Pack 66 have been extremely busy in the last several months. Rather than asking what they have been doing, it might be easier to ask what haven’t they done! “We opened our scouting year with a birthday party for the Pack, which turned a very young 60 in October,” said Paula Howard, Cub Leader.
In November the scouts observed Veteran’s Day with American Legion Post 876, where Thad Karaman played Taps. “We were invited in for lunch and to learn about the care and display of the American flag and blue star (aka ’Son in Service’) banners,” Howard said. The Webelos I den took a field trip to WKTV in Utica, where anchorman Steve McMurray gave them a studio tour. The den also watched the noon news broadcast, live in the studio. They also visited the Oneida County Historical Society and learned about our civil rights, and saw artifacts from flags to documents signed by past presidents. The Tigers, Bears & Wolves all went the Sherburne Fire House where Patrick Lawrence gave a tour and answered endless questions.
December was just as busy. The Scouts and parents volunteered at the Rogers Winter Living Celebration by helping vendors unload their supplies and helping with setup. “We learned about winter camping from the Hamilton boy scout troop, including cross country skiing, building a fire without a match, snow shoeing and being a human bird feeder,” Howard said. The pack was also seen caroling at the Big M, Top Variety, Pratt Newton Memorial Home and Joe & Vinny’s Pizzeria. After many renditions of We Wish You a Merry Christmas we returned to the firehouse for crafts, cookies and an evening with Santa Claus.
January has come and there are no signs of stopping for these young men. The Tigers, Bears & first year Webelos visited the library for library cards, tours, howling and research. The second year Webelos are on the home stretch in achieving the top honor in Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light. On Jan. 15 the Pack gathered in Greene for the annual Klondike Derby. The Klondike Derby is a district gathering designed to teach the boys to work together and to have fun by participating in winter games. This year the games were Snow Snakes, Sled Relay, Tarp turn, Box Stacking, the Slingshot and Big Foot. The Big Foot game is where two boys get on boards that look like skis; the object is to work together in stepping to get across the finish line in as little time as possible. Pack 66 not only won the Big Foot game, but set a new district record of 26 seconds! Teammates Thad Karaman and Nick Thurston displayed excellent cooperation and team effort; they credited their PE teachers at S-E Elementary School on their win.
“We would like to thank Big M, Top Variety, Pratt Newton Memorial Home, and Joe’s & Vinny’s Pizzeria for their wonderful treats,” Howard said. “To American Legion Post 876, Pat Lawrence, the Sherburne Fire Department, Nancy Simerl, the staff at the Sherburne Public Library, WKTV, the Oneida County Historical Society, and White House Cabinet Shop, thank you for your patience and gifts of time to the Cub Scouts. We would also like to thank our leaders, Heidi Seymour, Galina Peschel, Stacey Snogles, Paula Howard, and Cathy Martin as well as all of our parents who make our program successful.”
The Cub Scouts have a full calendar going forward. On the horizon they have their annual Blue & Gold Award Banquet, Spring Popcorn Sale, Cub Adventure Weekend, Day Camp, Crossover, Arrow of Light Ceremony and of course the famous Pinewood Derby.