Cubs planning 75th anniversary celebration

Cub Scouting in America has turned 75, and Utah Scouts have plans to commemorate this milestone anniversary of one of the world's largest youth organizations.

Probably the biggest celebrations will occur when Cub Scout packs hold their traditional "Blue and Gold" banquets in the coming several months. "75 Years and Still Having Fun!" is the national theme of the anniversary.

"It is expected that 20,750 boys in the Salt Lake Council will be involved in these celebrations," Garth Briggs, vice president of Cub Scouting for the Great Salt Lake Council of the Boy Scouts, said. "During these special parties Cubs will have the opportunity to experience Cub Scouting history and make history of their own.

He said times have definitely changed since Cubbing was set up. For example, back in that first year of 1930, a complete Cub Scout uniform cost $6.05 and only 5,102 boys in 243 packs were registered nationally. Today, a uniform costs $55 and nearly 900,000 boys are registered nationally. There are some 53,000 Cub packs across the nation and more than 500,000 adult volunteers in the program.

In April, the Great Salt Lake Council is planning a 75th birthday party at Hogle Zoo, on April 8 and 9. That's an appropriate location, because Baden Powell, who is credited with starting American Scouting, used "Jungle Book" characters to promote Cubbing ideals. Over the years, an American Indian theme has been sometimes substituted to support these ideals. Birthday cake and special awards will also highlight that event at the zoo.

The annual "Scout-a-Rama" event on Saturday, May 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., will also be part of this 75th birthday bash celebration. Reese said Cubs will spend an entire day at the Utah State Fairpark. Utah's other two Scout councils, Trapper Trails in Ogden and National Parks Council in Provo, are also planning similar events.

"Scouting Anniversary Week," Feb. 6-12, which also marks the 95th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, may also include some Cub Scout anniversary events.

In addition, individual packs are urged to plan a community service project. There's also a souvenir patch, to highlight the anniversary, available for purchase at $2.95.

The boundaries of the Great Salt Lake Scout Council extend north to the middle of Davis County.

Cub Scouting is a family and home-centered program for boys in the first through fifth grade (or 7-10 years old). Members join a Cub Scout pack and are assigned to a den, usually a neighborhood group of six to eight boys. First-grade boys (Tiger Cubs) meet twice a month, while Wolf Cub Scouts (second graders), Bear Cub Scouts (third graders), and Webelos Scouts (fourth and fifth graders) meet weekly.

("Webelos," an unusual name is actually an acronym of sorts. It stands for "WE'll BE LOyal Scouts.")

Once a month, all of the dens and family members gather for a pack meeting under the direction of a Cubmaster and pack committee. Cubs have various special events each year, including a day or overnight camp and a pinewood derby or rocket race.

The Cub Scout motto is "Do your best." Cub Scouting was approved by the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts as a "controlled experiment" on Feb. 12, 1930.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com