The Ladera Ranch News
The Only Weekly Newspaper Exclusively for the Ladera Ranch Area
June 10, 2016
LADERA RANCH CUB SCOUTS GRADUATE AT IRVINE RANCH OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER M AY 2 0 1 6 CA M POUT Story and Photos by Amy R Spurgeon-Hoffman, Reporter Ladera Ranch News A year’s worth of work, effort and dedication by Ladera Ranch boys who selected Cub Scouting as their extracurricular activity paid off greatly in May as they graduated to the next level within the Cub Scout program during an official campout held at the expansive Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center in Orange. “This campout was a team effort,” said newly positioned Cub Scout Pack 689 Cubmaster Greg Breuer. “At last year’s Graduation Campout it was discussed that many positions would need to be filled for the pack to continue running smoothly. I stepped up to fill the position of Cubmaster.” A CALLING TO SERVE FROM LASTING POSTIVE CHILDHOOD SCOUTING EXPERIENCES “I am an Eagle Scout myself and throughout my life I have been so grateful for the skills that I learned and for the experience of Scouting,” said the kind hearted, family oriented Breuer. “I realized that the leaders, that are all volunteers on the pack level, are giving their time to allow my sons to be involved in what I think is one of the best programs available to help build confidence and hone leadership skills in our future men.” “It was my turn to give back,” said Breuer. “We want a safe environment for boys to learn valuable life skills, leadership and discover their individual abilities,” said Breuer. “They will grow with their pack of friends and help each other as they advance through the scouting program. Hopefully some to become Boy Scouts then Eagle Scouts and on to be future Leaders.” JOINING LADERA RANCH CUB SCOUT PACK 689 “We do participate in Ladera Ranch’s Fourth of July parade but otherwise do not have any activities or den meetings again until school starts,” said Breuer. “We prefer to reach out for live recruitment at schools and community activities like the Spring Festival and as we just did at the Celebrate Ladera Event in Town Green last month. We have an email address that people can make inquiries about our next live recruiting event Cubpack689@ gmail.com” RECOGNIZING RESIDENTS WHO SERVE OUR YOUTH Cub Scout Pack 689 leaders include: Jim Froggatt-Committee Chair; James Shelmandine-Treasurer; Elizabeth Breuer-Awards Chair; Paul Lewandowski-Den Leader; Sarah Crocker-Assistant Den Leader; Jim Kulba-Den Leader; Josh Hodgson-Assistant Den Leader; Shane Lindstrom-Den Leader; Eric Johannsen-Den Leader; John Waldeck-Den Leader; Dave
Stieber-Committee Member; Kristen Kalk-Committee Member; Kathi Lewandowski-Committee Member. HISTORY OF CUB SCOUTING IN AMERICA AND LADERA RANCH According to its’ online website, “Cub Scout Pack 689 is chartered to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and is in the Ladera Ranch area of Orange County, California. The Pack serves as a “parent” organization to the Dens and provides direction, program support and maintenance of the budget. The Pack is led by the Pack Committee that consists of representatives from each Den, the Committee Chairman, the Cubmaster, the Assistant Cubmaster and interested parents. The Pack Committee Chairman leads these monthly meetings and we encourage parents to participate when possible. Meeting dates can be found on the Pack calendar. The Pack Committee along with the Cubmaster leads the group in planning and organizing Pack programs.” All of the scouts meet once a month in a Pack Meeting which is typically held at the Ladera Ranch Elementary School. The Pack meetings are intended for the entire family. Pack Meetings are generally held from September through May. Although there are usually no formal Den or Pack meetings during the summer. THE PURPOSE OF CUB SCOUTING Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America has helped younger boys through Cub Scouting. It is a yearround family program designed for boys who are in the first grade through fifth grade (or 7, 8, 9, and 10 years of age). Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting. Currently, Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA’s three traditional membership divisions. (The others are Boy Scouting and Venturing.), according to the Cub Scout website. MEMBERSHIP Cub Scouting members join a Cub Scout pack and are assigned to a den, usually a group of six to eight boys. Tiger Cubs (first-graders), Wolf Cub Scouts (second-graders), Bear Cub Scouts (third-graders), and Webelos Scouts (fourth- and fifth-graders) typically meet weekly. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT According to the Cub Scout website, since its origin, the Scouting program has been an educational experience concerned with values. In 1910, the first activities for Scouts were designed to build character, physical fitness, practical skills, and service. These elements were part of the original Cub Scout program and continue to be part of Cub Scouting today. Character can be defined as the collection of core values possessed by an individual
Tiger Scout Leader John Waldeck and his Tigers pose for a photo.
Tiger Scout leader John Waldeck and his Tiger Scouts moments before they graduate to become Wolves in May during the graduation campout in Orange.
Cub Scout Pack 689 leaders award hardworking Ladera Ranch boys who completed a year of Cub Scouting in order to graduate to the next level.
that leads to moral commitment and action. Core values are the basis of good character development. In helping boys develop character, Cub Scouting promotes the following 12 core values. CUB SCOUTING’S 12 CORE VALUES Citizenship Compassion Cooperation Courage Faith Health and fitness Honesty Perseverance Positive attitude Resourcefulness Respect
Responsibility Character is “values in action.” HOW TO JOIN PACK 689 According to the Cub Scout website, to join Cub Scout Pack 689, “contact one of the Pack Leaders by e-mail or phone Cubpack689@gmail. com”. We also provide information about how to join Pack 689 at the beginning of the school year in September. Because Pack 689 split into two packs in 2004, two packs now operate in the Ladera Ranch school area. The pack to which you will be assigned will depend on the school you attend. Pack 689 draws its membership from Ladera Ranch Elementary School and Chapparrel Elementary School.”
The Ladera Ranch News
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