Cub Scouts Graduate

A graduation ceremony was held for the Webelos Cub Scout Den of Malta Den 432 on Saturday, October 5, as four students, three of which were present gained the "Arrow of Light," the last badge of Cub Scouts.

"Today we are celebrating these young men completing their Webelos badge and moving on to Boy Scouts if that is what they choose to do," said Cub Master Kevin Hunter. "The main part of it is the bridge ceremony where they walk across the bridge showing that they are bridging from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts."

The event doubled as an official sign up for new members of the Webelos Cub Scout Den.

Hunter went on to explain what kids learn as Cub Scouts, during the two year program.

"There are a few different areas that the Cub Scouts get involved with," Hunter said. "Each level has it's own projects and badges to earn. There are some arts and crafts, some dealing with the outdoors, and as they grow older, they will get more into camping as the Webelos. They will do trail hikes and things of that nature."

Hunter also explained that being a Cub Scout also includes a public service side, where as the Scouts grow they get more involved with helping out people and organizations in the community.

The graduates at the event were Hunter Tremblay, Mathew Hunter, Brenton Moore and though he wasn't present, Dirk Bessman. K. Hunter, Cub Master Karrie Tremblay, and Hi-Line Charter (VFW Post 4067) Cub Scout Leader James Layton each have poured into the lives of the graduated Cub Scouts.

"When this group of kids were going through this, they dedicated a lot of time and a lot of hours not only coming to meetings once or twice a month but they also did stuff on their own and learned to be independent," Hunter said. "They have grown up and become great young men."

Layton, the Liaison for the area's Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts expressed pride in this year's graduating class.

"I am extremely proud of them for sticking with it and doing the work to get there," Layton said.

This group of Webelos have been members of Boy Scout Pack 1429 for the past year or so, but the graduation was held last Saturday.

"With that pack, these boys will be doing a lot more service projects with the public," Hunter said. "There will be more camping, they will learn more outdoors, hiking and they will be able to get out more. They will learn more about the government too."

Cub Scout signups begin at 6-years-old. For those interested in signing up please contact James Layton at 654-2232. For Boy Scout signups contact Mark Knudsen or Sean Estill.