By Staff
Kim West, Franklin County Times
Cub Scout Pack 39 might be the busiest pack in the Westmoreland District, in addition to being the largest in a Boy Scouts region that includes more than 20 units from Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin counties.
Pack 39 plans activities year-round and promotes voluntary participation from its members, which are boys in the first through fifth grades. Each grade comprises a den – the Tigers (first grade), Wolves (second), Bears (third) and Webelos (fourth and fifth).
Registration for the group is held at the beginning of the school year, but members can join throughout the year. Registration this year is Monday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of First United Methodist Church in Russellville.
"We realize everybody goes in different directions, so members can take part as much as they can. They don't necessarily have to be at the registration (Monday). If they can't come that night, they can come to the next meeting," said Elliott Gordon, cubmaster of Pack 39 in Franklin County since 2005. "Each year, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts have a school night roundup, which is the big membership drive. But you can join at anytime during the year. Registration is not only for new members – it's also for returning members."
Pack 39's upcoming activities include a bowling trip and pizza party to Lauderdale Lanes in Florence on Aug. 25, a district fishing rodeo on Sept. 8 and a camping trip in October.
"We will also participate in a space derby and Space &Rocket Center trip in November and the Russellville homecoming and Christmas parades in December," Gordon said. "In the spring, we'll have skating, a Blue-and-Gold birthday party, camping and the Pinewood Derby. In the summertime, we try to go on a trip and go swimming – it varies every year."
Pack 39 meets on the first and third Tuesdays every month at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist. The membership fee is $10 per year, and the optional Boy Scouts of America monthly magazine, "Boys' Life," costs $12 annually and has special editions for each grade.
"This is (Pack 39's) 45th year, and last Wednesday was the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts worldwide," Gordon said. "Scouting is fun and provides leadership for the boys. It teaches them to develop pride and do their best, and it also instills personal growth, goals, fitness and new ideas. Boys Scouts is family-oriented, and we strongly push the family unit."
Gordon is also the Pack 39's Webmaster and updates the Web site on a regular basis.
"It gets updated at least every couple of days, and the Web site has tons of information, including all of our activities," Gordon said. For more information, contact Gordon at 356-9541 (ext. 340) or visit www.pack39online.com.