Description

Marina Cub Pack 79

Marina Cub Pack 79, sponsored by the Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, was established in September 1970 by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Morimoto. The original den included 5 boys who participated in a three year program. In the beginning, the boys attended meetings at the Morimoto's house. At these meetings, the boys paid dues of 10¢ and held elections for officers. Every two months the entire community could read editions of "Cubber News" to keep up-to-date on Cub Scout happenings. In addition to the regular cub scout functions of attending den meetings and working towards earning merit badges, there were also the different special activities such as attending the Marina Scout Expo and adventuring in the annual "Arizona Safari".

Today, we see the World Famous Marina Cub Pack 79 emerge as a five-year cub scouting program for boys 6 through 11 years of age. The current enrollment of Pack 79 stands at over 25 boys, and are led by den chiefs, leaders & officers. Throughout the years, many more fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, older and younger siblings have emerged to actively participate in Pack 79 events.

In addition to weekly den meetings, quarterly cub-parent pack meetings have been developed where the boys are recognized for their accomplishments and encouraged to present skits, demonstrations, games, songs for the scout families. These meetings also provide more occasions for all the boys of the pack to come together and become a cohesive unit. Service, educational, and social activities have been scheduled throughout the year to provide variety to the program. Pack 79 has become involved in district activities including Scouting for Food, Camp Josepho Cub-Parent Weekends, Summer Camp, Memorial Day flag posting at Veterans’ Cemetery, Webelos Weekend at Santa Catalina Island and more.

In 1992, Pack 79 added The Tiger Cubs, a precursor to cub scouting in a paired adult-cub partnership. Additionally, Webelos evolved into a two year program in preparation for boy scouts. With the addition of The Tiger Cubs, the annual Webelos' final excursion trip has been transformed to a joint Tiger Cub-Webelo graduation ceremony. This has served a duo purpose of recognizing both groups of boys for their accomplishments and in wishing them well in their future scouting years.

The cub scouting program at Pack 79 has served a vital role in nourishing our youth. The program has taught the boys the value of commitment to self, family, religion, and the community as well as given them a sense of belonging. The program also provides a forum for boys to share their lives with many wonderful people and benefit from those who struggled to establish this fine program over twenty-five years ago.

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