Looking to broaden opportunities for elementary-school-age children, three mothers recently decided to revive Idaho Springs’ 50-year-old Cub Scout Pack 91 for a new generation.
Julie Vansickle, Nichole Lentz and Desiree Nelson have sons who are second-graders at Carlson Elementary School, and during one Cub Scout recruitment drive at the school, the moms decided to take on the task of becoming den leaders.
On Jan. 6 at the United Church in Idaho Springs, Vansickle and Lentz, outfitted in new uniforms, helped supervise 12 children as they built rocket derby cars, while visiting volunteers taught the class.
“It was just us three (in the beginning),” Vansickle said. “We thought it would be a great thing in the community for the kids. Really everything that we learn (in Scouting) is like a life lesson. It is something for the kids to do because, let’s face it, we’re limited here (in the county), and they really enjoy it. We can tell that right off that bat, so we ran with it.”
Sponsored by the local Elks Lodge, the pack works with children in first through fifth grades.
For Lentz and Nelson, Scouting is a legacy for their children since their husbands participated in Cub Scouts as children in Idaho Springs.
“(They grew) up together in the same pack, and our boys are growing up together,” Lentz said. “(Our children) were like, ‘Why can’t we do it?’ ”
Lentz said those factors motivated the women to go through the extensive application process, background checks and training needed to start their own pack.
Lentz said preparing the curriculum for Wednesday night meetings is almost a full-time job in itself. Additionally, the three den leaders said, they have paid for the majority of the items necessary for the classes out of their own pockets because of many families’ financial situations.
Lentz said they hope to grow the pack and spread the benefits among more local kids.
“We’ve had compliments from teachers. … They have kids that are stepping up and doing more for their teachers, for the community,” Lentz said.
Idaho Springs resident and Boy Scouts Unit Commissioner Roger Holman said he was a member of the Scouts in 1955 when both of his parents were leaders. He later served as an area Scouting leader when his own kids — as well as Lentz’s and Nelson’s husbands — were Scouts.
“Kids have not changed. Parents have not changed. But the program has completely ramped up. There is so much more to do in ‘Cubbing,’ “ Holman said, “(and) the kids feel better about themselves. They accomplish more.”
Holman said that because Cub Scouting is run by parents, a renewal of leadership is needed periodically to reinvigorate local programs.
“Every few years, you have to reinvent Cub Scouting because the parents have moved on. … It does take a commitment from each generation,” he said.
Andrew Freeman, Boy Scouts of America district director, helps new units get started.
“This particular pack … had youth that graduated out, and there was no one to take their place, and so it died,” Freeman said. “The other thing is we’re competing with sports, we’re competing with technology … but the need is great. Parents need a values-based program for their kids.”
Freeman said that between poverty levels seen in small towns and shrinking school districts, the Scouting program has taken hits over the years. But he said the key to success is training, recruitment and sharing information among Scouting generations.
“Making sure that the generations pass down that information is key to our success,” Freeman said.
Contact Ian Neligh at courant
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