“06880” would not normally devote the main story of the day to an invitation to join Cub Scouts.
The focus is too narrow. Our lead story should appeal to a much broader segment of our very large audience.
But this piece is different. As you read it, you’ll learn about the back story behind James Delorey’s request that I post his piece. He writes:
My daughter Mireille just started kindergarten at Greens Farms Elementary School. She asked me to invitate all her classmates to join Westport Cub Scouts Pack 39.
Mireille says she wants her friends to “learn how to hike and make s’mores.” She is excited to be a Cub Scout, and I am excited about all the things our family will get to do with her.
Mireille Delorey, with s’mores.
Cub Scouts is open to all youth – boys and girls – in kindergarten through 5th grade. Every family is welcome.
Lion Cubs (kindergarteners) will learn the Cub Scout motto, “Do Your Best,” make new friends, and learn communication skills and problem-solving through fun, hands-on activities the whole family will enjoy.
Any kindergartener-5th Grader interested in joining Cub Scouts or learning more is very welcome to attend a Westport Cub Scouts event (see information at the end of this story).
A few things in Scouting have changed since I became a Scout as a kid. Now, every youth from every family is welcome. There is a priority on safety and responsibility.
I’m proud that Westport Cub Scouts Pack 39 was among the first in the country to welcome girls. Thousands of girls nationwide have completed Eagle Scout service projects and earned the rank of Eagle Scout, including Scouts from Westport’s Troop 139. Westport’s older Scouts in grades 6-12 do amazing things in Troop 36, 39, and 139.
We know you’re busy with soccer, music, dance, karate, hockey, baseball and life in general. Lions works around your and your child’s busy schedules. It is also a beautiful opportunity for parents to make lasting memories with their children. These experiences mean so much to my wife, Dr. Angela Ryan, and me.
You may have seen the bench and beautiful dogwood tree in the Greens Farms School playground dedicated to our son, Perrin Delorey. He died in an automobile accident in 2018, when he was 10.
Perrin was an all-around beautiful kid. He loved Westport Little League, basketball, hockey, skiing and piano.
He was also a Cub Scout in Westport Pack 39. He did amazing things thanks to doors opened by Scouting parents, like visiting the NBC Sports studios, getting up close to a priceless 1962 Ferrari GTO at Lime Rock, learning how to cast a fishing rod, racing Pinewood Derby cars, throwing tomahawks (safely!), hiking in Devil’s Den, learning how to say “Do Your Best” in sign language, singing songs for residents in a nursing home, skiing his first ski jumps, and camping for the first time.
Perrin Delorey, with his Eclipse Award in 2017. He earned it by showing visitors to the Westport Observatory how to safely view a partial eclipse.
I marvel at how much Perrin grew from the time he joined in 1st grade, to when he was introducing a skit in front of hundreds of Scouts at a campfire just a few years later. I am so excited that Mireille and her friends will be able to experience things like that.
Mireille and I hope to see you at an event. You and your families are welcome to attend. Siblings are welcome too.
Please check out WestportCubScouts.com. Feel free to mail me at jdelorey@gmail.com if you have any questions or suggestions for the coming year. It will be fun!
PS: If you’re not in Westport, you can find a Cub Scout pack by entering your zip code at BeAScout.org.
Mireille Delorey, hiking in Acadia National Park.
Upcoming events (all are welcome):
- Cub Scout Open House, featuring Mad Science (Today, Sunday, September 15, 2:30 to 4 p.m., Green’s Farms Church)
Cubs will enjoy a fun and interactive science presentation, and adults can learn more about Pack 39 Sunday, September 15th, at 2:30-4:00 p.m.
- Harvest Campfire (Friday, September 20, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Earthplace)
Cubs will do a short hike, learn how to have a fun and safe campfire, and have pizza and apple cider.
Among the activities planned for the upcoming year:
- Scout Day at Lime Rock racetrack
- Cub Scout safari and campout
- Army football game at West Point
- Hikes in Westport and nearby areas
- Traditions Night
- Pinewood Derby
- Community service event at VFW Post 399
- Bear Carnival (run by our 3rd grade Bear Cubs)
- Snow tubing at Powder Ridge
- “Blue & Gold” banquet
- Westport Memorial Day parade
- Bicycle rally
- Beach party.
Excellent story! Excellent organization
Love the new changes. This reminds me of Y Indian guides in my kids youth. It was a wonderful all family organization – sounds like this is the same
Fabulous activity list ‼️🇺🇸
Great article. Scouting is an amazing organization and activities that help your children develop a greater sense of confidence and comfort in many situation-physical and social. Worthy activity worth checking out. Thought the author aptly captured the spirit of what it can do for kids.
Did the Girl Scouts merge at some point with the Boy Scouts? By the way, an historical note: My two late sisters-in-law worked with Juliette Gordon Lowe (who founded the Girl Scouts, Troop 1) to establish Girl Scout Troop 2 in NYC.
They did not merge. But the Boy Scouts now include girls, and refer to themselves as “Scouts,” rather than “Boy Scouts.”
Growing up,my son was involved with all kinds of great activities As with so many parents the time involved with taking or joining them is a lot. Scouts was one of them and it has proved over and over to be such a great investment. He ended up doing a huge Eagle Scout project for the National Audubon Society. There was so much to learn from Scouts over the years but one of my favorite Scoutlike moments happened while on a family vacation on Cape Cod. There were a bunch of teenagers on a forbidden part of sand dunes and my son felt he as a scout he was obligated to let them know they were causing damage to the area. He was 12. He walked up to them and negotiated why it was important for them to acknowledge why the area was off limits and leave. He wasn’t punitive or controlling but engaged them to respect the land. These ideas ring and are reinforced with Scouting philosophy. Yes parents also teach their kids respect but I think my son felt more of an obligation as a Scout to say something. After quite the discussion these older kids happily left the protected dunes. It’s been a while since then. My son just graduated law school and he will soon be crazy busy in NYC but I think scouts catered to his love of nature which he still manages to incorporate in his life.
This is so inspiring James!
Wish all the best to Mireille in her scouting journey🥰🥰