Summit Station Cub Scouts Cross Over to Boy Scouts at Blue & Gold Banquet

On Sunday, March 23rd, Cub Scout Pack 651 of Summit Station celebrated the graduation of three of their 5th-grade Arrow of Light ranked Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.

Lucas Ebling, Nathan Ebling, and Enzo Ritter have entered the Scout rank in the Boy Scouts of America after completing the required adventures and electives within the Arrow of Light den for 5th-grade students. Their training included learning about the outdoors, participating in campouts, first aid training, community service, fire safety, knife skills, knot tying, food safety, and preparation, among other essential scouting skills.

Lucas and Nathan Ebling, who attend St. Nicholas School, have been involved in scouting since kindergarten, progressing through the necessary ranks each year while completing age-appropriate adventures and electives. Enzo Ritter, a student at Blue Mountain Elementary West, joined Cub Scouts at the start of 5th grade. After initially completing the Bobcat requirements, he advanced to the Arrow of Light rank. Due to prior commitments, he was unable to attend the ceremony.

The Blue and Gold Banquet on March 23rd featured food and refreshments for family and friends of Pack 651, a wildlife demonstration by Lylee Leonard of Red Creek Wildlife Center on the Animals of Pennsylvania, and concluded with the crossing-over ceremony for the scouts. Scoutmaster Jason Wood and fellow Boy Scouts from Troop 651, including Star Scout Sam Krawchuk and Life Scout Mason Warg, welcomed the new members into the Boy Scout Troop. The graduates received their official BSA neckerchiefs, slides, loops, handbooks, and plaques.

The ceremonial dessert was provided by Kreative Kakes, owned and operated by Kristina Winand of Schuylkill Haven.

Cubmaster Kevin Huneke acknowledged the challenges of balancing scouting with other extracurricular activities, stating, “Many of our Scouts participate in sports that coincide with the scout year, making it difficult to attend every meeting and event. Flexibility within the troop and pack schedules is key to making it all work. Pack 651 will host den meetings on Sunday evenings twice a month, with a pack meeting once a month.”

Scoutmaster Jason Wood added, “Troop 651 will meet on Monday evenings twice a month while also participating in weekend events and campouts. If conflicts arise, leaders will work with scouts and parents to ensure all required material is covered.”

The Cub Scout year typically follows the school calendar, with special activities planned throughout the year and during the summer months. Boy Scouts hold meetings, campouts, hiking, and biking trips year-round, either locally or at distant sites within Pennsylvania and surrounding states. Scouts also have access to the 700-acre Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation, where they can attend adventure camps, overnight campouts, swimming activities, target sports, fishing, hiking, and STEM programs. The scouting experience encourages children to put their electronics away, engage in outdoor activities, learn about nature, and contribute to their community by helping others.

If your child is interested in joining a scout pack or troop, visit BeAScout.org to find the nearest one. Boys and girls in kindergarten through 5th grade can join the same Cub Scout Pack, while those in 6th grade and older would join separate Boy or Girl Scout Troops, depending on local availability.

Photos: (Names listed from left to right)