Boy Scouts

CUMC-Sponsored BSA Troop 228 and Cub Scout Pack 228

This is a hallmark year for the Boy Scouts of America, which turns 100 years old! Christ United Methodist Church, through its sponsorship of Boy Scout Troop 228 and Cub Scout Pack 228, has been a major contributor to the success of these local scouting programs. We are extremely fortunate to be chartered to such a steadfast and supportive organization that is committed to offering quality Scouting programs to Independence area youth. Questions about Troop 228 or Pack 228 can be addressed to LeRoy Short (795-7358)

Join or Visit Boy Scout Troop 228?
Boy Scouts is for older boys, 11 years old (or completed 5th grade) to 18 years old.
Troop meetings are convened on Monday nights at 7:00 in Lehew Hall, the small white building located on the northeast corner of the lower church parking lot.
Contact Scoutmaster Keith Harris at 478-6209.

Join or Visit Cub Scout Pack 228?
Cub Scouts are for boys in the first through fifth grades.
Cub Scout den meetings are each Thursday night at 7:00 PM. The entire pack usually meets the third Thursday of each month in the basement Fellowship Hall of CUMC.
Contact Cubmaster Vince Friedt at 373-6271.

Scouting History and Purpose
The Boy Scouts of America, founded in 1910, is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year. The purpose of BSA organization is to provide for boys and young adults an effective educational program designed to build desirable qualities of character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship and to develop in them personal fitness. From a boy’s perspective, scouting is FUN; from a scout leader’s perspective, scouting is fun for the boys, but fun with a purpose.

Boy Scout Troop 228
Troop 228 was first chartered in 1924 to Watson Memorial Methodist Church. Throughout its 86-year history, hundreds of boys have traversed the trail of scouting ranks toward the pinnacle of the Scouting program. More than 250 young men have attained the rank of Eagle Scout under the guidance and leadership of 21 Scoutmasters.

Citizenship and service to others are prominent themes in Scouting. Troop 228 embraces these ideals by conducting an annual Scouting For Food collection throughout our local neighborhoods. Every year, several hundred pounds of non-perishable food items are collected and delivered to the Community Services League Food Pantry. Additionally, every scout dedicates hours of service to our community each year. Non-profit organizations such as local churches, schools, parks, and community organizations are the beneficiaries of scouting service and conservation projects.

Troop 228 scouts and leaders organize and attend monthly campouts, usually Saturday-Sunday overnights, to give boys the opportunity to learn about themselves and enjoy outdoor experiences. Past camping activities have included bike treks on the Little Blue Trace and KATY Trail, cave exploration, canoe trips, trout fishing, and a wide variety of other activities and destinations that boys will remember for many years.

Scouts also attend summer camp every year at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation near Osceola, Missouri and Truman Lake. Summer camp is a ten-day camping experience with opportunities to earn merit badges in ecology, lakefront activities, scoutcraft, handicraft, archery, shooting sports, swimming, and others areas.
High Adventure trips are undertaken every other year to destinations such as BSA Sea Base in Florida, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, Packard High Adventure Base in Colorado, and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota.

Boys and leaders have the opportunity to join honor camping organizations at the regional and national level. The Tribe of Mic-O-Say, a regional organization, was founded by former Kansas City Mayor H. Roe Bartle and is headquartered at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. Order of the Arrow is the national honor camping program and the Kansas City area lodge is located at Camp Naish in Bonner Springs, Kansas.

Cub Scout Pack 228
Around 1924, when Boys Scout Troop 228 was first chartered, the executive board of the Boy Scouts of America proposed a program for younger boys that would prepare them for Boy Scouts. The Cub Scouting program was officially established in 1930 and celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.

Cub Pack 228 offers a year-round advancement program and various monthly activities for young boys in the first through fifth grades. Activities include bicycle rodeos, family campouts, a chili cook-off contest, Pinewood Derby car race, and other events.

Cub Scouts attend summer camps with programs that are age-appropriate. Boys finishing their first or second grade year participate in Summer Day Camp. Those finishing their third grade year attend Bear Camp at Camp Naish, while older Cub Scouts (completing fourth and fifth grades) participate in Webelos Camp for three days and two nights at Camp Naish.

Cubs also participate in various service projects for the community. Each year, they assist Troop 228 in the Scouting For Food drive.