When Julianna Johnson moved her family of six to Sultan in 2013, she was disappointed to discover that there was no Club Scout pack for her son to join.
"Before we moved out here our oldest was a Wolf,Gǥ said Johnson. "We lived in Carnation; he went to Scouts in Duvall. Amazing leaders, amazing kids, amazing groupGǪ We were very excited about it.Gǥ
She soon learned that while Sultan had an active Boy Scout troop, the Cub Scout pack had gone to the wayside and was no longer operating. She considered commuting to Duvall to keep her sons involved, but after discussing it with her husband, decided to find out if it would be possible to start a Cub Scout pack in Sultan.
"My husband said, "Well, we're in a new community GÇô we need to get rooted GÇô we need to stay here. Let's figure out how we can do Scouts here,'GÇ¥ said Johnson.
She then learned that Sultan's previous Cub Scout pack, Pack 52, had remained structurally intact despite the fact that the organization had essentially dissolved. This enabled Johnson, once she obtained her training, to independently facilitate the re-formation of Pack 52. Between herself, her close girlfriend and another Sultan family, she organized five boys who were interesting in participating, which met the minimum requirement for scouting.
Currently, she has 15 total Cub Scouts of various ages. Her pack meets every Monday from 6 to 7 p.m. at Grace Fellowship Church on Sultan Basin Road in Sultan.
"Our kids are amazing,GÇ¥ said Johnson. "All of their parents are super involved.GÇ¥
Cub Scouts, which operates under the Boy Scouts of America umbrella, is a completely separate program oriented towards boys in first through fifth grades, or from seven to 10 years of age.
Cub Scout packs are divided up into smaller age-dependent groups known as dens, and as cubs navigate the dens, they earn badges and other awards for accomplishing new tasks and mastering specific skills. First grade cubs are Tigers, second grade cubs are Wolfs, third graders are Bears, and both fourth and fifth grade cubs are called Webelos.
All new scouts start with the Bobcat Badge; it is considered the scout's very first rank and must be earned regardless of the scout's age. Once a scout obtains his Bobcat Badge, the scout then pursues the badge that corresponds to his age. For example, as soon as a Tiger achieves his Bobcat Badge, he is then able to work toward his Tiger Badge. The following year he would work toward his Wolf, the next year Bear, and finally, Webelos I and II.
The Bobcat Badge is always the first step in scouting. If a boy begins scouting when he is in the third grade, he would enter directly into the Bear den and would not work backward to obtain his Tiger and Wolf Badges. He would, however, first be required to earn his Bobcat Badge prior to working towards his Bear Badge.
Currently, Pack 52 is made up of a combination of Tigers, Wolves and 4th grade Webelos. Cub Scout programs are meant to help kids develop diverse new interests and skills and establish valuable relationships with both the people around them as well as their community.
Community service is a major component of all scouting. Throughout the past year, Johnson's Cub Scout pack has participated in various events in Sultan including cleaning up Osprey Park and marching in the Shindig Parade.
"We had eight kids in uniform in the parade,GÇ¥ said Johnson. "It was beautiful.GÇ¥
Pack 52 posted the colors during Sultan's Veterans Day Celebration which took place on Tuesday, Nov. 11. After the ceremony, the scouts attended the reception at city hall where they actively sought out veterans and presented them with drawings and handwritten letters of thanks.
"Our pack did such an incredible job,GÇ¥ said Johnson. "They respected Cub Scout law by honoring our flag and thanking our veterans.GÇ¥
They were joined by Sultan Girl Scout Troop #44590.
Johnson works with her Cub Scout pack to help them navigate the ranks and learn the 10 purposes of scouting which include: character development, spiritual growth, good citizenship, sportsmanship and fitness, family understanding, respectful relationships, personal achievement, friendly service, fun and adventure, and preparation for Boy Scouts.
The pack has had the opportunity to travel to places like Camp Edward in Monroe and Fire Mountain in Mount Vernon, where they've been able to shoot BB guns; learn about archery; play with stomp rockets; hike and fish. They've toured both the police station and the fire department, visited a corn maze and much more. They recently completed their first popcorn fundraiser, which helped to earn funds for future cub activities.
Monroe resident Chris Vaughn's oldest son is a Tiger.
"Sir Baden-Powell once said, "The sport in scouting is to find the good in every boy and develop it,'GÇ¥ said Vaughn. "That tradition is still alive and well in Pack 52 and over the last year we've seen our pack grow and become more involved in our community. We've raised money for our troops, attended day camp at Fire Mountain, and even had a few lucky scouts attend the grand opening of Camp Edward were they met the President of the Boy Scouts of America GÇô a once in a lifetime experience for scouts!GÇ¥
Johnson is hoping to bring the scouts on a day-trip to Olympia in February for the 2014 Have a Heart for Kids Day, which is coordinated by an organization called Children's Alliance.
"It's meant for children to come to the state capitol and talk to their legislators about whatever they want to talk about,GÇ¥ said Johnson. "I want to bring all my scouts in uniform.GÇ¥
Once a cub completes third grade, he advances into the Webelos program, which is the final springboard that eventually propels the cub into Boy Scouts. Additionally, the scout must have earned his Arrow of Light, an achievement meant to demonstrate that the cub is ready for advancement.
The term "WebelosGÇ¥ is an acronym that stands for "We'll Be Loyal Scouts.GÇ¥
Once a cub becomes a Boy Scout, he can then begin progressing through the Boy Scout ranks, a process which culminates when a scout achieves the rank of Eagle Scout GÇô the highest obtainable rank. Part of the fulfillment criteria of becoming an Eagle Scout is a scout-developed community service project in which all aspects are coordinated by the scout.
Sultan's informational kiosk, situated on 4th and Main Street, was refurbished and reinstalled by a 13-year-old Eagle Scout named Bryce Powell.
Johnson loves the opportunities for both personal fulfillment and community service that being involved in Cub Scouts can bring.
"It's amazing,GÇ¥ said Johnson. "It's really a big thing! I want my kids to go through the entire program.GÇ¥
For more information on the Cub Scout program, please visit: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts.aspx. Grace Fellowship Church is located at 14030 Sultan Basin Rd. in Sultan. For more information on Sultan's Cub Scout pack 52, contact Julianna Johnson at pack52sultan@gmail.com or visit the website at http://www.pack52sultan.scoutlander.com/publicsite/unithome.aspx?UID=31731.
"I'm just so proud of them,GÇ¥ said Johnson. "I'm honored to be leading this great group of youngsters.GÇ¥
GIRL SCOUTS
In addition to her Cub Scout pack, Johnson also co-founded a brand new Girl Scout troop which just began meeting in August. The Girl Scout troop, completely independent from the Cub Scouts, is led by her sister-in-law, Jamy Johnson.
Currently the troop has 12 girls, and they are interested in recruiting more. A total of eight Girl Scouts participated with the cubs during Sultan's recent Veterans Day Celebration.
"Veterans Day was the first of many community events we hope to be a part of this school year,GÇ¥ said Jamy. "It is my goal to give these girls the memories to last a lifetime!GÇ¥
Not unlike the Cub Scouts, Girl Scout fundamentals include building strong and lasting relationships, developing self-confidence, and cultivating an attitude of civic-mindedness. Girls take on community service projects and learn various other ways to contribute to society. The Girl Scout mission promises to build girls of "courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.GÇ¥
Girl Scouts earn badges, just as Cub and Boy Scouts do, and troops are comprised of Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors.
Girl Scouts are widely known for their annual cookie-sale fundraiser. Every year they can be spotted outside grocery stores pedaling their crispy chocolate Thin Mints and their rich and chewy caramel Samoas, along with several other tempting varieties. Almost everyone has a favorite.
What might not be quite as well known is the meaningful nature of the fundraiser itself. To the Girl Scouts, it's about more than selling a box or two of cookies. In addition to building self-confidence and character, the fundraiser teaches girls about sales, entrepreneurship, money management, goal-setting, social skills and work ethic.
"Through Girl Scouts, my daughter gained the self-confidence to sell 1,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies this past spring,GÇ¥ said Jamy. "She is already dreaming big, and has plans to exceed that number next year. Her goal is to sell 2,000 boxes of cookies in spring, 2015.GÇ¥
Jamy is trying to grow her new troop and would happily accommodate additional scouts. Girl Scouts as an organization, explained Jamy, does an amazing job of facilitating access to scouting so that all girls are able to participate, regardless of family income level.
"Any child who is on free or reduced lunches at school, or who can show a need for financial aid, is granted it through Girl Scouts of Western Washington,GÇ¥ said Jamy.
Financial aid scholarships are available for uniforms, books, scouting materials and troop dues. Girls can even obtain financial aid to attend week-long Girl Scout summer camp sessions.
"Every time you buy a box of Girl Scout cookies you are giving girls the opportunity to explore our world in new ways, meet new friends at Girl Scout camp or make lasting change within their communities,GÇ¥ said Jamy.
For more information about joining Girl Scouts, or to offer an idea for a potential Girl Scout community service activity, please contact Jamy Johnson at troop44590@gmail.com. Girl Scout meetings are held every Tuesday, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Grace Fellowship Church in Sultan.
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