The Portland Area Cub Scouts

Portland offers Cub Scouting to young boys in the community who are seeking fun and fellowship with other boys.

Scoutmaster Bryan Gehrcke oversees the Cub Scouts as well as the older Boy Scouts.

“Cub Scouting is for boys who are in Kindergarten through the fifth grade,” he said. “It offers to them an introduction to Scouting as well as an opportunity to enjoy being a boy.”

Large parts of Cub Scouting involve learning social skills as well as learning teamwork.

“Socialization for the boys often includes physical activity such as short hikes or aerobic exercise,” said Bryan. “Young boys are full of energy and doing these things together provides them with an opportunity to interact with each other and to learn social skills.”

Learning teamwork is also important to the development of the boys. It often involves playing various games together in which the boys work ensemble to solve problems.

“It all helps the boys to get along with each other. It also helps them to appreciate the authority of adults, which makes for smoother relations at school,” he said.

Cub Scouts help the community with service projects. One such project involves placing small American flags at the Portland Cemetery in preparation for Memorial Day.

“Additionally, we do several joint projects with the older Boy Scouts,” said Bryan. “This helps the younger boys to enjoy the mentorship of the older boys.”

The young boys truly enjoy Scouting.

“Scouting provides the boys with structure,” said Bryan. “We also like to get their parents involved in Scouting by providing parent-son activities. It creates family-oriented experiences, such as tent camping, that those families might not ordinarily have. These activities serve to strengthen families and the boys appreciate it. It’s all part of forming the boy into a healthy individual.”

Bryan himself has found Scout leadership to be personally rewarding.

“I’ve learned a lot of good things from being part of Scout leadership,” he said. “I’ve also made many friendships through the Scouts that I would not ordinarily have made. There is something special about being part of the boys’ lives as they move along in their journey to adulthood. I recommend Scouting to adult volunteers. I cannot say enough good things about Scouting.”

Individuals who are interested in Cub Scouting or in boy Scouting may contact Bryan Gehrcke at portlandpack258@gmail.com or by calling him at (517) 930-2596.