Cub Scout Pack 592 is a youth program sponsored by the Church of Saint Agnes in Saint Paul, MN.
Cub Scouting is a family-oriented program for boys in the first through fifth grades. Our Pack preserves the best of Catholic and Scouting traditions.
If you’d like to join our pack, we’d love to have you. Please contact Thomas Schaeffer, at TSchaeffer@ijcweb.com or 651-774-4545.
The Impact of Scouting
The benefits of the Scouting program are encompassing and substantial. That’s easy to say, of course, so I’d like to share my personal experience.
I remember my first Den Leaders as a young Cub Scout; Scott and Rita Schoeneke. They were wonderful leaders – very kind – and they always wore their uniform. I looked up to them not only as adults but as Cub Scout Leaders. In truth, they were exactly like my parents but when they were in uniform, I really listened to them.
As I grew up, I transitioned into a Boy Scout troop. Where I liked Cub Scouts before, I thought Boy Scouts was fantastic. I could do more and it challenged me. Each year, I eagerly looked forward to summer camp “up north” at Many Point. Of all my academic and extracurricular activities in high school, Scouting was by far the most beneficial. Earning merit badges helped me understand my talents. Scouting provided another avenue for physical fitness and moral and spiritual development.
My best memory from high school was going on a high adventure trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) mountain range in northern New Mexico. Philmont is 137,000 acres of God’s Country. Thirty-four staffed camps and 55 trail camps are operated by the ranch. Philmont has high mountains dominating rough terrain with elevations ranging from 6,500 to 12,441 feet. It was a life-changing experience.
Which brings me to the present. I have three boys in Scouting. My oldest is in a Boy Scout troop and is half way to achieving his Eagle rank. My youngest son is just starting Cub Scouts this year. This summer I spent a week at Tomahawk Scout Camp and earned BSA Lifeguard, a certification recognized by the Red Cross. It’s something I had always wanted to do as a Scout. It took me 20 years, but I finally earned it. I figured it would be useful for when our troop goes up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness next year.
Ask any boy who’s been involved in Scouting for any measure of time and he’ll relay similar experiences and stories.
- Christopher Hadden
