SUBMITTED

 

It was cold and it was wet, but the scouts from Pack 531 brought their own sunshine on Saturday.

Dowagiac’s Cub Scouts invaded the entry to Kincheloe Elementary School and changed it from “so so” to “fantastic.”

While setting up a recruiting session at Kincheloe, Sam Maxedon, committee chairman for the pack, was asked if scouts still do service projects? The answer was an emphatic yes!

The challenge was to get it on the calendar between the group getting organized for the fall and the plants going dormant.

Saturday, Oct. 4, presented itself as the only date.

Surprisingly the area near the front door to the school had been overlooked when the building’s landscaping had been designed. It presented a bit of a challenge since it was on the north side and little would grow there. A ring of bare ground edged the building and gave it an unloved appearance.

Enter the scouts. They planted a dogwood tree for spring color, and a number of hostas to green up the space. To all that was added an incredible number of myrtle starts that will quickly fill in the remaining space. Through the generosity of Judd Lumber and the talents of one of the leaders the pack was also able to provide a welcome sign to give definition to the area.

Asked about the event, Maxedon said that Lord Baden Powell said scouting is a game with a purpose. That was very true on Saturday. To the boys and their siblings it was all fun. They got to work with grown up tools, dig holes, play in the mud, and generally have a blast. In the process they learned a little about citizenship and giving something back to their community. There were also down to earth lessons as well.

“Boys don’t necessarily know that the roots go under the dirt and the leaves on top,” one of the dads said, as a few of the myrtle were being replanted.

Even the adults were learning their way as they went.

“I’ve never planted anything,” a mom said, “What do I do?”

“That is what is so special about scouting. It is a place where moms and dads and kids work and learn together as a team,” said Aaron Lohr, assistant cub master.