On the weekend of Saturday, Oct. 3, more than 1,400 people, representing nearly 35 Packs, attended the 2009 North Trail to Adventure, an annual overnight outdoor program for Cub Scouts, parents, and siblings.  It was held at Cub World located at Circle Ten Council’s Camp Wisdom in south Dallas. 

Among participating Richardson Packs were:

·        129, Hamilton Park Pacesetter Elementary School

·        317, Greenwood Hills Elementary School

·        576, Big Spring Elementary School

·        727, Math/Science/Technology Magnet Elementary School

·        777, St. Joseph Catholic Church

·        808, Northrich Elementary School

·        893, Mohawk Elementary School

·        2485, Dover Elementary School

Among participating Lake Highlands Packs were:

·        719, St. Patrick Catholic School

·        890, Lake Highlands United Methodist Church

Theme:  'Cubs & Heroes'

The theme was “Cubs & Heroes” with an emphasis on those who have served in the U.S. military as well as Eagle Scouts and adult Scout leaders.  “It was inspired by Cub Scout Packs being among many community organizations that have gone to D/FW International Airport to welcome home American military personnel on their return from tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Kip Lankenau, camp director.  He is a North Trail District Committee member and Cubmaster of Pack 759, Jerry Junkins Elementary School in Carrollton.

Mid-morning Saturday, members of 2^nd Battalion, 14^th Marine Regiment, 4^th Marine Division of Grand Prairie and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 22 of Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base at Carswell raised a 30-foot by 20-foot American flag.  Almost silent Cub Scouts, saluting with two outstretched fingers pressed together firmly above their right eyes, spontaneously reacted with respectful but clearly audible ooh’s and wow’s as the flag was unfurled and hoisted to the top of the camp’s flag pole.

Activity Areas Renamed for Battles

Cub World activity areas were renamed for battles of the American Revolutionary War, World War II, and the Korean War.  Areas with temporary names included: 

·        Sir Dee’s Castle which became Fort Crown Point.  Located on the western shore of Lake Champlain, this is where Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys surprised the British on May 12, 1776 and captured the fort one day after they had taken Fort Ticonderoga.    

·        Pirates’ Cove which became Flamborough Head.  In the waters off this peninsula on Britain’s east coast, John Paul Jones made his now famous statement, “I have not yet begun to fight” in the midst of the battle of Sept. 23, 1779.  He went on to capture the British frigate Serapis as his own flagship, the Bonhomme Richard, sank beneath his feet.

·        Cave Mountain which became Corregidor Island.  Located at the entrance to the Philippines’ Manila Bay, this island, with its military facilities, caves and tunnels, was captured by the Japanese in May 1942.  The liberation of the Philippines began on Oct. 20, 1944 when Gen. Douglas MacArthur waded ashore with Philippine President Sergio Osmena. 

·        Space Center which became MiG Alley.  It was the name given by U.S. Air Force pilots to northwestern North Korea, where the Yalu River runs into the Yellow Sea.  Here, American F-86 Sabre jet fighters engaged the enemy’s Russian-built MiG jets.

Blast of Fun in Spite of Rain

Lunch featured boxes of simulated C-rations, with Vienna Sausages, a fruit drink, canned fruit, and a package of sweet and salty trail snack mix. 

Due to rain, which started to fall soon after 4 p.m. and continued throughout the night, a scheduled camp-fire program was held inside the Cub World Building.  Boy Scout Ethan Ward, a member of the Yanush Chapter, Mikanakawa Lodge, Order of the Arrow, served as master of ceremonies for a program of entertainment without a camp fire. 

Twenty-two Packs, undeterred by the damp weather, camped in tents at sites named for recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.  It is the highest award a member of the U.S. Armed Services can receive for valor in action against an enemy force.

 “My sons, Gareth and Linden, were really impressed by the giant flag,” said Paul Dodson, a Pack 808 adult volunteer.  “The rain did not stop us from having a blast of fun.” 

North Trail District, Circle Ten Council

North Trail District comprises Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venture and Varsity units in Carrollton, LakeHighlands, ParkCities, Preston Hollow, North Dallas and Richardson.  It is one of nearly 20 districts in the Circle Ten Council, from Corsicana to southern central Oklahoma.   

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Contributor

Alan Edwards is among those who report on the activities of North Trail District’s Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venture and Varsity units.