As shown by the first great events, Cub Scout Pack 613, Bergen County’s only shomer Shabbat Pack, is on course for an amazing year! Over 50 boys in grades K-5 attended the opening-event barbecue and enjoyed the various scouting mini activity sessions: fishing, Pinewood Derby, camping, hiking, whitling and, of course, the barbecue food and open campfire-roasted marshmallows. The core of the Cub Scout program is to give boys memorable, healthy, adventurous activities imbued with good old-fashioned middot.

The Pack had their first hiking trip on the first morning of Chol Hamoed in Oakland, New Jersey.  Twenty-eight scouts and their families did the nearly 3-mile hike through the beautiful mountain range. There were ups and downs (it’s a hike!) but everyone felt a strong sense of accomplishment when they were done. The Scouts learned about safe hiking by planning and being aware of the wildlife around them. They also learned about following trail markers and keeping together on a group hike, which isn’t always easy with such a large group.

The Cub Scout Pack will have their first official meeting on October 7 @ 4-5 p.m. at Congregation Ahavat Achim, 18-25 Saddle River Road in Fair Lawn (10’ from Teaneck). The boys and their parents will meet their Den Leaders (each grade is a Den unit), receive an orientation on the year’s program, and plan their activities for the exciting upcoming Pack 613 campfire, which will be on October 14 in Alpine, New Jersey.

For more information, email [email protected], call Uri Gutfreund 201-286-3323, or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/shomershabossPack613.

By Ari Jacobson