Thirty excited boys could nearly feel the flickering flame of next week’s campfire, and the taste of toasted marshmallows is on the tip of their tongues. The Scouts held their first Pack-wide meeting on Sunday. Old timers (if you can label a third grader “old”) welcomed many newcomers.

Each Den prepared: The Wolves, in second grade, rehearsed their jokes for the skit.

“Why can’t you trust atoms?”

“I don’t know, why can’t you trust atoms?”

“Because they make up everything.”

Kids: Wolf howls of approval.

Parents: Groan.

Other Scouts learned how to build a fire—and keep it safe. Another Den planned the food.

Sunday at 4 p.m., in the rustic Alpine retreat, just 10 miles from Teaneck, the Cub Scouts will gather for the greatest of all Scout traditions: a jamboree. Boys K-4 are invited to visit! No

obligation, but you will have to lick marshmallow off your fingers.