There was a sea of blue and gold at this year’s local Pack 277 scouting gathering, celebrating the achievements of its scouts along with Boy Scouts of America’s 106th birthday on Jan. 29.
The Pack meets at and is hosted by Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach. The scouts and their families met in the main parish hall to celebrate the annual traditio with skits, raffles, pack advancements and a special ceremony for the boys crossing over from the Webelos II program.
The event is truly a home-grown ceremony, according to pack mom and major supporter Christine Mack.
“It’s as local as can be, from the families all living here, the church hosting us, the businesses donating,” Mack said. “Even the volunteers working the banquet came from Ponte Vedra High School.”
Led by Tom Peterson, there are 55 boys from first to fifth grade enrolled in Pack 277, separated by age group. From youngest to oldest, the five groups are Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos I and Webelos II.
“Here in Ponte Vedra Beach we are so fortunate to have strong community support and restaurants and businesses sponsor the banquet itself,” said Mack. “Our feast would not have been possible without their support.”
Local businesses donated banquet items, which served more than 200. Woody’s BBQ provided mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, gravy, sweet tea and lemonade; Publix donated fried chicken; Winn Dixie sent turkey breast and beef brisket and Ruth’s Chris Steak House sent chocolate mousse cakes. Sierra Grille, Pusser’s, Fresh Market and Chick-Fil-A also offered desserts and side dishes.
The event also included a pack fundraiser. Families and pack members collected canned, boxed and dried food items for BEAM.
“During dinner we were entertained by a great Slide Show — with special thanks to Seck Lim,” said Mack. “These Cub Scouts, like Cub Scouts all over the world, have worked together and developed new interests which will make them better citizens of our country and of the world.”
