Pack 369 celebrates 50 years

MOULTONBOROUGH — Scouting Pack 369, chartered by the Moultonborough Lions Club, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The pack hosts families from Center Harbor, Moultonborough, Sandwich, and Tamworth.

Many scouting packs struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic. When Cubmaster Shane Pouliot took over the troop in 2022, it included six members and 10 signed up at an open house. Now, the Pack has 20 Cubs registered.

“As with most units, we have the Cubs; we have active parents, but we are still light on registered leaders, a.k.a. volunteers,” Pouliot said. “We do have enough to meet the requirements as set forth by Scouting America. However, as many volunteers will tell you, this isn’t unique to our unit. Pack 369 is fortunate that we have parents who want to be involved, and that is what has carried us into our 50th Anniversary. Pack 369 continues to persevere through these challenges and continues to run a strong program focused on the tenets of the Scout Law.”

Scout Law says, “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”

In 2023, Pack 369 partnered with EM Heath Supermarket for Scouting for Food. This is the food drive that Scouting America conducts annually. Last year, members were fortunate enough to collect over 1,200 non-perishable food items for the Lakes Region Food Pantry in Moultonborough.

For the last two years, Pack members have raked leaves at Moultonborough United Methodist Church.

This year, Pack 369 also conducted its first fundraiser of selling Trails End Popcorn in various locations. For Pack 369, this is more than just a fundraiser; it is also a service project.

“We take all the money that was donated through our storefront sales and purchase popcorn for local first responders. This year, to date, we have donated over $1,100 of popcorn to area police and fire departments,” Pouliot said. “These three opportunities are just a taste of what it means to be a scout. Our Cubs go camping and hiking, they march in parades, and when called upon, we help lead the Pledge of Allegiance at community events.”

For more information, visit pack369.org.