Orange, CT – Pack 922 of Orange held its annual Blue & Gold Banquet at The Inn at Villa Bianca on March 20, 2016, where six boys were awarded the Arrow of Light.
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Through the Boy Scouts of America, the award is the highest recognition available to Cub Scouts, and the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform. The Arrow of Light is much more difficult to obtain than a belt loop, an activity badge, or even one of the other rank patches. To be eligible for the award, a Scout must be active in a Webelos Den for at least six months and have earned the Webelos badge.
He must be knowledgeable of the requirements to become a Boy Scout including the oath, law, slogan, and motto as well as understanding the significance of the First Class Scout badge and uniform. The Scout must participate in an outdoor activity with a Boy Scout troop, attend a meeting with the troop, and go on a Webelos campout.
He is also required to earn a total of eight activity badges. The ceremony is in essence a ‘coming of age’ ceremony symbolizing that Cub Scouts are now ready to become Boy Scouts.
The Cub Scouts awarded the Arrow of Light are Jason Byun, Francis Cavallaro, Daniel Kim, Grayson Kuchta-Humphrey, Nicholas Massey, Nicholas Romano, and Matthew Wezenski, under their Den leadership of Jen Cavallaro and Scott Massey. This prestigious award was presented to the boys at their Blue & Gold Banquet, where Webelos II scouts also cross over Boy Scouts.
The Scouts crossing over to boy scouting are Jason Byun, Francis Cavallaro, Grayson Kuchta-Humphrey, Nicholas Massey, Nicholas Romano, and Matthew Wezenski who have joined Boy Scout Troop 12 in Milford.
In combination with the Arrow of Light recipients, over 30 Pack 922 Cub Scouts advanced in rank. Advancing to the rank of Wolf are Cub Scouts Dylan Bataille, Avery French, Noah James, Enzo Martone, Nathan Saccente, and August Tullo, with their Den Leaders Ken Saccente and Chris Martone.
Advancing to the rank of Bear are Cub Scouts Jack Destival, Tristan Hansen, Owen Higgins, and William Keenan, with their Den Leader Pete Higgins.
Advancing to the rank of Webelos are Cub Scouts Michael Audie, Connor Bunnell, Todd Evans, Josh Homiski, Grayson James, Nathan LaPlante, Aiwen Lebreck, Jack Sullivan, and Aiden Wydra, with their Den Leaders Kevin Lebreck and Dave Evans.
Finally, advancing to the rank of Webelos II are Cub Scouts Timmy Cap, Connor Guccione, Charlie Hogan, Bruno Martone, Carter Reynolds, and Nick Tice, with their Den Leaders John Guccione and Chris Martone.
Many special guests attended the Blue & Gold Banquet, such as Superintendent Dr. Vince Scarpetti, Principal Michael Gray, Donna Wesolowski (Unit Commissioner), Charlie Casey (Scoutmaster, Troop 12 in Milford), Jim Niper (Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 12 in Milford), Casey Glennon (Senior Patrol Leader, Troop 12), and Logan Niper (Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Troop 12), Nick Foss (Scribe, Troop 12), Rohan Monahor (Patrol Leader, Troop 12), and Benjamin Cap (Boy Scout, Troop 12).
According to Cubmaster Jeff Cap, the dinner is an annual event that honors the boys.
“It’s basically a graduation party for everything the boys have accomplished this past year and a celebration as they move on to their next rank,” he said in a press release. Cap said it was a very rewarding day for him and his wife, Vicky (Assistant Cubmaster of Pack 922), as they both watched these boys advance.
“It’s very important for young boys to learn all the skills and safety taught in scouting. These skills are not learned in school or by just playing sports. It’s something they will learn and remember for the rest of their lives,” said Jeff Cap.
Any boy in grades one through five can join cub scouting. To find out more about joining a Pack in Orange or another town, please contact Jeff Cap at cubmaster@orangectscouting.com or by visiting Pack 922’s website at www.OrangeCTscouting.com.