We are gold once again.

That’s right, Cub Scout Pack 279 of Mechanicsburg, Hampden Township, Cumberland County was award the Gold Level designation – the highest a pack can achieve – in the Journey to Excellence program for 2017. This marks at least the 7th consecutive year in a row that our Cub Scout Pack has achieved this honor, if not longer (still researching with Council).

Scouting’s Journey to Excellence is the Boy Scouts of America’s “planning, performance, and recognition program designed to encourage and reward the success of our units, districts and councils.” It is designed to encourage excellence in providing a high quality program at all levels of the Boy Scouts.

Cub Scout Pack 279 qualified for Gold Level designation due to our commitment to planning, budgeting, programming that generates widespread participation from dens and parents alike. We plan and complete many hours of community service each year in our community. We also see a high level of year-over-year return of scouts back to our program as well as nearly 100% advancement by scouts to the next rank by the end of the scout year. All of this contributes to our ability to receive the BSA highest rank in the Journey to Excellence program.

And as an aside, 100% of Pack 279 subscribes to Boy’s Life, the scouting magazine, which also gets us a special designation on our unit patches.

Parents as well as scouts have a role in continuing to make Cub Scout Pack 279 a Gold Level unit. Participate in events, provide feedback as to their quality and appropriateness, and plan future events. Study your scout handbook of your rank, work hard to earn your loops, and work diligently towards advancement.  All of these are positive ways our scouts and parents contribute to Pack 279 being a high quality program.

So thank you for your continued commitment to scouting and to bringing excellence to our program. We couldn’t have done it without you.