By Darrell Groman
Bluffton Cub Scout Pack 256 held its Blue and Gold Banquet on Feb. 7 at the Ebenezer Mennonite Church. Twenty-five cub scouts and 10 leaders, along with their families and friends attend the banquet, held annually nearest BSA's founding date of Feb. 8, 1910. Highlighting this event was the celebration of Scouting's centennial.

Keynote speaker was Jerome Gray of the Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center in Findlay. Gray invited the cub scouts to visit the library.

The program was conducted by Cubmaster Eric Reneker, opening with The Pledge of Allegiance and reciting the Cub Scout Promise. Skits were performed by the Tiger, Wolf and Bear Cub dens. A show of hands recognized the cub scouts and leaders who had attended their home church for worship that morning while wearing their uniforms for Scout Sunday.

Webelos leader Darrell Groman offered a brief history of Scouting in Bluffton, which can be traced back in town to 1912. Through 1938, the boy scout troops were unchartered, without having a sponsoring organization. The current Boy Scout Troop has maintained an unbroken charter for 71 years since 1939.

Complete records of Cub Scout Pack 256 have recently been found, providing research material for an eventual writing of the history of Cub Scouting in Bluffton. The pack was chartered on Dec. 21, 1954 with 55 boys registered as new cub scouts. The 1955 pack was led by Cubmaster J. Richard Weaver and helped by Assistant Cubmasters Gene Mericle and Ivan Clements.

Currently there are 43 boys and 16 adults registered with Pack 256 (see elsewhere for the complete list.) For the past six years, Bluffton has seen a resurgence in Scouting activity. Previous Cubmaster James Pletcher began his five years of service to Bluffton's youth with eight boys officially registered in the pack, only four boys were active.

During Pletcher's last year as cub leader, 53 boys were registered with the local pack. In the summer of 2009, 10 Bluffton Webelos "crossed over" to join the local boy scout troop, doubling the troop's membership.

"The life of a cub pack and boy scout troop depends upon adult leadership who are dedicated to help guide our community's youth. We are pleased to report that Scouting is alive and well in Bluffton, Ohio," said Darrell Groman.

Other events are currently being planned to continue celebrating BSA's Centennial year. The weather has postponed Troop 256's Court of Honor to be held at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at the town hall. For more information about Scouting, contact Cubmaster Eric Reneker or Scoutmaster Dan Groman.

Bluffton Cub Scout Pack 256 : Roster February 2010

Cubmaster: Eric Reneker

Tiger Cubs: (1st Grade)
Hunter Augsburger
Ben Eiden
Joseph Hart
Christian Hosler
Trent Howard
Grant Klinger
Eli Lemley
Logan Mathewson
Levi McClain
Eden Nygaard
Nathan Parker
Daniel Siders
Tiger Leaders: Christian Nygaard, Wes Klinger, Jeff Eiden

Wolf Cubs: (2nd Grade)
Duncan Augsburger
Benjamin Baxter
Thomas Calvelage
Matthew Daws
Shaun Hamilton
Sumner Kibele
Andrew Lovett
Samuel Luke
Neil Metzger
Jeffery Trey Scott Paxton III
Tyler Schick
Harrison Stechschulte
Wolf Leaders: Heidi Calvelage, Brian Calvelage, Todd Baxter, Mike Metzger

Bear Cubs: (3rd Grade)
Noah Adams
Drew Beck
Andrew Bertka
Austin Goodman
Chastain Marshall
Tanner Pinks
Ethan Rodabaugh
Jordan Siefer
Bear Leaders: Steve Rodabaugh, Frank Adams, Robert Digby

Webelos I: (4th Grade)
Jared Arnold
Zach Baxter
Christian Groman
Kaleb Jefferson
Nolan Nickels
Casey Purcell
Kaden Reneker
Nathaniel Staley
Bradley Wentz

Webelos I: (5th Grade)
Connor Dawson
Brice Alan Metzger
Webelos I & II Leaders: Ben McGuire, Darrell Groman,

Pack Committee: Andy Beck, Alan Garmatter, Will Thompson