Pack 731 Bridges New Boy Scouts

The cold and drizzly weather Thursday night did not dampen the spirits of 14 Crofton Cub Scouts and their families. Pack 731 Cub Scouts held their annual bridging ceremony at the Millersville KOA campground.

The outdoor event included a campfire and a small mock bridge over which each Cub Scout crossed to become a Boy Scout.   

Cub Master Brian Taschenberger said the Cub Scouts and their parents worked hard to reach this night.

“Each of the Scouts made the long journey up the Cub Scout ranks. They spent as many as five years advancing through the ranks of Tiger, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, and finally, Webelos,” Taschenberger said.

The ceremony of crossing the bridge marks their completion of Cub Scouting and the beginning of a whole new experience in Boy Scouting. Taschenberger explained that on the bridge, each plank is inscribed with one of the 12 points of the Scout Law that the boys have learned and will now be responsible for upholding.

As a symbol of their hard work and individual advancement each Cub Scout was presented with an official, personalized Pack 731 Lifelong Achievement Arrow. 

“Unfortunately in today’s society, there are very few events that mark the rite of passage where we recognize boys becoming young men,” Taschenberger said. He heads up the largest pack in the area.

“In Scouting, the bridging crossover is a ceremony that recognizes the high point in a Cub Scout's journey during which he was carefully guided through a series of activities to grow his skills and self-confidence, ” Taschenberger added.

The Scouting leader said that as the Scout crosses the symbolic bridge to Boy Scouts he is challenged to use that knowledge to become a leader of future Scout activities and events.

“These young men are to be commended for what they have already accomplished and for what they will accomplish in the years to come. I expect many of them to become Eagle Scouts and hope to attend those ceremonies as well,” says Taschenberger. 

“Words can not express how proud I am of him,” said Ryan Hogan’s mother Lisa.

“He has not only enjoyed all the fun activities but he takes scouting seriously and truly does exhibit the 12 Core Values of Scouting. I love that he enjoys the Pinewood Derby as much as the Community Service projects,” Hogan added.   

“The transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts is a big step for these young men and hopefully this night is one that these guys will remember for the rest of their lives. As a major theme of Boy Scouts is our connection with nature, it seems only fitting that this ceremony is taking place outdoors in the rain,” said Den Leader Dave Underwood, a former Cub Scout and Boy Scout.