I am a volunteer for Boy Scout Troop 282 here in West Seattle and I am writing in regard to the article that was published in the August 27 West Seattle Herald entitled "Search on for Scouts at 1st Liberty statue dedication."

There is a reference to "Cub Scout Troop 282." I wanted to point out that Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are being confused in this context.

To clarify the terminology, Cub scouting members join a Cub Scout pack and are assigned to a den, usually a neighborhood group of six to eight boys. Tiger Cubs (first-graders), Wolf Cub Scouts (second-graders), Bear Cub Scouts (third-graders), and Webelos Scouts (fourth- and fifth-graders) meet weekly. Once a month, all of the dens and family members gather for a pack meeting under the direction of a Cubmaster and pack committee. The committee includes parents of boys in the pack and members of the chartered organization.

Boy scouting is a year-round program for boys age 11 - 17. Boys who are 10 years old may join if they have received the Arrow of Light Award or have finished the fifth grade. Boy scouting is a program of fun outdoor activities, peer group leadership opportunities, and a personal exploration of career, hobby and special interests, all designed to achieve the BSA's objectives of strengthening character, personal fitness and good citizenship.

When joining the Boy Scouts, boys seek out a Boy Scout Troop. Once they find a Troop to join, they then become a member of a Patrol, within the Troop, made up of six to eight boy scouts. Each Boy Scout Troop can have several Patrols.

I hope that clarifies this for future articles. So the reference in the article, I believe, you meant to say Cub Scout Pack 282.

Mike Grueter is Boy Scout Troop 282's Scoutmaster.

Tom Fehlen

Boy Scout Troop 282