PORT McNEILL — Alec Nielson and Joshua Estlin were welcomed into the Canadian Scouting movement after completing their service with the Port McNeill Cub Scouts in a ceremony at the local Guide/Scout Hall last week.
Estlin was also presented with the Cubs’ Six Star Award for completing all of the star requirements in a one-year period.
The Oct. 19 awards ceremony was attended by all Port McNeill Cub Scouts and their parents, and included the investiture, or induction, of several new members to the pack.
Eight Cubs were awarded watercraft badges for participating in a boating event with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and completing badge requirements the previous weekend.
The event was presided over by Port McNeill Cub leader Murray Estlin with help from assistant pack leader Chris Beatty of Port Hardy.
After the Cubs awards were handed out, Nielson and Joshua Estlin were inducted into the Scouts by local leader Greg Fletcher. Fletcher, in turn, was presented a five-year service award by local guiding representative Cori Nielson.
At the completion of the ceremony, guests were served baked goods by the Cubs.
Murray Estlin noted there are at least a half-dozen youngsters in the community interested in starting their scouting careers in the Beavers, but that a leader is needed for the group.
“I’m putting out a call for volunteers.” he said.
“I barely have enough leadership for the kids I have now and if all of a sudden I had more kids they’d have to wait until I got more leaders.”
Despite that, Estlin said he wants to remind people “we’re still here” and are accepting new cubs.
“There’s a lot of things out there competing for the kids’ attention these days, but I’m trying to grow the movement to what it used to be,” he said.
To volunteer or for more information, call Estlin at 250-956-3100.