Boy Scouting Returns to Butler

After many years, Boy Scouting is returning to Butler. Pack 237 has become active and the Cub Scouts held their first meeting on Thursday, January 8, at the Scout Hall on Ft. Scott Street in Butler.

Efforts to organize a new scout troop began last fall when David Riker, Lone Bear District Director with the Heart of America Boy Scout Council, began holding meetings with potential scouts and their families at the Butler Elementary School. As interest grew, Brian Phillips with the Marias des Cygnes Society stepped forward and volunteered Poplar Heights Living History Farm as the sponsoring organization. Others stepped forward to volunteer as Den Leaders, Cub Master and Pack Committee members.

By early December, the Cub Scouts were given their Pinewood Derby kits and traveled to Adrian to meet with Troop 238 and begin work on building their race cars. Organization work and leadership training has continued and as of January 1st, Pack 4237 was officially reactivated.

The new Butler Cub Scout Pack is open to all boys ages 7 or in 1st grade through 5th grade. Meetings will be held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, usually at the Scout Hall on Ft. Scott Street in Butler with special activities planned at Poplar Heights Living History Farm east of Butler.

"We're very pleased to be sponsoring the Cub Scouts", said Brian Phillips, Executive Director Poplar Heights Living History Farm. "We have so much to offer at the Farm with fishing, archery, camping, outdoor cooking, hiking, crafts, animals and more. An excellent group of parents are now working together to give these young boys a great experience. I was a scout and I'm glad we were able to bring Scouting back to Butler because I know firsthand the value it can have in a boy's life."

For over 80 years, Scouts have been having the time of their lives learning new things in an environment designed to help them succeed. From camping and swimming to archery and shooting, from fishing and hiking to making new friends, scouting is a time for fun and adventure..

Any boy interested in joining, or getting more information, should contact Brian Phillips at 660-679-0764 for more information. The next meeting is Thursday, January 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the Scout Hall. Anyone who has old uniforms they would like to donate so that all the boys can have uniforms should also contact Brian Phillips at 660-424-9200 or leave them at Butler Monument Company, 11 N. Havannah St.