By Reese Wamsley
How do lodges keep a strong connection with packs in their councils? Scare the Cub Scouts of course! Malibu Lodge in the western Los Angeles area did just that on November 1st, 2014. The lodge invited Cub Scouts and parents to attend their annual Spook-O-Ree at Camp Josepho for an evening of fun, food and frights. Each of the chapters in the lodge were responsible for games and decorating a room for the haunted house. After decorating the lodge and setting up the games, Cub Scouts were welcomed and given numerous activities to choose from to have a good time. From bobbing for apples to bean bag tosses and photo ops with costume items, there was something for everyone.
Donated pumpkins from a local pumpkin patch helped the lodge launch pumpkins into the air from a catapult to entertain the Cub Scouts as well. The archery range was open and pumpkins served as targets at which to shoot. With plenty to do, the safe environment allowed Cub Scouts and families to enjoy the Halloween holiday without any worries.
This was the second year in a row Malibu Lodge hosted this “spooktacular” event since the early 2000’s. Since last year, the lodge has seen its council and districts taking more notice of the lodge. More Arrow of Light ceremonies are being conducted by lodge members, and Arrowmen have been helping out with district events more than ever. Service to the council has increased all due to a simple and fun idea. Malibu Lodge hopes to keep this tradition heading forward in order to continue increasing its service to its districts and council.
The Spook-O-Ree is an awesome example of how lodges can have fun with the packs in their councils and increase lodge awareness and membership.