Celebrating 250 Years of America: Pack 337 Honors a Historic Milestone

By Edward Francis | June 9, 2026

Greetings Pack 337 Families,

This week, Pack 337 gathered at Hodge Park to celebrate a truly historic occasion—the 250th birthday of the United States of America. It was an evening filled with hands-on activities, reflection, service, and patriotism as our Scouts learned about our nation’s founding and what it means to be good citizens today.

We began the evening with a flag ceremony, followed by a few words about the founding of our country and the remarkable journey America has taken over the past 250 years. I also shared a story about citizenship and how each of us, regardless of age, has a role to play in making our communities and our nation stronger.

Using activities inspired by Scouting America’s Liberty in Action guide, our Scouts had the opportunity to experience some of the traditions and skills that connect us to our nation’s early history. They created beeswax candles, similar to those used by many families during the colonial era, and made tea bag potpourri, learning about some of the everyday items people crafted and used in the early days of our country.

The evening wasn’t just about looking back, it was also about serving others and building character. Scouts participated in a service project by writing letters to members of our military, sharing words of encouragement and appreciation. They also learned some basic first aid skills, discussing how taking care of our neighbors and helping others in times of need is an important responsibility of citizenship.

At another station, Scouts reflected on the values that help build strong communities by writing about kindness and sharing special memories. It was wonderful to see their thoughtful responses and hear their ideas about what makes a community a great place to live.

Of course, no birthday celebration would be complete without singing! The groups gathered together to sing “Happy Birthday” to America before enjoying patriotic cupcakes and cookies.

As the evening came to a close, we spent a few moments reflecting on how far our nation has come over the past 250 years. We talked about the freedoms we enjoy, the sacrifices made by those who came before us, and the responsibility each of us has to help ensure that the next 250 years are just as bright.

One of the great lessons of Scouting is that citizenship is not something that begins when we become adults. It begins now—in our homes, schools, neighborhoods, and communities. By learning to be kind, helpful, responsible, and engaged citizens today, our Scouts are helping build the future of our country tomorrow.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special celebration. It was a meaningful way to honor our nation’s history while looking ahead to its future.

Yours in Scouting,
Edward Francis
Cubmaster, Pack 337