SACO —For years, Cub Scout was a five-year program, and Scouts would start in first grade by working on the steps for the Tiger rank. About five or six years ago, a pilot program was started allowing Cub Scouts to start in kindergarten, earning a Lion rank before moving on to work toward the Tiger rank.

The Lion rank is now an established part of Cub Scouts, making Cub Scouts a six-year program.

Joshua Alley of Saco was one of those first scouts to begin Cub Scouts when the Tiger program was in the pilot stage. As a five-year-old kindergartner, he joined Saco/Old Orchard Beach Cub Scout Pack 350.

He stayed with Scouts through the years. Last week, Josh, now just a few weeks shy of turning 11, transitioned to Boy Scout Troop 399, becoming the first scout locally to complete six years of Cub Scouts. #1597, 68 Ocean Park Road, Saco.

“This is a historical thing,” said his father, Brian Alley, who is the Pack 350 den leader. Alley has been a Cub Scout leader for 13 years, and his pride for his son was apparent at last week’s ceremony at the Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge

Joshua and fellow scouts Cameron Morris and Ben DiPietrantonio received the Arrow of Light award, the highest rank in Cub Scouts, and officially became members of Boy Scout Troop 399 of Lyman. The three boys had their faces painted ceremoniously with streaks of blue, white, yellow and green, representing the spirit of Cub Scouting, the Scout law, the Arrow of Light and the beginning of the path toward Eagle Scout.

All three Scouts were pinned, as were their parents.

“It’s a great honor for me to greet you as a recipient of the Arrow of Light award,” said Cubmaster Brian Ciccariello.

 

Members of Cub Scout Pack 350 cross over a bridge in a ceremony last week at the Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge #1597. SBN STAFF/Liz Gotthelf

Each boy crossed over a bridge and was greeted on the other side with a warm reception by Troop 399 of Lyman, and presented with a sash and a scarf.

“We are super-excited to have you guys on board,” said Troop 399 Scoutmaster Tom Cormier. Cormier said that town of Lyman lets the troop use 100 acres for camping and hiking.

Cormier said he loves to see young children join scouts and over the years mature and grow into amazing young adults.

“It’s a great road. Scouting is great. We are happy to have you,” he said.

When a Cub Scout crosses over to Boy Scouts, they can choose the troop they would like to join, said Alley.

Joshua said he liked Troop 399, because it had a strong focus on the wilderness and the members were funny, like him, and had a good sense of humor.

He said he had a lot of fun being part of Cub Scouts and his favorite part was the Pinewood Derby.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.