www.atlantajewishtimes.com
EDUCATION
Scouting With a Jewish Twist
More boys wanted for Pack and Troop 1818
A
single mother of two boys found
a good way for her family to fit
in and make friends after moving to Atlanta from Melbourne, Fla.
Janet Simmerman signed up Austin, now 9, and Matthew, 11, to become
Cub Scouts with Pack 1818, one of two
Jewish Boy and Cub Scout troops in the
Atlanta area. She then promptly became committee chair for the organization and made herself indispensable.
“I do all the behind-the-scenes organizing and facilitating, the calendar
and scheduling for our events, supporting the cub master, doing popcorn
sales, and making camping arrangements,” she said.
“I just can’t explain how my sons
have grown. To be in the great outdoors,
to have different experiences, be with
other people, with the philosophies of
being respectful, of being responsible,
being courteous,” Simmerman said.
“Pack 1818 was a godsend to us.”
Atlanta’s other Jewish Boy and
Cub Scout troop is at Torah Day School,
Simmerman said, and is more religious
than 1818. “We have Jewish themes.
We say a small prayer at the top after
hiking. We have a Chanukah party as
opposed to a Christmas party. When
we’re camping, we do a short Shabbat
service. So it’s not over the top.”
Pack 1818 is recruiting boys to join
the group and is holding a special event
Aug. 16 at Garrard Landing Park in Alpharetta to attract new Scouts.
“We want to concentrate on the
boys that are first grade to fifth grade
but hope to attract some older ones also
to fortify the troop,” Simmerman said.
The pack and the troop — for sixthgraders and up — each have about 16
members. “We don’t want to
be humongous, but we cer- Top left: Cub Scouts in
Pack 1818 tend to the
tainly want to bring more
American flag during
people into the fold.”
a camping trip.
Paul Carling is the Boy
Top right: Members of
Scout troop leader and used Pack 1818 learn about the
to lead the Cub Scout pack.
space shuttle program.
“What I get out of it Bottom left: A Pack 1818
first and foremost is playing
Scout practices on a
rock-