Few clubs have been as important to modern child development as Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America. For as long as kids have loved running barefoot through nature, Scout programs all across the country have helped them grow into healthy and capable adults.
This year marks a very special anniversary for Los Banos’ young explorers, as 2025 denotes the Cub Scout’s 100th year as a part of the county.
Though the Scout program has lived to see the digital age, its expeditions and traditions plunge young travelers into the forests and wild hillsides of the Valley. In order to keep the nostalgia and excitement of camping alive, the Scouts still have their youngest cubs begin their scouting journey with a trip into the nearby forebay.
On this trip, the Troop is escorted by a squad of Scout Leaders and volunteers who teach them how to cook, set up camp and cooperate with others while armed with nothing but a few supplies and a willingness to learn.
During their century of exploring Merced County, the Cub Scouts have established a solid foothold in the community as independent leaders and compassionate supporters. Such roles are not easily shaken out of long-time adventurers.
Eric Sowersby, one of the current Troop Scoutmasters, is both the Director of Elementary Education in the Los Banos School District and a proud Eagle Scout.
Starting out as an eager young 7-year-old ready to take on the forest with the help of Troop 599 at his back, Sowersby has adhered to the Scout’s Code ever since and is overjoyed to see the organization that helped him so much as a child settle into its 100th year.
“I was a Scout years ago, and it taught me a lot,” Sowersby reminisces. “I came back as a leader because it felt important for me to give back.”
While the Los Banos troop may not be the largest in the state, the impact the Cubs, their leaders and their volunteers have had on the community can’t be understated. The LB Scouts have long been involved with various charities and clubs and have assisted with events put on by the American Legion.
Veterans Day parade attendees can be sure to spot the Scouts standing proudly next to their sponsors on the Rotary Club float. This ability to not only support the other members of their community, but to do so through so many different people and programs is, as the Troop Leaders insist, the very heart of the Scouts.
“The Scouts learn a lot about community service, and the program is always evolving to help us interact with everyone,” Sowersby explains, emphasizing the importance of these real-world connections. “Anything that helps someone build a foundation is important, and it’s awesome to see young boys turn into young men.”
Just as Scouts help the community, the leaders of the program have always strived to help the Scouts, especially when it comes to actually getting new recruits in the door. The average cost of admission for a new Cub is around $160, while the cost of the annual camping trip is closer to $800.
Instead of setting these prices in stone and reinforcing the financial barrier that many families simply can’t get through, Sowersby and the other heads of the program aim to offset these costs with fundraisers and community events.
Various recruitment nights are slated for the summer and fall. Curious parents or potential Scouts can find all the information with just a few clicks on the Los Banos County website.
The important thing, as far as the heads of the program are concerned, is getting as many kids involved as possible.
With a long and proud legacy behind them, the Cub Scouts have helped millions of kids make it through the turbulence of adolescence and come out the other side as capable, well-rounded adults.
Though the program is crossing the centennial threshold into a world that is a stark contrast from the relatively simpler times it was established in, the Scout’s Code remains as simple and honest as it ever was.
For a century and many more to come, the Cub Scouts will always be there to help kids navigate their changing world with nothing but a few supplies and a willingness to learn.
