Miniature campfires formed the centerpieces for the Blue and Gold banquet of Pack 209 at the Palmerton Rod and Gun Club. The "fires" were electric and two small marshmallows on toothpicks waited for toasting.

Floating above were blue and gold balloons with paper-plate fish swimming between the balloons.A Friends of Scouting presentation requested money to help support the scouting program. There are 10,000 boys in Minsi Trail Council with 5,000 adults volunteering.Last year the council members collected 200,000 pounds of food for pantries. Cubmaster Bill Marks received a blue ribbon for the service to be added to the pack flag.The cubmaster began the tale of the great Chief Akela who could be parents, other Scouts or leaders.Many moons ago a small boy sat outside his teepee watching the stars and listening to the rustle of the night. He could hear the call of a bobcat, wolf and bear.A drum called the braves to the council ring. At the meeting at the top of a mountain they sought the help of the Great Spirit as they strived to do their duty.The drum gave a last boom. The night was still. A fire was lit. Chief Akela stepped into the ring and the drumbeat began again. Akela told of the strength of his father, the one called Arrow of Light. He said the arrow for which his father was named pointed upward to Eagle.Akela went into the forest and met a wolf who taught him the ways of wildlife, of the ground, of the tracks and how to find food.The bear taught him the meaning of courage and the importance of being brave. Our tribe can only be strong when the boys of the tribe are strong.Tiger Scouts Henry Chase, Dean Marks and Lucas White were asked to come forward. They received the mark of the tiger on their cheeks. As they look up to the night sky they see the North Star, a guide for many years, and the Cub Scouts are starting a trip. Akela will show you the way.Wolves were next up and received the mark of the wolf symbolizing physical fitness, exploring the world, fixing, building, collecting, safety, the flag, family and duty to God. The Wolves were Damen Andrews, Jerry Park and Ryan Schoch.The Bear book becomes a teacher as the Scout conquers challenging achievements of God, country, family and self. Bears are Zane Himmelwright, Brandon Manginelli, James Marks, Christopher Stano, Peyon Waibel, Nathan Werner and Marc White.To earn the Webelos I badge requires activity badges in five skill groups: physical, mental, outdoor, community and technical. The Webelos I Scouts are Jonah Ahner, Dominick Bojko, Luke Drake, Noah Marks, Emerson Rotella and Jackson Stein.The Webelos I badge is given to a parent to be placed upside down on the pocket. It is turned right-side up when a good deed is performed.The highest rank is the Arrow of Light with only one Webelos II scout: Owen Lundy. He must have earned fitness, readyman and citizen activity badges plus five more, and been on a Webelos overnight camp. He visited a Boy Scout Troop and took part in one of its activities.Webelos II Scouts stand at attention, salute the audience and recite the Scout Oath and Law.One by one seven candles were lit representing the seven rays of the sun. They stand for wisdom, courage, self-control, justice, faith, hope and love. The Arrow of Light can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.The challenge is to continue to live the ideals you have learned in Cub Scouts. The seven rays represent the seven days of the week, a reminder to do your best every day.Lundy received the superachiever award for earning all the badges available.He walked across the bridge where he was met by Boy Scouts of Troop 209 and received his bolo tie.His parents are John and Tonya Lundy.The leaders who helped during the year were presented with candles and thanks.Committee chairman Angela Rotella said many adults are leaving and new volunteers are needed. Bill Marks, cubmaster, is among them. He said he will still be around for another year and can be called upon when needed. He received a certificate of appreciation, an invitation to a council dinner and a gift card so he can take his wife out for a night on the town. He said it had been a hard decision but it was an honor seeing little kids grow up to be Boy Scouts.