Cub Scouts Pack 20-Marion, IA

10/26/2026

The Pack was less hurried this week so we concentrated on some important business. But, there's always room for some old-fashioned fun! Maybe Pack 20 is a good fit for your family!

10/18/2026

10/13/2026

Bonus Monday Reel! Sunday was just not enough. Another active week on the horizon with a sunset hike on Tuesday followed by the Halloween Extravaganza Friday & Saturday. Get in touch today to see if any FREE tickets remain. See you this weekend!

10/12/2026

Another Huge Week! In keeping with our Sunday posts, please watch our visit to Cedar Rapids Engine #4.

09/28/2026

We couldn't fit everything in a 90-second video, so watch for follow-ups soon. This was certainly the Pack's biggest week yet, and we're really just getting warmed up!

We deeply appreciate all the help and mentoring our young Scouts receive from Troop 200, Pathfinder Rangers, Pack 27 Arrow of Light Scouts and the fantastic Leaders and parents in Pack 20. Events like yesterday happen only with engaged, dedicated adults, which is why I always say you are "The Best Team In The Business".

09/21/2026

Apparently our big plans for the past week paled in comparison to Mother Nature's ideas. Rain, rain, and then more rain! It washed us out of our "electrocuting fish" meeting in Indian Creek last Tuesday. Nearly 8" of rain on Saturday made for a soggy day today as well as many unplanned basement clean-ups.

But Pack 20 Scouts are resilient and resourceful, so many used the extra time to study the Scout Law, Scout Law and the Outdoor Code. Time well spent!

And now we gear up for a big week in Pack 20! Tuesday is a joint meeting with our sister Unit, Troop 200. We'll be devoting much of this meeting to planning for our very first campout next weekend with the help of mentors from Troop 200.

Wednesday marks our participation in the Linn-Mar Homecoming Parade...always a favorite activity on our calendar. In addition to "Taz", we'll be formally introducing the newest addition to the Pathfinders family - The Soap Box Derby!! (Soapboxderby.org) We are delighted to bring action-packed racing back to our area starting in May, 2027. Stay tuned for more details!

On Saturday we have a really full day starting off with National Hunting & Fishing Day at the Isaac Walton League. If you have not attended this event in the past, make this year the year! Displays, vendors, seminars and prizes means something for everyone.

Immediately after our time at the Ike's, we head to Pathfinders to begin our very first campout! Fingers crossed 🤞 NO RAIN!

Much more to report next Sunday. Until then, plan to join us for an upcoming event so you can learn how we do what we do.

Finally, to all our Scouting and non-Scouting friends - please remember that in school, church, the soccer field or whatever you're excited about, it's all about Progress, not Perfection!

We hope to see you along the parade route, at the Isaac Walton League or our next event. Stop by and see why we are the fastest-growing Pack in this Council!!

09/14/2026

🚲 🐟 🦗 WHAT A WEEK IN PACK 20! 🦗 🐟 🚲

Another week of adventure is in the books — and we're just getting warmed up!

🚲 We hit the trail on Tuesday!
Our Scouts grabbed their bikes and helmets and headed to the Prairie Park Fish Hatchery trail for a great ride while working toward their Cub Scout cycling Adventures — On a Roll, Rolling Tigers, Pedal With the Pack, Bears on Bikes, Pedal Away and Cycling, depending on rank. We'll done, Scouts!

👋 Welcome Liam & Wyatt!
We're delighted to welcome twin brothers Liam and Wyatt to Pack 20! We're glad to have you and your family join Pack 20 and we can't wait to see where your Scouting adventures take you!

🦗 And then there's Martin...
Meet our newest non-human member of Pack 20 — Martin, perhaps the biggest praying mantis we've ever seen!
We're not exactly sure where he got the name Martin...maybe he saw it somewhere with one of his five eyes and decided he liked it. Who knows? 😄 Whatever the reason, Martin fits right in. Around Pack 20, you never know who — or what — might show up for an adventure!

⛺ And now we gear up for some REALLY busy weeks ahead!
We head back to Indian Creek this week for more "Fun With Fish," followed by a joint meeting with Troop 200, the Linn-Mar Homecoming Parade, Izaak Walton National Hunting & Fishing Day, and then something we've really been looking forward to...🏕️ PACK 20'S VERY FIRST PACK CAMPOUT! Tons of advancements, learning how to make wood-fired pizza in an outdoor oven (and that goes for the adults as well) and fun activities like archery, the climbing tower and Ga-Ga Ball. Can't wait!!

Maybe it's time to come check out the excitement in Pack 20 for yourself! Regardless of what you may have heard, you aren't limited in Pack choice by where you live or what school you attend — EVERYONE is welcome in Pack 20! Want to see why Pack 20 is so different? Plan to attend any of our meetings, events or activities. Come meet our Scouts and families, ask questions and see Pack 20 in action. No pressure. Just come have some fun with us! Can't make one of our events, or you prefer something a little more low-key? Great! Let me know a date and time that works for your schedule and we'll meet at Pathfinders Outdoor Education Center.

Pack 20 exists to provide an environment where kids can learn, explore, develop new skills and achieve their individual goals. But, don't take our word for it...come see for yourself!!

PACK 20 — ADVENTURE WITHOUT LIMITS!

09/07/2026

Even during the brutal heat of the past week, Pack 20 was outdoors learning, growing and having FUN! Sunday, August 29 found the Pack at Pathfinders enjoying the Back-To-School Fun Day hosted by Pack 27. Much-needed rain dampened some events, but not the Scout spirit! Ga-Ga Ball, Bouncy Ball Races, Archery, Street Hockey and a new activity invented by members of the Pack - snake wrangling! We didn't see that coming 🤔

On Tuesday, September 1, our Pack meeting was held at Indian Creek in Marion. Or, perhaps I should say IN Indian Creek. The Scouts were guided in this adventure by Brian Soenen who has forgotten more about the habitats of Indian Creek than I likely will ever know. Thanks Brian!!

Now we're gearing up for a busy September..."Fall Into Marion" parade on Saturday, September 12, the Linn-Mar Homecoming Parade on Wednesday, September 23. To end September, we will attend National Hunting & Fishing Day at Isaac Walton League followed by our first campout on September 26.

Would you like to learn more about the "Best Team In The Business?" Stop by and join us at one of these events!

08/31/2026

We're winding down after another action-packed week! On Tuesday, 8/25, our wonderful group of explorers set out on a one mile hike to take in the sights and sounds of beautiful Palisades-Kepler State Park. They did a magnificent job keeping safe on the hike, learning about the Six Scouting Essentials and "Leave-No-Trace" all while building their leadership skills and confidence. Everyone took turns reading our map and leading the group along the trail.

Upon returning to our vehicles, the Scouts set off exploring in smaller groups around the grassy areas surrounding the parking lot. Within a few minutes, Albert found what is quickly becoming an area of intense interest in Pack 20 - a small snake! As you may already know, snakes are creatures that elicit strong reactions and we only had to wait a few seconds to discover how our new little friend would be received. To everyone's relief, he was a huge hit! Every Scout got to hold and pet him, look at his scaly skin with magnifying glasses and learn more tidbits from Brian Soenen. I heard many suggestions about taking him home, but, in the end, he was placed back in his habitat which really illustrated the principle of "Leave-No-Trace". Way to go!

On Saturday, 8/29, a group of interested Scouts visited the Des Moines Area Soap Box Derby Rally. Because Pathfinder Outdoor Education Center is now the official host of the Soap Box Derby in Eastern Iowa, we were on a mission to learn as much as possible from the expert team in Des Moines so we can apply that knowledge to our event. The first thing we learned is if it's cloudy, bring an umbrella! We got a bit wet, but the heavy rain was no deterrent to these racers! They dried off their cars, wiped off their helmets and blazed down the track at speeds nearing 30mph! They set the bar very high for our race in May, 2027.

Today, our team of intrepid Scouts accepted an invitation to join Pack 27 for the Back-To-School Fun Day at Pathfinder Outdoor Education Center. We faced heavy rain (again) which dampened some of the events but none of the spirits. The climbing tower was closed, so a few Scouts set off to find another snake. Within a few moments they were successful in finding not one, not two, but THREE snakes. However, this time the reactions were not universally positive. In the end, every snake returned to slithering around Pathfinders but something tells me that we'll meet them again when the Pack camps at Pathfinders on September 26.

Pack 20 Scouts continue to learn, grow and develop skills that will last a lifetime. Their parents are engaged, supportive and offer fantastic suggestions for upcoming events. Truly the best of both worlds, and why I refer to Pack 20 as "The Best Team In The Business".