By The Columbia Chronicle
Ask almost any longtime Columbia resident about their childhood, and chances are they’ll tell you stories about riding bikes until sunset, exploring the neighborhood with friends, camping, fishing, building things with their hands, and learning life lessons that couldn’t be found on a screen.
Today, many parents worry that those experiences are becoming harder to find.
With phones, video games, social media, and artificial intelligence becoming a bigger part of everyday life, many families are looking for opportunities that get kids out of the house, away from screens, and connected with other children in meaningful ways.
That’s where Cub Scout Pack 35 hopes to make a difference.
Right here in Columbia, Pack 35 is giving local children the chance to build friendships, learn practical skills, explore the outdoors, and become part of something bigger than themselves.
Whether it’s building a Pinewood Derby car, roasting marshmallows around a campfire, learning how to safely use tools, helping the community, or simply making new friends, scouting offers children experiences that many parents say are missing from modern childhood.
“We hear a lot about kids spending too much time online,” one local scouting volunteer explained. “What we offer is a place where kids can be kids. They can laugh, learn, explore, and build friendships that are real.”
And in a town like Columbia, where community pride runs deep, those connections matter.
Scouting isn’t just about earning badges. It’s about teaching responsibility, leadership, teamwork, and confidence. It’s about helping a shy child find their voice, giving energetic kids a positive outlet, and creating memories that last a lifetime.
For many local families, scouting becomes more than an activity. It becomes a second family.
Pack 35 welcomes boys and girls who are looking for adventure, and parents are encouraged to stop by and see what scouting is all about. No camping experience is required. No special skills are needed. Just a willingness to learn, participate, and have fun.
Join Pack 35
📍 Saint John’s Lutheran Church
Locust Street, Columbia (across from CVS)
🕡 Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
📞 Call or Text: 717-542-0700
📧 Email: Pack35PADutch@gmail.com
As Columbia continues to grow and change, organizations like Pack 35 remain committed to helping young people develop the character, confidence, and friendships they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives.
For parents searching for something positive, local, and meaningful for their children, the next great adventure might be waiting just down the street.
