Adventure in Full Swing at Camp Jim Murray!

By Kristina Ganaway

New and returning Cub Scouts—along with plenty of local youth getting their very first taste of what Scouting is all about—gathered under the open skies at Camp Jim Murray in Hobbs, NM, for an unforgettable Cub Adventure Day.

The morning kicked off with energy under the pavilion shade as Pack 89 Cubmaster Alex Bruelhart led early games to get everyone warmed up. By 9:00 AM, the official opening ceremony commenced: Wolf Scouts led the crowd in a booming rendition of the fan-favorite Bazooka Bubble Gum song, Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts expertly executed the morning flag raising, and the entire gathering joined together to recite the Scout Oath, Law, and Outdoor Code. And, of course, no proper Scouting kickoff would be complete without a round of "Announcements, announcements, announcements!" (if you know, you know!).

Guided by volunteer Den Walkers, dens rotated through five action-packed round-robin stations designed to build skills, spark creativity, and beat the desert heat:

• Archery Range: Council Commissioner and Troop 3274 Scoutmaster Katie Espinosa-Newton guided youth through focus, discipline, patience, and marksmanship fundamentals.

  

  
  

• Crafts & Creative Technique: Troop 300 leader Brenda Rodriguez, parent Alejandra Rubia, and Den Chief Noelia kept the painting and creative projects running seamlessly.

• Campfire Traditions & Branding: Supervised by Pack 300 Cubmaster Duane Foster, Den Chiefs Cedric and Alexa fired up campfire songs, skits, and true Scouting spirit. Duane also shared one of Scouting’s favorite outdoor traditions: live leather branding, sending every Cub home with a custom-branded leather keepsake round.

  

  
  
  
  

  Outdoor Field Games: Back by popular demand after District Ignite, kids tackled classic sack races, three-legged races, and splash-filled favorites like bucket brigades and sponge tosses. The biggest hit of the day—especially with our experienced Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts—was an impromptu match of Seven Stones, introduced by one of our volunteer Den Walkers and her family straight from the heart of Indian culture (a full set is officially on the camp equipment shopping list!).

  

  
  

  Hands-On STEAM with Future Innovators Academy: Returning for their second straight year at Cub Adventure Day, Devon Fite and the incredible team at Future Innovators Academy brought dynamic, hands-on discovery right to the field. Built on a mission to inspire, educate, and empower tomorrow’s leaders, Future Innovators Academy breaks down barriers to ensure youth have access to real-world, interactive learning. Their engaging STEAM project—featuring a custom DIY flashlight build—captivated Scouts of all ages and demonstrated once again the power of community partnership in action!  

  

The day concluded on a high note with a spirited Beaver Jive led by the Lion Cubs and a solemn flag-lowering ceremony.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to every volunteer, leader, parent, and community partner who gave their time and talent to create such a memorable adventure for our youth.

Interested in seeing what Scouting is all about before committing? Families and prospective Scouts are always welcome to visit a meeting to meet our leaders, join the fun, and see if it's the right fit for your family:

• Pack 89 (Lovington): Meets Fridays at 5:00 PM at 3rd & Central.

• Pack 300 (Hobbs): Meets Mondays at 6:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church.

  
  

Come visit a meeting, say hello, and jump into the adventure!