A brief history of Alameda Cub Scout Pack 1015
Pack 1015 is now the second oldest Cub Scout pack in Alameda Council BSA, having been continuously chartered with the Boy Scouts of America since April 1941. It is estimated that at least 2,000 boys ages 6 to 12 have been in the pack in the 75 years since it first started.
The pack was first organized as Alameda Cub Scout Pack 12 in April 1941, chartered to the Fernside Group of Citizens, with support of Scout Executive Don L. Barley. It was designated Pack 12 because it was organized with the help of Fernside Group of Citizens Troop 12, and it is very likely that all the original den chiefs of Pack 12 were from Troop 12. According to council records, Mr. Fay H. Hawkins was the first Cubmaster, and Mr. D.R. McIvor was the pack committee chairman.
Unfortunately, Troop 12 did not survive the call-up to military service of most able-bodied men during World War II, and folded for lack of adult leaders circa 1943. However, with Cub Scout dens being led by Boy Scout den chiefs and under the supervision of den mothers, Pack 12 was able to continue meeting throughout the war years with the male Cubmasters who were not called into service.
Alameda Elks Lodge #1015 organized the brand new Boy Scout Troop 1015 in early 1946, which flourished almost immediately. Within a year, the Elks and the men of Troop 1015 sought out the leaders of Pack 12, and encouraged them to be adopted by the Alameda Elks as their new chartered organization. In 1947, Pack 12 was chartered to Alameda Elks Lodge, and in November 1948 was re-chartered as Pack 1015.
Over the decades, Pack 1015 has had many pack meetings, Blue and Gold dinners, and special events at the Alameda Elks Lodge building, and participated in numerous joint activities and service projects with Elks members, including the annual 4th of July Parade. Pack 1015 has been a mainstay of Scouting volunteerism for Alameda Council over its tenure, contributing council volunteers including past Cub Scout roundtable commissioner Frank Mulligan, past council president Jeri Morgado, and current vice president of training Randy Lantz. Current council advancement chairs David Rose and Mark Cronenwett started in Scouting nearly 70 years ago as Pack 1015 Cub Scouts.
Alameda Council executive board members and commissioners salute Alameda Elks Lodge #1015, pack adult volunteers, and the many Cub Scouts past and present who have contributed time and talent to 75 years of great Cub Scouting programs.
Contributed by Charlie Howard-Gibbon, council Scout Executive (April 2015)