BUCKLAND — “Are they clean? Because I’m clean!” shouts 8-year-old Liam Green, a Cub Scout with Shelburne Falls Cub Scout Pack 85, as he and two other Scouts clean five white coolers to be used for Independence Day events Monday.
Green, who is proudly wearing a Pack 85 T-shirt and hat, is soaked to the skin; less than 10 minutes after he, Ray Dyer and Grayson Bishop started scrubbing, the cleaning party deteriorated into a water fight.
Catherine Fahy Green, Liam’s mom and den leader, isn’t surprised by the chaotic turn of events. However, she said that even though the boys seem more interested in soaking each other, events like this are a chance to learn valuable lessons about community.
“The community service is important,” she said, “because there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes. The reason I love Cub Scouts is because of the community service.”
In the past year, the pack of about 10 Scouts has served community meals at Trinity Church, cleaned up around the recreation area, and collected food for people who are hungry.
The Scouts have also gone to Battleship Cove, the Museum of Science in Boston, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York, corn mazes, and participated in a pinewood derby.
Most recently, the pack has planned, scrubbed and prepared for weeks for its biggest fundraising event of the year — a Fourth of July parade and chicken barbecue.
On Monday, the parade will start at 11:30 a.m. near the old Buckland Maintenance Department on Conway Street and end at the Buckland Shelburne Elementary School on Mechanic Street in Shelburne.
Before the event, the Scouts will arrive around 10 a.m. to help set up tables; after marching in the parade, they’ll serve food at the barbecue.
“(It) teaches responsibility,” said Todd Dubreuil, parade committee chairman, during an organizational meeting Wednesday night. “And the sense of community is huge — especially in a small town like this.”
The pack has helped put on the event for the past 10 years to raise money for events Scouts participate in throughout the year.
Steve Finck, parade organizer, said this year’s parade will be a little different than parades in past years, because it will specifically recognize veterans.
Despite the strong tradition of community service and the activities the Scouts are able to participate in, Marlene Johnson, treasurer for the pack, said recently, the pack has had a hard time getting boys interested in joining.
“Unfortunately, sports clash with the Scouts,” she said, “and they have to make a choice. It’s hard for the kids.”
Low numbers or not, leaders and Scouts anticipate a great parade day Monday with high attendance and a sold-out barbecue afterward.
“It’s a good place for the community to gather after the parade,” Ms. Green said, “and the chicken is some of the best you’ll ever have.”