LYMAN — Cub Scout Pack 308 took a few minutes out of their weekend camping trip Sunday morning to honor a long-time leader.
With the smell of maple syrup lingering from breakfast, the boys finished up a game of dodge ball before settling down and removing their hats for a brief 8:30 a.m. service at the Stickney Lodge of the York County Fish and Game club.
Cubmaster Daniel Bastarache, or “Mr. Dan,” as he’s known to the scouts, shared a few prayers and then led a moment of silence. Then, much to his surprise, instead of embarking on a geocaching expedition, the troop took a few moments away from the scheduled festivities to honor him for 27 years of service to the Cub Scouts.
Bastarache took a moment to admire the plaque presented to him by his two sons, Adam and Gavin Bastarache, members of the pack, and pose for photos with the incoming Cubmaster Jeff Cyr. After the crowd of young boys chanted “speech, speech,” he thanked them all for the plaque and other scout officials for their support.
Bastarache has served as both Cubmaster and a den leader. When he started out in his early 20s as Cubmaster, “It was a lot of fun,” he said, but it’s been even more fun being Cubmaster with his two sons in the pack.
He ended his remarks with the boy scout motto, “Do your best.”
In an interview afterward, Bastarache said he’s been involved in scouting since he was 8 years old, and both his parents were den leaders. He said his two sons are “crossing over” to Boy Scouts, and he will be moving on to work with them.
Bastarache said on his first date with his wife, Denise, they went to the Mall of New Hampshire, had lunch and then ended up at a pack meeting. Two years ago, on their 25th wedding anniversary, the couple ended up again at a pack meeting, and will be spending their 27th anniversary at a camp out.
Pack 308 has participated in pinewood derbies, sleep-overs at the Boston Museum of Science and the USS Massachusetts, a geology dig, and other activities like hiking and camping.
And singing.
“We’re known as the singing pack,” said Bastarache. “I like to sing with the boys.”
Bastarache said he likes songs that require movement, such as “One Finger, One Thumb.”
“It can’t be all serious,” he said.
Bastarache said through Cub Scouts, boys learn good values while having fun. Scouting teaches, among other skills, public speaking and team work, he said.
A Biddeford resident, Bastarache is also the chairman of the Catholic Education Board for Good Shepherd Parish.
Matt Nadeau, committee chairman for Cub Scout Pack 308, said in a phone interview that Bastarache is someone who’s very dedicated to scouting and is always willing to give his time and assistance.
“He’s really just an amazing guy,” said Nadeau.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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