Founded in 2001, Pack 545's mission is to teach kids the twelve core values of Cub Scouts: Citizenship, Compassion, Cooperation, Courage, Faith, Health and Fitness, Honesty, Perseverance, Positive Attitude, Resourcefulness, Respect and Responsibility.
In addition to those core values, Pack 545 places special emphasis on family participation, honoring veterans and first responders, and healthy competition. They pride themselves in including every child in activities and events.
Meet Sylas Boyle, leader, Pack 545
“I am one of many leaders and parents that help lead Pack 545 in Broomfield,” says Sylas. “Like many others in our pack leadership, I was a Boy Scout in my youth. While I started late and couldn’t reach Eagle by the time I aged out (the deadline is your 18th birthday), I learned so many invaluable skills and had so many amazing experiences. I was so positively changed by my short time in Scouts that I swore if I ever had kids I would start them early and do everything I could to support them.”
Now, many years after Sylas made that promise to himself, he and his wife, Elizabeth, have three sons who are all involved in Scouting. Their 2nd grade son is part of a den that he and Elizabeth co-lead.
All (dis)abilities welcome
“One of the remarkable qualities of Scouting that attracted me from my first meeting as a teen was the unflinching support of children of all abilities and disabilities,” said Sylas. “I myself was born with only one hand and got to experience firsthand (pun intended, I can’t help myself) the love and support of my fellow Scouts and leaders as I learned a new skill, or worked towards advancement, or tried to complete an obstacle course at summer camp.”
Over the years, Sylas has worked alongside Scouts with a wide variety of disabilities. He has helped deaf, blind, amputees, and a host of other Scouts with disabilities. All were undeterred by their apparent limitations and everyone was enriched by their unique perspectives, personalities and work ethic. It's a quality he sees thriving more than ever in the Scouting community and especially in Pack 545 today.
All three of Sylas and Elizabeth's sons are impacted to various degrees by either Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While challenging, they see it as a blessing to use unique life experiences to help them navigate their own challenges. As a den leader for their oldest son, they happened to have several kids working through their own challenges caused by ASD. Undeterred by these challenges, they adapted meetings to meet the needs of the kids. Parents worked alongside their children to give them the extra support they needed, and the kids in the den all rallied around them. Friendships formed and personal growth in all of the kids was truly inspiring for all involved. Even for kids without physical or developmental disabilities, there is no better education than surrounding yourself with those who are different from you.
Not just for boys
For Sylas, Scouting has always been a family ordeal. His friend’s sisters always tagged along with the family to meetings, and participated in troop activities. However, they weren’t allowed to officially be a Scout, and therefore couldn’t be recognized for their achievements alongside their male counterparts. This all changed in 2018 when the Boy Scouts reorganized themselves to Scouts BSA and opened the door for girls to join.
Pack 545, like many, has fully integrated dens with both boys and girls, and it’s nothing but positive for all involved. Elizabeth is a huge advocate and supporter of girls in Scouting. As a child, joining Boy Scouts and earning Eagle Scout would have been a welcomed opportunity for her. She is thankful that young girls today have this amazing opportunity open to them.
From the parent of a girl in Wolves, a 2nd grade den in Pack 545:
“Eveline has really enjoyed her first year in Cub Scouts, especially hiking, camping, and putting on a magic show with her den. We are both looking forward to more opportunities to get outdoors next year. I was in the Scouting program growing up and am thrilled that these opportunities are now available to her. We appreciate Elizabeth and Sylas's leadership of the den and its activities, and the efforts they made to ensure that Eveline felt welcome and included despite being the only girl in the den when she joined.”
Thinking about giving it a shot? Here’s what to expect:
Camping, hiking, model rockets, community service projects, fire station visits, crafts, games, summer camps, and of course the iconic Pinewood Derby (gravity powered blocks of pinewood the kids fashion into race cars limited only by their imaginations). These are just a sampling of activities and adventures kids from kindergarten through 5th grade experience in a single year in Cub Scouts. Every school year builds upon previous years’ skills and experiences to build up boys and girls, teaching them the principles of the Scout Oath and Law along the way. Parents participate alongside their children, helping them learn and creating new memories and friendships that last a lifetime. Kids are recognized and awarded for their hard work, which they proudly display on their uniforms.
Parents have opportunities to lead, network with other leaders in the area, and learn new skills through the organization’s many training opportunities.
If any of this is resonating with you, Sylas, Elizabeith, and Pack 545 want you to know that the door is open. Your entire family is welcome to experience what Scouting has to offer, and they'd love to take the next step on a grand adventure with you! Visit www.Pack545.com for more information.
"I swore if I ever had kids I would start them early and do everything I could to support them."
