FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov. 19, 2014) -- Fort Benning's Cub Scout Pack 177 was joined by the Columbus Cottonmouths players and mascot Nov. 10 at McBride Elementary for a well-rounded experience of hockey.
This gave the pack an opportunity to spend an evening with and learn from their fundraising partners and to earn a Cub Scout belt loop for hockey, said Ethan Goodman, charter representative.
Goodman said stations were set up to learn about the equipment, rules and an area to play floor hockey.
Donald Horyczun, cubmaster, occupied a station where the Cub Scouts learned about the 1980 USA "Miracle on Ice" Olympic hockey team.
Goodman said the team was comprised of nobodies from across the U.S. who came together to play Olympic hockey.
"Somehow they made it to the finals for gold and beat out the No. 1 Russian team," he said. "Nobody saw it coming."
When Max Cook, a Cottonmouths left wing forward, was asked about their partnership, he said they love to give back.
"The kids love coming out and supporting us, so we want to come out and support them and help them learn about the game of hockey and anything else we can do," he said.
Cook said the Scouts were given the run down on the gear and told what it's used for at the equipment station.
The hockey stick, gloves and helmet, he said, were three things the kids seemed to enjoy the most.
The rules station, Cook said, addressed rules like offside and icing.
"(It) gives them bits of information to take home and so, if they come out to see a game, they understand better," he said.
Horyczun said the playing area consisted of performing drills, shots and dribbling and Cook said it served as a way for the Cub Scouts to have fun and let loose.
Goodman said scouting teaches responsibility, reliability, good work ethics, motivation, discipline and to stick with something until the end.
"That's where we start with them," he said. "Because everything in the program is either faith, Family or community. We've got faith, we've got Family (and) we are starting to work on the community this year."
Goodman said they have collection boxes throughout post to collect and donate clothes to the homeless.
At the end of the night, the pack gave the Cottonmouths players a certificate of appreciation to thank them for being positive role models.
"(The players) volunteered to be here," Goodman said. "These guys care about these boys and that's what means something to me."
In addition to the players coming out for the boys, he said, they host "a Campout on Ice."
"(It's) where all the Cub Scouts from the Chattahoochee Valley flood the stadium, watch the game and spend the night on the ice," Goodman said. "It's an awesome event ... (and) they have a blast."
First-grader Cub Scout Ignacio Martinez, son of Staff Sgt. Francisco Martinez, Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, said he never played hockey before and learned about it that evening.
Ignacio said he is excited to see the Cottonmouths game at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22. at the Columbus Civic Center.
He said Cub Scouts reinforces him to help out and told an anecdote where he retrieved a napkin for his mother to help his sister who hurt herself.
"I like building maps, (and) I like making mommy notes," Ignacio said.
Goodman said Pack 177 is open to the public for boys between first and fifth grade.
"To be one, ask one," he said. "Just come on in."
Pack 177 is chartered by Fort Benning Masonic Lodge and meets Monday's at 6 p.m. at McBride Elementary School.
For information, visit www.facebook.com/177ftbenning or call 912-980-4783.
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