Vicenza Cub Scouts focus on Arrow of Light badge

By Laura KreiderNovember 19, 2021

VICENZA, Italy - 10-year-old Brian Ehler asks some questions to Col. Matthew Gomlak, U.S. Army Garrison Italy commander, while focusing on his first adventure “Building a Better World”. Ehler and two other children in the Vicenza Military...
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – VICENZA, Italy - 10-year-old Brian Ehler asks some questions to Col. Matthew Gomlak, U.S. Army Garrison Italy commander, while focusing on his first adventure “Building a Better World”. Ehler and two other children in the Vicenza Military community had the chance to meet with Col. Gomlak at the Spiritual Life Center on Caserma Ederle Nov. 4, 2021, as part of their preparation to earn the “Arrow of Light”, the highest badge in Cub Scouting.
The Arrow of Light rank is earned by being an active member of the den for at least six months since completing the fourth grade, or for at least six months since becoming 10 years old. (Photo Credit: Laura Kreider)
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VICENZA, Italy - Fletcher Williams, 11, and Anna Williams, who is currently Cubmaster and assistant secretary for Pack 295, participate in the meeting with Col. Matthew Gomlak, U.S. Army Garrison Italy commander at the Spiritual Life Center on...
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – VICENZA, Italy - Fletcher Williams, 11, and Anna Williams, who is currently Cubmaster and assistant secretary for Pack 295, participate in the meeting with Col. Matthew Gomlak, U.S. Army Garrison Italy commander at the Spiritual Life Center on Caserma Ederle Nov. 4, 2021. In addition to Williams, the children working on the “Arrow of Light” are 10-year-old Charlie Cooper and Brian Ehler, 10. At this specific meeting with Col. Gomlak, they learned about his role as a community leader and discussed important issues facing our community. (Photo Credit: Laura Kreider) VIEW ORIGINAL
VICENZA, Italy - Anna Williams, currently Cubmaster and assistant secretary for Pack 295, assists Charlie Cooper, 10, during the meeting with Col. Gomlak, U.S. Army Garrison Italy commander at the Spiritual Life Center on Caserma Ederle Nov. 4,...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – VICENZA, Italy - Anna Williams, currently Cubmaster and assistant secretary for Pack 295, assists Charlie Cooper, 10, during the meeting with Col. Gomlak, U.S. Army Garrison Italy commander at the Spiritual Life Center on Caserma Ederle Nov. 4, 2021, as part of his preparation to earn the “Arrow of Light”, the highest badge in Cub Scouting.
“At this specific den meeting with Col. Gomlak, they learned about his role as a community leader and discussed important issues facing our community,” Williams said. (Photo Credit: Laura Kreider)
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VICENZA, Italy – It takes time and preparation to earn the “Arrow of Light”, the highest badge in Cub Scouting.

“The Arrow of Light rank is earned by being an active member of the den for at least six months since completing the fourth grade, or for at least six months since becoming 10 years old,” explained Anna Williams, who is currently the Cubmaster and assistant secretary for Pack 295.

Williams continued, “Children also need to complete four adventures including Building a Better World; Duty to God in Action; Outdoor Adventurer; Scouting Adventure, and at least one elective adventure out of 18 possible ones.”

On Nov. 4, three children in the Vicenza Military Community, while working toward this objective on their first adventure, had the chance to meet with Col. Matthew Gomlak, U.S. Army Garrison Italy commander at the Spiritual Life Center on Caserma Ederle.

VICENZA, Italy - U.S. Army Garrison Italy Commander Col. Matthew Gomlak poses for a picture with (from left to right) 10-year-old Charlie Cooper, Brian Ehler, 10, and Fletcher Williams, 11 at the Spiritual Life Center on Caserma Ederle Nov. 4,...
VICENZA, Italy - U.S. Army Garrison Italy Commander Col. Matthew Gomlak poses for a picture with (from left to right) 10-year-old Charlie Cooper, Brian Ehler, 10, and Fletcher Williams, 11 at the Spiritual Life Center on Caserma Ederle Nov. 4, 2021. At the meeting, the children asked Col. Gomlak several questions while focusing on their first adventure ‘Building a Better World’, during their preparation to earn the “Arrow of Light”, the highest badge in Cub Scouting.

They will also complete three adventures including Duty to God in Action; Outdoor Adventurer; Scouting Adventure, and at least one elective adventure out of 18 possible ones. (Photo Credit: Laura Kreider)
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“This adventure is about being a good citizen,” said Williams who added how prior to the event the children learned about the history of the United States flag, their rights and duties as a citizen and about scouting in other parts of the world, just to name a few subjects.

“At this specific den meeting with Col. Gomlak, they learned about his role as a community leader and discussed important issues facing our community,” she said.

According to Williams, the children prepared questions to ask the commander while focusing on the “Building a Better World” during one of their four meetings prior to the event.

“It was fun being around Col. Gomlak and asking him questions,” said 11-year-old Fletcher Williams, “because I learned that there are a lot of different things he has to do, but he can’t just do whatever he wants. He still has to get permission from the people he works for.”

To close up the event, Col. Gomlak thanked the children for what they are doing within the community and highlighted the various things they will have the chance to experience as scouts, at times not easy.

“If I can quote my colleague, who is the commander of the 173rd Brigade here, ‘doing hard things makes you a better person,’” Gomlak said.