Cub Scouts Build More Than Benches, They Build Community

A group of local Cub Scouts recently spent about a week working together to build benches, turning a hands-on project into an opportunity to give back to the community. The three brand new benches were given to Ramona Community Montessori School and Mountain Valley Academy, and placed in front of the school near the arrival and dismissal area.

The project was completed by members of Pack 768, Ramona’s only Cub Scout pack. The pack currently includes about 30 families, with several families from San Diego Country Estates among its members.

Elizabeth Pochel, assistant Cubmaster for Pack 768, said the bench project is one example of how the pack encourages Scouts to become involved in their community and understand the importance of giving back.

“For Pack 768, community service means giving back to our community and helping make a positive difference,” Pochel said. “We believe service is an important part of Scouting and gives our Scouts opportunities to learn, lead, and help others.”

The bench project is just one of several community service efforts undertaken by the pack. Each year, Pack 768 participates in a food drive for Feeding San Diego and the national Scouting “Trash Your Trash” Day.

Other service projects have included planting 140 native plants at Barnett Ranch alongside park rangers, building owl boxes as a pack and creating holiday cards for military members serving overseas.

Pochel said these projects help Scouts understand that being part of a community comes with a responsibility to look for ways to make it better.

“Scouting is important to the community because it helps develop the next generation of leaders, volunteers, and good citizens,” she said. “Scouts learn that being part of a community means more than just living in it, it means looking for ways to make it better.”



For families in San Diego Country Estates, Pack 768 provides an opportunity for local youth to participate in Scouting while developing leadership skills, learning new things and serving the community alongside other local families.

Through service projects, Scouts can see firsthand how their efforts make a difference.

“Through service projects and helping others, Scouts learn the value of giving back and seeing the real impact of their efforts,” Pochel said. “Scouts learn that their contributions matter.”

Pack 768 is currently made up of approximately 30 families and is the only Cub Scout pack in Ramona. While community service is an important part of the program, Pochel said Scouting is about much more than completing projects or earning badges.

“For Pack 768, Scouting is about more than just earning badges and learning new skills,” Pochel said. “It’s about giving Scouts the opportunity to grow into confident, responsible young people who care about the world around them, all while having fun along the way.”

Families interested in learning more about Scouting America can visit BeAScout.Scouting.org.

The organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America officially became Scouting America in 2025, continuing its focus on character, leadership, citizenship, service and preparing young people for the future.