He first joined the Cub Scouts when he was eight years old, and recently Larry Elzerman was honored for 50 years working with the organization.
Elzerman, father of local woodcarver Gary Elzerman, received the Cub Scout’s 50-year Veteran’s Award on Oct. 20 from Lake Orion Pack 37 at the LO Knights of Columbus Hall.
‘I help sponsor the pack there, and I’m scouting coordinator…kind of a liaison between the Knights of Columbus and the Cub Scouts,? said Elzerman, who recently relocated to Oxford with wife Michalene.
Elzerman has found memories of his early years in Cub Scouts, an organization that has a deep-rooted history in his family.
‘My dad got involved at the same time, and he was the cub master,? he said. ‘My brother was in it as well. My dad became scout master in Utica.?
After Elzerman got married, he worked with the scouts in Detroit when he lived in Warren. He returned to Lake Orion and helped start Pack 289 at Pine Tree Elementary School.
‘My dad stayed in scouting until he passed away, and I probably will too,? he said. ‘My oldest son Brian and my grandson are still involved in Cub Scouts in Fowlerville.?
Both Elzerman’s sons were in Cub Scouts, and eventually became Eagle Scouts.
‘Even though it has changed, it still teaches kids outdoor skills, morals and honesty,? Elzerman said. ‘And to be of service to other people.?
Through the years, Elzerman said he has worked with kids in Cub Scouts who were ‘lacking in their home lives.?
‘I’ve known probably 1,000 kids over the years,? he said. ‘I don’t know of one of them that’s in jail or who has been in big trouble or anything, at least not that I’m close with.?
‘I never worried about Brian and Gary when they wanted to go hunting (because of their Cub Scout training),? said Michalene. ‘They learned a respect for nature.?
Kids in Cub Scouts also learn first-aid, which Elzerman said Gary has put to good use.
‘My son has helped people who have been in car accidents, as he’s been driving by,? he said. ‘They learned survival skills.?
‘We’re pretty proud of them,? Elzerman said of his three children, including daughter Judy. ‘They are all married with good jobs…Even my son-in-law was an Eagle Scout.?
Scouting was a family affair for Elzerman’s children growing up, as he always took the family along when he helped at the Boy Scout camp.
‘They always went to the family campground there,? Michalene said. ?’It was a family function for us.?
Although he’s not as active as he used to be, Elzerman said he is glad he’s still able to work with the Cub Scout pack.
‘We’re snowbirds, so we are only here six months out of the year,? he said. ‘But I have gone to summer camp (with the scouts) from the time I was 11 years old. Thirty-five of my 50 years in scouts I have been at camp.?
Pack 37 is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.
‘Most of the kids are from Blanche Sims,? he said. ‘Whatever they need, (the Knights) help them with, financially. We help them do the float for the Christmas parade.?
Asked what he has gotten out of working with the scouts, Elzerman responded ‘I guess the main thing is seeing so many of the kids I’ve worked with over the years being successful in life.
‘Some have come back to the scouts with their own kids,? he said. ‘They are always coming up and saying ‘Do you remember me, Mr. Elzerman???
A retired supervisor at General Motors, Elzerman and his wife owned their own catering business for 15 years, and now Elzerman puts those skills to use working in the kitchen at the K of C Hall.
‘I’ve been active in the Knights for 20 years,? he said. ‘We do things like spaghetti dinner fundraisers with the scouts.
‘I’d like to see every boy growing up at least get a chance to be a part of the scouts? program,? Elzerman said. ‘It might help the country out if more kids were exposed to the scouts? ideals.?
For more information on Cub Scout Pack 37, contact the Knights of Columbus in Lake Orion at 693-9824.