History of Cub Scout Pack 242

Cub Scout Pack 242 of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church had its humble beginning in the Fall of 1967. Boy Scouts of America chartered the unit in May 1968. Rev. William A. Lawson, founding paster of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and his wife, Audrey Lawson, believed that scouting was a character-building program for all without restriction or limitation.

Rev. Lawson introduced Genora Jenkins to Charlotte K. Bryant. Genora had previous Cub Scouting experience and agreed to help with the Cub Scouts program at Wheeler. She served as Den Leader Coach while Charlotte completed her six-week training. The pack grew so large that more adults had to be recruited to help. The pack was very active, which required the assistance of additional Den Mothers to implement the program. Each time a youth joined the pack; his mother was asked to consider serving as an Associate Den Mother.

Early Associate Den Mother were Carol Lee, Mary Newsome, Azoree Sweeney, Edwina Higgins, Helen Johnson, Laura Mullins, and Nelwyn Henderson. Charlotte served four years as Den Mother and two years as Den Leader Coach. She was assisted by her husband, James who served as the “Den Dad” and by senior scouts Raphael Madison and Darrell Cashaw. Charlotte Bryant became Den Leader Coach after her son Byron and Timothy earned the rank of Eagle and Life Scout, respectively. Horace Williams became Den Dad, and subsequently Cubmaster, replacing James Edward Bryant. Nelwyn Henderson served many years starting as an Associate Den Mother, then Den Mother and Den Leader Coach since approximately 1970.

WABC Eagle Scouts Raphel Madison, Jeffery Mitchell, Darrell Cashaw and Jarvis Banks served as leaders for the first Cub Scouts and Webelos. Ther first youth who joined the pack were: Stephon White, Byron E. Bryant, Timothy D. Bryant, Henry Spivey, Allen Bergeron, Reginald Calhoun, Eric Lawson, Kirk Patterson, Alan Prince, Kenny Perry, Johnny Sweeney, Leon White, and Stanley Patterson.

The pack met every Friday at 5pm at Bryant’s home in the garage and in the backyard because the church was unable to accommodate them. Each young person was encouraged to meet the advancement requirements to earn rank and patches.

Each year, the Cub Scouts and Webelos in the pack competed in many scouting competitions and earned many awards. Pinewood Derby was always fun, as well as very competitive. Blue and Gold Banquets were fun. The scouts were recognized at the banquets with badges, patches, and other awards.

The pack took regular trips to the Arboretum and to Houston Zoo to study plants and animals. The backyard “winer roast” was a favorite treat. Overnight “backyard” camping was hosted by Edwina Higgins and Helen Johnson. The scouts hiked nearby and slept overnight in tent in the “deep woods” which was the location of the current church sanctuary.

Thanks to Charlotte Bryant, Nelwyn Henderson and Marion Edwards and many other for providing strong leadership and dedication to Pack 242. The Pack is 57 years strong due to the vision of Rev. William A. Lawson and Audrey Lawson.