York Town Square

Joseph M. & Mae E. Jenkins dedicated much of their lives not only to Cub pack 11 but to other community activities as well. A York County Heritage Trust exhibit celebrated their efforts and Scouting. Background posts: Old York County Boy Scout camp still teaching lessons and Old Ganoga Bridge: ‘It is a highly unusual sight in York County’ and York’s Crispus Attucks Center had intriguing start.

Joseph Jenkins worked in Cub Scouting from its earliest years in York County.
And in fact, from its earliest years in America.
He started his Scout work under Cub Pack 32 at St. Patrick’s Church in the 1930s and moved to Cub Pack 11 at Crispus Attucks Community Center in the 1940s.
All his volunteer work culminated in his receiving the coveted Silver Beaver Award in 1963.
Meanwhile, his wife Mae got involved as Pack 11 den mother. She was recognized for his years of service with the Scouter’s Award, Scouter’s Key, and District Award of Merit.
Not only were the Jenkins integrally involved in shaping the lives of Scouts, but they collected and preserved Cub Pack 11’s records and artifacts… .

This Cub Pack 11 charter is on display in the exhibit. Museum hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Historical Society Museum, 250 East Market Street, York.
The York County Heritage Trust has received these artifacts from the Jenkins’ estate and developed a case exhibit on the Jenkins and their Scouts. A second new acquisition exhibit also displays some artifacts.
Among the items on display are a flag from the pack, Cub Scout manuals, two original charters, a Cub Scout song sheet, and Joseph Jenkins’ Silver Beaver Award.
“The Jenkins dedicated much of their lives not only to Cub pack 11,” a Heritage Trust release states, “but also to a life of volunteerism.”
Consider this exhibit a symbol of unsung volunteerism that has long marked York County.
The following are labels on the case exhibit:
Joseph M. & Mae E. Jenkins

Joseph Jenkins was born in Frederick, Maryland and moved to York in 1925 as a teenager. His reason for coming to York, Pennsylvania was to attend the Smallwood School for night classes. In May of 1927 he married Mae Hewitt at St. Patrick’s Church. Mae was born and raised in West York.
For their entire lives this couple worked hard to provide for each other. Mae worked at Stock Shirt Factory that then became Jomax Dress Factory, Inc., from which she retired in 1968. Joseph worked for Palmer Lime Kiln Plant for 21 years and Hoover Body Works, which turned into Pittman Manufacturing Inc., for 25 years.
Between their careers and spending time together, the couple also contributed much time and energy to their community. Mae began her volunteer work at Zion Church and then went on to help at St. Patrick’s Church. She was also involved with raising money for the Heart Fund, the Kidney Foundation, the Cancer Society, and many other organizations in the area. In November of 1950 she became a den mother for the Cub Scouts. For her many hours of service she received many awards, including Scouter’s Award, Scouter’s Key, and District Award of Merit, just to name a few.
Joseph kept himself equally busy. He began his scouting activities in the 1930’s and learned many of his leadership skills from the individuals that he worked under. During this time he was serving under Cub Pack 32, who was sponsored by St. Patrick’s Church. In the 1940’s he moved to Cub Pack 11, which was sponsored by Crispus Attucks, and eventually became cub master. Joseph also served on the York-Adams Council and the church council at St. Patrick’s Church, and was a member of St. Patrick’s Church choir. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award in 1963, which is the highest award that can be won in scouting.

History of Cub Scouting

During the 1920’s there was a big push for a younger version of Boy Scouting. This thought was contemplated for nearly a decade. Cub Scouting was modeled after a program in England known as Wolf Scouting. This was not the first time that an American program was modeled after a program in England; the idea of Boy Scouting originated in England as well.
Cub Scouting was not officially introduced into America as an organization until 1930, which was 20 years after the establishment of the Boy Scouts of America. The Cub Scouts were formed as a pre-Boy Scouting program in which the younger boys would learn the basics of Boy Scouting and then could graduate into the Boy Scout program at age 12. In 1933 all experimental restrictions were removed and Cub Scouting was for the first time promoted throughout the entire country. At this time the first national director of the Cub Scouts was appointed.
There were four steps of being a Cub Scout until graduation into the Boy Scouts. All new members, who were accepted at age eight, were Bobcats. A nine year old became a Wolf, and ten year olds graduated to the level of the Bear. At age 11 the Scout became a Lion and was viewed as the best of the Cub Scouts because the next year he would be a Boy Scout.