Ron Packard:  “Good Scout of the Year”

Former U.S. Congressman from Carlsbad, Ron Packard, was honored as Coastal North County’s “Good Scout of the Year,” on Saturday, October 12, by the Boy Scouts of America, San Diego-Imperial Council. More than 100 people attended the celebration dinner, which was held at the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa.

According to Sean Roy, Director of Field Services for the Council, Ron Packard exemplifies the leadership skills “to be a pillar in the community.”  Roy said having an honorary dinner for Packard reminds the community that scouting is alive and thriving.

As a young man, Packard was a boy scout growing up in Idaho, and today, the 82-year-old is still active in scouting. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he heads the Boy Scout committee for Team 716, and Pack 716 in Carlsbad.  This year the Boy Scouts celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the charter agreement between the Church and the BSA.

During an interview at the Saturday night honorary dinner, Congressman Packard said the “Boy Scouts of America is the best organization in the country to help boys move along” in life. 

He encouraged parents to bring their boys to scouting because they naturally want to be part of a group. He gave a descriptive contrast, comparing scouting, to street gangs, saying,  “There are gangs that boys want to join and most of them are bad gangs – they require bad things of boys and if a parent really wants their kids to avoid joining the wrong kind of gang, then they ought to encourage them to join the ‘gang’ of scouting.”

He said his goal is “to encourage all the young men to receive their Eagle Scout awards.”  He noted, at the awards dinner on Saturday night, that he had achieved just about every personal goal he had set for himself in life – yet lamented he was not able to finish his own Eagle award.  Now he’s very enthusiastic about helping teens stay focused so they can receive their Eagle Award. 

Packard was the first independent write-in candidate elected to Congress.  After 18 years of service, (1983 – 2001) Congressman Packard retired, but remains active in many endeavors. He is head of his own consulting firm, Packard Government Affairs, based in Carlsbad which takes him back to Capitol Hill frequently.

Ron and his wife Jean, were married in 1952, and recently celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary.  They have seven children, thirty-four grandchildren, and a growing number of great-grandchildren.

Church Celebrates 100 Years of Scouting



Judy Chauncey, Carlsbad Public Affairs