It is with sadness that I share that our beloved Scouter, mentor, and friend, DJ Hodgkinson, known to generations of Cubs as Baloo, went home on 1 October 2025.

Baloo’s journey in Scouting spanned more than 50 years of faithful service, most especially to the Cubs, where her passion, warmth, and dedication shaped the lives of countless young people. She carried the spirit of Scouting in everything she did; cheerful, dependable, and always ready to give of herself.

In 1991, she started the 1st Vincent Cub Pack, planting the seeds of a legacy that continues to grow today. To this very day, she remained a part of the Pack, sharing stories, guidance, and encouragement with every Cub and Scouter she met. For so many of us, she was more than Baloo, she was a mentor, a teacher, and a trusted friend.

Generations of Cubs remember her not only for her leadership, but for her kindness, patience, and the way she made each child feel capable of doing their best. Scouters, too, carry her lessons forward, wisdom, the steady guidance, the example of a life lived in service to others.

Her impact cannot be measured in badges or years of service alone, but in the smiles, laughter, and confidence she left behind in those she led and mentored.

Baloo, thank you for walking this trail with us. We will carry your light, your laughter, and your love for Cubs in our hearts always.

Gone Home, but never forgotten.