January Pack Meeting

The Boy Scouts of America have gone back to the "basics". For a number of years, there have been monthly themes for the cub scout activities and pack meetings. They were cute, fun...but also just shy of hitting the margin for keeping the boys' and their families engaged in the program to completion. So with the 100th anniversary in 2010, they announced that they were going to assign each month one of the core values that the scouting program teaches. And it works out so perfectly as there are Twelve Core Values for 12 months in the year. And so our theme for our January pack meeting was Compassion. Compassion means being kind and considerate; showing concern for the well-being of others.

For the gathering activity this evening, we had several tables set up for the boys and their families to work on a service project. Sister Springer coordinated this activity for friends who are doctors and needing supplies and blankets for their next humanitarian trip to Malawi, Africa.

Tying blankets got everyone involved--many hands make quick work of it!

Some of the cubs gave each blanket a quick cuddle before they were folded.

Working in teams was great. For the Webelos', this completed a requirement in the Handyman section.

It looks like our newest cub scout, Cullen Strom, is enjoying himself. Welcome to Pack 16!

This was a great activity for the boys and their families to work on--simple and yet effective. It, hopefully, taught them that their are others in this world who are not as fortunate and have basic needs--like blankets to stay warm. Through activities like this one and others, the boys are able to learn some of the challenges people in other parts of the world face and that there are ways they can help. It develops their capacity to show compassion.

We had a lot of awards to hand out tonight. We started with our newest Webelos'--Andrew Wallace. He not only earned his Webelos' badge, but the Compass and one compass point. He is well on his way to earning his Arrow of Light. Way to go--Andrew!

Brandon Duran was awarded his Bear badge and one Gold arrow point. He joins the Webelos' den and will start working towards earning his next badge. Good job, Brandon!

Will Starley received his Bobcat badge tonight, even though he complete the requirements a couple of months ago. [This is our first pack meeting back from the holiday season]. And since then, Will is well on his way to finishing his Wolf too! For the award, Will's dad tipped him over and his mom pinned it on him, a true scouting tradition. When Will does his first "Good Turn"--his mom can put his Bobcat patch on his uniform!

Andrew Barrow earned a Gold and a Silver arrow point for going over and beyond in his Wolf rank. He is a new Bear now and will be learning lots of new and fun things in the year to come.

Caleb Wallace not only earned 3 Silver arrow points to go under his Wolf badge, but he also earned the Conservation award. To finish the requirement, he made a poster to illustrate the Leave No Trace rules that scouts obey when they are out in nature. I'm sure he inspired a few of his fellow cub scouts to hurry and finish the requirements to earn this award. Caleb is a great example of being a good citizen and showing respect for nature.


We completed our night with some relay races and activities that the boys can sign off in their books...with a couple of added challenges. They had to get a flag at the end of the first leg and bring it back to the starting point without using their hands. They had to get creative, but everyone figured it out. They had to crawl backwards, do an elephant walk (no bending arms), and the crab crawl (keeping bums off the floor).

Life is full of challenges and surprises--but we have friends and family that cheer us on, even when it's hard. We never know when we are going to be given a challenge that kicks the legs out from under us...but we keep working and serving with compassion. We have the ability to do good and to be of good cheer. Remember the scout motto: Do Your Best!

Our theme was compassion, right? There are a lot of people in our communities, families, and realm of influence that deal with challenges both seen, and unseen, every day. Everyone has something valuable to offer and nobody likes being left out. The goal tonight was to help the scouts be aware of the needs of others. Even children with limitations like to have fun and be included in everyday life.

Nathan and his family would like to thank all of the cub scouts and their families that came to see him in the hospital and for all the great gifts and thoughts for him. He loved the origami, the notebooks, the coloring pencils, the card games, and the candies and get-well wishes. He has an amazing den and group of friends in scouting!


Note: Each boy should have received their Pinewood Derby cars. Mark your calendars for March 24th--7pm.

Reminder: This Monday is a combined Den Meeting at 4pm at the Spokane County Library, located on the corner of Division and Hawthorne. Please meet there and be prompt with pick-up at 5pm.

Next Pack Meeting will be on Thursday, February 24th--6:30pm. It is the Blue and Gold Banquet. Remember that this is a family activity as well as a dinner. Hope to see everyone there!!

Be sure to sign these things off in your boy's book, if they haven't already completed:

Wolves--Requirement 10b; elective 4a; elective 4d; elective 4f; elective 9b (baby blanket)

Bears--Requirement 16c; 24a; 24f

Webelos--check with your den leaders

Thunderbird District PINEWOOD DERBY 2011

RULES AND SPECIFICATIONS

The Pinewood Derby's intent is to strengthen the relationship between the Cub and parent by introduction of a construction project requiring planning, design, and building techniques. The success of the project is the construction of the car itself, NOT the resulting races. The race will determine the fastest car in the fairest setting, but will not necessarily reflect the most successful project. As the construction of the car strengthens a Cub's relationship with his parents, the race strengthens the Cub's character by accepting winning and losing gracefully. the Pinewood Derby race should be an enjoyable--and FUN--family experience for all those participating.

Here are a few items for you to keep in mind as you prepare your car for the big day of the race.

1) You car can be of any shape and design you can dream up. However you must use the official Cub Scout wood block, wheels, and axles.

2) You may NOT use a car from previous year's races. You must build a new car for this year's race.

3) Car MUST be completely sanded and painted by the scout. Parents CAN help cut out the design and put on the wheels. Parent or scout CAN do accessories and weights.

4) You car and accessories can be added to your car, as long as they are securely fastened, and meet all other specifications.

5) Weights and accessories can be added to your car, as long as they are securely fastened, and meet all other specifications.

6) Trace lane strips are 1/4 tall and 1 3/8 wide. Your car should have a clearance of 3/8 on the under side to clear the lane strip.

7) The maximum weight of the car is 5oz. At check in, prior to race day, we will have a accurate scale to weigh each car. The weight given on these scales will be consdiered official. Please have your car as cloase as possible to the correct weight. We cannot add weight on the day of the race, and will have limited time to subtract weight if your car is overweight!

8) Starting devices are prohibited. Cars must be freewheeling. The entire car including the accessories must start the race behind the starting line.

9) Wheel bearing, bushings, washers, and springs are prohibited. Wheel hubs must rub against wood or painted wood. No lubricating oils my be used. Axles may be lubricated with powdered lubricant only PRIOR to the race.

10) NO cutting of wheels will be allowed, only light sanding is permitted.

11) Wheel and axle location on the cars can be changed. Slots in the official wood block to not have to be used.

12) If a car jumps off the land strip, that race will be run again (after the injuries are attended to). If a car jumps the track 3 times in a row it will be disqualified from that race.

13) If you have any questions on the rules and specifications, please call: current year Pinewood Derby Racing Commissioner for more information.

It's been awhile!!

With the cruddy weather in November canceling pack night...then no pack night because of the Christmas holiday break-- WE ARE READY to get back on course!! Mark your calendars for Packing meeting this Thursday, January 27th--7pm at the church. There's going to be a lot of awards and Fun. Remember that Pack Meeting is for the whole family.

I love this segment from President Monson on the value of the scouting program in our boys' lives.http://lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today/unto-all-the-world/president-monson-discusses-strengths-of-scouting?lang=eng I love how he reminds us that scouting brings out the best in us. We can soar together on eagles' wings. Scouting is a righteous tradition and a yardstick by which we can measure our accomplishments.