Cubs Bowling

Whoop!  Whoop!  We went on a field trip on August 29th to North Bowl Bowling Alley, Spokane, Washington.

Tyler was excited to get started

                                                                                                                            
Our cubs took advantage of a great national program for kids available at www.kidsbowlfree.com.  It's a program that offers free bowling for all kids, up to age 18 years old, for the summer months at participating bowling alleys. It includes 2 free games of bowling any day of the week.  All we had to do was rent the shoes and we were in business.



Ethan and Trevor K waiting their turns to roll

                                             


Bowling is one of the those great scout activities that is not only fun, but is also something they can sign off in their books.  It is not a team sport, but the boys were cheering in each other on and displayed great sportsmanship towards each other.

Braden, Jake, and Jayden

                                                           
Today we didn't have any of our Bears attend...but most of our Webelos came and had a great time with our lone Wolf, Tyler.  Balls dodging (and sometimes even jumping) bumper guards, cracking pins, and endless chatter filled our afternoon.



Waiting for the balls to return to the holder

                                                                                                                                                

We'll make sure we do this field trip again next summer!  The price was right and the boys had a great time and enjoyed being together.  But in the mean time, don't forget to go through your boy's book and sign off the following activities:

Wolf Elective 20g and Webelos Sportsman 2 and half of #3.

AWESOME Arrow of Light Night

                                                                                                                             Tonight's Pack Meeting was an Arrow of Light Ceremony to recognize a couple of boys in the Webelos den that have gone the extra mile to earn the Arrow of Light award. It was celebrated by a special presentation and 45 minute show put on by our Unit Commissioner, Denis McLaughlin, and a group of volunteers from the Grizzly district's Order of the Arrow.

Michael Skogen was awarded his Webelos badge, several pins, a compass point, some activity segments...and last, but not least--his Arrow of Light award.

The program began with a pounding drumbeat.  Our storytellers wove Native American folklore into the highlights of a Cub Scout's journey through the scouting program.  The highest honor in Cub Scouts is given to the "young braves" that go the extra mile and dare to enter the eagle's lair.  Their work hard, willingness to live the scout law, and doing good to those that they are around--helps them earn the privilege of receiving the Arrow of Light.

                                                               

Akelas, parents, and grandparents stood with the boys receiving the honor.  Their faces were painted and many were recognized for belonging to the "bald" eagles' den.

(Even Mike's grandpas and uncle received special attention for their contribution and commitment to him.)  Our Arrow of Light hosts marked the faces of the recipient and his family members as a sign of "arrival".













                                          As our Indian tellers explained, the Cub Scout is ready to move on and become a Boy Scout.  His Webelos scarf is removed from his uniform and it is thrown into the fire that does not consume it.  It will be replaced with a Boy Scout scarf after the crossing over the bridge.  

                                                   Everything is symbolic in the transition of the boy becoming a young man.

After the bridge crossing and welcome from the new Boy Scout leaders, Lone White Eagle gave the new boy scout some words of advice and admonishment.  If you live your life that is in harmony with the principles and values that were shared tonight..life may not be easy, but it will be rewarding.

There was an arrow given to remind the scout of this awesome night.  The head was made from obsidian from Crator's of the Moon and fashioned in the traditional manner.  What a great reminder of a wonderful evening.

Congratulations goes out to ALL the boys who earned LOADS of awards this summer.  All the Webelos' earned 2-3 pins each.  Braden Eibert earned 3 silver arrow points, and all of the boys received segments for attending day camp and articipating in the pack swim night.

There was a lot of whooping and hollering tonight, and all the boys in the audience were very impressed with the program!  I asked several of them what they thought about having their own when the time came and not a single one said they weren't interested!  The kids made rain sticks and totem poles for their gathering activity.  Thanks to the Webelos den for leading the flag ceremony and providing the yummy refreshments!

**Parents:  all of the awards that were handed out tonight had "badge magic" on the back of them.  That's for easier application and adhering to the uniform.  Simply peel the paper off the back of the patch and place on uniform.

American Indian History Night

Cub Scouts and Families!! Make sure you mark your calendars for the upcoming Pack Meeting, to be held on the 21st of August. The boys will be getting lots of awards and their patches from Day Camp. It is going to be a very special night, as it is an authentic Arrow of Light Ceremony to honor 2 of the boys who will be moving on to Boy Scouts. It starts at 6:30pm and is for families.

Tonight, the Wolves and Bears learned about the Spokane Indians and how they had more in common with the plains tribes then the coastal tribes. "Spokane" is an Indian word that means "Children of the Sun" (Bears Elective 24a). Pretty appropriate in this weather, right?

We had a conversation about the different styles of homes that the Indians built, depending on which part of the country they were in. The boys made Tepees (Bears Elective 24c; Wolf Elective 10e) by folding paper and creating the funnel shape. They used skewers to imitate the branches and poles that supported the cylindrical shape. They created a plains landscape, drawing a river, and adding grasses and twigs for a fire and shrubs (Bears Achievement 21d).

The wolves joined us tonight. They were able to sign a couple of things off from their books as well (Wolf Elective 10).

The Bears played two Indian games. The first one they had to hold their left foot in their left hand and try and knock their opponent out of the circle on the grass.

The person who won that round had to arm wrestle the winner from the other round (Bear Elective 24b). We learned that their games are very similar to our own childhood favorites!

The boys used many of the Indian symbols or picture words on their tepees (Wolf Elective 10f). They will be on display at the Arrow of Light ceremony that is coming up on Tuesday, August 21st. We are going to have a real life Order of the Arrow ceremony performed by Dennis McLaughlin. It should be a real treat!

The Webelos were off on a Nature Hike and finished the Forester section. Way to go boys!!!

Day Camp

July 25-27, 2012--Day Camp at Camp Sekani with:

Casper E, Jake H, Michael S, Garrett M, Ethan V, Trevin L, Braden E, Trevor S, and Trevor K (not shown)

East Valley ward cub scouts attended the Dig It Dinosaurs Twilight day camp, held at Camp Sekani. It was a 3-day whirlwind of fun, sport, and achievements!

After our welcome and getting fresh, bright shirts...it was off to our activities. The boys started by doing some raptor research and dissecting owl pellets.

There were lots of tiny bones and mouse skulls found in the hard ball of fur. They had a discussion about the birds of prey and the ecosystem that we all live in.

Some of the boys didn't want to touch the pellets...and some got right in and went to work!

They worked on flag etiquette and practiced folding Old Glory. Each of the days started with hoisting the flag, and ended with a solemn flag ceremony.

It was good to be reminded of our freedoms and privileges that we take for granted that are symbolized in our flag.


The boys practice their whittling skills at a bar of soap. Dinosaur stencils and patterns were handed out, but some chose to carve from their own creativity.


Everyone used their mad carving skills. And they smelled wonderful.

Then it was off to the long-awaited archery range.

Each of the boys went their the range rules and commands.

They were able to practice each of the three days.


The boys had 5 arrows to nock and shoot.


The first day, the boys aimed at the bulls eyes. The second day, the aimed for balloons. The third day, they aimed for a happy face. It was great sport.

It was hard to forget that then you retrieved your arrows, you were supposed to walk like a zombie!

Wildlife officers from Turnbull, just outside of Cheney, came and talked to the boys about respecting nature. They had them cast a wildlife print of an assortment of 30 different animal footprints. The plaster of Paris set up during the day and they were able to bring them home. How cool is that?!

Each of the boys were able to accomplish a list of things that can be signed off in their books.

Take a minute to go through the activities with your boys and update those achievements!!

Even though it was HOT all three days--each of the boys had a great time. BB guns, bows and arrows, water games...what was not to love?

We couldn't have pulled this off without all the help from the various den and primary leaders. THANK YOU for sending your boys and for coming to help. It was awesome, and so WORTH it in the end!!

WOLVES
Flag Etiquette Class satisfied: Requirement 2: a, c, e, f, g
Archery Classes satisfied:
Elective: 20c
Safari Skills satisfied:
Elective 23b; 23g
The Buddy system:
Elective 23d
Attending Day Camp:
Elective 23e; 23h
BB Guns:
Elective 20n
Outdoor Games satisfies:
Elective 20o; Elective 4f
Camp Songs satisfies:
Elective 11c

BEARS
Raptor Research (Owl Pellets):
***Achievement 5a—if they make a poster (all boys)
Tracks Class satisfies:
Achievement 5c (all but Casper)
Tracks Molds satisfies:
Elective 9a (Trevin, Garrett)
Going to Camp:
Achievement 5d; Elective 25f (all boys)
Safari skills satisfies:
Elective 25a (all but Casper)
Carnivorous Campfire:
Elective 25c (Trevin, Casper)
Hike satisfies:
Elective 25b (only Casper)
Flag Etiquette and ceremonies:
Achievement 3a; 3h; 3i; 3j (T, C, G)
Soap Carving satisfies:
Achievement 19c (Trevin, Casper)
Knots satisfies:
Achievement 22a, b, c (only Casper)
Archery satisfies:
Elective 20a (all boys)
BB Guns satisfies:
Elective 20f (all boys)
Outdoor Games:
Achievement 15 b, c (all boys)

WEBELOS
Sportsman pin:
Archery--#3
BB Guns--#3
Ultimate Fisbee--#4
Geologist:
Fossil finds--#7
Showman:
Singing with Den--#9
Naturalist 1a; 4; 9:
Tracks and Turnbull visitors
How we show interest and respect for the environment
Hike in nature area
Outdoorsman 5—
Leave No Trace Discussions
Outdoorsman 11:
Knots
Citizenship:
3, 4, 5
Artist 9:
Soap creations

Flag-Folding

During our patriotic holidays and thoughts, cub scouts might take an opportunity to practice folding 'Old Glory' according to proper flag etiquette.

(For Cub Scouts, look up: Wolf Requirement 2g; Bear Requirement 3h, j; Webelos Citizenship 3).

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it should be stored in a safe and dry place; never touching the ground or being stained.

Being Good Citizens

We are down a boy with Jacob moving on to Webelos...but we are still rocking through our achievements!

We had a busy night with these Bears. With the 4th of July just around the corner, we focused on Achievement 3: What Makes America Special.

We started out by assembling and gluing assignments into the journal books we made last week. One of the things we did while the boys were painting their patriotic picture frames (elective 9a), was to discuss some famous Americans and some of the things that they did to improve our lives (Achievement 3b). We talked about Abraham Lincoln, Henry Ford, Martin Luther King, Jr, and Laura Ingalls Wilder. Casper reminded us that Harriet Tubman was also a great American!

America would have been a very different place if President Lincoln hadn't been assassinated in 1865. It took another 100 years for all people to have the same rights and privileges of citizenship that Lincoln aspired and was working towards.

Today we remember that great event due to great people, like Martin Luther King, Jr, who used nonviolent means to promote respect and fairness for all. America is FULL of great examples, both past and present. The story of greatness is still being written, because great people inspire us every day. America's greatest resource is her people and principles!

We talked about one of the reasons that we JOURNAL is to record history as it happens. In the case of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the famous books that she wrote were memoirs and made from a collection of stories of her childhood on the frontiers of North Dakota and Minnesota. If she hadn't wanted to write those things down, they would forever be lost. And that would be very sad because look at the millions of people who have loved reading the Little House on the Prairie books over the last 50-60 years! The TV series in the 70's brought Laura Ingalls more fame than she could have ever imagined! Each of the boys has an assignment to keep a journal for 2 weeks. They glued reminders and prompts into their books to help this get completed (Achievement 8f).

Another great American that we learned about was Henry Ford. He persevered and kept improving his Model cars, until he was able to make one so efficiently as to make it affordable enough that they soon covered the whole nation and the horse and buggy soon became a memory (Achievement 3b).

We also had a great discussion on what it means to be a Good Citizen. Citizenship is earned through birth, but we choose what kind of individual and citizen we want to be. We talked about men and women who serve their country in the armed forces. And we also talked about the "ordinary people" who serve our country. Police officers, fire fighters, doctors, teachers, and watchful friends and neighbors. Being a responsible citizen is a privilege we all share. Being mindful of our citizenship helps us to make better choices day to day (Achievement 3j).

The boys filled in the information about their home state on one of the pages in their journal. That completed Achievement 3e. They also wrote a Thank You card to Brother Rob Wright for coming and sharing his experiences as a cub scout (Achievement 18e).

After our crafty frames (we used a paintbrush [a tool] to finish Achievement 20c), the boys assembled their own red, white, and blue treats (Achievement 9b) by layering strawberries, cool whip, and blueberries. All in all--a highly productive night!!

Remember--next week is PACK MEETING. It starts at 6:30pm on Tuesday, June 26th. We are having a BICYCLE RODEO. Please bring bikes and helmets for the safety class and obstacle course! If you are in need of a helmet--the boys can be fitted and given a safety helmet at the SCOPE office on the corner of Wellesley and Harvard on Friday mornings--free of charge.

Homework: Answer the questions in the journals and sign them off in the Bear book. Make sure the boys keep their journal for 2 weeks and we'll be able to sign off Achievement 8f.