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.

October Pack Meeting--Carved Pumpkins

What cute pumpkins!! Each was a work of art and amazing!

Tuesday, October 26th was our Pack Night. We had a great turn out of boys with their very creative pumpkins. Every design was fantastic and the designer was brilliant as well. Every boy was a winner because they all get to sign off electives in their books towards arrow points or pins. Yeah!! They were a lot of fun to look at, but I'm sure that the best part of this event occurred at home with Mom and Dad helping each boy create their masterpiece.

After our gathering activity of making ghosts from suckers, the boys made paper sack puppets from the craft supplies on their tables. The goal was to create a monster. Some had blood shooting from the eyes, some had arms, bulging eyes--you name it, but they were definitely papery Frankensteins--Cub Scout-style.

Our pack had our first skit tonight--brought to you by the Wolves den. They made their scenery, read their parts, wore costumes and did a great job presenting it to the audience. Remember to go through your boys' books and sign off all the electives they were able to accomplish tonight!! What great progress they are making through their books!

Each of the boys received their segment awards for going on the field trip to the fire station. We welcomed our newest cub scout--Will Starley and know that he is going to have a great experience in cub scouts!

[Remember: if you have a Bear, did he follow the steps in section 19 for safe knife handling? If he did and carved on the pumpkin--remember to sign this section off. Bears also can sign off elective 9 as an original art project that was displayed at pack meeting].

Calendar notes: Scouting for Food will be Saturday, November 6th. Cub Scouts will distribute the bags in our designated areas of Five Mile and the Boy Scouts will be responsible for picking them up on November 13th!! Remember to dress warmly and wear good walking shoes. It will be great to have help from the older scouts this year.

New calendars were handed out last night for the changes in November. If you didn't get one last night, make sure that you check with your den leaders on Monday.

Schedule Revisions Ahead...

Sometimes the best planning has to be revised. October and November need some of those changes. This Saturday is the Trailblazers Day at Cowles State Park at Diamond Lake. Most of our boys are going to participate in this exciting day. This is my 4th autumn in Cub Scouts, and my boys have yet to participate in a BB gun or archery event. As you can imagine, the energy and excitement needs some curtailing in our neck of the woods. But we WILL be having Den Meetings on Monday, October 11th and Monday, October 18th....in lieu of not having pack meeting on 10/19--but Tuesday--10/26, instead.

Calendar:

October 9--Trailblazers (meet at the Eiberts' at 7:30am for carpool)

October 11--Den Meetings--4pm @ Springers' or Wallaces'

October 18--Den Meetings--4pm @ Springers' or Wallaces'

October 25--no Den Meeting

October 26--Pack Meeting @ the Church at 7pm----Carved Pumpkin Contest

This PACK MEETING will be a Carved Pumpkin Contest. All pumpkins should be carved at home, using Knife Safety (Bears achievement 19). Bring them to the activity to be judged and awarded in style! Be creative and thoughtful in your adventures! This is a family activity and more than one pumpkin may be entered in the competition.

Food Assignments:

Wolves--Sweet Treats

Bears--Salty Treats

Webelos--Drinks

November Calendar Changes:

November 1--Den Meeting

November 8--Den Meeting

November 13 (1 Saturday only)--Scouting for Food

November 15--Den Meeting

November 22--no den meetings

November 30 (Tuesday)--Pack Meeting Spaghetti Feed

Food Assignments:

A-M=Salads
N-Z=Garlic Bread

Mark your calendars with these changes...Thanks.

Pancake Breakfast--September 2010 Pack Meeting

September was our first pack gathering of the new school year. We've had some growing pains with several leaders moving and losing a cub master as well. We've made some brilliant adjustments and everything is back on track and the boys are doing fantastic! Den meetings are productive and the new leaders are progressing the boys towards their rank levels and beyond!

Andrew Barrow earned his Wolf badge and got to pin the Wolf pin on his mom, Kate.

Braden Eibert earned his Bobcat and is off to a great start on his Wolf. Collin Adams earned his Wolf badge and got a chance to share it with his mom, Nicole. Collin not only earned his Wolf, but a gold arrow and 4 silver arrow points! That's tremendous!! It was a special day for Collin, because he turned 9 years old.

Lyndon Paris has only been a cub scout just over a month, and he was awarded his Bobcat today. He is well on the path towards his Wolf. He shared the honor with his mom, Heather. Nathan and Cameron Eibert also earned 3 pins from their Webelos requirements.

After a pancake breakfast, the Cubs and their families participated in a Cub Scout Jeopardy game. It was geared to refresh the older boys in the laws of the pack, the promise, oath, handshake, and some of the fundamental basics of cub scouting. For the newer cubs, it was a great opportunity to progress rapidly on the Bobcat trail.

We have boys who are doing an amazing job in their progression in scouting. Many "High 5s" to the parents and den leaders who are working with the boys on a weekly and daily basis. The den meetings are huge parts of the boys earning their achievements, but the family activities and participation accelerate the advancement. Keep up the great work and see you at another fabulous pack meeting next month.

Fire Safety Day

Part of being a cub scout, is learning to be prepared...in any given situation. The cubs got to tour the fire house and see how the fire fighters were ready to help them if there was ever a need. But one of the key aspects for the boys to learn is how to help themselves and their families if there was ever a fire in their homes. One of those critical elements for personal safety is to take part in developing a Family Escape Plan. You can follow the link below to print off a grid that you can use as a template to create a floor plan (or a visual footprint) of your home and how you would evacuate it in the case of an emergency. Knowledge is power, right? Don't forget to designate a meeting spot, like the mailbox or neighbor's house.

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/campaigns/usfaparents/downloads/escape_grid.pdfhttp://www.usfa.dhs.gov/campaigns/usfaparents/downloads/escape_grid.pdf

If you do this activity, make sure that you sign off the following in your boy's book:

Wolf elective 16a

Bear requirement 11e

Webelos Readyman 11

Make sure to review the sections listed above, as the boys learned about "stop, drop, and roll" and other aspects of safety that can be signed off as well.