The Weekly Newsletter of Cub Scout Pack 97    

January 12, 2009

Revised Calendar/Upcoming Events

We have finally had a chance to finalize all the dates for our activities in 2009!  There have been SEVERAL revisions to dates, so please discard any previous calendars or dates you may have had for the remainder of the scout year.  Listed below in the Calendar of Events are all the remaining activities by date.  For those events in the next month or so detailed information for each event is provided.  Please let us know if you have any questions on any of the other items or on the dates.

Carolinas Aviation Museum

Our next scheduled event is a trip to the Carolinas Aviation Museum on Saturday, January 24th.  Please arrive at the museum at 10:30 AM.  Fee for scouts will be covered by the pack and adults are admitted free (they simply ask for donations), siblings will be $2.00 each.  It is a casual tour and will last until about noon.  They have a gift shop on site and a picnic spot to have lunch (next to the runway where you can watch the planes take off) if you wish to bring lunch for after touring the museum. The directions and additional information on the museum are available on their website at http://www.carolinasaviation.org

Winterplace Skiing

Each winter our Council hosts 2 days of skiing at Winterplace.  Due to the timing, travel time, expense, etc. this is not an event we choose to participate in as a pack, however, you are all welcome to attend on your own.  The dates this year are Sunday, January 25th and Sunday, February 22nd.  Fees and additional information can be found through the following links:  http://www.centralnccouncilbsa.com/2009%20Winterplace%20Skiing%20flyer.pdf

http://www.centralnccouncilbsa.com/2009%20WNTRPLCE%20RENTAL%20FORM.pdf

UCCS Collection

Thank you to those of you who have already brought in donations for the UCCS.  We know that times are tough for everyone right now and if you could just pick up at least one extra item during your family shopping trips throughout the month of January it would mean so much to the shelter.  This is definitely an important way we can give back not only to our community but to Pastor Perry as well in appreciation for allowing us to use his facilities each week.  Pastor will be visiting the shelter each week during January, so please feel free to either bring items weekly or at the end of the month.  If you have any additional questions, please see Karen French. 

Food Items

Clothing/Bedding Items

Toiletries & Paper Products

Cleaning / Paper Products

Other

Coffee

Coffee Creamer

Cereal

Butter

Bread

Sugar

Breakfast Meats

Gallon Tea Bags

 

Socks

Flip Flops

Twin Sheets

Pillow Cases

Undergarments

 

Razors

Bath Towels

Deodorant

Bath Soap

Toilet Tissue

Feminine Hygiene Products

Shampoo

Conditioner

Non-Alcoholic Mouthwash

 

Napkins

Paper Towels

Dish Detergent

Laundry Detergent

Sandwich Bags

Trash Bags (35 Gal)

Office Supplies

Computers (less than 4 yrs old)

 

Scout Sunday

The National Scout Sunday is scheduled for February 1st.  Pastor Perry will be including us in his service at 11am at Christ Community Church.  All scouts should plan to attend and need to be in full uniform.  If you are unable to attend due to scout services within your own church community, please let us know so we can still include you in our recognition. 

Pinewood Derby

It is time to start preparing for our Pinewood Derby!!!  This is always a fun event and allows us to see how creative our scouts can be.  Though trophies will be awarded, we should all focus on keeping this activity fun for the boys and encourage them to create as much of the design and execution as possible.  We will be following the rules set by our council, which should hopefully be posted on their website soon. We will also have an open race for siblings and parents if you would like to show off your own creativity!  There are several dates and activities to be aware of for the Derby. 

  1. Cutting Party:  February 3rd.  This will begin at 6pm and will run throughout the regular den meeting.  Most families do not have a jigsaw or scroll saw at home.  This party allows you to have your son draw his basic design onto the block of wood, bring it to the party, and have the major cuts made for him.  We currently have one jigsaw which will be in operation this evening.  If anyone else has a jigsaw or scroll saw they would be willing to bring, it would really help us get through all the cars.  Please let Anthony, Ron or Amy know as soon as possible.
  2. First Weigh-In: March 3rd.  All cars need to be weighed in and checked in prior to the derby.  This first weigh in allows you to check the weight of your car and see if any modifications need to be made to stay under the maximum 5oz weight.  If you are satisfied with your car at this time – you may also go ahead and turn it in; or you can wait until the second weigh in date to re-weigh it and turn it in.
  3. Second Weigh-In: March 10th.  During the second and final weigh-in, all cars must be turned in to be included in the derby.
  4. Pack 97 Pinewood Derby: Saturday, March 14th.  This will be held at Christ Community Church.  Winners from our derby will automatically qualify for the District Pinewood Derby.
  5. District Pinewood Derby: Either Saturday April 4th or 18th.  District is still working to finalize both the date and location of their derby.  There is also an open race to qualify for the District Derby.  Any scout can take their car, pay a $3 entrance fee and be included in the open race.  Only open race winners and Pack winners qualify for the District Derby.  Only winners from the District Pinewood Derby will qualify for the Council Pinewood Derby. 
  6. Council Pinewood Derby: May 2nd.  Time and location also to be determined
Schiele Museum & Planetarium

Saturday, February 7th we will be going to the the Schiele Museum and Planetarium.  Scouts will be paid for by the pack. Parents and Siblings will be $5 per person.  Please plan to arrive between 10:15 – 10:45am.  We will enter the building as a group @ 10:45am.  The Planetarium Show begins promptly @ 11:00am (1/2 hour long) and then we will be free to view the rest of the museum at our leisure.  For directions and additional information, please visit their website at http://www.schielemuseum.org  

Rays Splash Planet

Saturday, March 7th we will be going to Rays Splash Planet from 11am-1pm.  Scouts will be paid for by the pack. Parents are free and siblings will be $6 each.  Please keep in mind that proper swim attire is required by all participants in the water on the day of our visit.  Driving directions, rules and policies for children and chaperones can be found on line at www.rayssplashplanet.com. 

Myrtle Beach Trip

It’s also time to start planning for our “big” event of the year and this year we are fortunate enough to be able to enjoy 2 special activities!  We will be Sleeping with the Sharks on Friday, April 24th and then enjoying a special scout event at Medieval Times on Saturday April 25th.  Due to payment deadlines for each activity; registration and payment must be received to us by March 20th.  We should have more information as we get closer, however, in order to start planning your schedule – here’s what we know so far.

Sleeping with the Sharks at Ripley’s Aquarium:  Count sharks instead of sheep!  We will spend the night sleeping in the shark tunnel!  Welcome/Check-in is at 8pm.  There are several activities planned which include a Scavenger Hunt, Classroom Program, Light snack, and designing a T-shirt or pillow case.  Dinner is not included, so please eat prior to checking in.  Saturday morning there will be a light breakfast at 6:30am and the program ends at 7:45am.  Everyone should bring a sleeping bag/pillow and t-shirt or pillow case for crafts.  Scouts are paid for by the pack.  The cost for Parents and siblings is $55/person.  For additional information on the Aquarium, the program and directions, visit the website at http://www.ripleysaquarium.com/sleepwithsharks.php

Medieval Times:  From Sharks, we’ll be traveling back in time!  Doors to Medieval Times will open at 9:45am.  The Scout Recognition will begin at 11am and the Show and Meal will begin at 11:30am.  This program should end at approximately 1:15pm.  Scouts will be paid for by the pack.  The cost for Registered Leaders and siblings/kids under 12 will be $20.97.  The cost for Parents and siblings/kids 13 yrs and over will be $27.46.  For additional information on Medieval Times and directions, please visit their website at  http://www.medievaltimes.com/index.php

Bridging Ceremony

Our Bridging Ceremony is scheduled for the weekend of May 8th-10th at Optimist Park in Monroe. This is the culmination of our scout year and where are scouts either progress in rank within the pack or as Webelos transition into Boy Scouts.  This is an extremely important event for your scout and one you will not want to miss!  We will have more information as we get closer to the event, though wanted to make everyone marks their calendars now! 

Remaining Popcorn

And last, but not least in this very full newsletter….. we have distributed all our popcorn and have the following items remaining.  Please let Brannen or Amy know if you would like to purchase any of the following:

7 tins: Caramel Corn w/peanuts $9 (circle)

3 tins: Caramel Corn light  $16 (elipse)

4 tins: Caramel Corn w/nuts. $16 (tree)

1 box: 15 pack microwave butter light $14

4 tins: Trail Mix $20

Calendar of Upcoming events:

1/15/09 Thursday             Roundtable (Leaders & Committee Members)

1/22/09 Thursday             Blue & Gold Volunteer meeting

1/20/09 Tuesday              Belt loops & Achievements must be turned into leaders/Adrienne to receive at January Pack Meeting

1/23/09 Friday                 Aquanaut @ Siskey YMCA  6:45pm (Webelos)

  http://www.ymcacharlotte.org/siskey/siskeyhomepage.aspx

1/24/09 Saturday             Carolinas Aviation Museum @ 10:30 AM

  http://www.carolinasaviation.org

1/25/09 Sunday               Winterplace Skiing

  http://www.centralnccouncilbsa.com/2009%20Winterplace%20Skiing%20flyer.pdf

  http://www.centralnccouncilbsa.com/2009%20WNTRPLCE%20RENTAL%20FORM.pdf                          

1/27/09 Tuesday              Pack Meeting; last day donations for UCCS due.

2/01/09 Sunday               Scout Sunday @ 11:00AM – Christ Community Church

2/03/09 Tuesday              Pinewood Derby Cutting Party (Starts at 6pm – continues through den meetings

2/07/09 Saturday             Schiele Museum @ 10:45am

  http://www.schielemuseum.org/pdf/SMNH_Maps_Directions.pdf

2/10/09 Tuesday              Beltloops/achievements due to leaders/Adrienne to receive at Blue & Gold Banquet

2/19/09 Thursday             Roundtable

2/20/09 Friday                 Blue & Gold Banquet @ 6:30pm at the Indian Trail VFW

3/03/09 Tuesday              Den Meeting & 1ST Weigh in for Pinewood Derby

3/07/09 Saturday             Ray’s Splash Planet @ 11:00AM – 1:00pm

  www.rayssplashplanet.com

3/10/09 Tuesday              2nd Weigh in for Pinewood Derby

3/14/09 Saturday             Pack Pinewood Derby

3/19/09 Thursday             Roundtable (Leaders & Committee Members)

3/20/09 Friday                 Deadline to sign up and pay for Sleeping with the Sharks & Medieval Times

3/24/09 Tuesday              Beltloops/achievements due to leaders/Adrienne

3/26/09 Thursday             Bridging Ceremony Volunteer Meeting

3/31/09 Tuesday              Pack Meeting

4/03/09 Friday                 Movie Night

4/04/09 Saturday             ??District Pinewood Derby         

4/16/09 Thursday             Roundtable (Leaders & Committee Members)

4/18/09 Saturday             ??District Pinewood Derby         

4/24/09 Friday                 Sleeping with the Sharks

4/25/09 Saturday             Medieval Times

4/28/09 Tuesday              Final Belt Loops & Achievements due to leaders/Adrienne before Bridging Ceremony

4/30/09 Thursday             Bridging Ceremony Volunteer Meeting

5/02/09 Saturday             Council Pinewood Derby

5/05/09 Tuesday              “Thank You” Project for Christ Community Church

5/08/09 – 5/10/09             Bridging Ceremony @ Optimist Park in Monroe

5/16/09 Saturday             Proposed VFW Community Service Project Presentation

5/23/09 Saturday             Bush Race – Lowes Motor Speedway