The Weekly Newsletter of Cub Scout Pack 97
Happy Birthday!
Today is the official 100th Birthday of Scouting – which makes it a birthday for all us scouts! Have your scout blow out a candle and make a wish for a happy and prosperous 100 more!
This is the week! Hard to believe we are a month from our Pinewood Derby already! This party allows you to have your son draw his basic design onto the block of wood (make sure you draw both the side and top cuts if necessary) and have the major cuts made for him. We will try to have at least one saw set-up at 6pm to allow enough time for everyone to get a chance to have theirs cut before the end of the regular den meeting. Those participating in the friends and family race (or the Drag Nationals – see more on this new race below) may also bring their car to be cut; though they will have to wait until after all scout cars are completed. We have several cars available for purchase at $4 each. Scouts will still have den meetings throughout the party. The boys will usually be pulled out one den at a time to watch their cars cut and will then return to their den meetings. This will occur rain or shine!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Scout Sunday and especially to James and his volunteers for participating in the service. A wonderful message as always, James! Thank you also to everyone for your wonderful donations to the church. If anyone still has items but was unable to attend the service, please bring them to me in the kitchen this week and I’ll be sure to add them to the collection.
Though I have not yet received a phone call or information from Shiloh directly – it is posted on the
Our Blue & Gold Banquet is scheduled for Friday, February 26th at 6:30pm at the Indian Trail VFW. This is a very special night for your scout as he will be earning his rank badge which he has been working on throughout the year. Therefore, if you would like to invite special guests, we encourage you to do so! A sign-up sheet is out for this event; please sign up by February 16th so we can plan food accordingly.
Father and Son Cake Bake
Last year was the introduction of the Father and Son Cake Bake at our Blue and Gold Banquet and it went so well we have decided to make it an annual event! So, boys and men - get out your bake pans, frosting, candy, etc and prepare to bake! There are only a few simple rules, which you will find listed below. Winners will be chosen for each category and all cakes will be served after the competition. We look forward to seeing and eating your creative masterpieces! Please sign up and indicate the category you are entering by February 23rd.
1. All cakes should be entered into one of the following categories:
· Animal Themed Cake
· Sports Themed Cake
· Toy/Character Themed Cake
· Scouting Themed Cake
An award for the “best” cake in each category will be presented. All scouts will also vote for one cake to receive the Fan Favorite award.
2. The primary/largest portion of the cake must be cake/brownie/cookie or other baked good. You may use a cake mix, or make one from scratch. You may use pre-made icing or mixes. The primary piece(s) of the cake must be made, not purchased
3. You may use non-edible decorations on your cake; however, they must all be visible and easily removable for serving. Please watch for choking hazards. Do not embed hard items like candy inside the cake. Small edible items are OK as long as they are visible.
4. Absolutely no female or family baking expert may help with the cake. This also includes answering questions. The cake must be baked and decorated by the scout and his dad (or male helper - this may be a Grandfather, other relative, family friend, neighbor or mentor). Dad should be there to assist and handle the oven part, and they should work together, but let the boys lead the way and have fun creating something wonderful!
5. The scout and his dad must do all the shopping, preparation, baking and decorating on their own. THEY MUST ALSO CLEAN THE KITCHEN WHEN THEY’RE DONE – NO MESS FOR MOM TO CLEAN UP!
6. Have fun!!!
Webelos Woods
The Central North Carolina Council will be hosting its annual Spring Webelos Woods at Camp John J. Barnhardt on March 5 – 7, 2010. This event allows Webelos to camp, cook, and participate in a variety of outdoor activities as a den and will serve as preparation for their promotion into the ranks of Boy Scouting. Program highlights will include shooting sports, climbing and bouldering, first aid, fire building, compass orienteering, and knot tying. All of this will be topped off with a special campfire on Saturday evening that will include a solemn ceremony to welcome them into the ranks of Boy Scouting. In order for Webelos to practice their cooking skills, each den will be responsible for cooking their own meals throughout the weekend. This event is limited to current Webelos I & II (and their parent) and to the first 250 participants signed up for the entire council. Therefore, the deadline for registration is February 16th. See your Webelos leader and/or sign up with Amy.
Charlotte Checkers Scout Night
Saturday, March 13th celebrate Scout night with the Charlotte Checkers as they take on the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7pm. Corner Section tickets are $8 and Attack Zone tickets are $15. All Scouts will receive a free drawstring backpack. This is not a scheduled Pack event so scouts are not covered by the pack. Registration must be completed by pack, however, so please sign up and submit payment no later than March 9th. If payment has not been received by this date – tickets will not be ordered.
Pinewood
Here is all the information currently available for the Pinewood Derby.
Race Rules
w Cars are to be constructed from BSA kits and must be a new car each year. They should be created by the scout with minimal to no assistance from others. For the Pack Derby, upon registration, scouts will draw numbers to determine their poll placing on the bracket. Races will then be conducted as dictated by the bracket. Each race will contain 2 cars; best of 3 races continues to the winner’s bracket and the other car will proceed to the losing bracket; until the car has lost twice and is then eliminated from the race. Trophies will be awarded for the cars finishing 1st-5th and a Fan Favorite winner will also be selected by the scouts.
Car Rules
w In order for cars to also qualify for district and council racing; we will be following the same rules as set by our council, which can be found here: Pinewood Derby Rules
Registration
w All cars must be pre-registered and complete an Inspection Sheet with Amy to be allowed to race in the derby. This not only ensures the cars meet the rules; but so that we can also prepare the brackets in advance. This must be complete by the Second Weigh-in Meeting.
Weigh-In Meetings
w All cars need to be weighed and checked in prior to the derby. The 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 complete the Inspection Sheet; or you can wait until the second weigh in date to make additional modifications before completing the Inspection Sheet.
Race Day
w Our Pack 97 Pinewood Derby Race is scheduled for March 20th and will be held at
Friends and Family Race
w Any non-scout wishing to enter a car in the Friends and Family Race is encouraged to do so! They must follow all rules the same as the scouts; including pre-inspection and registration by the end of the second Weigh-In Meeting. We have extra cars available for purchase at $4 each - or you can purchase one from the scout store.
Pack 97 Drag Nationals *NEW ADDITION
w Several of the leaders and other fathers have declared the need to hold a third race called the Pack 97 Drag Nationals. There will be no trophies – just bragging rights. This race will take place after the other 2 races have finished and the trophies have been awarded. The only BSA rules that will apply to this race are for the size and weight. Everything else is fair game. You can use whatever non BSA parts and techniques you like to see if you can make the fastest car.
District & Council Derbies
w The winners from our Pack Derby will automatically qualify to enter the District Derby. There is generally also an open race scheduled the morning of the District where scouts who did not win can attempt to qualify for the race. The only way to qualify for the Council Derby is by winning the District Derby.
Summary of
2/9 Cutting Party
3/9 First Weigh-In
3/16 Second Weigh-In
3/20 Pack
4/24 District
5/22 Council
Belt
As you may have noticed at the past 2 Pack Meetings – some new belt loops were recently announced. We just purchased a new book which you can refer to for the requirements or you can visit the following links on-line for each new belt loop.
Those specifically added in November of 2009 are: Disabilities Awareness, Family Travel, Good Manners, Nutrition, Pet Care, Photography Reading and Writing, Video Games, Hiking, Hockey, Horseback Riding, Kickball, and Skateboarding.
Second Installment of Dues
There are still a few scouts that we have not received dues payments for; please make sure it is paid this week or you speak to Amy regarding a delayed payment plan.
Continuing to Respecting Our Facility
Please continue to follow these rules for respecting our facility:
· There is to be ABSOLUTELY NO ONE allowed in or on the playground equipment at ALL TIMES.
· The area within the fence is off limits
· Leave No Trace
· Scouts are only to be dismissed from den meetings directly to a parent.
Calendar overview of upcoming events:
2/9 Tuesday Den Meeting & Car Cutting Party
2/21 Sunday Winterplace Skiing (non-pack event)
2/26 Friday Blue & Gold Banquet at IT VFW
3/5-7 Fri-Sunday Webelos Woods
3/9 Tuesday Den Meeting / First
3/13 Saturday Scout Night with the Checkers
3/16 Tuesday Den Meeting / 2nd
3/20 Saturday Pinewood
Don’t forget your 24/7 access to Pack 97 info and photos at www.pack97scouts.com If you have any photos you would like added to the site, please send them to me.
As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me or Anthony
See you Tuesday night!
Amy