Pack Visitor

This week is our visit from the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue and they will be bringing some of their rescued animals along for the visit. Therefore; we need to make sure that all scouts, siblings and parents are on their best behavior! The birds will be in cages, however, they will spook easily and we don't want them to be frightened.

Blue & Gold Banquet

Our Blue & Gold Banquet is here! Please join us 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! If you have not already signed up - please do so this week!

Other Items of Note for the Banquet

• All boys should be in full uniform
• If you have any belt loops that you have completed as a family and that you would like to submit - please provide this information to your den leaders this week in order for them to be awarded at this meeting.

 

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!   This is the last week to sign up!

 

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

All of our Webelos have signed up for this special event. Parents attending will need to pay $10 for food by March 2nd. All other details should be available in the den meetings.

Charlotte Checkers Scout Night

Saturday, March 13^th 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 Derby Details

If you did not have a chance to get your car this past week, please bring in your car with the design outlined and Mr. Irali can take it home for you and bring it back next week cut.

I will try to remember to bring the scale, the measurement box and copies of the inspection sheet and rules each week from now until the race so you can check your progress. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask.

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 1^st-5^th 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 20^th and will be held at Christ Community Church.  Check-In will be from 10am – 11:15am.  The Friends and Family Race will start at 11:30am.  Following this race will be a potluck lunch.  The Scout Derby will begin at 1pm.

 

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 Derby Dates:

3/9              First Weigh-In

3/16            Second Weigh-In

3/20            Pack Derby

4/24            District Derby

5/22            Council Derby

 

Belt Loop Additions:

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.

  

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:

2/23      Tuesday            Pack Visitor: Carolina Waterfowl Rescue

2/26      Friday               Blue & Gold Banquet at IT VFW

3/5-7     Fri-Sunday        Webelos Woods

3/9        Tuesday            Den Meeting / First Derby Car Weigh In

3/13      Saturday           Scout Night with the Checkers

3/16      Tuesday            Den Meeting / 2^nd Derby Car Weigh In

3/20      Saturday           Pinewood Derby

 

 

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