March Core Value

The Core Value for the month of March is COMPASSION.

Compassion literally means “to suffer together.” Among emotion researchers, it is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering.

But how exactly can we teach and demonstrate compassion in a "me" generation? This article has some great ideas on how to effectively do that. 

• Live by example.  Be the change you want to see in the world.  If you want your children to be selfless, caring individuals, show them what it means to do that very thing.
• Volunteer.  There are many opportunities in our very own community for your children to work along side you.  Don't be so busy that you teach them that investing your time is a gift of service that you take seriously.

I love the idea of being the living example.  Maya Angelou said "be the change you want to see in the world" and I think that living a life filled with compassion is a great place to start!

Pinewood Derby is around the corner

If you haven't had the chance to pick up your Official Pinewood Derby kit, please see Mr. Rodie to do so or be extra sure to pick it up at the next pack meeting!  Our Pinewood Derby is set for April 11.  Registration and vehicle check in will be Friday, April 10 from 6-9 pm at the church.  We will be setting up the track so you can try your car out, make any last minute repairs and check that baby in!  The official scale will be there and we will be checking car dimensions to be sure everything is in compliance for the big race!!

The race will be at 9:30 am the following morning.

There are all kinds of ways to enhance your car's performance.  I've collected some for you here to check out.

Improving upon the weight distribution of the car once you've cut the body out.  Check out Pinewood World.

Are you a physics geek that wants to know the whys behind the how?  Check out this and this.

A favorite blog of mine actually summed it up quite nicely

All the speed in your son’s car will come from POTENTIAL ENERGY being converted to KINETIC ENERGY. When the car is at the top of the track, ready to go down, it is full of potential energy, or the force of gravity pulling the car back to earth. If the track were to suddenly disappear, the car would fall to the ground, converting the potential energy to movement, or kinetic energy.

Theoretically, the fastest the car can go is the speed at which it would be traveling as it fell right before it hit the ground. Of course, your car (or your son’s car) won’t be going that fast since it loses some of it’s kinetic energy to FRICTION and other forces. Friction losses come from the rubbing of the wheels against the side of the car, against the axles, and against the track. There is also a little bit of friction from air, called drag. Energy is also converted into rotational energy, i.e. the spinning of the wheels.
So in essence, we want to maximize the potential energy in your car and minimize the losses due to friction and other forces. While I can’t give away all our secrets, here are a couple of tips to do just that.

Need to find a template to cut your car?  Check out here, here and also a ton of designs here.  Oh, and since Minecraft is SO big, how about instructions for a Creeper car.  Find that here.

Dremel actually has an interactive tool online where your son can pick out the design and it will give you a printable template for which to build his car!  How cool is THAT?  There are all kinds of stickers and decals available at hobby shops.

There is so much good information and ideas out there!  Just let your fingers do the walking!  You'll be overwhelmed in no time!

Fall Campout! Save the Date!

OUR 2015 FALL CAMPOUT IS GOING TO BE A WILD ONE!!!  September 19-20 Pack 1910 is going to FOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE CENTER in Glen Rose!  It's going to be an AWESOME experience for everyone!

Overnight camp at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose will include:

• Three educational programs
• Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast 
• Air conditioned/heated facilities (bunk beds)
• Shower facilities near the bunkhouse
• A guided hike (weather permitting)
• A guided safari ride through the park

The cost will be $93.50 per person

****obviously with the BSA Cub Scout program change happening in June, we will do our best to incorporate the educational programs we select for our overnighter into the advancement requirements for each rank as well as the World Conservation Award

***The Camp Card fundraiser will be a way for the boys to offset their camp fee.

Scout Sunday

A Scout is Reverent.

Scout Sunday is already one of the highlights of the BSA year. But Scout Sunday 2015 promises to be even more special. That’s because this year’s Scout Sunday falls on February 8, the BSA’s birthday. (The Boy Scouts of America was founded on Feb. 8, 1910.) The last time Scout Sunday fell on Feb. 8 was in 2009. It won’t happen again until 2026.

So there’s extra incentive to make this year’s celebration even more meaningful. On Scout Sunday, uniformed Scouts and Scouters across the country will greet the congregation, participate in worship services, receive religious awards and conduct service projects to benefit their place of worship.

The goal: Thank the religious institution for their service as the unit’s chartered organization.

Some religious institutions and the Scout units they serve have a Scout Sunday plan that’s been in place for years. If so, great.

Our Chartered Organization, First United Methodist Church of Keller, welcome our scouts to wear their full Field Uniform and come participate in their services.  If you are not familiar with your church's Scout Sunday protocol, this would be a great time to reach out to the church leadership and find out how  you can help promote scouting within your own church home.  

Scouts that wear their uniforms to church on Scout Sunday will earn this beautiful patch for their brag vest.  Please be sure to notify your den leader as such.

February's Pack Meeting

Don't forget we have an AMAZING pack meeting scheduled for Tuesday.  And, frankly, I hope EVERYONE will make plans to join us at 6:30 p.m. on February 10 at the Family Life Center at the First United Methodist Church of Keller for some rootin' tootin' fun as we challenge each other with our monthly pack meeting like NONE OTHER before it.... We will have an annual CHALLENGE of MINUTE TO WIN IT CONTESTS!!!!!

We are going to have games that are going to drive you mad, make you laugh, and leave you so glad you came!  Don't miss this one!  It's worth it!

Dress code for this is ACTIVITY UNIFORMS (Pack t-shirt and uniform bottoms) however, uniforms WILL need to be worn by the TIGER DEN ONLY long enough to do the Flag Ceremony and then they are welcome to put on their Pack T-shirt if they own one.  If they'd like to buy one, please see a leader, Chris Warren or April Driggers.  Payments can be made via credit card, cash or check.  Whatever works.  

If your sons have been working on anything and have something they need to show off, the den display tables will be set up for them to proudly display their work.

If you still owe for POPCORN or DUES REGISTRATION please PLEASE make arrangements to pay for it at that time.  Thank you for your understanding.

The next event for us will be the annual Blue & Gold Banquet on Friday, February 20.  We hope you're getting ready for that!

So please make plans to be at the LAST PACK MEETING for the Webelos II Scouts and see if we can take them in some one - on - one Minute to Win It Games!  Who's in?!  I AM!

See you there!  

February's Core Value of the Month is Resourcefulness

The Core Value for the month of February is Resourcefulness.  This character trait is definitely worthy of a second glance. In fact, just to BE called resourceful is a truly one of the highest compliments someone can give an aspiring Cub Scout!  Why?  Because although you may have a great idea.... YOU are the person who finds a way to execute this idea!  

Resourcefulness: Using human resources and other resources to their fullest. Cub Scouts will gain the knowledge and the means to meet situations effectively whether they are working on a service project or completing a den activity.