3, 2, 1... BLAST OFF!

Please make plans to join us Sunday, November 15 at 2pm for Pack 1910's Annual Rocket Launch.  We will be meeting in the Keller Sports Park westernmost soccer field parking lot.  Please see THIS DIAGRAM for where to park that day and where the launch site will be in relation to the parking area.  We will discuss this at the Pack Meeting but wanted to give you as much notice as we can.

Our MC and host for the event, DARS (Dallas Area Rocket Society), has suggested that the only rockets we use should be those requiring a 1/4A, 1/2A and A motors with streamers / not parachutes.  These won't go quite as high, but we also shouldn't lose as many!  

For the rocket launch you will need to bring your fully assembled rocket, motors, pins and wadding. DARS will provide the launch pads and electrical igniter.  You do NOT need to bring a launch rod or blast shield.  

I have taken the liberty to contact Estes and they suggested something similar to either a Wizard or a Firestreak SST for launching.  The major difference is that with the Wizard, the boys will have to measure, mark and glue the parts together to assemble the rocket and the Firestreak is molded from plastic and simply snaps together (requires no gluing).  The Wizard is pictured here:   and here is a copy of what you get in your kit:

The Firestreak and its kit's contents:

Rocketry may be new to your family and seem somewhat impossible... please don't be intimidated because it is a LOT OF FUN! Hobby Lobby sells rocket kits and you can use an app or download a 40% off coupon as well.  The kits come in a variety of levels of difficulty to assemble.  Some are "RTF" (Ready To Fly), "ARF" (Almost Ready to FLY), "E2X" (Easy to Assemble) and so on.  

Here is a little diagram that will help identify what all the parts are for if you're not familiar with model rockets.


Also to note, when we speak of "motors" or "engines," we are talking about these guys (pictured right).  Packaged, these engines come complete with an igniter and pin for each. So, don't lose the little plastic pieces or the two pronged igniter.  Please be sure to PURCHASE THEM as kits do not include engines since many rockets can be launched by several different engine sizes. Approved Estes engines for our launch are are A8-3, B6-2, C6-3 and C6-5.  If you want to buy Quest engines, we have a list of those as well.  Please note, however, that the C size engines MAY be unable to launch if it is too windy so your best bet is to stick with A and B sized engines for your rocket or at least have some on standby to use as a last resort.


Pictured left is the "recovery wadding." You will also need this for any repeat launches.

I warn you, however, rocketry can be quite exhilarating!  Bring those cameras....and visit the DARS website for more information on their next public launch.  They have some launches where they shoot off the BIG DOGS!  It's definitely an amazing sight to behold.  

As with all Pack events, this is open to siblings.  So if brothers / sisters want to launch, they can bring their own rockets, too!

Leadership Training

It is official.  Cub Scout leaders can complete the all the elements required for Position Specific Training in the BSA Learn Center.  Though, of course, we would LOVE to have our leaders attend the in-person training because there is tribal knowledge that can only be garnered through interaction with live people. (Shocker, I know!)  

The last module, Cub Scout Insignia, was posted last Friday.  

To login, go to my.scouting.org and create an account if you don't yet have one.  Then click on “My Dashboard” (it's the icon on the top left.)   

Navigate to the “Training Center” tab then click on Cub Scouting.  

Finally, click on “Take Course” next to the Leader Position-Specific Training you are interested in taking.

We would like ALL PARENTS to take Youth Protection Training.  Leaders, please make sure you are trained for your position ASAP.  We need that completed for our recharter!

Thanks everyone!

Cub Scout Fun Day

Saturday, November 7!  Why?  Because Cub Scout Fun Day is right around the corner!  I hope all of our Cub Scout Pack 1910 families will plan to come!

So, just what is Cub Scout Fun Day?  It's a day for Cub Scouts from area Packs to get out... and have FUN!

* Petting Zoo * BB Ranges * Archery Ranges * Flour Battles * Bounce Houses * Jousting * Walking the Plank * Softball Toss * Face Painting * Lassoing * Monster Tag * Climbing Wall * Cub Scout Golf * Leather Crafts * Monkey Bridges * Bowling * Ring Tosses * Challenge Games * Wrist Rockets * Pipe Crawling * Reptile Show * Frisbee Golf * Wagon Hoop Racing * Chariot Racing * Soccer * Lawn Fishing * Pushmobile Derby * LOTS of NEW Games *




Early bird registration ends 5pm Wednesday, November 4 so the deadline to register with the Pack is Monday, November 2 at the Pack Committee Meeting.  Registration forms will be taken to Council Tuesday morning.  If you want to register after that time, please turn your own form into council.  



The cost is $14 per Cub Scout or sibling and $5 per adult.  The youth fee includes program supplies, activity insurance, identification wristband, patch, and fun!  Adult fee includes activity insurance and a patch.



The registration form can be found HERE.

October Pack Meeting is TUESDAY!

Pack 1910 Scouts and family are cordially invited to our annual Halloween Pack meeting on Tuesday, October 27 from 6:30-7:45 pm.

Don't forget it's a COSTUME party!  We want everyone in costume!  Parents and ESPECIALLY leaders included!  

We will have some important announcements about upcoming events

Please don't forget your son's Genius Display!  Those will be placed on their rank-specific colored table cloth on the west end of the FLC.

We will have an awesome ceremony for our NEW SCOUTS and TIGERS that have earned BOBCAT.

We will play games.  Oh yes... we will pay games!  We will have fun the Cub Scout way!  I hope you all make plans to join us.  Scoutbook will be updated with the date/time/location and allow you to RSVP, but please come!  

Monthly Pack Meetings are where all dens come convene to experience Pack fellowship, parents get to meet new faces, we all get to hear about the exciting things coming and enjoy the boys having fun during the activities!  After all -- what we do -- it's ALL for the boys!  

Popcorn Orders are DUE

Hey Pack 1910!  

If you haven't already, please get your popcorn orders in to April RIGHT NOW! They were all due last night.  

If you need to, scan in the order form and e-mail them to her TODAY, take care of payment at next week's Pack meeting.  

Today is the only day we have to compile them before they need to be turned into Council tomorrow.  

We don't want to leave out ANYONE's hard work!   Prize orders are NOT due at this time, JUST the order forms.  We will do collections at the Pack meeting on Tuesday.

Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication!

Wolf Den Meets Paxo

This past Sunday, October 11th, the boys of Pack 1910 Wolf Den 1 were able to take part in a one of a kind experience while working on their Wolf requirements.

They got the pleasure to meet Officer Chris Jones of the K9 Unit of the Fort Worth Police Department and his sidekick, a Sable German Shepard by the name of Paxo. His name is Germanic for “Silent Warrior” and he boasts over 200 arrests in just the past year, not to mention he is just three years old! Paxo hails from the Czech Republic and his handler, Officer Jones, speaks to him in German since that is how Paxo was raised and it causes less confusion with the English language when training or in a confrontation.

Officer Jones let us know that training these dogs to hunt for contraband is a lot like hiding their favorite toy. In fact, Paxo has one toy, a blue Kong that he is wild over. This toy is used as reward for finding the scent they give him and he notifies the handler of the exact location by either sitting or clawing at the site where he has picked up the scent.

The boys got to see Paxo in action as he demoed is superior sense of smell. Officer Jones hid a container of cotton balls with one of the scents he is trained to find in the backyard then brought Paxo back to look for it. Took him less than a few seconds! They even got to play a game of tug-o-war with Paxo using a bite vest…Paxo won of course! Afterwards they all got a chance to rub his belly and take lots of pictures.

We asked a ton of questions and we learned a lot. One thing that stood out is that while there are only ten dogs in the K9 unit for Fort Worth, none of these heroes get to wear any protection when in the field. A specialized bullet proof vest for the K9 unit can cost upwards of $2k EACH and they just do not have the additional resources.

If you would like to help in any way please visit www.policek9supportfortworth.org and find out more.

We wish all the best to Officer Jones and Paxo!

It's almost time to camp!

One of the things boys all look forward to in Cub Scouts is CAMPING!  One of the benefits of the Fall Festival is that if you're not a seasoned camper, it's a great way to get your feet wet in the outdoors!


Unless you have an open-ended bank account, don't run out and buy every piece of gear you think you need at Cabela's (but if you do, let me know and I'll give you my list!)  The best thing to do when starting to acquire gear is to start small and simple so that you can discover what your family needs... grow from there.  There are plenty of seasoned camping veterans in our pack that have gear to spare so don't hesitate to put the word out if you need to borrow something.

Cub Scout family camping is also referred to as "car camping."  With a large enough vehicle, you're fortunate enough to be able to take just about everything AND the kitchen sink with you.  But for the amount of time you'll be there, it's really not necessary. Though, a few creature comforts are definitely worth it!


For our campout at Sid Richardson, however, you won't necessarily need a ton of supplies. Since they will be providing dinner on Saturday and a continental breakfast on Sunday, you won't even need a lot of what some of us consider essentials to camping.

To begin, you need something to sleep IN, something to sleep ON, something to wear, personal toiletries and light.  Oh... and toilet paper!  Don't forget the toilet paper!

Below is a camping packing list with a few notes to give anyone who needs that itemized list a few ideas.


CAMP

• Tent (should come with stakes and guylines)
• Plastic mallet (I keep this in my tent bag)
• Tent footprint (this is a tarp to place beneath your tent to protect it from rocks, cactus, etc.)
• Sleeping pad (unless you're okay with the ground) or air mattress (check the batteries on your pump -- we usually do not have electricity at camps.  I've seen people use those cheap blow-up pool floats for their kids... they're quick, easy and if you pop a hole in them, no love lost as they're easily replaceable)
• Cot (you won't want to use this in cold weather as the air circulating beneath you will make you colder)
• Sleeping bags (with liners if it's chilly)
• Extra blankets to keep in the car (just in case)
• Pillow (though you can use your sweatshirt as a pillow as well to minimize your packing list)
• One folding chair per person
• Pop up shade
• Folding table (though your cooler may work in a pinch)
• Lantern / fuel
• small dustpan and brush (I love having this in my tote to help clean up all the leaves, dirt and debris tracked into the tent)

CAMPING KIT
I like to keep a small tackle box prepped with various items that someone always seems to need including:

• Multi-tool or knife
• Glow stick
• Batteries (for flashlight or headlamp)
• Bandana
• Duct tape (it fixes everything)
• safety pins
• Caribeeners
• scissors
• q-tips

GEAR

• Daypacks (to carry your gear for the day -- lightweight backpacks)
• Headlamp (I find these are much better to use than flashlights because they keep your hands free)
• canteen
• Matches/lighter
• Compass
• Whistle
• Sunglasses
• Hammock
• Rope

CLOTHING

The best motto here is BE PREPARED.  I always keep an extra change of clothing WITH socks and shoes in the car in a bag that we hope to just put away at home when we return.  However, if there is a surprise downpour, a slip and fall in the mud or a spill, we are prepared.  Happy kids = happy parents = happy kids = great campout!  Your weather forecast IS YOUR FRIEND.  Be sure to check it the day before you pack and then check the morning before you leave.

• long sleeved shirts (moisture wicking is great, flannel is great - these are great to protect from the sun, bugs and to take the morning chill off)
• sun-shielding hat
• Bandana (these are handy for just about everything including makeshift first-aid)
• Close-toed shoes suited for the terrain (NO open toed shoes, flip flops or sandals)
• Socks
• Sleepwear
• Rainwear (a poncho in the daypack can be a lifesaver!)
• Weather appropriate change of clothes (could be cold weather / could be shorts)

TOILETRIES

• toilet paper
• sunscreen
• chapstick
• insect repellent
• hand sanitizer (can double as a fire starter since it's pure alcohol)
• First aid kit
• Toothbrush/toiletry kit
• Brush/comb
• Soap/washcloth (I like to take a small bar of soap OR cut up a large bar of soap into quarters and put it in a zip loc bag with the soap.  Use that to wash your face, wring it out and put it back in the ziploc.
• Deodorant

CAMP KITCHEN SUPPLIES

• Camp stove with windscreen
• fuel
• matches/lighter
• S'mores fixins
• charcoal or firewood (you MUST pack your own firewood at Sid Richardson)
• Cooking gear (pans, pots, hotpads, coffee pot)
• Bottle opener
• Can opener
• Roasting sticks for marshmallows
• aluminum foil
• trash bags
• Cooler
• Ice (if you freeze jugs of water, you can use them both as a coolant and also as a way to keep your food cold).  You can keep food packed on ice dry by placing cookie cooling racks on top of it and then setting items that can't get wet on top of those.
• mess kit (plate, bowl, fork/knife/spoon)
• Mug/Cups
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Serving utensils, whisk, spatula
• Cutting board
• Three tubs for proper sanitation along with bleach, biodegradable soap, scrub brush
• Large water jug - filled with water and ice to last you a couple of days (they will have water stations but nothing ever tastes as good as water from home)
• Paper towels
• Ziploc bags
• Tongs

OPTIONAL CAMPING SUPPLIES

• Fishing gear (and license if over age of 17)
• solar phone charger
• binoculars
• maps/guidebooks/local bird or wildlife field guide
• books
• decks of cards
• frisbee
• walkie talkies
• umbrella
• balls (soccer, football -- nerf is best, baseball/glove)
• Hacky sack
• Kite
• geocaching kit with receiver
• portable fan with batteries (yes, yes I have used this and NO, I'm not ashamed)

There are some fun websites out there with camping hacks that are super cool.  Check those out HERE, HERE and HERE

Great Texas Wildlife Trails

As a Pack, we definitely encourage our families to keep the OUT in ScOUTing all year long.  Doing that as a family, just got a whole lot better!  The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has recently updated the Great Texas Wildlife Trail driving maps, so traveling on the wild side of Texas just got the bar raised!

Their new maps and interactive website mean there are even more opportunities to discover the best of Texas wildlife, including birds, butterflies, bats and more.

There are nine wildlife trails that invite nature lovers to visit different regions of Texas to view native wildlife. Highway signs mark more than 960 viewing sites, and the website and updated print maps include GPS coordinates to make it easy for travelers to find some of the best spots to view wildlife. The maps also list contact information, entry fees and operating hours for certain attractions along the trails.

The trails are as diverse as Texas!  They include the Heart of Texas West, Heart of Texas East, Far West Texas, Upper Texas Coast, Central Texas Coast, Lower Texas Coast, Panhandle Plains, Prairies and Pineywoods West and Prairies and Pineywoods East. Each trail includes several smaller trail loops, making for easy driving trips throughout Texas.

To view maps of all nine Great Texas Wildlife Trails or to purchase a printed map, visit https://tpwd.texas.gov/wildlifetrails.

Fall Campout

It's time again to get in gear for our Fall Family Camp out!  Our Pack tradition is to attend the Fall Festival at Sid Richardson Scout Ranch located on Lake Bridgeport.  It's a weekend campout that's packed full of fun!  No experience is necessary! This is where you go learn the ropes!

The registration form and informational brochure can be found HERE (two pages, one needs to be filled out and turned in with payment).  Please note, however, that you will turn the forms into APRIL DRIGGERS.  DO NOT mail them or turn them into the Council office. We will register as a Pack to ensure that everyone is placed at the SAME CAMPSITE.  Which, is kind of important if you want to camp with your buddies.  

Registration fees are $22 per youth, $10 per adult.  Payments can be made via check payable to LONGHORN COUNCIL.  Deadline for turning in forms to April is MONDAY, OCTOBER 12 at 8pm.  If they are not at April's by 8pm, you will need to be responsible for registering your family and the youth price increases to $27. Late registrations will need to be taken down to the Council office and turned in with payment.

There is a place on the form where you indicate if you are camping Friday night, Saturday night or if you're just attending for the day's events. Please mark this.  Once we have an idea of attendees, we will decide as a Pack what we will do for meals Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon.  Friday night dinner will be on your own. Dinner on Saturday evening and a continental breakfast Sunday is included with your registration fee, lunch is not.

This is a great opportunity, especially for our newer scouts to get their hands dirty and to spend some time on the ranges shooting archery and bb guns.  They will have an area set up for pumpkin carving and there may be a trebuchet (big catapult) set up to do some punkin' chunkin' as well!  We will go over this more as it gets closer to the date.  They're not there every weekend but we can hope, right?!  Here is a picture of one of them from a previous campout.

Other activities include: crafts, games, bounce house, leather work, and much more!

We will be attending the weekend of October 16-18 at SR2 (that is short for Sid Richardson Scout Ranch, SRSR so SR2, get it?)  Our Webelos II will be camping out with Boy Scout Troop 1910 at a different area of Sid Richardson as part of their Arrow of Light requirement.  So the majority of families on this campout will be Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos I.

Again, please note that camping out Friday night is completely optional but many families enjoy the extra night in the fall air.  Many, however, do come in Saturday morning after breakfast.  Whatever works for your family!  Just get them there!! Because, let's face it -- camping is a HUGE reason why boys WANT to be in Scouts!

All Pack 1910 camp outs are family friendly events so the whole family is welcome! Mark your calendars NOW to attend!

Completed BSA Health forms are required for all parties attending. If you haven't turned yours in yet, please complete Part A & B and turn those into April with your registration.

Maps and Directions:  

A map of Sid Richardson can be found HERE.  Please note this is a LARGE file but it helps to show the expanse of Sid and the area the Pack will be camping in relation to the entire property.  We will be camping in the NW part of the property.  A detailed map of that specific site is HERE.  I do not have our Pack's physical camp assignment yet, obviously.