Calendar

The Pack calendar for January - May 2017 has been uploaded to our Pack's Google Drive. Be sure to get yours by clicking HERE or on the image below.  While we don't have everything listed, it's got the majority of our big events for the remainder of this Scouting year!

Are You Making Any New Years Resolutions?

While the last few days are counting down on the calendar before we all gather with family and friends to count down the minutes and seconds to another new year, we get to reflect on the past year and also look ahead to the new.  

Do you make New Year's resolutions? Or, have you resolved to make no resolutions? Either way, I've got a challenge for you! 

Interested? 

Good!  

Keep reading.

Did you know the top 10 New Year's resolutions are:

• Get out of debt 
• Learn something new
• Help others
• Get organized
• Exercise
• Quit smoking
• Lose weight
• Quit drinking
• Enjoy life more 
• Spend more time with family 

What if I told you that there was a way to incorporate almost all of these into your year just by taking on a simple challenge I issue to you and yours?

My challenge is for you to exemplify and encourage your family to live out the 12 points of the Scout Law in your lives EVERY DAY!  

While the Boy Scouts of America gives us a single point of the Scout Law to have as our primary focus for each month, I'm going to list just one individual points of the Scout Law every day for the first 12 days of our new year with specific examples on how to incorporate and encourage your scout to live out his pledge.  My hope is that you are continually inspired to encourage his journey.  And, who knows, it just might help you bring your own resolutions to fruition as well!

Read the examples given and then recall them monthly as we reintroduce the specific point of the Scout Law that will be our focus and "theme" of the month.

So, while you may not be interested in making traditional resolutions, how about simply setting a goal for the benefit of you, your Scout, our program and mankind in general. How can you say no to that?!

Come January 1... we will begin!  Happy New Year Pack 1910! Let's make 2017 our best year yet!

January Committee / Parent Meeting

PARENTS WANTED!!!  PLEASE ATTEND MONDAY'S COMMITTEE MEETING TO HELP THE PACK MAKE PLANS AND DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR SON'S SCOUT ACTIVITIES.

The Pack Committee helps ensure that our Cub Scouts are offered fun-filled and meaningful events through the year. 

Parents please attend and help enrich and strengthen our Pack. Topics include upcoming pack meeting plans, assignments for the next month and upcoming large-scale activities.  

We have a few leadership roles we would love to have filled and just by coming to these meetings -- you could help the Pack tremendously!

The meeting is at 7pm at the Scout House on Monday, January 2.  We will be finalizing the Pack Meeting, doing Blue & Gold planning, discussing Pine Wood Derby and the Spring Campout.  Come join us!

Cubanapolis

Tuesday, January 10th is the January Pack meeting.  And it is one that you do NOT want to miss -- our annual Cubanapolis!

Just what is an Cubanapolis?  I'm glad you asked. A Cubanapolis is a fun family event where the boys, prior to race day (and with their parent’s assistance) make a cardboard race car that they can wear and run with. Boxes were passed out at the December Christmas party. If you weren't able to make it, please get with your den leader ASAP to get your box!

The emphasis on this event is family fun and participation!  
We will, however, have some type of recognition for various categories for the construction and design of the cars -- so be creative!

Please make arrangements to pick up your cardboard box from your den leader if you did not get it at the December Pack meeting. YOU NEED THIS in order to make your car!

Car Making Rules:

• Body of car must be constructed of cardboard. Tape, tinfoil, paint, construction paper, stickers and paper plates can also be used for decoration.
• Use the box provided by the Pack.  It should fit around your son without being either too snug or too loose.
• No metal or glass materials may be used.
• No items can be hanging or dragging behind a car
• For safety reasons, cars should not have a ‘windshield’

Each racer should bring 4 things with them on race day

1. Goggles or glasses or a swimming mask
2. A small towel or washcloth
3. A helmet (bike or ski helmet)
4. Gym-appropriate LACE up tennis shoes WITH socks.

Race Procedures:

• Each race will consist of 4 laps
• Each racer will need an adult present to be their pit crew

For our annual Cubanopolis to be a success, we want to remind our scouts that what is important is that they do their best, play by the rules, show good sportsmanship, and have fun.

Preparation

The Cub will decorate the box to look like a race car, a space ship, garbage truck, or any vehicle he wants. Construction paper, paint, tape, aluminum foil and markers are all great things to have on hand to spur creativity. Colored paper plates make great wheels. Be sure no dangerous materials (such as glass or metal) are used.

And as always, remind the boys that what is important is that they do their best, play by the rules, show good sportsmanship, and have fun.

There are all KINDS of samples all over the internet, but I've included a couple I found as well just for inspiration.  I can't wait to see the creative minds at work in our Pack!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to our Pack 1910 family.  

My hope is that amid the wrapping frenzy, the last minute errands and the "hurry" that can sometimes overshadow this blessed day...

... that Santa brought everyone something from your list

... that the food was amazing

... that your blessings were plentiful

... that the memories made are irreplaceable

... and that you were able to spend quality time with all those you love and cherish.  

My hope is that the spirit of the season is rekindled within each of you to carry forward through to the new year.  Merry Christmas to one and all!

CUB-O Registration and Optional Camping Information

Cub-O is the annual Cub Scout orienteering event held at Sid Richardson Scout Ranch. This year CUB-O will be held January 7. We are also organizing a campout to coincide with this event for those needing or wanting to get some additional tent time into their program. Obviously, you have the option to camp Friday and Saturday nights or just Saturday night or just attend for the event during the day on Saturday.

Cub-O is the most popular orienteering event in North America. A fun day of hiking and friendly competition for Cub Scouts, parents, and leaders. Orienteering, the use of map and compass, to find locations and plan a journey, has been a vital skill for humans for thousands of years. Thousands of people participate in the sport each year in local clubs and competitions. Longhorn Council has two events annually for orienteering. One is for Cub Scouts (Cub O), and one is held for Boy Scouts (SCORE-O)

The cost to participate in the CUB-O event held Saturday is $19 per scout and includes a 20th anniversary patch, lunch, liability insurance and a Cub-O map. 
T shirts are available to purchase for $12 each. 

Additional attendees (attending, assisting or camping but not competing) can pay $6 for lunch and liability insurance only but must register and be paid. 

Each team of 3-6 Cubs gets a Cub-O map half an hour before the race starts. 
Your goal is to hike in the woods and find as many of the 40 orange and white orienteering flags as you can. 

Two-deep leadership is *required* for each team. So, parents, if you HAVE NOT taken Youth Protection Training, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT!


This is a rain or shine event: extreme inclement weather (ice or snow) may cause a one week postponement. Weather announcements will be made on the Longhorn Council Website and on our blog as well.

Sound like something you want to do?  Well, click the blue area to print out this registration form and turn it in ASAP. April has to have them in hand with payment NO LATER THAN Tuesday, January 3.  Two adults are required to register per team.  Teams will be assigned based upon the number of cubs registered in our Pack.  We will do our best to keep dens intact and to have our Webelos I & AOL dens combined.  

We realize eeryone may not want to camp but please indicate somewhere your desire so that we can partner up families that are wanting to camp together.  Thank you!

Pack Meeting Tonight!

Don't forgot tonight is the December Pack meeting Christmas party!  We can't wait to see you!

Tonight there will be a pizza party.  

Don't forget:

• if your name starts with A-L, please bring something to drink to share
• if your name starts with M-Z, please bring a dessert to share with everyone
• bring one package of BRAND NEW WHITE SOCKS per child that attends. (It's for a game, and then they will be donated to community storehouse.)

We will be distributing boxes for the Cubanapolis race held at January's Pack meeting. Instructions will be sent under separate cover.

Oh, and don't forget your seasonal hat!

If you're planning on attending CUB-O, please bring your completed registration form to turn in.  Those can be found HERE.

If you have not turned in your new health forms for the 2017 year, NOW is the time to do that as well.  We only need sections A & B.

Lastly, if you haven't made your recharter payment, please bring your checkbook and/or credit card. This is the last time to make arrangements for payment before we have to remove names from our recharter list to submit to National. Thanks for your help!

The pack will have pizza, plates, paper goods and, of course, all the entertainment.

Good News and Bad News

Okay folks, we have some GOOD news and some... not so good news!  I'll START with the NOT so good news.

Winds on Sunday are predicted to be between 17-22 mph.  The City of Keller will not permit a launch with winds over 15 mph.  So we must... again... postpone the rocket launch.

I know... I know!  It's horrible!  So that's the not so good news.  The GOOD NEWS is that WE WILL RESCHEDULE!

We won't do it, however, until after the holiday.  Stay tuned my friends!  We will keep you posted.  

The fortunate aspect about being smart for not launching in high winds is that your scout has a higher probability of actually retrieving his rocket to do additional launches!  With high winds... you'd never see that bad boy again!  

Wreaths Across America

On Monday, December 12, 2016, at Eleven O’clock in the morning a wreath laying ceremony will be held on the steps of the Texas State Capital Building in Austin, while similar ceremonies occur at all of the other forty-nine Capitol Buildings across our country.

On Saturday, December 17, 2016 the national Wreaths Across America event will occur to honor veterans at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Irving while similar ceremonies occur at Arlington National Cemetery and over 400 other participating locations nationwide – a solemn tribute to those who served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Wreaths Across America story began over 24 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, Maine initiated a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. Worcester Wreath Company continues to be a major supporter of the project donating over 25,000 total wreaths each year. Over 100,000 wreaths will be sponsored by individuals, businesses and groups from communities nation-wide. Wreaths will be placed in all 50 states, at several locations in Iraq, and at 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.

Oak Grove Memorial Gardens began working with the Wreaths Across America project in 2010 with over 300 wreaths donated that first year and placed on the graves of veterans buried throughout the cemetery. 

This year the ceremony will be held simultaneously with all of the cemeteries at 11:00 AM Central Time. After the ceremony some 2000 plus wreaths, all donated from individuals and local businesses, will be placed on the graves of the designated veterans graves and throughout the cemetery. Oak Grove Memorial Gardens does allow the wreaths to be designated and placed on a certain individual veteran’s graves if a sponsor so wishes. 

The remaining wreaths will then be placed on veteran’s graves in certain areas of the cemetery.  A small prayer of thanksgiving and remembrance is said as each wreath is laid upon the headstones.  Honoring our commitment to never forget.

Pack 1910 was proud to be a part of this event last year and made a commitment to honor those who have served by continuing to participate each year.  Duty to Country.  A Scoutbook notification was e-mailed to the Pack.  Please RSVP there so we know if we should expect you and your family.  

We hope you consider participating in this community wide event of remembrance.

Saturday's Hike - Canceled

The Committee decided last night to cancel December's hike.  With the Pack's rocket launch being rescheduled to Sunday, December 11, having the hike back to back withthe launch wouldn't provide for optimal turn-out for both events.  Couple that with the Pack meeting the following Tuesday, we didn't want to command your entire weekend.  So, December's hike is canceled.

We are still closely monitoring weather and, more specifically, WIND conditions with Dallas Area Rocket Society as Launch Command, they have the final call on the launch. Due to Keller Fire Code, we are not permitted to launch rockets if the winds are gusting over 15 mph.  Right now the weather looks optimal but we are closely monitoring wind.

Orienteering Skills

Heading to CUB-O with us in January?  Want your son to have a little more experience with navigating with a map/compass? Here is a little primer from Cabelas to help get you started!



Teach children the basics of navigation, and they’ll be ready for a lifetime of exploration

First, make sure the kids know what a map is and how it works. Sure, they might have seen you scratching your head over a road map a dozen times, but perhaps they’ve never actually used one before.

Choose a map of a place with which they’re familiar, such as a favorite park or campground. Don’t start with a large state road map or similarly scaled map, all those lines and colors are confusing.

Point out how to turn, or orient, the map so north is at the top. Find a compass rose or direction pointer, and explain how that works: When north is up, east is always to the right and west is always to the left.

If you’re working with a topo map, point out just a few colors and shapes: green for forested areas, blue for water, small black squares and rectangles for buildings. Don’t go into too many details about topographic lines.

Explain the concept of a scale. Let the kids measure one inch on the map and calculate how far that would be on the ground.

Next, pull out a simple compass, such as a Silva Starter.  

Many kids love technical details, so explain how the arrow floats in a liquid, the red pointer always pointing north. Show how they have to keep the compass level or the arrow can’t float freely.

Let them hold the compass and turn a complete circle, watching the arrow stay tracked to the north. Now that they have the basic elements of a map and compass down pat, it’s time to put the two together.

Have the kids place the map on a flat surface, and make sure they can point to north on the map. Now have one child place the compass on top of the map and line the direction of travel arrow so it points north.

Have another kid turn the map, without disturbing the compass, until the red arrow and the direction of travel arrow are aligned. Boom. Now both map and compass are pointing north.

The final step in Navigation 101 is to use the map and compass to actually navigate confidently from point A to point B.

All they have to do is find where they are on the map, and where they want to be.

They should align the compass so the baseplate connects these two points, then turn the compass dial until the north designation on the dial lines up with north on the map. Then they simply hold the compass and spin around until the red arrow is pointing to north on the dial. Start walking

as printed by: http://www.cabelas.com/category/Camp-Cabelas-Introducing-Kids-to-a-Map-Compass/914121180.uts?WT.tsrc=EML&WT.mc_id=email-aop&cmp=EP20151204&seg=cc&cnt=23

Recharter

It’s time again to recharter our Pack with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).  As part of this process, each Scout and leader must register for the upcoming year.  Those that joined in September, should have already paid for this year's fees with your registration payment.

Recharter dues for returning scouts is $100. Arrow of Light scouts are $75 (this reduction is because they crossover to the Boy Scout Troop in late-February).

1) National Dues – this fee is paid directly to the Boy Scouts of America and registers your Cub Scout for the period January through December.

• The National Dues are $25.50 ($24 registration fee plus $1.50 for accident insurance) per Cub Scout.  

• Traditionally, the Pack pays the national dues and insurance ($25.50) for each registered leader, however, if we have leaders that would like to pay their own registration to off-set this expense, please do.

2) Boys’ Life Fee – Boy's Life is the monthly magazine for the Boy Scouts of America. It’s a great read that reinforces Scouting and the good family values that are part of our program. While registration for Boys’ Life is optional, we feel that the content is so important and relevant, we choose to make this part of your registration payment. Therefore, we incorporate that fee into the dues as well. For more information, visit: www.boyslife.org  Boy's Life is $1 per month, so $12 annually.

3) Pack Fee – $62.50 The Pack charges an annual Pack Fee to help cover the cost of running the pack.  This fee includes all program costs and is set each year by the Pack Committee. At the very basic level, this covers the initial handbook, neckerchief, slide for each scout, as well as a Pack T-shirt, the neckerchief, book and slide for their next rank at graduation, all rank badges, mother's pins, Webelos activity badges, adventure loops, pinewood derby car, rain gutter regatta kit, the Pack 1910 unit patches and the Pack 1910 brag vest patch as well as all segment patches for participation and all of the materials associated with monthly Pack meetings.  As you can see, there is great deal of tangible goods that each scout receives annually just for doing what they do! This doesn't even cover the other costs... just what our BOYS receive.

Thus, we rely heavily on fundraising to ensure an awesome program for our youth. Simply stated, Popcorn sales fuels Cub Scouts.

Membership renewals are due no later than the December Pack meeting so that we know you are continuing your path with Pack 1910. 
Checks should be made payable to Pack 1910. If you would like to pay via credit card, that can be done as well. 

For your convenience, we have set up a Payments page on our blog to enable parents to utilize PayPal as your form of payment for the annual dues.
If you are a current member, please be sure you are choosing the correct membership fee structure.

Without registration payment commitments, we cannot recharter your Scout. Awards and rank cannot be recorded for unregistered Scouts.

Remember, the fun things we do at the Pack meetings, the prizes, awards, rank insignia, handbooks, patches and all that the pack provides is funded only by dues and fundraisers. We budget and rely on that commitment from every family each year.

Please note, too, that all new families to Pack 1910 should be paid up by now and therefore, recharter dues do not apply *unless* you have not yet paid as we included the 2017 dues with your registration.

There are also online forms that will be part of the recharter package for each scout. In an effort to make this process more streamlined for our membership, these forms have been made ELECTRONIC so that you needn't turn in anything other than your BSA Health Form. We HAVE to have a paper copy of that.

Thank you for your assistance in making this as painless and streamlined of a process as possible. I appreciate everyone's prompt attention to this matter.
If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours in Scouting,
Amber Walker
Membership Chair
Pack 1910


Links to complete your renewal:

Photo release: 
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kOI1Mk1yPgXp33A8DIUctALjWSpoHWqKWrDRaIedtrI

Volunteer info form: 
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xSbMubfmS4PoA4tyMwCHPk3b9twtU-49FiBgh9gT-qU

Paypal: 
http://pack1910.blogspot.com/p/payments.html

Health Form:
http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/680-001_ABC.pdf

Again - We need all dues for 2017 paid by December 13.  

CUB-O Registration Deadline Approaching

Cub-O is the annual Cub Scout orienteering event held at Sid Richardson Scout Ranch. This year it will be held January 6-8, 2017.

Cub-O is the most popular orienteering event in North America. A fun day of hiking and friendly competition for Cub Scouts, parents, and leaders. Orienteering, the use of map and compass, to find locations and plan a journey, has been a vital skill for humans for thousands of years. Thousands of people participate in the sport each year in local clubs and competitions. Longhorn Council has two events annually for orienteering. One is for Cub Scouts (Cub O), and one is held for Boy Scouts.

Cost is $19 per scout and includes a 20th anniversary patch, lunch, liability insurance and a Cub-O map.  T shirts are available to purchase for $12 each.  Additional attendees (attending, assisting or camping but not competing) can pay $6 for lunch and liability insurance only but must register and be paid.  

Again, lunch is included. Each team of 3-6 Cubs gets a Cub-O map half an hour before the race starts. Your goal is to hike in the woods and find as many of the 40 orange and white orienteering flags as you can.  Two-deep leadership is required for each team.  Parents, if you haven't taken Youth Protection Training, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT!

This is a rain or shine event: extreme inclement weather (ice or snow) may cause a one week postponement. Weather announcements will be made on the Longhorn Council Website and on our blog as well.

Sound like something you want to do?  Well, print out this registration form and turn it in at the DECEMBER PACK MEETING.  April has to have them in hand with payment NO LATER THAN Tuesday, January 3.  Two adults are required to register per team.  Teams will be assigned based upon the number of cubs registered in our Pack.  We will do our best to keep dens intact and to have our Webelos I & AOL dens combined.  

Did You Hear The News?

UPDATED NEWS ABOUT SUNDAY'S ROCKET LAUNCH!!!!

We have been watching the weather with the good people at Dallas Area Rocket Society in order to insure we have optimal launching weather.  They have been accessing the forecasting websites they utilize for their own launches that are a little more sophisticated than ours as far as wind speed and direction and simply stated -- Sunday will not be feasible.

Therefore, Sunday's Rocket Launch IS POSTPONED (again).  

So, we are going with the scheduled rain out day of December 11 -- SAME TIME, SAME PLACE.

Please make sure the word is out in your dens so that everyone is informed.  We will launch, but we want conditions to be favorable not only for the launch, but for all of those attending.  Thank you all so much for your understanding.

Special Announcement!

We interrupt your regular internet browsing for this important announcement. Ladies and gentlemen, the theme for the 2017 Blue & Gold Banquet has been chosen by our Arrow of Light Scouts...

The winner is.... The Wild West!

For those of you who may be new to the world of Cub Scouts, the Blue & Gold banquet is one of the highlights of the Cub Scout year. It is a celebration of the anniversary (or "birthday") of Scouting. Simplified, it's a large-scale Pack meeting with food. On a broader scope, it's the last meeting our 2nd year Webelos scouts will ever come to as a Cub Scout -- we say good by to them, their families and any leaders that are crossing over to Boy Scouts. We have a friendly themed cake-baking competition (they should be quite interesting this year with this theme for sure!) We have special guests. But, the bottom line is... we have fun! Save the date for Friday, February 24, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

We would like a member of each den to be on the Blue & Gold planning committee. This is an easy way for each den to have a member familiar with the process so that when it comes time for their son to cross over to Boy Scouts, they are well versed with how to coordinate this event.  Please reach out to Monica Attel if you would like to fill this need from your den.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As families come together near and far to celebrate with food and fellowship while counting their many blessings, we would like to take this opportunity, too, to wish our Pack 1910 family a Happy Thanksgiving.

The first Thanksgiving was a celebration of the culmination of a successful partnership and harvest between different groups of people and was a further testimony that people of all creeds can live in harmony.

So, this Thanksgiving, we give thanks to children of all beliefs who have joined into the brotherhood of Scouting for the purpose of the greater good.  We are united in a common purpose to be a different breed of person... the leaders of the future.

Thankful are we for the opportunities presented to us through the Scouting movement and the ability to serve our chartered organization, our community, our family, our unit and our country.

Thankful are we for the opportunity to Do A Good Turn Daily by acts of selfless service to those in our family, school and community.

Thankful are we for the blessings of leaders and volunteers who give of their time and their many talents to lead these boys with purpose.

Thankful are we for the bright-eyed enthusiasm as we witness young men take on greater responsibilities and meet challenges they didn't know they could overcome.

Thankful are we for the freedom afforded to all Americans and for those who are willing to fight for it... whatever the cost.

Thankful are we to not get everything we want, but to continue to be grateful for what we have.

Thankful are we for the partnership with nature and the outdoors as we learn to live in harmony with our earth and protect it for the generations that will follow.

Thankful are we for the gift of a merciful and gracious God that hears our prayers.  Oh great Scoutmaster of all, please be with all of our Pack families until we can join together again.

Until that time... Happy Thanksgiving one and all!

Enter BL’s 2016 “Say Yes to Reading!” Contest!

Write a one-page report titled “The Best Book I Read This Year” and enter it in the Boys’ Life 2016 “Say Yes to Reading!” contest.

The book can be fiction or nonfiction. But the report has to be in your own words — 500 words tops. Enter in one of these three age categories:

• 8 years old and younger
• 9 and 10 years old
• 11 years old and older

First-place winners in each age category will receive a $100 gift card from Amazon.com. Second-place winners will receive a $75 gift card; third-place winners, a $50 gift card.

Everyone who enters will get a free patch like the one on this page. (And, yes, the patch is a temporary insignia, so it can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform shirt, on the right pocket. Proudly display it there or anywhere!) In coming years, you’ll have the opportunity to earn different patches.

The contest is open to all Boys’ Life readers. Be sure to include your name, address, age and grade in school on the entry.

Send your report, along with a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope, to:

Boys’ Life Reading Contest
S306
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079

Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2016 and must include entry information and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.