Memorial Day

I share this post every year and will continue to as it serves as a genuinely poignant reminder of the freedoms we take for granted and the sacrifice so many have made to our country.  I want to wish all of our Pack 1910 family a Happy Memorial Day.

While many Americans will celebrate Memorial Day with hot dogs, hamburgers and a day off... let us not forget what this day is really all about.  Memorial Day is not about 20% off sales and lounging by the pool.  Memorial Day is a day of honor and respect for our fallen... and sometimes forgotten.  

Photo source

Photo source

From the US Memorial Day website, Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America. Over two dozen cities and towns claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it’s difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day.

Regardless of the exact date or location of its origins, one thing is clear – Memorial Day was borne out of the Civil War and a desire to honor our dead. It was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed. The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle.

On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.  

 


I encourage all Pack 1910 families to engage in something meaningful this weekend to help instill in our Cubs a purpose for this day.  Let's raise a generation that doesn't forget. The National Memorial Day Parade takes place tomorrow at 1pm CST and you will be able to view it live here.  More on the parade can be found here.

Troop 1910 and Troop 32 in Keller will be assisting the Mt. Gilead Cemetery with a ceremony that I would like to invite ALL of our Pack family to attend.  There is plenty of shade, but please be prepared to bring your own chairs.  Any scouts please wear full Field Uniform.  There is usually quite an impressive but brief service and flag retirement... they've even had historical reenactors present as well in the past.  It's definitely worthy of attendance.  You may park in the church across the street. The address is 1352 Bancroft Road in Keller.  Again, the ceremony begins at 11 am.  The Rotary Club will serve hot dogs and light refreshments after the service.

We have added to our Pack Calendar a special entry on Memorial Day.  At 3pm -- no matter where you are, what you are doing or whose company you are sharing -- please stop and take a moment to gather your family and friends together to remember those who have fallen in service to our great nation.  Memorial Day is more than a cookout, it's a time to be in thought for those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice as well as their families.  The National Moment of Remembrance is at 3pm, local time, wherever you are. Unite with Americans everywhere to show that we have not forgotten that freedom isn't free.  We are the home of the free BECAUSE of the brave!  

Here is a Memorial Day Tribute you could watch with your family.  

Cub Scouts Is For Families!

Bridging Potluck

The culmination and celebration of a year of hard work is something Pack 1910 scouts look forward to.  Our annual bridging celebration and potluck is definitely one of our most anticipated events. It is THIS SUNDAY!

The Scouts will begin with a graduation ceremony where they bridge to their new ranks in the prayer garden of the United Methodist Church of Keller at 3pm.  So, please have them present in their full field uniform.  They will be presented with their new neckerchief, slides and handbooks.  

Then, it’s time for some food and fellowship at the Scout House!   

IN THE EVENT OF RAIN OR IF THE GROUNDS ARE TOO SATURATED, WE WILL BE MEETING IN THE FAMILY LIFE CENTER (THE BIG GYM) FOR BOTH THE CEREMONY AND THE MEAL. AN EMAIL WILL BE SENT OUT BY 2PM WITH THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE EVENT.  

A gentle reminder that this will serve as the last Pack Meeting until September. Other posts have been made on the upcoming summer events we have in store! Be sure to save the date for those.

Be sure to check your e-mail (and/or spam folder) for the Sign-up Genius that went out regarding sign-ups for potluck items if you haven't already. In order to make this great event EVEN BETTER, we need a little help from everyone.  So, thank you in advance for stepping up and helping the Pack go!

• Sunday, May 21 at 3pm
• Check your e-mail by 2pm to ensure you know WHERE we will be setting up due to the potential for rain tonight and tomorrow. (This will ensure you know if you need to drop your potluck items off at the Scout house or simply bring everything to the Family Life Center.)
• Ideally, United Methodist Church Prayer Garden for Bridging then a short walk to the Scout House for the potluck and fellowship.  
• Scouts should arrive in full field uniform
• Please remember to bring drinks for your family
• Don’t forget to bring your camp chairs if we are able to bridge in the Prayer Garden
• Sign up for one or more of the slots to cover needed items for the potluck
• Did I mention to bring drinks for your family?
• Oh yeah, and chairs, too
• Last but not least – Don’t forget to bring your cameras!

If you have any questions, please contact April or your den leaders.  Thanks to EVERYONE for a great 2016-2017!

2017-2018 Pack Calendars

The Pack calendars for June 2017 - May 2018 have been uploaded to our Pack's Google Drive. 

The year at a glance can be found HERE or by clicking the image below.

The MONTHLY calendar can be found HERE or by clicking the image below.

While we don't have everything listed, it's got the majority of our big events for the upcoming scouting year.  The den events, obviously, aren't on here but we want to make sure that you have the dates for the BIG THINGS so you can SAVE THE DATES NOW!  

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Akela Moms out there in Pack 1910!  We owe you so much for not only putting up with the stinky, smoke-laden camp-out clothes to the finding of lost whatchamacallits...

...from the rides back and forth to den and Pack meetings to the planning of advancement

...from the selling of popcorn and chocolates to volunteering for those little jobs that mean so much

...from the smiles of support and encouragement to the mentoring of tomorrow's leaders

...from the snacks to the last-minute projects

...from the sewing of patches to the labeling of awards
...from the collecting to the leading

... from the depths of our hearts... THANK YOU AND HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day to the Lion moms who have jumped into this new program because you knew it was something your little cubs would benefit from! You're already taking steps to ensure that this is the best program for him! We appreciate you!

Happy Mother's Day to the Tiger moms who have jumped into this program fearlessly and helped turn this into something their boys want to be a part of!  We appreciate you!

Happy Mother's Day to the Wolf moms who are learning their way more and more through the program and start to realize the importance of Pack participation!  We appreciate you!

Happy Mother's Day to the Bear moms who are learning now that we the program is designed to lead these young Cubs into the steps of independence.  Staying ever so close... but allowing them more opportunities to grow in the wild!  We appreciate you!

And... last but not least...

Happy Mother's Day to our Webelos moms who are now learning to step back and let the boys experience the program as it was meant to be... supervised learning by doing. They're on the precipice of learning to lead each other.  Just like the superheroes of the past, you've equipped them with the right equipment in their toolbelt by effectively letting the program teach them to be self-reliant!  We appreciate you!

Simply put, we just couldn't do it without our MOMS!!  I read a quote somewhere that said, "God couldn't be everywhere, so he created mothers." May your day be blessed!

Patches!!

At last night's Pack meeting, everyone (well, just about -- whoops) received a small clear envelope with their name on it.  This contained several really cool things.  This post is to tell you WHAT to do with what you got!  

If you or your son are new to Cub Scouts, you may notice at some pack meetings or events, that some scouts are sporting red vests with many different kinds of patches attached. Another fun perk of Cub Scouts is getting to collect colorful activity patches for many of the activities they take part in.  For instance, when they turn in their take-order popcorn sales sheet, they earn a patch.  When they attend the USS Lexington (which you DEFINITELY WANT TO DO THIS SEPTEMBER), they get a patch!  Just for joining Pack 1910, we provide boys with their FIRST patch -- a circular Pack 1910 patch to start their collection.  

(Please note, the patch pictured below does NOT go on the official uniform. The official Uniform Insignia Guide designating what can be affixed to the actual uniform can be found HERE or just ask one of the leaders!)

From there, for every Pack activity they participate in, they will earn a small colorful segment (unless it's a special activity, then they'll likely earn another specialty patch to add to their collection along with their segment). The segments are grouped along the edges of the circular patch (pictured above) so that it's a history of their Scouting career. After a wonderful, industrious Cub Scout career, their vests could look something like this on the back... what an awesome keepsake!  {update 9/2017: The segment program has been discontinued}

The question most parents have is -- what in the world do we DO with all these things?  To that I say, you have options!

The easiest option is to just collect them in a box (but what fun is THAT!) or you could let you Scout pin them on a bulletin board. The downside of that is that they may get lost and the segments are small so it does require dedication to keep up with (and a LOT of pins)... oh, and pins can fall out or be knocked off.

I think the BEST way is to display these is on a red vest also called a "brag vest".  These can be purchased at the Scout Shop, online at ScoutStuff or you can use THIS PATTERN to make your own.  There is another online company called www.PatchVest.com that has free shipping and charges $10 per red vest.  Since these aren't official BSA uniform components, you can get them anywhere you want!

  

Yet another option is a blanket.  This is a way that you can carry the patch collection display into Boy Scouts as well if you like. But again, this would likely be something that is stuck in a box or on a shelf -- no fun!  

Again, please know that the red brag vest is not a required component of the official BSA uniform, but you gotta admit -- they look really cool -- especially when they are full of Scouting adventures!  That's why we call them a brag vest!  The boys get to show off and brag about all their experiences!

To note -- most patches do not have an iron-on adhesive backing so sewing is the preferred method of attachment.  If you're not one who likes to sew, most dry cleaners have a seamstress that will do this for a nominal fee of $1-2 per patch for the large ones. 

Cub Scout Zombie Survival Camp

Pack your bags and join your fellow Scouts for kayaking, canoeing, camping adventures, and summer fun with the NEW Cub Scout Program! Four Webelos sessions and four Cub Scout sessions are available. Cub Scout and Webelos Camps help you bring outdoor fun and learning to your Cub Scout summer at Sid Richardson Scout Ranch (SR2) near Bridgeport and Camp Tahuaya near Belton. You’ll go kayaking and canoeing on the lake, go rock climbing, and of course, go swimming!

You’ll spend lots of time in the pool and fighting water battles. All Cub Scouts and parents are invited to bring water blasters (not shaped like a gun), squirt bottles, water balloons, or other water battle devices.

All tents, meals, eating utensils, program materials and equipment are provided by the camp for each camper. The camp does not provide cots or mattresses for the campers. A limited number of cots may be rented for $5 per camp session on a first-come first-served basis.

If you’re the only member of the Pack attending camp, you can be an “Explorer” camper. An adult camping partner, must accompany each “Explorer” camper, in accordance with BSA’s Cub Scout Family Camping rules. You’ll make new friends and camp with other “Explorer” Cub Scouts and parents from Packs all over the Longhorn Council 

Where do you get to have all this fun?  Why at Cub Scout Zombie Survival Camp of course!

Camp dates are: 

Session 1: June 25 – 28 @ Camp Tahuaya

Session 2: June 28 – July 1 @ Camp Tahuaya

Session 3: July 9 – 12 @ Sid Richardson Scout Ranch

Session 4: July 12 – 15 @ Sid Richardson Scout Ranch

Cub Scout (Tiger, Wolf and Bear) are one program and Webelos are another but they run concurrently at each camp.  

The cost is $120 for youth, $50 for adults. It's 3 nights of camping at each location.

See this link for all the information including registration links.  This is not a Pack organized function, but families or dens can participate together. Attending one of these will also start your Scout on his way to earning the Outdoor Activity Award!

A Camping We Will Go!

We are so looking forward to this weekend's campout at Worth Ranch!  The weather is going to be beautiful!  Please be sure you've checked your e-mail for the maps. It was sent out yesterday.  

Camping Do's:

• Practice setting up your tent before you get on the camping trip. Make sure it is complete and you know how to put it up. Of course we will help you but you don’t want to get out there to realize you don’t have stakes or poles!
• Plan on it getting colder than you think – you can always take off a layer or remove a blanket. Put a sheet inside your sleeping bag it keeps it clean inside and will give you a layer of warmth or a layer of cool.
• Bring rain gear – you never know what the weather will be
• Change clothes to sleep in. (will keep you from getting cold due to moisture in the fabric from the day and you never know what you have on your clothes that you are bringing into your tent…poison ivy)
• Always have a tarp under your tent. Make sure none of it sticks-out from the bottom of the tent or it will collect rain and make the inside of your tent wet.
• Allow your son to do as much of the work while camping as possible (help putting up the tent, carrying stuff, etc). HE CAN DO IT!! And will be proud that he did it.
• Store food, candy, toothpaste in your car or animal proof container but NOT your tent. They can smell it!
• Maintain the buddy system & Youth Protection Training (YPT) at all times

Camping Don’ts:

• Never sleep in a tent with a child who is not your own. – BSA rule
• No alcohol anywhere, anyhow, anytime. – BSA rule
• No smoking in sight of Cub Scouts. – BSA rule
• Never leave candy/chips or candy/chip wrappers or food of any kind in your tent or in your clothes in your tent. Animals can smell it. This includes toothpaste, open Gatorade and other soda cans, etc. If in doubt leave it in your car.
• Cub Scouts should not have/use knives in Tiger & Wolf ranks. Bears and higher ranks may bring pocket knives if they have completed the “Whittling Chip” pocket knife achievement and have their Whittlin’ Chip card or badge. No knives with a blade longer than the width of a child’s palm. – BSA rule.
• Avoid 100% cotton clothing…think wool or synthetics. Cotton stays damp and makes you feel cold.
• Leave behind Nintendo DSs, iPods, or other electronics/game systems. This is the boys’ opportunity to get away from all that. Besides, they could get damaged or lost.
• No precious toys/ jewelry – could get damaged or lost.

After camping:

• Air-out your tent, tarp, and sleeping bags as soon as you return home to allow condensation to dry-out (otherwise you get a musty smell that is hard to get rid of).
• Store your sleeping bag loose when you get home, not in its stuff-sack, or it will lose loft (loft gives it warmth).

Reminder that registration fees are $10 per youth, $15 per adult. Payments can be made via cash, check payable to Pack 1910. Take care of this at camp if you wish!

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

When the BSA realigned the program for Cub Scouts, they made being outdoors an integral part of advancement.  Thus, camping is a required component for earning your Wolf, Bear and Arrow of Light.  Bring their books -- lets go over it!

All Pack 1910 camp outs are family friendly events so the whole family is welcome! Can't make this one?  We'll be going again in the fall!  Make plans to join us then.

Completed BSA Health Forms Part A & B are required for all parties attending. If you haven't turned yours in yet, please turn those in upon arrival.

Feedback is a Gift

We sent out an e-mail to all Pack 1910 families just a few moments ago with a link to an end of the year survey. We would be ever so grateful if you took a few moments of your time to help us create the best program for you and your Scout by completing it for us. 

Feedback is truly a gift and we simply cannot change or enhance our program without your input.  Remember...

That being said, tonight is the annual planning meeting and bringing your ideas and vision to our program would make it that much better!  Why not join us at the Scout House at 6:30 pm!