Medieval Times

Pack 1910 members, family and friends have the awesome opportunity to attend a special engagement at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, Sunday, April 22, 2018.

Your Scout will also be given the opportunity to attend an animal workshop before the tournament. Please note that the workshop is optional and you are not obligated to attend in order to attend the tournament and dinner.

Sound like fun?  You may RSVP right HERE right now!  

Please note that there is a 25% deposit we must make at the time of the reservation so we are asking for a $10 per person deposit with the balance due April 1. The ONLY way we can guarantee that our Pack sits together is to make the reservations at the same time.  We want to make ONE reservation early January with any revisions / additions being made February 1.  Final head count is due by February 1 (and we will hope that they still have space to make additions at that time.)

Rules of engagement:  Scouts and leaders are expected to be in full field uniform. Children under 3 are free so long as they sit on a parent's lap and eat from their plate. 

Feeling Stuffed

Did you gobble til you wobbled yesterday?  Why not use today as an opportunity to work off some of that "stuffed" feeling and have fun in the process?  Grab the family, your cell phones and head outside to geocache!

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has a great resource for those interested in this modern-day treasure hunt! People hide geocaches everywhere—from just down the street to the most remote wilderness areas. Many are hidden in your state parks. If you plan to look for those, join the Texas State Parks Geocache Challenge (ends Dec. 31, 2017) or read on to learn more about geocaching!


What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is the hunt for any of more than 2 million geocaches worldwide hidden by folks like you. Each treasure hunt will take you to a fun, creative or beautiful place outdoors.


But what is a geocache?
Geo means earth and cache means hidden item. Geocaches range from very small (like a film canister) to large (such as a metal lunch box). Many are camouflaged, but they are not buried. Geocaches hold things like a log book to sign your name, tradable items for kids and adults, and more.


How do I find a geocache?
Use a GPS unit or smartphone app to find the coordinates (the exact location) of a geocache nearby. Then set out on your adventure, enjoying the sights along the way!


How can I play?

1. Visit Geocaching.com, or use a smartphone app to find caches where you are. Choose an easy cache for your first hunt. Caches have ratings on difficulty, size and terrain.
2. Download the coordinates to your GPS or use your smartphone, and head out to look for your treasure. It might take a few minutes to find the cache once you reach the destination!
3. Approach the cache safely. Some of the best hiding spots can also be homes for wildlife. Open the container, sign the log, and trade a family-friendly item with something in the cache.
4. Replace the container exactly as you found it. This keeps the game fun for the next geocacher.
5. Log your find on Geocaching.com and tell the world about your adventure! Collect a "smiley" face symbol for each geocache find you report.

What should I bring?

• GPS or smartphone with coordinates
• Pen or pencil
• Water
• Hat, hiking shoes and raingear, if needed
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Park or trail map
• Inexpensive small items to trade for cache "swag"
• A sense of adventure!

What else do I need to know?

• Size: The size of each geocache is posted on Geocaching.com
• Terrain: Each geocache has a terrain rating of one to five stars. (One star means the geocache is accessible by wheelchair. Five stars means you will need special equipment (boat, 4WD, etc.) to find the cache.)
• Difficulty: Each geocache also has a difficulty rating of one to five stars, based on how hard it is to find. (One star means the cache can be found quickly. Five stars means the cache is hard to find or open.)
• FTF: First to Find, or the first person to find a new geocache.
• TFTC: Thanks for the cache, or a thanks to the original hider of the cache.
• Ground Zero or GZ: A cache’s location.
• TNLN: Took Nothing Left Nothing, meaning that the finder did not trade any swag.
• SL: Signed Log
• Muggles: Someone who is not geocaching. Avoid muggles while geocaching, so that they won’t vandalize or “muggle” the caches.
• Geocoin, Travelbug or Pathtag: These items have identification numbers. They can be shared with friends and tracked as they are carried from one cache to the next.

Be sure to Leave No Trace of your visit!

Stay on trails for as long as you can.
Leave what you find, including flowers, rocks and artifacts.
Consider others. Don't park in campsites; keep voices low.
Take your trash. Help keep our spaces beautiful.
Respect wildlife; you are in their backyard!

Information courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004.

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!

The Outdoor Code

As an American, I will do my best to

Be clean in my outdoor manners,

Be careful with fire,

Be considerate in the outdoors, and

Be conservation-minded

Outdoor ethics is deeply ingrained in the BSA program. No place is this more important than in the outdoors. Scouting has a long, proud tradition of conservation service to the nation. How do we preserve that tradition?

By being clean in our outdoor manners by:

• treating the outdoors as a heritage.
• taking care of it for myself and others.
• keeping my trash and garbage out of lakes, streams, fields, woods, and roadways.

By being careful with fire

• preventing wildfire.
• only building fires only where they are appropriate.
• by making sure that when I have finished using a fire, I will make sure it is cold out.
• by leaving a clean fire ring, or removing all evidence of my fire.

Be considerate in the outdoors

• I will treat public and private property with respect.
• I will use low-impact methods of hiking and camping.

Be conservation minded

• I will learn how to practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife, and energy.
• I will urge others to do the same.

Save the Date - December Pack Meeting

It's hard to believe but it's time to start thinking about CHRISTMAS already! But hey when there are...

...we've gotta do what we've gotta do!

As usual we have a fantastic evening planned for all our Pack families. This year, we are having a Christmas Potluck Pack Meeting

Oh yes, FOOD glorious FOOD!  NO rushing to try to feed the family before the Pack Meeting. Our Arrow of Light Den will be preparing main course entrees and we are asking families to sign up to bring sides, drinks and desserts.  The Sign Up Genius will be out soon.

What can you do to help? Well, I'm so glad you asked!

1. WATCH for the Sign Up Genius that will come through Scoutbook.
2. Be sure to RSVP on Scoutbook so we know how many to expect.
3. SAVE THE DATE on your calendar!  
4. SHOP for the food drive benefiting Christ Haven for Children's food pantry.  Be watching for that list from your den leaders.  
5. We will also be doing a SOCK IT TO ME "snowball" war!  So, bring a package of NEW solid white adult socks.
6. Like a good Scout, BE PREPARED for a holly, jolly, merry good time!
7. Find and wear your most festive hat!  (Parents, Scouts and siblings!!)

Disclaimer -- PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANYTHING WITH NUTS PLEASE!  SAVE GRANDMA's FRUITCAKE FOR YOUR FAMILY AT HOME... FOR A MULTITUDE OF REASONS. 

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

So, save the date for the our Pack Meeting Christmas Potluck Tuesday, December 12.

• We will pass out popcorn sales winner prizes
• We will have some silly string wars
• We will have a PINATA!
• Wear your most festive hats

One thing we DO have a GREAT NEED for is for YOUR PHOTOS!!!! If you can e-mail, provide them via flash drive, share them in the cloud, e-mail them one by one. We would love to have your best snapshots to play during our slide show and it's always better when we get enough submissions to make complete den... so think of field trips, pack meetings, camping.... rockets, anything! Send me your pictures! Thanks so much!

November Pack Meeting TOMORROW

Don't forget tomorrow is the Pack 1910 November Pack Meeting at Bear Creek Park Pavilion 3.  We will be having a campfire and flag retirement ceremony followed by hot chocolate and snacks.  We hope you and your family can join us.  

Be sure to RSVP on ScoutBook for this event to ensure we have enough for everyone!

If there is a burn ban or chance of rain, updates will be sent out ON SCOUTBOOK so be sure you are checking your e-mail regularly.

WHAT TO BRING:  Scouts should be sure to bring a HEADLAMP if you have one (to keep your hands free for reading), water bottles, chairs and maybe a blanket... you may need it!  

Our event will commence at 6:30 sharp.  Once the service has ended, we invite pack members and their families to the pavilion for some hot chocolate and a sweet treat.  

Trained

Every Scout deserves a well trained leader!

The Longhorn Council will give you the tools to “do your best” to deliver a FUN and exciting program to our Cub Scouts. Both the Longhorn Council and our Mustang District Training Team offers a range of National BSA training courses to help make your job easier and more FUN.

If you are new to Scouting, new in a particular Scouting job, or perhaps you want to step up to offer assistance in a supporting role, position-specific training courses are offered for you to learn the basics of your new position. If you are a seasoned veteran, there are a variety of advanced training programs.

Saturday, November 18 is the University of Scouting. If you haven't registered, there is still time to pick your courses and make a day of it. If you can't attend this year, know that we hold it EVERY YEAR!  Registration is $25 and includes lunch.  (There are a few courses that have supplemental fees such as CPR, see the course guide for more info on that.)

Online registration will close on Friday, November 10, 2017.

Walk-in Registration at the event on will be $25 for adults, $15 for youth but does NOT include lunch so plan accordingly if you're a late registrant.

Check in is from 8:15a-9a
Classes begin at 9a and last until 12p
Lunch is from 12p-1p
Afternoon classes are 1p-4p

UOS COURSE CATALOG

CLASS OFFERINGS

REGISTER HERE

Alternatively (or additionally), please be sure to check out the online courses at  www.my.scouting.org From there you will be taken to a portal to create an account and password. At that point, you can tap into the wide array of available online training courses. Leaders, please be sure you are trained for your specific position within the pack by December 1 so that we have NO issues with recharter.

Parents, this is also the site where you should go to take the on-line version of Youth Protection Training (YPT). We want EVERY parent in the pack to take YPT.

Veteran's Day

Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Today we pay homage and give thanks to all of those who have served this great nation of ours from the United States Navy to the United States Army to the United States Air Force to the United States Marine Corps to the United States Coast Guard and each branch of reserves.

Scouting has a history rich in military service as well.  Robert Baden-Powell, the father of Boy Scouts, was a British officer with a long military career.  Much he learned along the way in his military career directly correlated with how he established scouting.  As it stands, many of our current military academies are home to a considerable amount of Scouts - over 1/3 of the cadets at West Point were involved in scouts and 16% are eagles; over 20% of the Air Force cadets were in scouting and 12% are Eagles; and 25% of the Naval Academy midshipmen were in Scouts and 11% are Eagle Scouts.  Thought it's not the only way, it's definitely a great path to being a part of something much bigger than yourself.

So, today, we humbly give thanks to those who have signed their name on the line and said, "Whatever it takes... I'm here for America."  Those are the kind of courageous men and women we honor today.

Some interesting facts from History.com about veterans:


The brave men and women who serve and protect the U.S. come from all walks of life; they are parents, children and grandparents. They are friends, neighbors and coworkers, and an important part of their communities. Here are some facts about the current veteran population of the United States.

There are approximately 21 million military veterans in the United States.

• 16.1 million living veterans served during at least one war.

• 5.2 million veterans served in peacetime.

• 2 million veterans are women.

• 7 million veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975).

• 5.5 million veterans served during the Gulf War (representing service from Aug. 2, 1990, to present).

• Of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II (1941-1945), about 620,000 are still alive.

• 2 million veterans served during the Korean War (1950-1953).

• 6 million veterans served in peacetime.

• As of 2014, 2.9 million veterans received compensation for service-connected disabilities.

• As of 2014, 3 states have more than 1 million veterans in among their population: California (1.8 million), Florida (1.6 million), Texas (1.7 million).

• The VA health care system had 54 hospitals in 1930, since then it has expanded to include 171 medical centers; more than 350 outpatient, community, and outreach clinics; 126 nursing home care units; and 35 live-in care facilities for injured or disabled vets.

We remember your sacrifice. We honor your patriotism. To quote President Coolidge, "The Nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.”

Enter The Boy's Life 2017 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 2017 “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, 2017 and must include entry information and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Committee/Parent Meeting is TOMORROW

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 still have a leadership roles we need filled and just by coming to these meetings -- you could help the Pack tremendously!  You can RSVP on Scoutbook or just show up!  The link to the meeting agenda will be posted in the comments field below the event on the ScoutBook calendar. We ask that you please print your own (no wasted paper).

The November Committee meeting is at 7pm at the Scout House on Monday, November 2.  Come join us!