Pack Meeting TOMORROW!

 

Giving Back

 

Our 5th grade Webelos den visited Keller Fire Station #2 to deliver a box of goodies from our popcorn fundraiser to them as a thank you for being our hometown heroes. Thank you Cub Scouts!  

December Parent/Leader Meeting TOMORROW

 

PLEASE ATTEND TOMORROW's COMMITTEE MEETING TO HELP PLAN AND VOTE ON DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR SCOUT'S ACTIVITIES.

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

ALL parents are encouraged to attend and help enrich and strengthen our Pack. Topics will include upcoming events such as CUB-O, the Pinewood Derby, Blue & Gold, our Spring campout, as well as plans for our upcoming meetings.

RSVP on Scoutbook and then call in on your cell phone or log in on your computer. It will be a ZOOM meeting so you can join us from anywhere. 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) and any attachments.

The meeting begins at 7pm in the convenience of your own home.  The easiest way to know how you can jump in and help is to join one of these.

Wreaths Across America

   

On Saturday morning, December 17, 2022, a wreath laying ceremony will commence at the Arlington National Cemetery to honor those veterans laid to rest there.  The Wreaths Across America story began over 25 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. Although well over 100,000 wreaths will be sponsored by individuals, businesses and groups from communities nationwide. Wreaths will be placed in all 50 states, at several locations in Iraq, and at 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.

In 2016, when Texas State Cemetery in Austin, was added as a Wreaths Across America participant, Governor and Mrs. Abbott joined for the ceremony and wreath placements on veteran graves. His remarks to the volunteers gathered truly captured the patriotic mission of this program's mission:

“We're called on today and every day to remember our fallen heroes. ​We must remember their names, we must remember their lives and we must remember their sacrifice, because we are each entrusted with their legacy of faith in this great nation. May we always remember our troops in harm’s way still today, and may we never forget the price they pay so that we can be free.”

While we have Veterans Day in the fall and Memorial Day in the spring, our servicemen and women sacrifice their time and safety every single day of the year, to preserve our freedoms. And in many homes across the U.S., every day there is an empty seat for one who is serving, or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Pack 1910 has the amazing opportunity to once again be part of this movement recognizing our veterans this holiday season at the Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Irving while similar ceremonies occur at over 400 other participating locations nationwide – a solemn tribute to those who served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

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. 

The formal ceremony will commence at 11am led by the Irving Fire Department and Irving Police Department Color and Honor guards.   As such, upon arrival, please park and make your way near the tent on the west side.  You won't be able to miss it.  After that takes place (at approximately 11:30 am), we will be present to do what we are tasked with -- placing wreaths on the graves of the designated veterans and throughout the cemetery. 

What's asked of our participants is a small prayer of thanksgiving and remembrance be said as each wreath is laid upon the headstones and make an active gesture by reading the name of the veteran buried there. Honoring our commitment to never forget.

Pack 1910 was proud to be a part of this event the last several years and made a commitment to honor those who have served by continuing to participate each year as our  Duty to Country. A Scoutbook event notification was e-mailed to the Pack. Please RSVP there and include in the comment section your family's full head count so we know if we should expect you. Scouts should be in full field uniform, but dress for the weather, obviously. 

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

I hope you enjoy the video about how the wreaths are made and the significance of each one.  

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 and sisterhood 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 Scouts with purpose.

Thankful are we for the bright-eyed enthusiasm as we witness young boys and girls 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!

Launch Day was a Blast!

Three cheers that the weather FINALLY cooperated with us to have our launch!  Thank you to our amazing families for coming out and grabbing photos for us.  Thank you, too, to our awesome volunteers who jumped in and helped... Sam Perry, Trish Chell, Marshall Farris, Suzie Donskey to name a few.  We appreciate you!

And a huge thanks to Dallas Area Rocket Society.  Their enthusiasm, expertise and insight is such a blessing to our Cub Scouts and we are so thankful for them.

Here are a few photos from the launch.  A link was sent out to our Pack families to share your photos. If you you have more to share, please upload those.  We do an annual slide show at our Blue & Gold and would love to incorporate all the photos we can of the past year.

 

 

 

Scout Salute to our Veterans

  

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.  Though 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.”

You are all invited tonight at 7pm to the North Texas Field of Honor at Keller Town Hall for a flag retirement ceremony conducted by Troop 32.   Dress for the weather. 

Join the Pit Crew

 

It's time to commit to the pit crew!  We need lots of hands on deck to make this event a success!  Sign up now.

Scouts is a BLAST -- literally!

  

The time is NOW to build your rockets so that you can join us for our annual launch Sunday, November 13. Weather permitting, we are hopeful that the City of Keller Fire Marshall will be approving our location any day now. Tentative location is at the KYA Soccer Fields (behind Blue Sky) at 3:00 pm. Set up will be at 2:30 pm.  Look for the Pack banner.

If your Scout reached the $1,000 in popcorn sales, your rocket will be available in the next day or so from our Committee Chair's home.  As a reminder, we will include three motors in your rocket kit.  That will enable your Scout to launch their rocket at least three times.  If you want to launch more than once, be sure you purchase more motors (Hobby Town and/or Hobby Lobby are great resources for this).

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 (B at most) 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, additional motors, pins and extra wadding. DARS will provide the launch pads and electrical igniter. You do NOT need to bring a launch rod or blast shield. If one comes with your kit, just leave it at home.

Estes rockets suggests something similar to either a Wizard or a Firestreak SST for launching. The major difference is that with the Wizard, Scouts 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).

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 kitsl. 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.

Also to note, when we speak of "motors" or "engines," we are talking about these guys (pictured below). 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. If you want to buy Quest engines, we have a list of those as well. Please note, however, that the C size engines are beyond what the Fire Marshal wants us to avoid so stick with B and smaller.

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

Pictured below is the "recovery wadding."  You'll need a package to put in your rocket for any additional 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!

So.... get those rockets built!  Let's have a blast together.

Recharter Time

Recharter Time! 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 (which includes payment of registration dues and ensuring your Health Form (Part A and B) is current). While our Pack operates on a SCHOOL calendar of June - May, registration dues for everyone are paid on an actual calendar basis (January-December). 

Recharter dues for returning scouts for 2023 are: $150 

Leaders are $57

Due to the tremendous success of our fundraising year we are including with EACH Scout's recharter, an annual subscription to Scouts' Life magazine!

FEE EXPLANATION 

1) National Dues - This fee is paid by us directly to the Boy Scouts of America and reregisters your Cub Scout for the period January through December. Youth fees are $75, paid annually, prorated monthly ($6.25 per month) from month of joining. 

2) Longhorn Council Fee - This prorated annual $12 fee is paid by us directly to the Longhorn Council for the period of January through December. $1 per month based on the month of joining, due in full each January. 

3) Scout Life Magazine - $15 per Scout, prorated monthly ($1.25 per month). Scout Life is the monthly magazine for the Boy Scouts of America. It’s a fantastic read that reinforces Scouting and the good family values that are part of our program. This is now INCLUDED with your membership as a bonus for an amazing fundraising year. 

4) Pack Fees - $63 (about $5 per month) 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 your scout's rank specific neckerchief slide and neckerchief at bridging each May so that they may start their new journey off prepared as well as all advancement, awards, badges, patches, pins, adventure loops, hiking awards, ceremony supplies, and the like. 

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 begin to cover the other costs... just what our Scouts receive. 

Thus, we rely heavily on fundraising to ensure an awesome program for our youth. Simply stated, our Pack is POWERED BY POPCORN! 

Which is why I am so excited to tell you that all current Cub Scouts who sold ANY popcorn and are rechartering for 2023 Scout calendar year will receive a $50 membership CREDIT on their dues from this year's fundraising success! 

(If you've already paid, we will issue you a refund for this amount -- yay!)

That makes dues for youth only $100 for 2023 complete with Scout Life Magazine.

Membership renewal commitments are due no later than the November Pack Meeting. 

Our charter with Boy Scouts of America expires December 31 and there is a GREAT DEAL of paper chasing to take place before then. 

PLEASE do not make me chase yours for filing.

Say it with me now... 

"Ya didn't file your paperwork..."

(By the way... if you don't know who this is... I'm not sure we can be friends.)

Checks should be made payable to Pack 1910 and submitted to our Treasurer, Trish Chell. If you would like to pay via credit card, that can be done through our Payment portal. Please note that the processing fees for this are assessed to you for this type of transaction.

Without registration commitments, we cannot recharter you (as a registered leader) your Scout. Awards and rank cannot be recorded for unregistered Scouts. While we try to streamline this as much as process, there IS paper involved

• we need a new health form for anyone that hasn't submitted one within the last year. 
• If your Youth Protection Training expires in 2023, you MUST take it so that it expires in 2024. You cannot be renewed as a leader with it expiring before the end of 2023 calendar year. 
• Additionally, we need completed YPT certificates for all parents with their Scouts if you have not supplied those via e-mail. 
• All leaders must be trained for their positions prior to recharter. 

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 April Driggers at pack1910cubscouts@gmail.com  

PAYMENT PAGE IS HERE

It's time for an Invention Convention

Our November Pack meeting is November 8 which is a great segue to National Recycling Day which is on November 15, 2022.  

Being that one of the tenets of Scouting is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle -- we thought that's a great reinforcer for a Pack Meeting.  

Enter the INVENTION CONVENTION!

Pack 1910 is hereby issuing a challenge for ALL SCOUTS for the November Pack meeting!  Make something!  Need help with a theme? Pick something Scout related.... think about the Outdoor Code, Leave No Trace any point of the Scout Law or... ANYTHING your imagination desires!

What you'll do is gather items from around your house.  I suggest grabbing a box or bin to collect them and then give your Scout free reign to create!  These will be brought to the November Pack meeting where your Scout can talk about what they created out of reused and repurposed items!

October Hike

  

The October hike is TOMORROW!  So join Pack 1910's Hiking Club -- we're always in session! 

Head to the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge located at 9601 Fossil Ridge Road, Fort Worth.  Directions may be found on their website here.  Please convene between 9:45-10am in the Hardwick Interpretive Visitor Center so we can do our pre-hike introduction including Leave No Trace, the Outdoor Code, a safety, water and gear check.  

Let's face it -- one of the main reasons kids want to join Scouts is to get OUTDOORS! There's no better way to do that than getting out for some good ole fun on the trails. Jeromy Lackey, Pack 1910's Hiking Chair will be your point of contact to help keep the OUT in scOUTing! 

Attendance at these events is completely optional, but... you know you want to come! 

Cant make this one?  We hold hikes -- usually the 2nd Saturday of every month, Pack 1910 will have a Pack-wide hike at varying locations somewhere in the D/FW area. Hikes will be anywhere between 1-4 miles. Oh, and did I mention that we will be logging miles! Why? Because for logging miles -- the Scouts will receive AWARDS for specific miles reached along the way.

Hikers should be prepared with their six essential items for hiking: 

1. first aid kit -- not a full sized, a mini backpacking size is great
2. FULL water bottle -- one that they can manage on their own
3. sun protection (wide-brimmed cap and/or sun screen)
4. whistle -- NEVER blow this unless it's an EMERGENCY
5. trail food -- snack that is easy to manage, not melt, calorie dense
6. flashlight -- I prefer a headlamp. Obviously they won't need it during the day, but we are teaching them to BE PREPARED so have them bring one.

Take this list and let your SCOUT gather these items into a lightweight backpack -- why? Because if you do everything for them, they lose the opportunity to learn for themselves! We will discuss the buddy system before departing. We will discuss the Outdoor Code AND Leave No Trace before and during the hike. 

All Pack events are FAMILY FRIENDLY but please do not bring the 4 legged kiddos unless they are service animals.  

 

Two apps that are a great resource for hiking is the AllTrails app and Weatherbug.  AllTrails will turn your phone into a GPS tracker to help you track your mileage and pace as well as save your favorite trails.  Weatherbug helps you track weather and alerts you to lightning in your vicinity.

We will always err on the side of caution and safety when it comes to our Scouts and Scout families.  If there is only a forecast for sprinkles, we will proceed.  In the event of lightning/thunder, we will postpone.

Cub Scout Camping 101 Zoom Call TONIGHT

 

October Planning Meeting Tonight

   

PLEASE ATTEND TONIGHT'S COMMITTEE MEETING TO HELP PLAN AND VOTE ON DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR SCOUT'S ACTIVITIES.

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

ALL parents are encouraged to attend and help enrich and strengthen our Pack. Topics will include upcoming events, fundraising, our fall campout, as well as plans for our upcoming meetings.

RSVP on Scoutbook and then call in on your cell phone or log in on your computer. It will be a ZOOM meeting so you can join us from anywhere. 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) and any attachments.

The meeting begins at 7pm in the convenience of your own home.  The easiest way to know how you can jump in and help is to join one of these.