BALOO Training

 

Parents and Leaders - we are in CRITICAL need of more BALOO trained adults in our Pack.

What IS BALOO training?

BALOO training is the Cub Scout training required for any Cub Scout den or pack outdoor event, including pack and Webelos den overnight camping. BALOO certification is reached after completion of two components—one online and one practical, hands-on session (in layman's terms -- that means you'll be camping). Both components must be completed to qualify as a “TRAINED” Cub Scout outdoor leader.

The online component which must be completed prior to the practical component contains introductory and basic information that will be built upon during the camping. Cool thing... YOU CAN DO THIS PORTION RIGHT NOW in the comfort of your own home by simply logging into your my.scouting.org account (the same one where you took Youth Protection Training) and knock that out of the way! Talk about being proactive!

Why take BALOO?

Great question! I'm glad you asked. Here's the simple explanation: We cannot camp without BALOO trained adults -- not leaders.. but ADULTS (this means you). It's that simple.

As a Pack, we are not allowed to camp-out anywhere other than at a Council or District sponsored event UNLESS we have at least one BALOO trained adult. We should have at least one, if not TWO BALOO trained adults in EVERY DEN! Why?  Because eventually your scouts will be Webelos and you will need that to camp as a den.  

As a Pack, we have set a standard that we will have a minimum of two BALOO trained adults on every overnight event, because if there is only one.... and that person has to leave... the event has to end. The more BALOO trained adults we have in our Pack, the better off our entire program is.

We know not everyone can make every camp out which is why we need MULTIPLE PARENTS AND LEADERS to obtain their BALOO certification. This is not the time to rely on everyone else to ensure your Scout's program is the best one around -- THIS is a way YOU can make an IMMEDIATE DIFFERENCE!!!

BUT I'M NOT A TRAINED LEADER

So what? You don't have to be! Cool, huh? You only have to be an adult who wants to see our Pack's outdoor program continue and succeed.

SO, WHAT'S THE CATCH?

The catch is that... we need parents to attend! You need to take the training and then commit to being one of those BALOO trained adults who... ya know... actually comes camping with us!  The more that attend from the same unit, you can really bring some exciting things back to our outdoor program.

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE TRAINING?

Our Webelos leader, Suzie Donskey will be attending the upcoming BALOO training being held Friday, September 17 at 6pm to Saturday, September 18 at 5pm at Camp Burnett in Southlake -- you can't ask for a more convenient location.  REGISTER HERE

There's also the following courses available but those will take place the weekend we are at the USS Lexington.  If you're not going there, I'd encourage you to attend BALOO:

9/25-26 at Camp Wisdom in Dallas, 8am Saturday - noon Sunday. REGISTER HERE

9/25-26 at Hills and Hollows in Denton, 8am Saturday - 1pm Sunday. REGISTER HERE

Once you complete the course, you get a handy dandy business sized card that signifies you are indeed a BALOO trained adult. KEEP THAT CARD IN YOUR WALLET! It has to be on your person for overnight events. Oh, and Pack leadership -- we need a copy of that!

The only way to make our program BE the best one around, is to personally invest in it!

BALOO is one or two evenings with some amazing leadership and parents just like you who want to see their Scout's unit be awesome! Such a small investment with a huge payoff for everyone! Plus if you attend, you'll become one of my heroes. So who's going to sign up and join Suzie in September?

Scout Night at the Cleburne Railroaders

Membership has its privileges and one of those is to attend Scout Night at the Cleburne Railroaders!

Cost is $20 per person and includes: game admission, hot dog & soda, field access after the game for a SLEEP OUT ON THE FIELD, nighttime movie on the jumbo screen, Dutch oven cobbler cookoff and breakfast the following morning -- oh, and don't forget a patch!

Longhorn Council's own Executive, Wendy Shaw, will be throwing the first pitch.

Call and book your seats today or visit:  https://ilovetexasbaseball.com to register for this event enjoying America's favorite pasttime.

Who:  Scouts, friends and family

What: a night of baseball, movie and camping on the field

Where: 1906 Brazzle Blvd., Cleburne 

When:  Saturday, August 21, 7:05 pm

Why:  Cause... WHY NOT!?  Plus, it's cancer awareness night. 

Join scouts from all over Longhorn Council

Click the image below for the flyer.

Summer of Service - Artful Advancement

 

Artful Advancement

Attention Pack 1910 

Our goal is to bring our scouting and environmentally friendly ideals to the Keller Rock Art Trail, so we are painting rocks to share our message. This project can be done independently.

If you need rocks to paint please reach out to Keriane Cully. 

You can drop your completed rocks off at the Keller Rock Art trail anytime from now through the end of August. Look out for our Pack 1910 section!   (Can we all just take a moment and give some major props to Mrs. Cully for this AMAZING JOB?  SHE MADE ROCK HANDBOOKS Y'ALL!)

Don't forget to wear your Pack t-shirts and take a few pics.  

Also **super important** record your time painting for your service hours log.  Send those to Ms. Cully, too!

Helpful hints for rock painting: 

Sharpie Paint Markers work great for writing or drawing

You can seal your rocks with Mod Podge to help the paint stay on

You may want to write “Keller Rock Trail, do not remove” or something similar. We want our rocks to stay on the trail versus the usual “Keep or hide”

 

So, rock on and then hit the trail!  Can't wait to see all of your creations!

Something for everyone

We are blessed to be part of an amazing chartered organization that sponsors all five of the Scout Units so there's truly something for everyone!

Please feel free to share this page on our website with others you might know that would like more information on the units we have represented here at Keller United Methodist Church.

Cub Scout Pack 1910 for boys and girls in Kindergarten through grade 5

Scouts BSA Troop 1910 for boys in grade 6 through age 18.

Scouts BSA Troop 1920 for girls in grade 6 through age 18.

(Age requirements/specifics for Scouts BSA is as follows: completed the fifth grade and are at least 10 years old, OR have earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old, OR are age 11 but have not reached age 18)

Venture Crew 1910 is a co-ed high adventure program for boys and girls 14-20 years of age (or at least 13 years of age and have completed 8th grade).

Sea Scouts Ship 1910 is a co-ed program for boys and girls 14-20 years of age with an emphasis on boating skills through instruction and practice in water safety, boating, paddling, maritime heritage, and more. 

Links to all Keller UMC Units with contact information is in the process of being updated on the page highlighted above but we wanted you to have the information as we are excited to grow them all!

Spot The International Space Station TONIGHT!

Watch the International Space Station pass overhead from several thousand worldwide locations. It is the third brightest object in the sky and easy to spot if you know when to look up.

Visible to the naked eye, it looks like a fast-moving plane only much higher and traveling thousands of miles an hour faster!

Following THIS LINK you can sign up to receive texts to be notified when the ISS is viewable from your location (Fort Worth is the nearest checkpoint for us in Keller).

The Spot The Station link provides information to explain what all the data means for the notification viewing availability.  In short, it answers just how to spot the station.

For instance, it will give you a text or e-mail that reads 

SpotTheStation! Time: Wed Jul 14 9:14 PM, Visible: 7 min, Max Height: 51 degrees, Appears: 10 degrees above SSW, Disappears above NE.

But what does all this sighting information mean?

Time is when the sighting opportunity will begin in your local time zone. All sightings will occur within a few hours before or after sunrise or sunset. This is the optimum viewing period as the sun reflects off the space station and contrasts against the darker sky.

Visible is the maximum time period the space station is visible before crossing back below the horizon.

Max Height is measured in degrees (also known as elevation). It represents the height of the space station from the horizon in the night sky. The horizon is at zero degrees, and directly overhead is ninety degrees. If you hold your fist at arm’s length and place your fist resting on the horizon, the top will be about 10 degrees.

Appears is the location in the sky where the station will be visible first. This value, like maximum height, also is measured in degrees from the horizon. The letters represent compass directions -- N is north, WNW is west by northwest, and so on.

Disappears represents where in the night sky the International Space Station will leave your field of view.

Happy ISS chasing

Purify The Park - A Summer of Service Event

As part of our summer-long community service endeavor, we are meeting Saturday morning at 8am at Bear Creek Park to PURIFY THE PARK.  

Please bring sanitizing wipes, your water bottles to stay hydrated and meet us at 8am to clean and sanitize the playground equipment.

This shouldn't take too long to accomplish and then everyone can enjoy the Farmer's Market, too!  Wear your Pack tshirts and a smile.  See you there.

Summer of Service

 

Join Scouting families across the country in a spirited Summer of Service! As we have throughout our history, Scouting families are answering the call to work together in service of the greater good. From public health drives, to caring for the environment, to assisting neighbors in need, Scouts have always been a force for positivity and goodness in our communities. Now more than ever, our world needs that Scouting spirit once again. Let’s step up! Together, we can answer the call to make a positive impact in our neighborhoods and communities. 

Everything Is Awesome

 The Pack has spoken and the movie chosen (by ONE vote) for our upcoming outdoor SUMMER MOVIE NIGHT is...

The LEGO Movie!  

Movie will begin as soon as the sun goes down.  We will have lawn games (corn hole and Yahtzee) but you're also welcome to bring your own games to play until we're ready for showtime!

Bring your lawn chairs, coolers, snacks and join us starting at 7:30 pm TONIGHT for a little summer showcase!  Be prepared for a treasure trove of one-liners if you haven't seen it. 

Happy Birthday America!

 

Texas Rangers Scout Weekend

 

Attention all Rangers fans! The BSA weekend has been announced at Globe Life Field -- August 27-29.

There is not one, not two, but THREE games to choose from! You'll get to watch the Texas Rangers take on the Houston Astros. 

Friday, August 27 at 7:05pm

Saturday, August 28 at 6:05 pm

Sunday, August 29 at 1:35 pm

Those in uniform attending on Sunday will be able to participate in a pre-game parade around the warning track - you will need to be there an hour early. See information on the flyer below (click the image to open full-sized flyer or download to your computer).

Everyone who orders their tickets through the form will receive a commemorative scout patch for their brag vest (while supplies last). A photo of the patch is available on the registration form. Pricing varies depending on where you want to sit.

Those interested in attending are encouraged to get your ticket registration forms in SOONER rather than later. Dens that would like to participate together need to submit their orders TOGETHER to ensure that the seats are all in the same area otherwise the orders will be processed on a first come, first served basis. This will need to be organized at the den level by den leaders or a volunteering parent.

Happy Father's Day

 

A big shout out to all of the awesome dads that make up the true workforce behind Pack 1910. Without you, we would be lost! Sometimes we perceive many benchmark holidays as fabrications by the flower, jewelry or candy companies for the obligatory "atta boy" shout outs but I believe Father's Day is a day that we should all recognize the important contributions that fathers make to their families.

A girl's first prince, a boy's first hero. A builder of self-confidence, a strong and valiant leader. A father sets the stage on what his children will mirror in being a future leader and role model.

We celebrate those dads that jump in with both feet and take an active role in parenting by being present. Your presence IS a present! By attending school functions, sports practices as well as helping supervise camping trips and even den meetings... we all thank you and wish you a Happy Father's Day!

Volunteer Opportunity

We have an easy behind-the-scenes volunteer position available for someone interested in helping out the Pack.

I am looking for someone to be our t-shirt coordinator. 

This person will maintain the inventory of Pack t-shirts and work in tandem with our Membership Chair to ensure new members receive their t-shirts in a timely fashion. This position would entail keeping an accurate inventory, helping place orders for additional t-shirts/sweatshirts, confirming payment with our Treasurer for additional t-shirt orders and then either bringing the supply to our Pack meetings or, at the very minimum, ensuring that orders placed prior to the Pack meeting are there for pick up.  

Can you lend a hand?  Contact April Driggers today!

Memorial Day Ceremony - Canceled Due to Rain

 

The Memorial Day Ceremony at Mt. Gilead has been canceled. We just can't catch a break this year!  

Memorial Day 2021

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.

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.

Summer of Service

Join Scouting families across the country in a spirited Summer of Service! As we have throughout our history, Scouting families are answering the call to work together in service of the greater good. From public health drives, to caring for the environment, to assisting neighbors in need, Scouts have always been a force for positivity and goodness in our communities. Now more than ever, our world needs that Scouting spirit once again. Let’s step up! Together, we can answer the call to make a positive impact in our neighborhoods and communities. 

 

A Scout is…Kind

It’s part of our Oath and Law to “help other people at all times” and to be helpful, courteous, and kind. This summer, let’s be helpful and kind through service, with a focus on our environment!

Pack 1910 will concentrate our Summer of Service efforts on the Keller Bear Creek Park System. 

Throughout the summer we will have several opportunities for your scout to impact the trails and parks that we all enjoy right here in our local Community. 

Trash Trek: June 26th and June 27th

We will pick up trash along the trail system and any of the parks along the way. Our goal is to keep the Keller parks beautiful and trash free!

Purify the Playgrounds: July 17th 

Grab the Lysol Spray and Disinfecting Wipes and help us sanitize the play equipment! We will make sure the playground is clean and safe for all to enjoy!

Artful Advancement: August 1st

We will contribute painted rocks to the Keller Rock Art Trail. We can paint nature themed rocks, conservation hints, our outdoor code, or just information about Pack 1910! 

Be on the lookout for more information about each of these upcoming events. All scouts that participate can earn a Summer of Scouting Certificate and Patch!  

Scoutbook is being updated with these events and they have been added to the Pack's printable calendar located HERE.

VENUE CHANGE FOR TONIGHT!

Due to the unpredictable, ever-changing forecast, we are changing our meeting venue from the church parking lot to CABELAS!

I apologize in advance that the meeting space is located in the camping section because... ya know....

all...

the...

things!  

However, we are more than thankful we can all stay safe and dry indoors and get this show on the road!  We are SO appreciative of Cabela's for allowing us to use their meeting space at the last minute!

See you guys at 6:30pm.  We will allow a little extra time to ensure our Pack family has time to arrive and get upstairs to the second floor meeting space.  

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 2021 “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 Scout Shop gift card. 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 Scout 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, 2021 and must include entry information and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Graduation / Bridging is POSTPONED

Everyone should have received the email from Cubmaster Ford that our bridging and graduation originally scheduled for today has been postponed due to the weather.  

We have rescheduled for next Tuesday, May 25 at the same time and place as our Pack Meetings. 

If you wanted Subway, you may still order that until Friday.  I have reopened the form if you want to have a Subway dinner for your family that night.  If you'd already paid and would like a refund for your order, please e-mail April Driggers by the same time. Orders will be submitted Saturday.

A gentle reminder that this will serve as the last Pack "Meeting" until September. We will distribute our Summer Calendar of events via e-mail and cover some of the fun activities at the bridging. You should have received your 2021-2022 calendar via e-mail. Check below for a link to that if you missed it!

So, to remind you:

WHO: Pack 1910 Scouts and their families
WHAT: Bridging Graduation and Potluck
WHERE:  Keller UMC parking lot
WHEN:  Tuesday, May 25, 6:30 pm

SANDWICH ORDER:  https://forms.gle/U1mQCRP8a8z9S7e68

• Scouts should arrive in full field uniform
• Please remember to bring drinks for your family
• RSVP on Scoutbook
• Don’t forget to bring your camp chairs 

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 your den leaders. Thanks to EVERYONE for a great 2020-2021

Pack 1910 Summer of Scouting

 

Pack 1910 likes to provide our families with plenty of opportunities to stay engaged and active all summer long. Why? Because Scouting is year-round fun! We take great pride in ensuring that we have a well-rounded annual program full of excitement with new adventures each year for your family to experience together.

In fact, our Pack has set up a specific five-year rotation of different activities so that, for your Scout's entire Cub Scout career, he won't have to participate in the same events summer after summer.

As in years past, we will be utilizing Scoutbook to track RSVP's for these events. This helps the adult coordinators know which Scouts to expect so that no one is left behind and that your son receives credit for awards and advancement. Also, a few of these event do require advance deposits. Once you RSVP, you will be contacted to confirm how you wish to pay. PayPal invoices can be sent via e-mail or checks and/or cash can be delivered to the event coordinator.

One important thing to note -- please be sure you are RSVPing -- even if it is a "no" -- just so that we know you received the information. Don't make me a sad bear!

Please understand that a few of our programs require not only a minimum number of participants and as stated previously, but also a deposit. If you RSVP and are not able to attend, you will still need to pay your portion as it likely has already been covered by the Pack or, alternatively, you may find a family to go in your place and have them reimburse you. Most of these events do not allow refunds. Thank you for your understanding.

Details for each event will in Scoutbook. Today's notification is merely for you to save the date for our summer of fun!

PACK 1910 SUMMER PROGRAM 2021:

8: Family Game Night & Pizza Party

14-17: Cub Scout Day Camp

17: Keller Summer Nights Concert & Movie

19: Stargazing (virtual)

9: Family Movie Night

11-14: Cub Scout / Webelos Resident Camp

17: Stargazing (virtual)

24: Log Cabin Village

7: Raingutter Regatta

10: Campfire & Smores

14: Night Hike

Need a flyer to print out and put on your fridge?  Grab one right HERE!

...that by joining us for just one event a month, your scout is eligible for the National Summertime Achievement Pin? These are rank specific, color-coordinated very cool special pins to place on their uniform to show off their involvement.

If enough of his den participates, they will earn the Summertime Award for their DEN! And, collectively, if enough of our Scouts participate all summer long, our PACK earns the National Summertime Pack Award! How cool is THAT? Awards will be presented at the Scout level at the September Pack meeting.

Outdoor Activity Award

One of the best parts of Scouting is the outdoor program -- it's awesome and that is very intentional! Our goal is always to keep the OUT in scOUTing!

Another fun perk of being involved is collecting cool insignia and patches. The Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award is one of those special awards that can only be earned by attending one of the District-sponsored Summer Day Camps or by attending one of the Cub Scout or Webelos Resident Camps. Resident Camps are overnight experiences held at one of the Council scout camps.  You can read all about Resident Camp HERE.

Today, however, I'm specifically talking about Day Camp! Our summer day camp is organized by some great volunteers whose only wish is that your Scout has an exceptional experience.

Mustang District Summer Day Camp is an annual themed week-long adventure that will take place Monday - Thursday at Camp Burnett in Southlake, usually the first Monday after school is released for summer. The cost is about $100 per "camper" and that cost could be reduced greatly by participating in our ongoing fundraiser for Boon Supply!

Attending Day Camp will enable your Scout to earn the Outdoor Activity Award pictured below.

Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos and AOL Scouts are eligible to earn this award which is sewn onto the uniform pocket flap.

Read all about it HERE.

Because attending either Day Camp or Cub Scout/Webelos Resident Camp is a required component for earning this award, I would suggest starting work on this optional award in June after attending District Day Camp or in July after attending Resident Camp. That gives you a full year of Scouting to fulfill the requirements. We have an awesome program that will allow for it to be completed easily with your continued involvement each month.

Better yet -- the Outdoor Activity Award can be earned every year. The patch is awarded once and then pins are awarded for the additional years it is earned.

So, save the date... the third week of June for MUSTANG DISTRICT DAY CAMP! REGISTER HERE