Have a BLAST with Pack 1910 -- literally!

 

The time is NOW to build your rockets so that you can join us for our annual launch Sunday, October 10. Weather permitting, we will be meeting at the KYA Soccer Fields (behind Blue Sky) at 2:30 pm.  Look for the Pack banner.

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, the boys 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 kits and you can use an app or download a 40% off coupon as well. 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 utilize 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.

Pack Calendar Update!

Please note the link for the Pack 12-month calendar has been updated. If you have an old QR code, it will take you to a broken link.  We may find the updated calendar by clicking HERE or on the icon below.

Pack Meeting Tomorrow!

 

Welcome new and returning members of Pack 1910

Join us for our first Pack Meeting of the 2021-2022 Scouting year!

WHEN: Tuesday, September 14 at 6:30 pm

WHERE: Field north of the Scouthouse at Keller United Methodist Church, 1025 Johnson Road

In addition to a fun meeting with recognition for all the hard work over the summer, we will also enjoy some songs, games and lots of information on the upcoming season of scouting ahead.

We will talk about our annual fundraiser, our calendar, registration process for upcoming events as well as collecting applications, health forms, taking payments and more.  It's going to be a whirlwind of an evening but we are so excited to start.

This is a great night to join if you weren't able to make our sign-up event.  Leaders will be on hand to answer questions and help you and your scout find his way on your journey!

READY?  SEE YOU THERE!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

We held a drawing for all our new Scouts for two cool prizes.  The first is for an awesome hiking kit with the six essentials ever scout needs to hit the trail.  

The second was for an Estes Alpha III rocket kit which would be great to build for our rocket launch next month.  

So, without further adieu, the winners are...

Elijah D. wins the hiking kit.

Melis E. wins the rocket kit

Stop by the check in table at the September Pack Meeting to pick up your prizes and welcome to the Pack!

New Parent Information Night TONIGHT

 

Parents, please make plans to join us for an informal but ridiculously important Parent Information and Orientation Zoom meeting tonight Wednesday, September 8 from 7-8:30 pm 

Bring your questions. THIS is where you'll get answers.

If you haven't be sure to bookmark and review your New Parent Orientation Guide.  Having that accessible in these first few months is a great survival tool to have in your arsenal. This document is always available from our blog's main page by accessing (on a desktop, not a mobile device) the Scouting Links header in the left hand margin.

Please RSVP on ScoutBook so we know to expect you.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then you definitely want to come! If you've not yet accessed and/or received your Scoutbook notification, just show up!  We will make things happen.

E-mail us at pack1910cubscouts@gmail.com if you haven't received the Zoom login information and passcode for tonight's event. 

September Hike

 

One of the main reasons kids want to join Scouts is to get OUTDOORS! There's no better way to do that than some good ole fun on the trail! We want to be more a outdoor-oriented Pack and keep our Scouts ACTIVE! In short, we will keep the OUT in scOUTing!

Pack 1910 goes hiking almost every month at areas around the DFW metroplex for distances between 1-4 miles. These fun outings are an integral part of our program. We want to get the kids outside and know that it's more fun to do these things with friends. That being said, there are incentives to participation. Attendance at these events is completely optional, but... you know you want to come.

Besides providing enjoyment and rewards, the hiking program helps Scouts become confident and comfortable outdoors and encourages healthy habits and lifestyles. It also helps makes the transition to Scouts BSA activities easier.

Our first hike will be a night hike on Saturday, September 18. We will hit the trail at 6:30 pm sharp. Please plan to meet in the parking lot of the Adventure World Playground by 6:15 pm for a quick intro.  We will take the Cross Timbers Trailhead which is right behind the park. Address is 7451 Starnes Road, North Richland Hills. The trail is a 3.3 mile loop.  Group pace determines completion time.    

Hikers -- be prepared with your six essential items for hiking! Check out THIS LINK for more information on that. Parents - LET YOUR SCOUT gather these items into a lightweight backpack -- why? Because if you do everything for them, they loses the opportunity to learn for themselves!




Parents, please take a look at Pack 1910's Hiking Club packet for more information on what to bring, what to wear, etc. It would be good to go over this with your scout BEFORE they show up to a hike.

If you plan to attend, please be sure you RSVP on Scoutbook so we know who all to expect! All Pack events are FAMILY FRIENDLY but please do not bring the 4-legged kiddos!

If this is your 1st hike with Pack 1910, you’ll even earn your first hiking patch just for  attending!!

You Missed Our Sign Up Day????

 You MISSED Cub Scout Registration?!!??!?

(I'll let you in on a little secret... it's totally okay!) If you were unable to make it to Pack 1910's sign up day yesterday, please know that it is never too late to join Cub Scouts. We are a year-round program!

So, if you didn't make it the in-person sign up, no worries!  We will have another "official" sign-up day via Zoom on Sunday, September 12 where we'll have leadership available to answer questions about our Unit and help you with getting registered BUT... you don't need to wait for that, you can jump in and join ANYTIME!  JOIN HERE

The faster you join, the more fun you can have! Don't think about it - just do it!

Awesome Reasons To Be A Cub Scout

Scouting makes the world such a small place! As a mom who has been in Scouting for over 16 years now, I can attest to the lifelong memories you'll make in Scouting with your family. It's truly a program like no other. 

When I was a kid, I couldn't wait to grow up only to realize -- it's a TRAP!  But Scouting seems to bring out the inner child in us all!  We get to dial it back, simplify, get back into nature, unplug, and enjoy slowing down long enough to make some real memories.  

In Cub Scouts, the whole family can be right in the middle of the fun! While Scouting is a program for the kiddos, we are ALL about family!  We ARE a family.

I'd posted an article from a blog years ago 10 Awesome Reasons You Should Sign Your Kid Up For Cub Scouts and I wanted to share a couple of those with you. Click the link to read the entire article.  It's worth a moment of your time!

The Power of Achievement.  Cub Scouts is the perfect example of winning by doing. You want this then you need to do this. And the guidelines are drawn out and easily followed. There is such a sense of accomplishment in seeing their personal reward via belt loops, pins, patches and the like for doing their best, not necessarily in BEING the best.

Lifeskills.  Kiddos learn age-appropriate skills that translate over to every day life. Outdoor safety, water safety, food safety, knife safety, fire safety... these are skills they can take with them everywhere... forever.

Family Bonding.  This was a big one to me. When you sign your kiddo up for sports, you show up to practices and sit on the sidelines passing time on your smartphone.  Someone else is in charge and you're just there.  In Scouting, you're helping your child in the process and making memories along the way. You get to be the one to help them master that skill.  The gift of time is personified in that your presence is a present!  Being a family unit, when your son and daughter come to a campout, everyone gets to participate and learn in the process. No one sits on the sidelines -- Scouting is for everyone!

Remember, Sign Up Day is right around the corner and it's a great time to invite a friend (yours or your child's) to come register.  Ready?  Set!  Scout!

Meet The Teacher - Hidden Lakes Elementary

 

Thank you to everyone at Hidden Lakes Elementary School who stopped to visit with us at the Cub Scouts information table.  We appreciate your time and your interest in our program.

So, you have the flyer... you may have even jotted your contact information on the visitor log... your son or daughter has an interest in Scouting.  So... what's next?  

Oh yeah...TO JOIN CUB SCOUTS!  If you signed up for more information or you took a flier with all of our information on it -- it will lead you back here, to our blog.  And I'm here to tell you our sign up night is...

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29     3:30 pm - 6:30 pm

at the Scout House

United Methodist Church Keller

1025 Johnson Road

If you have an questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at pack1910cubscouts@gmail.com

 
The format for the afternoon will be come and go.  There will be a sign in table and then parents will visit a set of tables, youth will visit another set of tables and then come together at the end to meet with our Membership Chair. Everyone who signs up between now and at our Sign-Up Night will be entered to win a hiking kit!

USS Lexington - Sign Up Extended

 

Although the deadline has officially passed for registration to attend the USS Lexington, I inquired if there was still space available should any members who missed the deadline decide to attend or in the event any of our Pack's new members want the opportunity to sign up.  

Answer -- YES!  

They still have space so if you wish to attend this extraordinary experience, be sure to fill out our REGISTRATION FORM right now!  All the details are on the Google Form.  Trip is in September.

Summer of Service - Artful Advancement LAST CALL!

  

TWO WEEKS TO GO!

Hey Pack members -- we've got two weeks left in August until the end of our Summer of Service Artful Advancement component.  

Mrs. Cully still has rocks available if you want to pick some up to paint, or grab your own to include.  

Paint your rocks and then drop the completed rocks off at the Keller Rock Art trail anytime from now through the end of August. Look out for our Pack 1910 section started by Mrs. Cully and her family!   

Don't forget to wear your Pack t-shirts and take a few pics.  Check out our previous post with more info and tips for rock painting.

Find the trailhead and head over to the Cub Scout Pack 1910 section...  then leave your mark!

 

Scouting is S'more Fun With Friends -- Join us!

In honor of National S'mores Day, Pack 1910 is inviting you to celebrate with us tonight at 6:30 pm at Bear Creek Park Pavilion 3 by enjoying some Pack fellowship and a s'mores (or two).  Bring a friend!

(Pavilion 3 is where we met for the Summer of Service event to purify the park.  It's near the playground, not the sand volleyball courts.)

Camping and s'mores go together like peas and carrots (although it's generally easier to get kids to want to go camping and eat s'mores rather than to eat peas and carrots, am I right?) 

(**The venue change was announced via Scoutbook this afternoon due to a watermain break near the church.**)

Pack 1910 - Making A Difference!

If you didn't happen to catch the latest edition of the Longhorn Council Newsletter -- guess who was featured??  Pack 1910!

We are so proud of your commitment to community service all summer long.  Don't forget if you haven't painted and placed your rocks yet on the rock trail, you have throughout the month of August to get that done.  If you need rocks, reach out to Mrs. Cully.  She will get you squared away.  I can't wait to see all the creations.  This might be worthy of an organized Pack Hike to take a gander at your creativity. 

Be sure to track your hours for painting and hitting the trail for placement.  Those all count!

August Parent & Committee Meeting

PLEASE ATTEND TUESDAY'S COMMITTEE MEETING TO HELP THE PACK MAKE PLANS AND 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 August events, recruitment, 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, TUESDAY, AUGUST 3. 

Time to Earn or Recharge Those Cyber Chips

Long gone are the days of the "be home before the sun goes down" kind of parenting that many of us grew up with. Unfortunately, however, the more kids are inside, the more inclined they are to engage in some kind of online, electronic activity. I'm sure we've all seen news reports about cyber bullying, online security, location services on devices, geotagging of photos and social networking and gaming predators. It would be nice to think these topics won't impact our youth, but we need to be proactive and realize that we are in the thick of it! We must protect them.

Crazy fact - did you know that over 5 MILLION Facebook users are actually kids under the age of 10 even though the age limit to even have an account is 13?

If you have a pulse, you've likely heard of.... Minecraft or Roblox or even Fortnight. I know many Scouts absolutely LOVE watching YouTube videos that have to do with these gaming platforms. However, if you think for a second that they should watch these unsupervised, you're in for a shock. Unless you disconnect the chat feature, it's a perfect tool for a predator to groom your child. Predators use clickbait to lure victims to watch material that is anything but age appropriate for Cub Scouts or adults for that matter!  FortNight and Roblox have both been exposed time and time again for being a candystore for predators.

More and more children have their own electronic devices allowing them even greater access to a whole world that is not the most friendly to the eyes, heart and especially to the spirit and character of our children.

With the electronic world aimed against us, how can parents teach our children internet safety principles?

In partnership with NetSmartz®, the Boy Scouts of America developed the Cyber Chip program. Along the same lines of how the Whittling Chip is designed to teach the boys pocketknife safety, the Cyber Chip is designed to teach them internet safety. There are BSA Cyber Chip requirements for boys in grades 1-3, grades 4-5 so your Cub Scouts are covered! In fact, there are programs available from grades 1 - 12! Even if your children aren’t in Cub Scouts, you can still take advantage of NetSmartz’s awesome programming.

Each Cyber Chip level covers topics such as cyber bullying, cell phone use, texting, blogging, gaming and identity theft. To earn the Cyber Chip, Cub Scouts sign an Internet Safety Pledge, watch an age-appropriate online video and share what they’ve learned with their den or den leader. Older boys complete additional activities.

Once they present their completion certificate to their den leaders, they will earn their Cyber Chip which is a temporary patch to be worn on their uniform. (It's pictured at the top of this post.)

The Cyber Chip expires annually. Scouts are required to “recharge” the chip each year by returning to the NetSmartz® website for their grade and completing the recharge requirements (at the bottom for their required grade). Grades 1-3 have their own experience, Grades 4-5 have another, 6-8 have another and grades 9-12 have their own as well. This keeps the information relevant and age-appropriate. Upon this completion, they'll be presented with a recharged pin to wear on their patch.

It is definitely hard to navigate these waters, but we have a responsibility to keep our kids safe and we can only do that by first educating ourselves. By encouraging our kids to participate in programs like the Cyber Chip, we are taking steps to ensure they are equipped with the tools to keep them and their friends and siblings safe.

If your Scout has already completed his/her Cyber Chip and you want to mix it up a little, there's a new award called the Protect Yourself Rules Adventure Loop. This can either be earned as an elective or in place of the Cyber Chip for one year.    You can read all about this new adventure loop for our program and all of the requirements RIGHT HERE.

Cyber safety -- it's all of our jobs! It’s never too early to begin talking about it with your children. Start your conversation today and help them earn this awesome temporary patch that can be worn with their uniform -- the Cyber Chip, their recharter pin OR the new adventure loop!

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!