2017 Fort Washington Camping Trip

Cub Scout Pack 155 Tent Camping

Our camping trip is this weekend from Friday June 16th through Sunday June 18th at Fort Washington State Park.  We will be camping at Site A, off of the Ridge Rd loop.

Weather

The weather is expected to be cloudy and a bit muggy over the weekend with the temperature ranging between 66-89°.  On Saturday there is a 41-58% chance of rain with 65-82% cloud cover between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM and then overnight there is a 47-52% change of rain with  51-67% cloud cover from 11:00PM to 4:00 AM. In a nutshell, there could be some scattered showers and/or thunderstorms but on a positive note, no warnings have been issued.  So be sure to bring some rain gear as it looks like there could be a couple of showers but nothing serious.

Meals

This weekend the scouts will work on cooking, all meals will be cooked directly on the campfires without camp stoves. The goal is to have the scouts experience open fire cooking and participate where applicable for their age and rank. The following meals will be covered along with campfire snacks:

  • Friday Evening: Beefy Mac (choice of sauce and/or cheese)
  • Saturday Breakfast: Dutch Oven Breakfast Casserole & Fruit
  • Saturday Lunch: Foil Packs & Leftover Beefy Mac
  • Saturday Dinner: Dump Stew & Mexican Rice
  • Sunday Breakfast: Bagels, Fruit, pork roll & cheese sandwiches

Outdoor Essentials for Cub Scouts

  • Personal first aid kit
  • Filled water bottle
  • Flashlight with spare bulb and batteries
  • Whistle
  • Rain Gear
  • Sunscreen
  • Trail Food
  • Map & Compass

With permission and appropriate training:

  • Pocketknife (Whittling Chip required for scout activities)

** If you or your scout require any medications please be sure to bring them and store them in a zip lock bag **

What you have above, is the basics necessary for taking care of yourself outdoors. It is vital to always have the above with your regardless of the activity type you are participating in.

Now for our camping trip the following items, in addition to the items above, are necessary for this weekend to be a successful and safe weekend.

  • Backpack for your gear
  • Scout Uniform hat or billed hat (ball cap)
  • A knit cap is great to sleep in if you get cold easily
  • Clothes to sleep in (pajamas or sweats)
  • Sweatshirt and/or Jacket
  • Hiking boots (it is recommended that you scotchguard them)
  • Rain Gear (jacket and pants preferred over poncho)
  • Extra shoes, socks & underwear.
  • Extra set of clothes
  • Tent, poles, and stakes
  • Waterproof ground cloth (tarp or plastic sheet)
  • Sleeping bag +20 degree recommended (if it has cartoons or super-heroes on it it is NOT a sleeping bag)
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Pillow
  • Extra blanket (optional but could be necessary).
  • Insect Repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Cup or Mug and Mess Kit
  • Toilet paper (remove tube, crush and put in zip lock bag) this is a must have !!!
  • Toothbrush and Toothpaste
  • Soap, washcloth, towel
  • Cub Scout Handbook (in plastic bag)
  • Good Attitude!

OPTIONAL FAMILY ITEMS

  • Camp/Lawn chairs
  • Lantern
  • cooler/ice chest

Directions:

Here is a link to the map. You can see the organized tent camping area just below the intersection of Joshua Road, and Militia Hill Road. You can enter the part either on Joshua Road or Militia Hill Road (near Skippack Pike). http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_004722.pdf

If you are using a GPS you can use the following address, which is for the Militia Hill Day Use area:

420 Militia Hill Road,
Fort Washington, PA 19034

Blue & Gold, Camping Trip, Camp Cards

Blue & Gold BanquetBlue & Gold

A quick reminder that we will need your head count for this Saturday’s event at the meeting on Monday June 5, 2017.  If you will not be attending the ceremony we still need a response letting us know.  If you will not make the meeting you can email us to let us know.  The scout and two guests are free. Additional tickets may be purchased on Monday June 5th between 7:00 – 8:00 at the gym. Full details and cost of ticket can be found at End of Year Award Ceremony.  Please note the doors open at 12:15 PM and the event begins at 1:00. There will be a very limited number of tickets available at the door, first come first serve, for a higher cost. See above link for details.

June Camping Trip

A reminder that out June Camping Trip to Fort Washington State Park is scheduled for June 16th – 18th. We need a full headcount for this, also on Monday June 5th. The full details of the event can be found at Camping Trip: Fort Washington State Park. Payment for this trip will be collected the same night if you haven’t already paid. Additional information regarding how to pack and what to expect will be coming the week of the trip. This will be the first activity offered for your scout to earn the National Summertime Activity Award for participation in Summer activities as a pack and den.

Camp CardsCamp Cards

For those who were selling camp cards, all money and/or unsold camp cards are due on Monday June 5th, 2017. We need full payment or cards on this date so please be sure to bring everything.

Head Counts Needed

This Monday, 6/5/2017, we need head counts !!

This is our last meeting before the Blue and Gold this Saturday. Please make sure to get your head count and payment in this Monday.

 

If you haven’t signed up already for the June camping trip on the 16th – 18th, you can do so Monday.

 

Both events are listed on the calendar if you need more info of date and times. You can also email us if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Firehouse Visit (5/15/17)…

Attention LIONS, TIGERS, WOLVES & BEARS we are having our annual Firehouse visit this Monday (5/15/17) at 6:30pm. We will meet AT the Firehouse. It is located at 7818 Frankford Ave, 19136 (right by Holmesburg Branch library). It is Engine 36, Ladder 20. We ask that adults stay for the duration of the tour, because if the firehouse gets a call, they have to go. If your cubs have uniforms, please have them wear them. This will be the meeting for the week, we will meet here and dismiss from there. So, we’ll see you all on Monday and we’ll meet in front of the firehouse, by the flagpole.

This weekend’s camping trip is cancelled

After much deliberation, discussions with the park rangers, and hoping the weather patterns would change — we feel it is in the best interest of everyone to postpone this weekend’s camping trip.

We are expecting rain from 2AM until 4PM with a bit of a break before rain again from 8PM until 2AM.  There are expected thunderstorms on Friday afternoon and Friday night. While there will be a break from the rain from 2AM until 2PM Saturday, the ground will be overly saturated making it extremely messy for setting up test — only to have it rain again from 2PM until 7PM Saturday.

Fort Washington does not provide us adequate shelter to move the scouts indoors during thunder and lightning which poses a safety risk.  Additionally, these conditions are not conducive for some of the activities we had planned.

We hope everyone understands that our goal is to ensure the safety of our scouts first, and a positive experience second. We believe this weekend would provide neither.   We tentatively have Fort Washington rescheduled for our June camping trip but are evaluating other options in the interim.

Parents may request a refund of monies paid for this weekend or apply it to the next activity or camping trip.

2017 Pinewood Derby Champions

Let's Get Down and DerbyI would like to thank everyone who came out this weekend for our 2017 Pinewood Derby. It was a huge success and it appeared that all of the boys had a great time. I would like to thank those who volunteered their time to help run the derby and make the event the success that it was. Thank You!

This year’s derby was very competitive with more than half of the cars within 6 points of each other during the first race. When we finally narrowed it down, there was a tie for first place with the tie breaking race being a mere 0.001s difference in crossing the finish line according to the electronic timer.  We even had a tie for 2nd place best in show, that required an additional vote to break.

Race Winners:

  • Aedhan S. #10
  • Kevin O. #07
  • Ethan G. #05

Best in Show:  

  • Philip B. #18
  • Callum G. #19

Once again congratulations to all of our winners.

The first & second place race winners and the first place best in show will go to the district final on Saturday April 29th. Due to other engagements the 1st and 3rd place cars are unable to make the district pinewood derby.  Pack 1776 will be represented at the district derby by the following scouts. We wish you the best of luck and hope you represent the pack like true scouts.

Race:

  • Kevin O.
  • Jayden J-R.

Show

  • Philip B.

Note: Please let us know if you have pictures and videos we can share.  Send to cubmaster (at) cubscoutpack1776 (dot) org and we will get them posted for you.

2017 Fort Washington Camping Trip

Cub Scout Pack 155 Tent CampingOur Fort Washington camping trip is rapidly approaching and it is time to start getting a headcount to ensure we have ample supplies for the event.  Specifics about the location, directions, and such can be found on the calendar event linked above.

The camping trip is from Friday May 5th through Sunday May 7th at Fort Washington State Park.  We will be camping at Site A and the cost of the camping trip is $20 per person which includes all meals for the weekend: Friday Night Cracker Barrel; Saturday Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Campfire Snacks; and Sunday Breakfast.

We have started collecting headcounts at the last meeting and will need final headcounts and payments by Monday May 1st.

It is always suggested that families bring a case of water. Additionally here are the supplies list below

Outdoor Essentials for Cub Scouts

  • Personal first aid kit
  • Filled water bottle
  • Flashlight with spare bulb and batteries
  • Whistle
  • Rain Gear
  • Sunscreen
  • Trail Food
  • Map & Compass

With permission and appropriate training:

  • Pocketknife (Whittling Chip required for scout activities)

** If you or your scout require any medications please be sure to bring them and store them in a zip lock bag **

What you have above, is the basics necessary for taking care of yourself outdoors. It is vital to always have the above with your regardless of the activity type you are participating in.

Now for our camping trip the following items, in addition to the items above, are necessary for this weekend to be a successful and safe weekend.

  • Backpack for your gear
  • Class A Uniform/Class B Uniform
  • Scout Uniform hat or billed hat (ball cap)
  • A knit cap is great to sleep in if you get cold easily
  • Clothes to sleep in (pajamas or sweats)
  • Sweatshirt and/or Jacket
  • Hiking boots (it is recommended that you scotchguard them)
  • Rain Gear (jacket and pants preferred over poncho)
  • Extra shoes, socks & underwear.
  • Extra set of clothes
  • Tent, poles, and stakes
  • Waterproof ground cloth (tarp or plastic sheet)
  • Sleeping bag +20 degree recommended (if it has cartoons or super-heroes on it it is NOT a sleeping bag)
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Pillow
  • Extra blanket (optional but could be necessary).
  • Insect Repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Cup or Mug and Mess Kit
  • Toilet paper (remove tube, crush and put in zip lock bag) this is a must have !!!
  • Toothbrush and Toothpaste
  • Soap, washcloth, towel
  • Cub Scout Handbook (in plastic bag)
  • Good Attitude!

OPTIONAL FAMILY ITEMS

  • Camp/Lawn chairs
  • Lantern
  • cooler/ice chest

Please note, that even though that this camping trip is at the beginning of May, it can still get quite chilly at night. Be prepared!

Pinewood Derby Weigh-In

For those that would like to preregister for the derby this weekend, we will have the scales available at the scout hall tonight from 7:30p – 8:30p in the Boy Scout Room. You can check the weight of your car and if it is ready to go you may register it tonight so you are all set for Saturday morning.

 

 

Lion, Tigers, Wolves and Bears…TONIGHT.

Hello everyone! I just want to make parents/guardians of the LIONS, TIGERS, WOLVES AND BEARS aware tonight (Monday 4/10/17) we are “hiking” through the neighborhood. Please make sure your son (and any accompanying siblings are in proper footwear. Also a bottle of water. We’ll see you all at the meeting tonight. 🙂 

Fun Scout Day at The Franklin Institute

Franklin Institute LogoWe had quite a few attend Scout Day at the Franklin Institute. And while the Franklin Institute wasn’t quite as organized as it had been in the past, all of the scouts had a great time. We had a few families spin off on their own and a few others spun off into smaller groups. For as packed as the institute was at times, along with the varied interests it seems that this worked out great.

The Jurassic World exhibit was pretty impressive and the dinosaurs were very realistic. The best part is that the animatronic dinosaurs we encountered were life-sized. I hope some of you took pictures as the imagery and surroundings in this exhibit were amazing

The Robot Revolution exhibit, wasn’t as exciting as many of the robots were getting recharged or repaired — but that didn’t stop the scouts from playing 21 and tic-tac-toe with robots, watching robots play soccer, try their hand at some simple programming, or putting together some cube robots.

The scouts in attendance, while traveling through the rest of the exhibits were able to knock out the following requirements:

  • Tigers: Sky Is the Limit Adventure Requirements 4, 5, 6, 8
  • Bears: Super Science Adventure Requirements 1, 2, 3
  • Wolves: Air of the Wolf Adventure Requirements 1C, Motor Away Adventure Requirements 1A and 1B
  • Webelos/AOL: Adventures in Science Adventure Requirements 2 and 3D

Please be sure to bring the worksheets provided. Also let us know which standard exhibits you hit as well because we are going to skim through the handbooks to see what other requirements may have been completed along with the above.