Bear Update 2/12/2018

Bear Adventure: Bear Picnic BasketOn Monday the bears began working on the Bear Picnic Basket elective Adventure.  We reviewed the food groups and what each group provides our bodies and discussed the importance of healthy eating, especially when engaged in physical activities such as camping and hiking. They looked through sale ads and food posters to aid them in creating a “shopping list” of healthy foods items to make a healthy snack and meal that incorporated all of the food groups for a balanced meal.

Next week the bears will learn how to prepare and make a trail mix as well as a meat, veggie, rice dish. They will also write down the recipes they created to take home.

For those that missed Monday’s meeting please work with your scout and help them come up with two healthy recipes – a snack and a main dish. They should understand the ingredients and how they correspond to the food groups. This will ensure that they cover last weeks requirements before finishing the adventure next week.

Wolf Update 2/12/2018

Wolf Elective Adventure: Germs Alive!On Monday the wolves worked on the Germs Alive elective adventure. They discussed what germs are and started a science experiment with bread to see if washing their hands with soap made a difference and used miniature pompoms to show how easily germs spread.

On Monday night, the tracking for the exercise activities is due. Please remind your scouts to bring their activity records with them.  We hope to see everyone at the Klondike Derby this weekend.

Klondike Derby Final Headcount & Payment Due

Just a reminder that tonight is the last night to finalize our headcount and collect payments for this weekend’s Klondike Derby.

The Klondike Derby is an event modeled after the Klondike Gold Rush.  Please note that this is *NOT* the Pinewood Derby, where you work with your son to build a wooden race care.  In the Klondike Derby the scouts will be broke down into sleds (teams). They will then pull the supply filled sled from town (station) to town (station) performing activities at each town (station). The activities are themed and offer fun and/or a challenge to scout skills/scouting knowledge.

The cost of the Klondike Derby is $8 per scout and $4 per adult and it includes lunch (hot dogs and chips), hot cocoa, thermal mug, and loads of fun – adults get lunch only.

The Derby will begin around 9:00am “Rain or Shine“.  Please be there no later than 8:45am.  The event coordinators are seeking volunteers to assist.  Assisting will beat standing around in the cold all day with nothing to do.

Please remember to bring your neckerchief, handbook and a bottle of water with your son’s name on it.

Now for the important stuff — The weather is expected to be mostly sunny with a high of 40 degrees and a low of 28 degrees.  It will be colder in the morning and gradually warm up as the day goes on.  At this time of the year things can change pretty quickly meaning it could be snowing, raining, warmer or colder.  BE PREPARED but more importantly make sure your boys are prepared.  In addition to dressing properly and bringing the required supplies, bring spare socks, and a heavy blanket just in case.

Dressing in layers (for cold weather)

When it is cold outside and you are going to be out in the elements for an extended period of time it is vital that you dress in layers.  Below is some basic layering advice to assist you

  • Layer 1 – Under garments, heavy socks.
  • Layer 2 – Long Johns
    • If they are the Under Armor type, do not wear a t-shirt underneath it.
    • If you don’t have long johns then a long sleeve shirt and sweatpants work.
  • Layer 3 – Pants & Shirt
    • Pants should be something that can shield the wind; jeans are not good for this; but acceptable if the only alternative
    • Running pants and hiking pants are great, a nylon mixture not cotton.
    • These should be something that do not hold water.
  • Layer 4 – Outer Shell, Coat, Hat, Gloves, Boots, Rain Jacket/Poncho
    • A coat, while not seen as cool anymore, is your best line of defense.
    • Hoodies, even if lined, will not repel wind and moisture.
    • Don’t forget a hat and gloves. Mittens will keep your hands warmer but gloves will provide free fingers. A good combination is cotton gloves inside water proof mittens.
    • Boots are a must *AND REQUIRED*

LOCATION:

Wissinoming Park (parking lot is on Cheltenham Ave.)
5801 Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, PA United States

 

Reminder: Second Year Webelos Troop Visitation

Arrow of Light Adventure: Scouting Adventure

A reminder that the second year Webelos Scouts (5th grade) will be visiting Troop 155 this evening from 7:00 PM until 8:00/8:30 PM. During this visit they will complete several requirements for the Scouting Adventure, which was designed to provide scouts with an introduction to Boy Scouting, Scout skills, and Scout spirit. This adventure, which can be found on page 178 of the Webelos Handbook, is part of the second requirement to earn the Arrow of Light.  Location Info Below!

It should also be noted that the Scouting Adventure, and ultimately the Arrow of Light requirements, exceed the requirements for the first rank in Boy Scouts (Scout) and completes some of the second rank requirements (Tenderfoot) as well

Specifically, the scouts will be completing the following requirements:

  • Requirement 2: Visit a Boy Scout Troop meeting
  • Requirement 2a: Describe how the Scouts in the troop provide its leadership
  • Requirement 2b: Describe the four steps of Boy Scout advancement
  • Requirement 2c: Describe ranks in Boy Scouting and how they are earned.
  • Requirement 2d: Describe what merit badges are and how they are earned.
  • Requirement 3a: Explain the patrol method. Describe the types of patrols that may be part of a Boy Scout troop.

If time permits they will also cover some of requirements 1 & 5.

IMPORTANT LOCATION INFORMATION:

Troop 155 meets at Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 3101 Tyson Ave (Tyson & Hawthorne). The entrance to the meeting location is actually on Tyson Ave (3116 Tyson) and is through the single brown door, with an office sign, to the left of the fenced in play area. Once you enter the door, walk all the way down the hall at at the end of the hall you will turn left down a flight of steps into the scout meeting area.

Click here for a street view image of the location on Google Maps

Bear Den Update 1/15/2018

Bear Adventure: Critter CareOn Monday the bears worked on the Critter Care adventure. This in an elective adventure through which Cub Scouts learn how caring for a pet fosters responsibility and offers a sense of companionship that they will learn to nurture and cherish throughout their lives. Pet care gives them an opportunity to learn about their pet and provide ways to care for their pet. It also gives them an opportunity to learn about the many ways animals return the favor and assist people in need.

During the evening the scouts completed the following requirements, to complete the adventure:

  • 1a – Make a list of and discuss the tasks needed to provide care for our pets.
  • 2a/2b – Make a poster about your pet and/or how animals can help people.
  • 3b – Learn about careers that involve the care of animals.

Additionally the scouts covered the different types of animals found in shelters, how shelters save and care for animals, and how new/strange domestic animals should be approached. It should be noted that we did not teach them how to approach wildlife as scouts are taught to leave wildlife alone.

For those that were not able to attend the meeting, the requirements can can be found in the Bear Handbook on page 184 and the updated requirements can be found on our website by clicking the words Critter Care.

Home activity: Scouts should take care of their pets for the next two weeks and make a list of what they did during those two weeks. For those that do not have pets, make a short report on what care would be needed for a pet that you would like to have.

Optional Home Activity: Research heroic animals that exemplify how animals can help people. Some examples would be:

Not to mention the more bizarre or the wild; like the parrot that saved a baby from choking, the lions that saved an Ethiopian girl, the bears that saved an elderly hiker, the dolphins that save someone from a great white shark attack and more.

 

 

 

Avery’s Summit Award Project

Summit Award PatchAvery Sytsma, an Assistant Den Leader, as well as a member of Venturing Crew 1776, is working on her Summit Award project.  The Summit Award is the Venturing Program’s equivalent to Eagle Scout. In order to earn the Summit Award, a Venturer must plan, organize, and conduct a service project that benefits others but not themselves or their scout unit.  Avery chose to do a project that benefits local veterans.

The Project has two components; an in-service day at the VA Medical Center, and a donation drive to collect items that are either in short supply or run out of frequently. The in-service day is complete and went really well. The donation drive will be continuing the rest of January and your assistance would be appreciated.

Summit Medal & RibbonShe is collecting the following items:

  • Reading Glasses (all strengths)
  • Socks (men & women)
  • Chapstick
  • Razors (men & women)
  • T-Shirts (Men’s M-XXL)
  • Puzzle books (new/unused)

Which can be dropped off at the Saints United Gym

  • Monday January 15th & 22nd at 7:00-8:00 PM
  • Thursday January 18th 7:00-8:30 PM
  • Monday January 22nd at 7:00-8:00 PM
  • Thursday January 25th at 7:00-8:00 PM

For those that are unable to provide in-kind donations but still wish to contribute, there is a gofundme set up from which every dollar will be spent on the bulk items to be donated to the VAMC. That link is https://www.gofundme.com/6ptkz-serving-those-who-sacrificed-for-us

Here is a copy of the flier as well, please feel free to share the flier for in-kind donations or the link for those who cannot contribute actual items. Note the flier does not have the additional collection dates.

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Summit Project Flier

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Meeting Tomorrow & Program Updates

Welcome 2018

We just wanted to send a reminder that we are meeting on Monday January 15, 2018. It’s been a few weeks since we met due to Christmas, New Years, and inclement weather.  We hope that everyone is looking forward to meeting up again we are pretty excited as we get the rest of the scout season underway.

 

Family Scouting

On another note, Pack 1776 has been asked to be an early adopter with Family Cub Scouting. This means that starting Monday, January 15, 2018 – Pack 1776 can officially start registering female cub scouts. We have two new female cub scouts ready to go and are actively seeking at least two more girls to join the program. If you have any girls in Kindergarten through 4th grade that is interested in the Cub Scout program now is the time.  Speak to us on Monday for more details.

 

Cancellation

 

 

 

 

 

All,
Due to the impending weather conditions and the city school/office closings, we will be cancelling tonight’s meeting.  Please stay warm and stay safe.

 

Christmas Party Monday Night

scout christmasJust a reminder that Monday, December 18, is our annual Potluck Christmas Party which will begin at 6:30 PM.  We have lots of fun and games planned for the scouts.

Thank you to those who have signed up to bring a dish, snacks, drinks or other items. We are still looking for additional dishes, side dishes, or appetizers for the party. We are good in the snacks area. Just be sure to let us know what you plan to bring by sending an email to signups.

We ask that everyone not assisting with setup arrive after 6:30.  Those who are assisting should try to arrive around 5:00.  We will have an hour and a half to get everything set up so the more help the merrier.

We look forward to seeing everyone; have a great weekend!

P.S.  While Scout Uniforms are not required, there will be a photo opportunity with a special guest that you might wish for your scout to be in uniform for.  You are welcome to make this an opportunity for a family photo as well 🙂

Pack Meeting Tomorrow Night

Happy Cub ScoutTomorrow (Monday, Dec 4) we will be having a pack meeting. We ask that all scouts to be in as much of their official uniform as they have, be on time, and to be full of energy and cub scout spirit. Additionally, at least one parent/guardian should attend with their scout to support their accomplishments, encourage them further, and for any announcements.

For those who are not familiar with what a pack meeting is; it is when all of the dens come together so that the scouts may be recognized for their accomplishments thus far. Pack meetings are often 1.5 hours long and arriving on time helps us to prevent it from going over the scheduled time. This pack meeting will start with the Bobcat ceremony for all new scouts that have completed the Bobcat rank.

We would like to have some of the 2nd year Webelos Scouts, and a maybe a few of the 1st year Webelos scouts to assist with the Bobcat ceremony; if parents of returning 1st & 2nd year Webelos could plan on being at the gym by 6:30 it would help make sure that the scouts have time to understand what they need to do.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of your weekend.