Fundraiser Last Call

For anyone with a last minute order or who was unable to hand in the forms last night please contact:

Karen ( kwonsor@cubscoutpack1776.org ) or Tim ( tokeefe@cubscoutpack1776.org ) by Wednesday November 13th at 3pm so they can be included in the order.

Scouting for Food

All the events mentioned here are on the calendar. Please bookmark the calendar and reference it frequently.

On Saturday Nov 9th (tomorrow), we will be meeting at the Gym at 10:00am.  Everyone will be divide into groups with multiple adults per group and we will go out and place bags on all doors within our given area.

On Saturday Nov 16th we will be meeting at the gym at 9:30 am.  Again we will break up into groups and this time we will scour the same area collecting any bags of food left out for the drive.  As we will our trucks we will drop off the food at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

NOTE:  IT WILL BE CHILLY – PLEASE DRESS WARMLY AND IN LAYERS IN CASE IT WARMS UP – BRING HATS & GLOVES!!!

Wreath and Candle Fundraiser

We are on the last week for sales. Hope all of you are doing well in raising funds for camp. Just wanted to send out a friendly reminder that order forms and funds are due back this Monday, Nov. 11th. Please bring all information to the scout meeting to be handed in to Tim and/or Karen.

Have a great weekend and Sell,Sell,Sell !

Arrow of Light Progress Report – November 4th, 2013

Last night we covered several things with the 2nd Year Webelos.  We started the evening by going over the expectations of a scout working towards his Arrow of Light, the highest award available to cub scouts and the only one that stays with them through all of scouting.  We started working on the Family Member Activity Badge and gave them a sampling of a board of review as well a sampling of the leadership skills we would like them to develop over the course of the season.

Expectations

The primary point we tried to drive home is that the boys now work at their own pace.  Being older scouts it is now up to them to decide if and when they will earn the Arrow of Light.  As in previous years, they will have home assignments.  However, unlike previous years, the leaders will not keep on them to get it done.  Essentially we are shifting the burden of responsibility to the scouts.  We will go over the materials and let them know what they need to do in order to complete the requirements. It will now be up to them to complete them and turn them in for credit as there will be no further follow ups.

It was also explained to the scouts, that as the oldest in the pack, it is imperative that they learn how to function as a boy scout patrol. We will start rotating the boys through becoming a Denner, a youth leader of their den.  Instead of the typical denner role of assistant, we will have each denner work on deciding something with the dens and then give them the opportunity to assist another den.We will give the Denner some basic instruction and scenarios to play out, after which they can serve as an assistant.

Lastly, we explained to the scouts that in order to earn their arrow of light they will go through a “simulated” board of review so that they can experience what they must do in the Boy Scouts to earn their rank.

Family Member Activity Badge

We have begun work on the Family Member Activity Badge.  As you can guess by the name of this Activity Badge it focuses on being a conscientious and contributing member of the family and as such many of the requirements of Family Member need to be done in a family environment.  The goal of this activity badge is to promote a better understanding within families, and to gain a better understanding of what is meant by “duty to family”.

We completed family member requirements 1 and 8 (with modification) and briefly went over what the other requirements are.  THERE IS A HOME ASSIGNMENT (SEE BELOW)

 

Arrow of Light Requirements

In our sample review board we began touching on Arrow of Light Requirement 2.  This requirement is a bit tricky because simply going over the requirement does not satisfy it.  The scout needs to be able to recite from memory, explain in his own words, describe badges and uniforms as well as tie a square know.  Although we are going over it, the scout has plenty of time to memorize what he needs and we will go over it frequently.

HOME ASSIGNMENTS

  • Read the Family Member chapter in the Webelos Handbook (pages 227-244).
  • Complete Family Member requirements 2-6, and any other from requirements 7, 9-13.
    • Requirement 12 is a good one as your scout will earn the Heritages Belt Loop in the process.
  • Review the Arrow of Light requirements in the Webelow Handbook (pages 62-67).

 

Resources  (Coming Soon)

Halloween on the farm

Thank you to those who joined us at the Colonial Plantation this past weekend. It was a fun filled day of interactive puppet shows, witch trials and warm cider.  We got to meet Delilah the new milking cow and run amongst the sheep.  Unfortunately Goaty was not being carefree due to a recent injury to his foot but is being well tended to while recovering.  Abigail kept watch as the children went through the haunted barn and emerged with treats from the ghouls and monsters that awaited them inside. While making corn husk characters the witch reappeared with corn snakes a plenty to teach the visitors about. Then ending our day with some candle making and visits to the pigs.

 

Scouts attending the event had an opportunity to earn the following:

 

Tigers:

  • 1G  Go see it
  • elective 22  Picnic Fun
  • elective 31   Learn about animals
  • elective 36  See a performance

 

Wolves:

  • 10 c
  • 10 f
  • elective 9 b
  • elective 23 g

 

Bears:

  • 3c  Go see old homes near you :  Plantation would be 1/2   If you went on the tour at Germantown this is complete
  • 3d  Go visit historical place near you
  • 10a  Go on a day trip with family – farm
  • 12 c  Picnic with your family
  • 12 d  Attend an outdoor event with your family
  • elective 16 b  Farm Animals

Webelos:

  • Traveler #4
  • Artist  #9

Halloween Party Reminder

happyhalloweenA friendly reminder that tomorrow 10/28 is our annual Halloween party. It is time for the whole family to get ghoulish and have some fun. This is a perfect time to put on your costume, hang out with new friends and play some fun games.  And thanks to the parents and families there will be some great snacks.The party is from 6:30p – 9pm. We can’t wait to see you all there.

I have attached the sign up sheet for those that may need a reminder or if you didn’t have a chance to check the list and want to bring something.

Halloween Goodies

Halloween at the Colonial Plantation

Although we had to cancel tent camping this weekend we can still have fun. Come join us at the Colonial Plantation Halloween event. The Plantation is located in Ridley Creek State Park.

Event Flyer:  http://www.colonialplantation.org/PomoiansandWitches.htm

Visit the historic farm, pet the farm animals , try some warm cider, and go trick or treating. What more fun could a scout have?All scouts have an opportunity to work on their rank while visiting a fun and exciting place with freinds and family.

The event starts at 11 am.

Karen Wonsor will be gathering in the parking lot closest to the farm entrance by 10:45 am.

Address: 3900 North Sandy Flash Drive, Newtown Square, PA 19073

Directions are offered on the site: http://www.colonialplantation.org/directions.html

Cost: $8.00 per person  Children 4 and under are free

Hope to see you there !!

 

Any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at:  kwonsor@cubscoutpack1776.org

Beginning of the Year Summary

Cub Scout Pack 155As we get ready for our first pack meeting of the year tomorrow night, it is pleasing to say that the year is off to a productive start so far.  The scouts have covered a lot in a few short weeks so I wanted to give a bit of a summary as to what was covered since the Open House on Sept 30th.

What to expect during the Pack Meeting?  The first pack meeting of the year is always after we finish going over the Bobcat requirements and we hold the Bobcat ceremony for new scouts.  They will be awarded their first rank and officially become members of the pack.  Once the new scouts are officially members of the pack, we will then have announcements and fill everyone in on the updates covering us until the next pack meeting in December.  After announcements, we will go into recognition of all achievements over the summer and from the beginning of this year to date.  Normally we would have the scouts and/or their dens perform different skits and songs but due to the amount of awards to be given out we will skip on those.

Scouts are required to be in the Class A uniform for the Pack meetings.  For those that do not have a Class A they can simply wear what they have if anything.  They should not feel out of place as we are aware that people will be acquiring their uniforms as they can and or in pieces with some simply settling for the shirt.  The shirt is the first thing I recommend since that is where they will put their patches.

See you all tomorrow night.  Below is a summary of what we covered the past few weeks.

During the Open House the boys learned about Geology while making pet rocks.  They completed the following requirements:

  • Begin Bobcat requirements
  • All Ranks
    • Geology Belt Loop requirements: 1, 2, & 3 (Completed)
    • Geology Pin requirements: 3, 6, 9 & 10 (1 more to go for completion)
  • Webelos(4th & 5th Graders)
    • Geologist Activity Badge requirements: 1, 2, 4, 7 & 9 (Completed)

The following week was fire safety week which was an ample time to go over some emergency related items while having fun:

  • Continue Bobcat requirements for new scouts.
  • Tigers (1st Grade)
    • Electives 27 (What to do in an emergency) and 28 (Smoke Detectors)
  • Wolves (2nd Grade)
    • Requirements 4a and 9c
    • Elective 16a
  • Bears (3rd Grade)
    • Requirements 7d, 7e, 11a, 11e, and 11g
  • Webelos (4th & 5th Grade)
    • Readyman Activity Badge Requirements: 1a, 1b, 3, and 11.

     

Last week we continued in the same fashion but without a specific theme;

  • Finished Bobcat requirements for new scouts
  • Discussed and created the Pack’s rules for the year.

Revolutionary Germantown 2013

Revolutionary GermantownThis weekend the groups that aims to preserve historic Germantown will be hosting their annual festival.  When we think of colonial cities we naturally think of Philadelphia but we often forget that what now makes up Philadelphia’s neighborhoods were once their own cities and towns lying in the outskirts of Philadelphia. Germantown was one such city located 7 miles North of Philadelphia. Visiting this neighborhood is literally visiting a city within a city filled with historical sites of its own such as the Germantown White House and Chew Mansion to name a couple.

There will be several events going on through out the day including a couple of live shows, which include two reenactments of the Battle of Germantown.

The boys who attend this event will have the opportunity to fulfill several requirements, listed below. Some do require the boys to interact and or work with others to complete.  Below is a list of what the boys in attendance can fulfill throughout the day.

What to Bring

You really don’t need to bring much besides yourselves.  You could purchase food and drink down there but it is much more cost effective to bring your own lunch which can also help with meeting the Picnic requirements.  This is a rain or shine event so be sure to be prepared. As they say “the show must go on.”  On that note a blanket to sit on while eating lunch is another option to make the day more enjoyable.  Also a notebook and pen to take notes for some of the requirements is a plus too.

To summarize; all are optional as you will have to carry them but recommended:

  • Lunch
  • blanket (to sit and eat lunch)
  • notepad and pen
  • rain gear
  • camera
  • The boys should wear their class A or class B shirts if they have them.

Who To Look For

There will be several people from the pack in attendance you can check into at the event.  All you need to do is say hi and let them know you are there. We will be meeting at 10:00 am on the lawn of the the Upsula, directly across the street from the Cliveden House/Chew Mansion.

  • Tom, our Cubmaster, will be there with his daughter Avery, one of our den assistants, and his son Tommy, a second year Weblos in the pack. However they may not be so obvious as they will not be wearing their scouting uniforms. Consider it a bit of a challenge for the scouts to find them. Parents, NO HELPING.
  • Karen, our Assistant Cubmaster and bear den leader, will be there with her son Jared. She will be the primary lead on this event and will be wearing her Class A uniform to make herself easier to find.d.
  • Tim, our committee chairman, will be there with his son Jack. He will also be wearing his Class A uniform and should be another easy find.
  • I will add other leaders here as they confirm their attendance.

Lunch Suggestion: The first battle is at 12:00 noon.  I would recommend meeting up in one of the corners of the property to eat lunch, right after.  From within the property face the main gate and meet in either the far left or far right corner.  Karen will figure out which area is best suited for lunch and let everyone know at the morning meeting.

Activities

Each year the event gets bigger and better. This year several of the additional sites are including their own scout friendly activities. Additionally between the 12:00 and 3:00 Battles there will be a Children’s Muster at Upsala from 1:30-2:30. This will be a chance for your scout to see what it was like to sign up and drill in the Continental Army.

 

Possible Requirements

Tigers:

  • Achievements
    • 1G – Go to a historical society, museum, old farm, historical building in your community.  Discover how family life was the same and how it was different many years ago.
    • 2F – Look at a map of your community with your adult partner (Make sure you tell us where the map was ;p ).
    • 5F – Go outside and watch the weather (Bring a write up of what the weather was like to the Monday meeting).
    • 5G – Take a hike with your den (grab some of the others and explore the site).
  • Electives
    • Elective 22 – With your family or den have a picnic, assuming you all find a grassy spot for lunch!
    • Elective 36 – See a performance

Wolves:

  • Achievements
    • 4d – when leaving home remember to…. (Write a paragraph about what you did before leaving and bring it Monday).
    • 4f – Visit an important place in your community such as a historic or government location. Explain why it is important.
    • 10c – Plan a walk. Go to a museum with your family.
    • 10f – Attend a live program with your family

Bear

  • Achievements
    • 3b – Find out about two famous Americans.  Tell things they did or are doing to improve our way of life. (You can learn about a couple famous Americans at the event, write down their names for Monday).
    • 3c – Find out something about the old homes near where you live, go to see two of them (Upsula & Chew Mansion – there are others open too).
    • 3d – Find out where place sof historical interest are located in or near your town or city. Go visit one of them with your family or den.
    • 8e – Find out some history about your community.
    • 10a – Go on a day trip with members of your family.
    • 12c – Have a picnic with your family.
    • 12d – Attend an outdoor event with your family.
    • 18g – have the boys write about their day. (Remember to bring it on Monday)

Webelos

  • Anything the webelos could earn are preparatory items or discussion items for after the event.

All Scouts

  • Belt Loops & Pins
    • Citizen Pin Requirement 10
      • Attend a community event or visit a landmark in your community
    • Good Manners  Pin Requirement 1
      • Meet one new person (reenactors?, shake hands properly, and introduce self).
    • Heritages Belt Loop Requirement 1
      • Talk to reenactors about history, traditions and culture of colonial America
  • Outdoor Activity Award
    • 2. Participate in an outdoor activity such as a picnic or park fun day.
    • 13. Explore a local city, county, state, or national park. Discuss with your den how a good citizen obeys the park rules.

 

Resource Links (click)
Revolutionary Germantown
Events for the day
Directions
Historic Sites of Germantown
Historical Information
Downloadable Map of the Area

2013 Fort Mifflin Sleepover for Returning Scouts

We hope everyone is enjoying their summer as it comes to a close.  Rest assured that while summer comes to a close and its time to hit those books again, Scouting season ramps up and what better way to ramp up than a good camping trip for our returning scouts?

All of the specifics can be found over on the event page but this post is to remind you that we need to get your head counts and start collecting the money.  We are required to pay the fort in advance, so it is imperative that we get a headcount By Sept 3rd and get the money together on Sept 9th.

A quick reminder, the cost is $35/per person, $40 if you plan on doing the ghost tour. The following is included in the cost.

  • Overnight Stay at Fort Mifflin
  • Personal guided tour of the fort in the company of a Revolutionary War soldier
  • Uniform and Weapons demonstrations
  • Access to the Nature Trails and riverfront High Battery Area
  • Allowance of individual and small group exploration throughout the Fort & surrounding areas.
  • Breakfast provided by the fort (hot & cold cereal, milk, juice, pancakes, sausage & hot beverages)
  • Dinner (provided by us)
  • Campfire Activities
  • Free Parking
  • Lowering and raising of the Fort’s garrison flag
  • An Artillery Demonstration (paid for by Pack 155 and guest units)
  • A Saturday hike through the nature trails

What to Bring:

  • Tent/Cot
  • Comfortable bedding, including pillow.
  • Drinking Water (again the water at the fort is non-potable)
  • Snacks
  • Flash Light
  • Warm clothing in cooler months
  • Rain gear if it has rained in the past 24 hours, especially boots & extra socks.

However, as scouts we would bring more than that.  Here is a sample list of basics to bring camping: http://cubpack155.org/x/1o

Note: There are bathroom facilities inside the fort however it is important to know that the water at Fort Mifflin is not potable. So you will need to bring plenty of drinking water.

Please contact us ASAP via email (signups), phone or via the contact form on this page and let us know if you are going and how many you are bringing with you.

Resources

Event Page: http://cubpack155.org/x/5M

What to Bring Camping: http://cubpack155.org/x/1o