February Committee / Parent Meeting

PARENTS WANTED!!!  PLEASE ATTEND TUESDAY'S COMMITTEE MEETING TO HELP THE PACK MAKE PLANS AND DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR SON'S SCOUT ACTIVITIES.

A Cub Scout pack committee is essentially the board of directors for a Cub Scout pack. This committee is a group of at least three people who assist with supervision and management of a the unit. They provide resources and support to the Cubmaster and Den Leaders so they can provide the program in accordance with Boy Scout policies and regulations.

We invite all Interested Scout parents who would like to take a more active role in the activities of our pack to attend these meetings, where typically the Pack Chairperson, cubmaster, and den leaders attend. This is were we plan and formulate our events and calendar for the year. We also discuss new directions and programs to integrate into the existing program. These meetings are held at least quarterly or monthly depending upon upcoming events.

This meeting will focus on the upcoming Pinewood Derby, any open calendar events, the April Family Camp, and time permitting, the May Blue and Gold event.

This meeting is on Tuesday February 28th,  at 7:00 pm at the West Valley Christian Church in the Connecting place (the big room where we have pack meetings).

Scoutbook

Scoutbook is here!

***NOTE*****

We are just getting the pack imported into the system and you may not have received an invitation yet.  Do not create your own Scout or parent profile. If you have not received an invitation by the end of February, please send an email to our Pack Committee Chairperson Ray Turner  (rturner6@gmail.com) and Cubmaster Flynn Lew (Flynn.Lew1@gmail.com) requesting Scoutbook access. Please include your name, email address, and your Scout's name.

WHAT'S SCOUTBOOK?

To assist Scouts, parents, and leaders in keeping track of rank advancements, and other awards, as well as to allow for better communications, Pack 777 has subscribed to an electronic management system known as Scoutbook. This powerful online tool, available for use on any internet-connected desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone allows parents to record requirements earned at home with family and allows den leaders to electronically sign off on the completion of requirements. Scoutbook will not replace your son's paper rank handbook, but it will complement its use.

>> LOGIN TO SCOUTBOOK <<  

INSTRUCTIONS

When you receive a Scoutbook invitation from Pack 777’s leaders, please follow these steps:

Sign in to the Scoutbook account created for you via your email invitation. It’s important that you sign-in using the Login and Password listed in that email. Please DO NOT create a new Scoutbook account on your own.

1.       Update your info by selecting “My Dashboard”, then update your “My Account” info: Update all the fields you can. Choose a new password, “Edit Profile", choose a User Name, ensure your phone numbers are correct (especially your mobile phone). If you see a BSA Member Number please don't alter it. These are used to keep track of training info, etc. After your “Edit Profile” changes are complete, update/verify your other “My Account” info too, especially the “My Connections” with your son.

2.       Update your son's info by selecting his profile from “My Account” > “My Connections”: His den number should be listed along with the rank he’ll work on next (All dens, except Webelos II's, automatically move up June 1 to the next rank.) Select “Edit Profile” and correct your son's birthday, etc. Again, please don’t alter the BSA Member Number.

OPTIONAL:  You can also enter service hours, camping dates and hiking miles. (typically the cubmaster will be entering these in)

USING SCOUTBOOK

Scoutbook has become a “one-stop” tool for everything having to do with Pack 777’s Cub Scouts. Here are some of its current features:

•       Keep track of den and pack calendars. Subscribe to the ones you want and ignore those you don't need.   RSVP to help leaders plan events

•       Send messages to leaders

•       Receive messages from leaders

•       Record adventures your son completes, keep track of his progress towards earning rank.

•       Den leaders will sign off on completed adventures, they'll order awards and be ready to present those at upcoming pack meetings.

•       Participate in pack and den forum discussions.

•       Easily fill out permission slips

•       Keep track of who's in your den and in the pack.

•       Keep your profile info current and complete.

•       Add your profile photo. Photos are helpful for Scouts, leaders and adults.

•       Leaders keep track of training according to BSA's standards.                                                                               

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

•       Does this replace rank handbooks? No. Den leaders will "sign-off" on advancement requirements with Scoutbook rather than in the paper handbooks.

•       How much does it cost for my family to use Scoutbook? Nothing. Pack 777 has purchased a subscription for use by the entire pack. Individual families and dens should not make any additional purchase.

•       How do I access my Scout’s records in Scoutbook? Pack 777 administrators enter each Scout’s profile into Scoutbook. A separate profile is also entered for each parent. Finally, a connection is made in Scoutbook between the parent’s profile and the Scout’s profile, which gives the parent full access to the Scout’s records. 

•       What do I do once I've signed in and connected with my son? Please complete the empty fields in your and your Scout's profile. If you wish, you can record past advancement info, awards earned, service hours, camp days, etc.

•       How do I get a parent profile? Do not create your own Scout or parent profile. Pack 777 administrators enter the parent profiles into Scoutbook. An invitation email is sent to the parent’s email address. Once the parent accepts the invitation, he or she has Scoutbook access. Be sure to check your email spam filter for the invitation email.

•       I have not received a Scoutbook invitation. How do I get one? Do not create your own Scout or parent profile. Send an email to our Pack Committee Chairperson Ray Turner (rturner6@gmail.com) and Cubmaster Flynn Lew

(Flynn.Lew1@gmail.com) requesting Scoutbook access. Please include your name, email address, and your Scout's name.

>> LOGIN TO SCOUTBOOK <<

BALOO Training

Parents, we are in need of more BALOO trained adults in our Pack.  

Why?  Great question! I'm glad you asked.  You see, as a Pack we not allowed to camp-out anywhere other than at a Council or District sponsored event UNLESS we have at LEAST one BALOO trained adult. 

As a Pack, we would like to have a minimum of two BALOO trained adults on every Pack camp out because if there is only one.... and that person has to leave... the campout has to be over.  It's not allowed to continue per BSA rules.  The more BALOO trained adults we have in our Pack, the better off everyone is!

But have no fear.... there is an upcoming training on March 4th provided by no other than our illustrious District Training Committee.  Click here for the flyer from our District.

This training is at the wonderful camp Josepho in Pacific Palisades. The BALOO training starts at 7:30 am sharp on Saturday morning.  If that's too early for you they are also offering a second class, Out Door Leader Skills for  Webelos Leaders starting on Friday night.  Those who what to addend both classes can camp Friday night and be right there ready to go Saturday morning at no additional cost. 

WHO:  YOU!
WHAT:  BALOO & OLW Training
WHERE:  CAMP JOSEPHO, 3000 Rustic Canyon Road, Pacific Palisades 
WHEN:  Friday March 3rd from 6:00 pm Through Saturday, March 4th at 8:00 pm (or come Saturday Morning no later than 7:30 am)
WHY:  Because our camping program DEPENDS ON YOU!
COST:  $35 per person (Includes breakfast, lunch & dinner on Saturday, except no breakfast for Saturday morning arrivals. Eat before or bring your own dinner on Friday night.)

Ready to sign up?  Awesome click here and register online.  Once you complete the course, you get a handy dandy business sized card that signifies you are indeed a BALOO trained adult.  Please take a copy of it (picture from your phone is just fine) and send it to Ray to update our Pack database.  

This is one way that you can help our pack. It will make a big difference to the boys' program and it only takes one day.  After all, we do it ALL for them!  Please consider attending the training.

Ray and Flynn are planning to attend this training.  Let us know if you can join them and get your BALOO certification.

CPK VIP Kitchen Tour

Reminder!

We are heading to CKP this Saturday to for VIP tour and pizza making class.  This event is limited to 20 scouts.  If you have not signed up please RSVP Flynn ASAP!

What to Wear: Class A Uniform

Cost: Free

Where: California Pizza Kitchen at Westfield Topanga Mall


When: 9am-11:00am - Please arrive no later than 8:45am in front of the restaurant for check-in, the tour will begin at 9AM sharp. 
Space is limited to 20 scouts - must be accompanied by 1 adult, no siblings please, until all Scouts are accommodated. 

Camp Cards

Pack 777 is pleased to announce that the 2017 Western Los Angeles County Council Camp Card fundraising program is about to get underway! 

By selling Camp Cards similar to the one above, Scouts can earn their own way to District Day Camp, Camp Whitset Family camp, or even pay their annual dues!  Units participating in the program earn 50% commission on each card.  The cards cost $5 each so each sale nets $2.50 to go into the Scout's Account. We are passing this commission to the individual scout account of the Cub Scout who sold them.  This is not a fundraiser for the unit, it's allocated for your Scout to use to pay for his way to Pack events.

Oh, and did I mention they best part?  This fundraiser is completely risk-free! That's right. Any cards you don't sell, you simply return them and you're done.  100% Risk Free.

All unsold cards and funds are due to Ray or Flynn at the Den Meeting held on April 18th. 

What specific savings can the boys sell from these cards?
The top and probably the way to obtain the easiest sell is to show an automatic return of your investment by simply spending money at the grocery store -- we're feeding hungry boys so that's QUITE easy to do!

The big savings here that makes it an easy sell is that the cost of the card is $5, but as soon as they go into Vons or Albertsons and spend $50 in groceries, they get their $5 back. 

If you can get your son to sell 4 packs of 10 Camp Cards, that's a $200 sale and a $100 commission, or, stated differently, your Scout has paid for 100% of Annual Dues or about 80% of summer day camp!

In addition to the money each boy earns there is also earn prizes.  Here is the prize listing for our council.

100 cards   = Cub Scout Day Camp
250 cards   = Cub Scout Resident Camp (Boy + Adult)
500 cards   = iPod Touch
1000 cards = iPad Air 2 with WiFi

Cards will be distributed at the March 7th Den Meeting.  I encourage to you to do your best! It's a VERY easy sell!

Every scout will be given 40 camp cards to sell, if you would like more you can click HERE or talk to Flynn or Ray and we can get you more cards.