March 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.

 

This meeting will focus on the following topics:

1. Reviewing the Pinewood Derby. Disusing what we liked, what we didn't like, and anything new we would want to add for next year.  We will also start planing the 
2. April Family Camp.  We still need to set a menu and plan activities to keep everyone busy while camping.  
3. Selecting Class "B" uniforms.  A class "B" uniform is usually a pack tee-shirt that is worn to pack events when a full uniform is not needed.  We will be selecting 3 designs for a pack tee-shirt that the boys can vote on.  

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

April Family Camp

One of the things boys all look forward to in Cub Scouts is CAMPING and it's almost time! Save the date for April 28-30 to camp with Pack 777!

The Spring Camp Registration Form can be found HERE.  This is required for anyone attending. 

Registration fees are $20 per person. Payments can be made via cash or check payable to PACK 777 

Deadline for turning in forms is TUESDAY, APRIL 18.  

There is a place on the form where you indicate if you are camping Friday night, Saturday night or if you're just attending for the Pack activities on Saturday. Please mark this. Once we have an idea of attendees, we will make and publish the menu.  Friday night dinner will be on your own. 

Again, please note that camping out Friday night is completely optional but many families enjoy the extra night in the fresh air. Many, however, do come in Saturday morning after breakfast. Whatever works for your family! Just get them there!! Because, let's face it -- camping is a HUGE reason why boys WANT to be in Scouts!

When the BSA realigned the program for Cub Scouts, they made being outdoors an integral part of advancement.  Thus, camping is a required component for earning your Wolf, Bear and Arrow of Light.  Want to know what is required for those ranks?  Click the Camping for Cub Scouts image to see.  

All Pack 777 camp outs are family friendly events so the whole family is welcome! Mark your calendars NOW to attend! 

Completed BSA Health Forms Part A&B are REQUIRED for ALL 

parties attending. If you haven't turned yours in yet, please turn those in with your registration. 


If you are new to camping, please don't run out and buy every piece of gear you think you need.  The best thing to do when starting to acquire gear is to start small and simple so that you can discover what your family needs... grow from there. There are plenty of seasoned camping veterans in our pack that have gear to spare so don't hesitate to put the word out if you need to borrow something.

Cub Scout family camping is also referred to as "car camping." With a large enough vehicle, you're fortunate enough to be able to take just about everything AND the kitchen sink with you. But for the amount of time you'll be there, it's really not necessary. Though, a few creature comforts are definitely worth it!

For our camp out at Sycamore Canyon, however, you won't necessarily need a ton of supplies. 

To begin, you need something to sleep IN, something to sleep ON, something to wear, personal toiletries and light. 

Below is a somewhat detailed packing list with a few notes to give anyone who needs that itemized list.

CAMP

• Tent (should come with stakes and guy-lines)
• Plastic mallet (I keep this in my tent bag)
• Tent footprint (this is a tarp to place beneath your tent to protect it from rocks, cactus, etc.)
• Sleeping pad (unless you're okay with the ground) or air mattress (check the batteries on your pump -- we usually do not have electricity at camps. I've seen people use those cheap blow-up pool floats for their kids... they're quick, easy and if you pop a hole in them, no love lost as they're easily replaceable)
• Cot (you won't want to use this in cold weather as the air circulating beneath you will make you colder)
• Sleeping bags (with liners if it's chilly)
• Extra blankets to keep in the car (just in case)
• Pillow (though you can use your sweatshirt as a pillow as well to minimize your packing list)
• One folding chair per person
• Pop up shade
• Folding table (though your cooler may work in a pinch)
• Lantern / fuel
• small dustpan and brush (I love having this in my tote to help clean up all the leaves, dirt and debris tracked into the tent)

CAMPING KIT
I like to keep a small tackle box prepped with various items that someone always seems to need including:

• Multi-tool or knife
• Glow sticks
• Batteries (for flashlight or headlamp)
• Bandana
• Duct tape (it fixes everything)
• safety pins
• Caribeeners
• scissors
• q-tips

GEAR

• Daypacks (to carry your gear for the day -- lightweight backpacks)
• Headlamp (I find these are much better to use than flashlights because they keep your hands free)
• canteen
• Matches/lighter
• Compass
• Whistle
• Sunglasses
• Hammock
• Rope

CLOTHING
The best motto here is BE PREPARED. I always keep an extra change of clothing in a bag in the car WITH socks and shoes that we hope to just put away at home when we return. However, if there is a surprise downpour, a slip and fall in the mud or a spill, we are prepared. Happy kids = happy parents = great campout! Your weather forecast IS YOUR FRIEND. Be sure to check it the day before you pack and then check the morning before you leave.

• long sleeved shirts (moisture wicking is great, flannel is great - these are great to protect from the sun, bugs and to take the morning chill off)
• sun-shielding hat
• Bandana (these are handy for just about everything including makeshift first-aid)
• Close-toed shoes suited for the terrain (NO open toed shoes, flip flops or sandals)
• Socks
• Sleepwear
• Rainwear (a poncho in the daypack can be a lifesaver!)
• Weather appropriate change of clothes (could be cold weather / could be shorts)

TOILETRIES

• toilet paper
• sunscreen
• chapstick
• insect repellent
• hand sanitizer 
• First aid kit
• Toothbrush/toiletry kit
• Brush/comb
• Soap/washcloth (I like to take a small bar of soap OR cut up a large bar of soap into quarters and put it in a zip loc bag with the soap. Use that to wash your face, wring it out and put it back in the ziploc.
• Deodorant

OPTIONAL CAMPING SUPPLIES

• solar phone charger
• binoculars
• maps/guidebooks/local bird or wildlife field guide
• books
• decks of cards
• frisbee
• walkie talkies
• umbrella
• balls (soccer, football -- nerf is best, baseball/glove)
• Hacky sack

Watershed Restoration Project

We had a great day out in the San Gabriel Mountains.  We were lucky to have such a beautiful day for tree planting.

5 Scouts and a sister make a pretty good work crew!

We met up at the Education Center and helped to load up all the supplies and baby trees.  Ours kids got in there and wanted to help even with the heaviest loads.  The Rangers explained these mountains are responsible for providing water to the valleys bellow which makes it a watershed.  They explain that the trees play a vital role in that system of water collection and drainage because the roots help hold all the dirt and rocks in place.  Without good healthy tree systems the water runs off with too much sediment and the mountains erode too fast.

Four times a year they have volunteer days to plant new trees.  We followed the trucks up to Crystal lake and got our assignment.

New trees have to be 10 feet away from any other trees.  The kids had to carry a bucket of water, their baby tree and their shovels up into the hills to find the perfect spot planting.

The ground was rocky and hard but they kept digging....

.....and digging and digging.

The water buckets had extra gel to help hold water and fight against the dry ground.

We worked in teams to get all our trees planted.

The boys followed all the steps to help their plants grow and were very proud of the work they did. After a few hours of planting our scouts had added 12 new trees to the San Gabriel watershed.

WHAT A GREAT DAY!!

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,

Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”

― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

Reminder!

We have out Pinewood Derby a week from Saturday!  We need your help to make this event amazing for the boys.  We have created a signup genius for people to sign up to bring snacks and help at the different stations for the event.  

Please click HERE to sign up to bring something or volunteer some time to help set up or supervise a station.
   
Also we need to know how many people to expect so we have enough snacks and drinks for everyone.  Please click HERE to be taken to the evite where you can tell us you are coming and how many people will be joining you.

Please RSVP and sign up to bring something so this years pinewood derby can be outstanding!

Don’t miss Scout Day on March 18, 2017. Scouts, their family and friends are invited to visit the Aquarium at a discounted rate. Purchase discounted admission online for only $14 adult and $8 child, regular price $29.95 adult and $17.95 child. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/scouts/. A special "Scout Discovery Experience" is also available for Scouts to have a 20-minute exclusive educational opportunity in one of our classrooms with an Aquarium educator. Scouts will learn about tide-pool animals and explore animal artifacts. These sessions have limited capacity and sell out quickly, so reserve now. Also make sure to check out our downloadable activity sheets. New frog-themed fun patches are available in the gift store for only $1.50. Wear your uniform to receive 20% off your total gift store purchase!

Tomorrow we will be having our Den meeting as usual at 6:30 pm in the school classrooms. 

We also have our Pinewood Derby coming up in less than 2 weeks!  We need your help to make this event amazing for the boys.  We have created a signup genius for people to sign up to bring snacks and help at the different stations for the event.  Please click HERE to sign up to bring something or volunteer some time to help set up or supervise a station.

   
Also we need to know how many people to expect so we have enough snacks and drinks for everyone.  Please click HERE to be taken to the evite where you can tell us you are coming and how many people will be joining you.

Thank you all for your support and we will see you tomorrow night for the den meetings!