04/09/23 Cubmaster Update

Good afternoon Pack 333 families; I hope you had an awesome Spring Break. While we are starting to wind down the end of the school year and Scout year, we still have several activities going on for our Cubs. First, I wanted to thank all the families for the wonderful Blue and Gold dinner on 17 March. We had a great turn out, excellent food and entertainment, as well as a wonderful Bridging ceremony for our AOLs. All 9 AOLs moved to Scout Troops. Their families also donated some amazing camping gear for our Pack (4 person tent, 2 x 2 person tents, 2 solar hybrid camp lanterns, and a collapsible trolley cart) which was set up and has been transferred to the shed. We'll Cub test it as part of the Mega Make-up on 21 April as well as our first spring camping trip 28-30 April.

Our Webelos are beginning to wrap up their Adventures as they are now our oldest Cubs. Their next Adventure is tentatively scheduled for 17 April at 6:30 pm at St. James UMC.

Our Bears started preparations for camp cooking in March and cooked their own menu (below) with very limited adult assistance in 90 minutes. By the time they camp at Webelos-O-Ree in the fall, they should be almost pros at cooking.

Breakfast - Pancakes, sausage (plant based), bacon, strawberries, blueberries

Lunch - Macaroni and tomato sauce, solar hot dogs (plant based), corn on the cob, carrots, broccoli

Dinner - Black bean burgers, salad

Snacks - Pinewood cars, Nut-free trail mix

Dessert - Armpit fudge

The Bear Den's next Adventure is the Grin and Bear It, an elective Adventure which includes the Bear Carnival which is our April Pack activity. The Bears will set up games and activities for our Cubs and family members to participate and award small prizes. Our original date of 15 April 2023 has been claimed by West Friendship Elementary School for their Carnival. The tentative reschedule is now for 22 April 2023 at 3pm at St. James UMC. If any families also wish to assist the Bears, they are welcome.

Our Wolf Den also got creative with different ways to communicate, using flags, hand signals, walkie talkies, and Morse code. They also prepared their own skit using a range of props, singing, and actions. Can't wait to see it at the next campfire! Their next adventure is Call of the Wild, a Required Adventure covering outdoor safety, basic camping skills including pitching a tent, and tying knots on 20 April 2023 at 6pm at St. James.

Our Tiger Den went on a night hike as part of their My Tiger Jungle adventure. They used multiple senses to examine differences between day and night activities, animals and insects, and even humans. They also did a little stargazing and learned about the outdoor code. Their next Adventure is Rolling Tigers, an elective Adventure at Centennial Park at 6pm on 13 April. They will cover basic bicycle safety and take a ride through the Park. Family members and siblings are welcome, training wheels are more than acceptable.

Our Lion Den has been working hard through their Adventures. Their next Required Adventure is the King of the Jungle (date and location TBD) where they'll investigate good citizenry, leadership, and participate in a flag ceremony.

Our Mega Make-up Adventure is scheduled for 21 April 2023. As this event is planned to span a wide range of activities and Ranks, I've drafted a tentative schedule for the make-ups. Each Cub should have received an update listing what Adventures are needed to be made up and options for either at the Mega Make-up or at home. We will be meeting at Alpha Ridge Park for the activities. Please let me know if your Cub(s) are attending by 18 April as I need to make sure I have adequate supplies.

3 pm - Camping and Outdoor Readiness - Bear Necessities (Bear), Call of the Wild (Wolf), Howling at the Moon (Wolf)

4 pm - Flag Ceremony and Community Discussion - Lion's Honor, King of the Jungle (Lion), Team Tiger, Council Fire (Wolf), Paws for Action (Bear)

5 pm - Hiking, the Outdoor Code, and Leave No Trace - Mountain Lion, My Tiger Jungle, Tigers in the Wild, Paws on the Path (Wolf), Fur, Feathers, and Ferns (Bears), Webelos Walkabout (partial only)

6 pm - Physical Fitness and Nutrition - Fun on the Run (Lion), Games Tigers Play, Tiger Bites, Running with the Pack (Wolf), Stronger, Faster, Higher (Webelos partial only)

For those who need to make-up Animal Kingdom (Lion) and First Responder (Webelos), we can schedule a separate session.

For those who need to make-up Baloo the Builder (Bear), Bear Claws (Bear), or Cast Iron Chef (Webelos), these also can be scheduled separately.

Our Pack camping trip is scheduled for 28 - 30 April 2023 at Camp Rock Enon in Winchester, VA. We have reservations at the Tall Timbers campsite which has platform for tents, ground tent space, and a bunk cabin in case of weather or needs for families that need a little more shelter. There is hiking, canoeing, as well as Archery and BB Ranges on-site for Cub Scouts. I am awaiting final confirmation on the Archery and BB Ranges for Saturday and Sunday mornings. This should be a good introductory camping event for those Cubs and families new to camping. (https://www.sac-bsa.org/CampRockEnon) If you are interested in attending, I have set up a Sign up Genius for this event (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044AABAA2CA5FB6-pack1). Please sign-up before 19 April 2023 to allow us to better organize our activities and meeting points. This is an excellent opportunity for the Webelos who need to make up Cast Iron Chef, Webelos Walkabout, and First Responder components (not all activities will be able to be completed in a weekend, please talk to your Den Leaders and review the requirements).

As we move into May, we'll be working on finalizing our Ranks, preparing for our June Bridging Ceremony, and planning for the June meetings with our new Ranks. We have two new Den Leaders who will be joining us (hurray and THANK YOU): Den Leader John Motsco (currently Wolf Den) and Assistant Den Leader Laura Nieves (currently Lion Den). We can always use Den Leaders, Assistant Den Leaders, Assistant Cubmasters, and Administrative personnel. I am planning a Den Leader interest meeting for June to show what these roles do, time it takes, and materials and supports available to assist. I encourage all parents who maybe interested in simply leading one Den meeting during the course of the year to attend. As a Den Leader, you get to pick the Den meeting times and set the schedule.

Lastly, Cub Scout Day camp (Camp Linstead) registration is closing very soon. The Baltimore Area Council hosts Camp Linstead at the Howard County Fairgrounds, a Cub Scout Day Camp (https://camplinstead.com/registration/), this year 26 - 30 June 2023. Cubs entering 2nd grade through 5th grade this fall are eligible to participate for all 5 days; Tiger Cubs entering 1st grade are able to attend Wednesday and Thursday of the week with an adult partner with them in camp. This year's theme is Space which will be celebrated through out the stations and Dens. Siblings who are 4 years or older (and potty trained) can also participate as Tagalongs (and must be registered and accompanied by an adult). Anyone 14 or older who wishes to volunteer to help is also welcome. Registration is open through the third week of April 2023. Registration is online only this year and is on an individual basis following the link listed above and includes1 T-shirt (it is recommended for those participating more than 1 day to have more than 1 T-shirt). Cubs, adults, and Tagalongs must register to attend. Once registered online, you must complete the BSA medical forms and provide those to me BEFORE 15 April 2023 to ensure I can follow-up with any missing or incomplete information. All forms are required to be hardcopy (yes hardcopy - you are reading that right) and will be submitted for the Pack as one physical submission. I am currently serving as the Camp Coordinator in addition to Cubmaster duties and need a couple days to ensure we do not suffer any penalties for incomplete forms before the deadline.

I know this is a long email with a lot of information. As always, any suggestions, comments, or questions are welcome. It may take me a bit to respond but I will get back to you.

Respectfully,

Tara Lydick Cubmaster Pack 333