Pinewood Derby Location CONFIRMED!

We are holding our annual Pinewood Derby at the Lincoln Cafeteria as we normally do. Race Day is Saturday February 5th.

Registration will start at 9 am. All cars must be registered by 11:30am to race. No late entries allowed. Races will begin at 12 noon. All Scouts, Siblings and parents will run at the same time.

Regular Cub Scout rules apply to all cub cars. All cars must have 3/8 inch ground clearance. all cars must weigh in at 5 ounces or less.

See Cubmaster Nishimoto with any questions.

A Soldier's Silent Night

As we enter this Holy Holiday Season, take a moment to think of those who serve to protect us.

This is a poem originally titled "Merry Christmas, My Friend" and written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1987. The audio recording was done by Father Ted Berndt and his daughter Ellen Stout in one take. Father Berndt has since passed away (3/19/2004), but his life's mission lives on - "to touch lives and make a difference."

At Christmastime while you are enjoying your time with family and friends, remember the soldiers spending Christmas away from their families and their country.

When you hit your knees tonight - say a prayer of thanks.

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, net even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured a United States Soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
my life is my God, my Country, My Corps."
The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still
and we both shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
The the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "carry on Santa, it's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right.
Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.

Committee Meeting Sunday November 21

Our Parent Committee meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 21 at 5pm at Round Table Pizza. We will be discussing the Awards Ceremony for November 29th and activities for the next few months. Please try to attend and bring any ideas you may have for our cubs.

See you there

Time to get some Derby Ideas

With Halloween Past and Fall now upon us that means only one thing. Pinewood Derby season has begun. A good scout is always prepared and it is never to early to start thinking of derby car ideas.

We will hand out derby car kits very soon! We will try to hand out the kits prior to the holidays.

Following is a Derby Car how to video from the people at Lowes and Dremel tools.

Halloween Party

Boo! Did I scare Ya? Halloween Party October 25

Wear your best Halloween Costume to our Pack Night on October 25. We will have our Pack carnival set-up in the cafeteria as well as the Rain Gutter Regatta track outside.

We need judges for the Best Overall Costume, Scariest Costume and Funniest Costume. There were a couple of questions on rules for costumes. Costumes should be in Good Taste and follow general Scout spirit guidelines.

If you have a Fun Carnival type game check with your den leader if you should bring it.

All scouts should bring 1 small bag of candy.

Have a Happy Halloween!

Raingutter Regatta Kits Coming Soon!

Just wanted to drop everyone a note that the Raingutter Regatta kits will be handed out on Monday October 18. Rules for the regatta are simple - Use the parts included within the kit to make your boat. Parts maybe added for decoration or design but the primary hull must be made from the balsa wood within the kit.

There are several websites dedicated to Rain-gutter regatta boat designs. The image included here is an example of a Cub-Catamaran. The Balsa hull is cut in half and then placed on its side. either Popsicle sticks or the included mast can be used to join the hulls.

Which ever design you pick make sure the sail is secured to the hull or the mast. A sail that spins will propel the boat forward.

For those of you new to Cub Scouting, the Rain-gutter regatta is a Scout powered race. Scouts will blow the boats down the gutter track. No Motors allowed! Cats are fast but traditional sailboats are cool!

Gilroy Gardens Campout

We are going to visit the Gilroy Gardens Amusement Park for an overnight Campout. Every year Gilroy Gardens invites scouts to spend the night in the park and have a fun evening under the stars. We are planning to attend the Scout Night on Saturday, October 16, 2010.

The admission fee for this campout is $45 per person attending. This fee include admission to the park, Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch and all beverages in the Picnic Area. So it really is a great deal! there is also an opportunity for our scout to perform on stage at the Gilroy amphitheater. Scouts will be able to ride all of the amusement rides on Sunday, October 17, 2010. This is a great family event!

Required for this campout will be a tent for each family attending and sleeping bags for each participant. Scouts must attend this campout with their parent or guardian.

You can find more information on Gilroy gardens here: http://gilroygardens.org/index2.html

We will begin sign-ups at our next meeting. Payment for the trip is due to the pack by Monday, September 20, 2010.

Welcome BACK!!!!!

WELCOME BACK!!! The School year is starting and it is time to iron the shirts and shine the buckles. School Starts on Monday August 16 and so do we. We are meeting in our usual location of the Lincoln School Cafeteria.

This year we have been asked to do a few service projects around the Lincoln Campus. These project announcements will be on our agenda for Monday. The School would like us to get started right away. Besides being our civic duty to help the school, we need to also show our appreciation to the school whatever way we can.

Have a Great Day at School and See you on Monday Night!

Summer Update

I hope All Cubs are doing well over Summer Vacation. I was able to see most of you all at the Camp Aroli Day Camp in June. This Year we have a summer Activity planned. We are still awaiting confirmation from Amtrak but we are scheduled to do a Train Trip to Old Sacramento on Saturday July 24. The Price for the Trip is $15 per person for the Train trip and then $4 per child and $9 per Adult for the Train Museum Tour. We will need payment during the week of July 12 Sorry for the late notice but we have been waiting for confirmation from Amtrak in fact we are still waiting.

Scout Parent - What Is it and Who is it.

When you registered your Cub with our Pack did you check the Scout Parent Box? Have you wondered what that was? By checking that box you have committed to spend more time with your son and have an active role in his growth. Cub Scouts is an awesome opportunity for you both to grow together.

Boy Scouts of America has released a new Scout Parent Booklet. It is available here: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/511-001.pdf

Derby DAZE

The Pinewood Derby will be here before we know it. We need to form up the Pinewood Derby committee to organize the Race and set rules for this years race. We have a tenative Derby Day scheduled for January 30th. Please come to our November Parent meeting on November 8th at Round Table Pizza at 5pm.



Derby Car Kits will be passed out on Monday November 30th and We will have design clinics on December 7th and 14th.

USS HORNET Trip - December 5 & 6

We are confirmed for an overnight trip to the USS Hornet Aircraft carrier on December 5th and 6th 2009. The fee for the trip is $60 per person attending. the trip is open to family members, however, the Hornet museum requires each child to be at least 5 years old, and children 5 - 9 years old must be accompanied by an adult at a 1:1 ratio. We will be eating Dinner and breakfast aboard the Hornet.

We will be sleeping in the crew quarters aboard the Hornet. Each person will be assigned a bunk for the evening. Each person will need a sleeping bag or blankets.

We will probably leave from Lincoln Elementary around noon on Saturday the 5th.

We are asking for a deposit of $20 to be paid on October 26th and Full payment made by November 9th.

Gilroy Gardens Campout October 17th

Reminder - we need to have advance payments for the Gilroy Gardens Campout. We are participating in the October 17th Gilroy Gardens Scout Night. We will leave Saturday October 17th in the afternoon. Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch is proveded by Gilroy Gardens. The admission fee for the weekend is $45 per person.

Parents - Please remember Flashlights and Light up toys. The evening will be very Dark! Gilroy Gardens does sell light up toys, but numbers are limited.

For additional information please see their website at http://www.gilroygardens.org

YiPee! It is time to start Meeting again!

I hope all of our cubs and their families have had a wonderful Summer and are ready for another Fun Filled year with Cub Scouts!

This year we will try to include Parent Planning Meetings once a month. I would like to have as many parents participate as possible. I am leaning toward scheduling the meetings the Second Sunday every month, probably 6pm at Round Table.

As a reminder we meet every Monday Night at 6pm. If school is in session we are holding a meeting. Please make sure your Cub attends every meeting. And Please attend the Monthly Pack Meeting with your Family.

Fresno Grizzlies Campout Friday May 29th

The Fresno Grizzlies have invited the Boy Scouts to come enjoy an evening of baseball and spend the night of the field of Chukchansi Park. Our Pack will be participating this year with great anticipation.

We will meet at Lincoln Elementary at 5:00pm on Friday May29th. The Scouts will get to enter the park early and participate in a Pregame Scout Parade.

What equipment should you bring? Sleeping bag and ground cloths are a must. Expect the evening to be cool. Tents are optional, To use a tent it must be stakeless (if you can set it up in the middle of your living room then it is OK). Bring a flashlight.

Just a reminder - There is to be no Alcoholic beverages consumed during any Boy Scout of America outing by any participant, including adults.

Almost time for End of Year Warp-up

As we enter the month of May. it is time to review your progress toward your rank. Just a reminder that you may only earn your current rank during the school year. Once you start school again in August everyone begins working on their next rank.

If you have been coming to the meetings on a regular basis everyone should be very close to acheiving their ranks. Check your books and your progress records to see what you neet to complete this year.

We will be doing a final advancement ceremony at the end of the School Year.

New Facebook Page Added

We have created a Facebook Page so we can communicate even better. This group is closed so you will need to ask to be able to join. I will only add people related to the Pack. Please let me know if you need some help in getting added to the group.

To see more details and confirm this group invitation, follow the link below:http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1560540533&k=3ZA525UZQZ5M5G1GPC3YRU
Facebook helps you find and keep in touch with family, friends and colleagues. You can share unlimited photos, plan events and join discussion groups. It's free and everyone can join.

To register, go to:http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1560540533&k=3ZA525UZQZ5M5G1GPC3YRU&r

Notes about Facebook - Remember what ever you put out on the internet remains out there somewhere. You can select to keep your information on your profile private or to have only your friends able to view it.

Blue & Gold Dinner - February 23rd

Just a Reminder of the Blue & Gold Dinner/Potluck on Monday, February 23, 2009. Please bring potluck items as directed at the den meetings.

Tigers - Spaghetti, Wolfs - Salads, Bears - Drinks, Webelos - Supplies.

Cubmaster Wally - Cake & Bread

Please Contact your den leader if you have any questions.

Wow two big scout nights in a row. Blue & gold and then Derby Day!

DERBY DAY IS COMING!

I just realized we have not mentioned the Derby on the Blog! Derby Day for our Pack is:

Saturday March 7, 10am SHARP! 

Please be on time as we will be pressed for time! We want to get in as many races as possible to make it a fun day for all Cubs and participants. 

Cubs get to race for free, Siblings and Parents will need to pay an entrance fee of $2.00.

I will try to include some Derby tips in the future postings as there are many speed tips available on the Web. Google is a wonderful thing when it comes to Derby Racing! Try searching for "pinewood derby speed tips" Remember not everything you read on the web is true so do your research.

Acheivement Plan for Cub Advancement

I am posting the advancement plan for our Cub Scouts. If you can help your Cub meet these acheivements we will hopefully be able to meet our goals for Cub Advancement.

Tiger Cub Scout
September: Bobcat requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Electives: 6,9
October: Tiger Achievements 1D, 1G, 5F, Electives: 2, 21
November: Tiger: 2G, 3F, 5D; Electives: 10 or 11, 12, 25, 32
December Tiger: 2F, 3D, 5G; Electives: 1,2, 10 or 12
January: Tiger: 3G, 4D, 4F; Electives: 3, or 19
February: Catch up

Wolf Cub Scout:
September: Bobcat 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8;
Wolf Achievements: 2a, 2c, 2d-g, 4a-f, 12d; Electives: 1a, 11a, 12d, 23d
October: Wolf 1a,1b, 2b, 7a-f, 9a-e; Electives: 6c,11c
November: Wolf 1c,1d, 1e, 1g, 2a, 3a-c, 6a-c,12a-k; Electives: 11d, 11f
December: Wolf 2a, 8a-e, 11a-d
January: Wolf 2b, 5a-e, 10a-e; Electives: 1b
February: Catch-up
Bear Cub Scout:
September: Bobcat All
Bear: 1 or 2, 3f, 7a, 9e, 9f or 9g, 11c, 16b, 17a, 17d-f, 23b, 23cElective: 9a
October: Bear: 4a-c, 8a, 8c, 8g, 11g, 18a, b, f, g, h
November: Bear: 3a, b, f,j, 5a, 6g, 7b, 24 d-f
December: Bear: 3f, 6e, 9a, 9d, 10a, 15b; Elective: 9a
January: Bear: 10b, 11a, b,d,e, 13f, 15b, 15c
February: Catch-Up

MAP to Scout Shop

I have added a google Map link the website. Go to the Cub Scout Links List on the left side of the page and click on the MAP TO SCOUT SHOP link. Or click the title of this post.

Parent Information for the Pack Campout

As a new Scout Parent you maybe wondering what to be prepared for on a Cub Scout Pack Overnighter. Well the first thing you should be aware of is that they are supposed to be FUN!

So I do not repeat some of the good information out there, following are some links to Cub Scout informational websites.

http://www.geocities.com/~PACK215/campout-whattobring.html

http://www.seqbsa.org/Camping.htm

http://www.scouting.org/CubScouts/Activities/Adults/camping.aspx

I know this will be an adventure for some families who have never gone camping before. And unless you totaly try to avoid it you will have a little bit of fun. Actually A whole lot of fun.

Gilroy Garden Permission Slip

The Permission Slip for the Gilroy Garden Campout is available online by clicking the title to this Post. If you have any problems please let me, Cubmaster Nishimoto know.

Gilroy Gardens Campout is Official

We have enough scouts and adults signed up to make it an official campout. There are about 25 Cubs, parents and siblings planning on attending the campout. Remember siblings are the responsiblity of their parents.

We will meet Saturday October 25th at Lincoln Elementary School at 1:30pm. Carpools will be put together by parents. I will need to collect vehicle information from parents driving as per Boy Scouts of America policy.

Parents: The following rules apply to this campout. Boy Scouts of America requires the following: No alcohol maybe consumed by any individual during a Scout Outing. Tobacco may not be used in the area of any Scout (should not be smelled or seen by scouts.) Scouts wishing to sleep with an adult may only share a tent with their parent or legal guardian. Scouts may sleep with other scouts. Scouts are not allowed to enter an adults tent.

If you are attending the campout please bring full payment of $45 per person to the meeting on October 6. We must buy Tickets from Gilroy Gardens during the week of October 6th to secure our spots. Please pay in cash or make check payable to Boy Scouts of America, Pack 112.

IMPORTANT POPCORN DATES

September 22 - Official Popcorn Kick-Off
October 13 - Turn in Popcorn Orders and Collected Money
November 10 - Pick up Popcorn Orders at Cub Meeting
November 17 - Turn in Balance of any remaining Money

Remember You are selling Scouting. Be a good representative of Scouting! Wear your uniform and always say Thank You.

Possible Campout on October 25, 2008

We have just been informed of a Campout opportunity at the Gilroy Gardens in Gilroy, California. We will spend the night on the park grounds on Saturday night and then attend interactive activities on Sunday. We will also be able to ride the rides on Sunday. There is an entry fee that includes 3 meals, Dinner, Breakfast, and Lunch. The price is $45 per person. Each cub going must attend with a parent or legal guardian.

This campout will be open to the entire family. Siblings of scouts will be the responsibility of parents. All attendees (3yr +up) will pay the same $45.00 per person.

The full price regular ticket is $42.99 and the Discount entry price is $29.99 so the $45.00 price is not bad considering we get to spend the night, eat, attend classes, receive a souvenir camp patch and ride the rides.

I will need parents to begin signing up at our next meeting on September 15th and will need to collect $25 per person to reserve spots at our meeting on September 22nd. Final Payment of $20 person must be paid at our meeting on October 6th.

We will discuss this at our next meeting during recreation time. Please come on time at 6:00pm. I apologize for the late notice, but I just found out about this. More information on Gilroy Gardens is available at : http://www.gilroygardens.org/

Troop 116 Visitation and Popcorn Kick-OFF

Troop 116 has invited our Pack to visit them on Monday September 22nd. We will enjoy a Pop Corn Kick off Celebration with them

This celebration will start the Popcorn selling season. Remember Popcorn sales supports our pack's activities and awards.

We will meet at our regular time of 6:00pm at Lincoln school and then Caravan down to the Madera United Methodist church to meet Troop 116 at 7:00. All parents are encouraged to attend this meeting with their cub.

Pop Corn Song

PopCorn Song
By Mark Wesling, inspired by Renee Wesling

It’s movie night, and we’re all around
And we hear a sound, what can that be?

(Chorus)
It’s Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop, Popcorn
It’s Pop, PopPop, PopPop, Pop, Popcorn
It’s Pop, Pop, Pop, PopPop, Popcorn
It’s Pop, PopPop, Pop, PopPop, Popcorn

We jump up and down, we know that sound
We look around, what can that be? (Repeat Chorus)

We look around, we know that sound
It’s getting faster, what can it be? (Repeat Chorus)

We’re awfully hungry, We know that sound
We look around, yeah, what can it be? (Repeat Chorus)

It’s getting faster, we know that sound
We look around, what can it be? (Repeat Chorus)

We love that sound, we look around
It’s getting faster, we know that sound (Repeat Chorus)

Pack 112 Dens Have A Great First Meeting

We had a great meeting for our first Den gathering. Each of the Dens created their own Den Flag. We have some very creative and Artistic Scouts in our Pack! Guests and new buddies are always encouraged currently we have 3 tigers, 4 wolves, 4 Bears, and 4 Webelo I's. We also assigned Numbers to each of the Dens.

Den Numbers are as Follows: Tigers-Den 8; Wolves-Den 7; Bears-Den 6; Webelos I-Den 5; and Webelos II-Den 2.

Thank you to all of the Parents who stepped up and helped out! Cub Scouts is a family oriented program and Cubs with involved parents are more successful and have more fun. Take advantage of the Cub Scout activities and teach them responsibility. Cubs should always help out with cleaning and set-up whenever possible.

I did not get to review this at our meeting but each Cub should bring their handbook to every meeting. We will try to sign off on activities we did in the meeting and also review what cubs and parents have done at home. The handbook is a great resource for home activities. A parent can work on any of the activities at home and sign off on the activity in the book. The cub's den leader will review their progress and record it in the advancement log.

NEXT WEEK - September 15, Cubs will make flag stands for their new flags, create den yells and calls, And work on Bobcat. All Cubs should review the Bobcat rank at Home. I hope to award rank to all of our Cubs at the September 29th Pack Meeting.

How To Help Your New or Old Cub Succeed in Cub Scouts

In the link bar on the left side of the BLOG Page is a list of Boy Scout links. Find the one titled "Cub Scout Advancement requirements" Click on this link and it will open up on an official BSA Resource page. On the right side of the page you will find a section on Cub Scouts it is broken down by Cub Ranks. You may also click this Link for the Advancement Info.

This information is also available in your Cub's Handbook. Some people find it easier to read the information as it is presented on the web.

Please communicate any ideas you may have to help your cubs den improve their work on the achievements. We will schedule Parent Leader meetings so that we can have a good plan for success of the Pack and the Cubs. The more parent involvement we have the better. Even an excellent den leader needs support from Cub Scout Parents. Please remember Cub Scouts is a family centered program. Some projects require participation from the whole family and others require parental help to finish.

Welcome to our New Cubs - No Meeting Labor Day

First and most important I would like to welcome our six new Cubs to the Pack: Tiger Cub, Ian Bennett; Wolf Cubs: Manuel Juarez and Anthony Garcia; Bear Cubs: Nicholas Garcia, Michael McMeans and Karlo Patchell. We are always happy to see new cubs entering the Pack. We try to have a lot of fun and do as many activities as we can but it is so much more fun when we have a pack full of Cubs!

Monday September 1st is Labor Day. Lincoln School will be closed so we will not be meeting. So our next meeting will be Monday September 8th at 6:00pm.

You should have your proper scout book for your current Rank. 1st Graders - Tiger Cubs, 2nd Graders-Wolf Cubs, 3rd Graders-Bear Cubs, And 4th & 5th Graders are Webelos. Over the next week or so Cub Scouts should review their Cubs Scout Promise, The Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto. It is required that all Cub Scouts have this memorized.

Recruitment NIght August 25th

Recruitment Night is Monday August 25th at 6:00pm. Of course guests are welcome anytime but for this meeting we will make sure we have sign up forms and information for parents.



Please invite your friends and or relatives that are eligible for Cub Scouts. Remember Cub Scouts is open to all boys in grades 1 through 5. Our goal is to have 5 - 6 active cubs in each grade level. Parents of future cubs should attend to fill out registration forms and get information on future dates.

Cub Scouts is a Family oriented program teaching citizenship, responsibility, sportsmanship and character development. Cub Scouts can earn badges and awards for sports and academic achievements. We hope to have at least one major field trip this year and several local field trips.

See you all on Monday!