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Pack 346 - South Florida |
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2008 Pinewood Derby |
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Welcome to Cub Scout Pack 346! Here's hoping the information and guidelines presented to you on our web site will help you get off to a good start for the coming year. To begin with, your son is a member of Pack 346, which is in the Pine Island District, belonging to the South Florida Council, encompassing Broward, Dade, and Monroe counties. The Pack is made up of Dens, each of which is a group of boys usually in the same grade as your son. Except for Tigers, each Den has a specific numeral attached to it. Collectively, we are Cub Scouts, and are members of the National organization, the Boy Scouts of America. All Packs have a Chartered Organization which acts as a "sponsor", Ours is the West Broward Church of Christ located at 12550 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation, FL 33325, where we hold our Den and Pack Meetings. The Pack is run by the registered BSA Adult Leaders of the Pack who make up the Pack Committee, which includes a Committee Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Event coordinators, Awards coordinators, Den leaders, Assistant Den Leaders and others. All parents of a Cub Scout in Pack 346 are welcomed and encouraged to become a Committee Member. Our committee meetings are held before the Pack Meeting each month at 6:30 pm at the West Broward Church of Christ; and are open to all parents of Scouts in Pack 346. Den meetings are held weekly on Tuesdays at West Broward Church of Christ at 7:00 p.m. (& other times see Calendar tab) Unless previously announced, our Pack meetings are always the fourth Tuesday of every month at West Broward Church of Christ at 7:00 p.m. Please see our schedule handout.
Den Meetings Much of Cub Scouting happens in the Den. Please remember that your son's Den Leader is a volunteer putting forth his or her time and effort to help your boy "do his best" to earn his badges, participate in the fun, and gain all the positive values that the Cub Scout program offers. Please assist them in the following ways: • Please have your son to den meetings on time.• Please have your son to Den meetings on time. Your Den leaders have lots of activities planned and it is important to have the whole group together to begin the evening's fun and projects. • Please note that you or an adult member of your family must attend the meeting with your son. Better yet, ask your Den leader if they could use an extra pair of hands that night. Not only will your help be appreciated, you can see what your son is working on. Enjoy the time together. Please pay your Den dues promptly. Your Den leader or other parents will be purchasing various items for craft projects, supplies, snacks, etc., and it sure helps to have the money "on hand". Also, please make sure your son has his handbook, and anything else he needs for the meeting before leaving the house. • Be an active parent. Everybody has some special abilities and "know how" that can be of great help in matters relating to Cub Scouts. Please make sure you have completed the Parent Talent Survey Sheet and return it to your leader. In addition to the boys learning new skills from you, I promise that you will have a good time helping them.
Pack Meetings Whereas at weekly Den meetings the boys might do activities towards earning rank badges and awards, the monthly Pack meeting is where these awards are presented. It is an important part of the program, as it allows the boys to receive their recognition in front of the group as a whole, inspires the younger scouts to strive towards achieving future ranks, and brings everybody together for the big night! At Pack meetings, the Cubmaster will "do his best" to make sure that each Den has a chance to display that special craft they made, song they learned, skit they've rehearsed, or interesting place they visited. In addition, there might be a drawing, advancement ceremony, or other theme event planned for the evening. Please observe the following guidelines in regard to Pack meetings: • Please accompany your son to his Pack meeting. Pack meetings are a family event - brothers, sisters, grandparents, but most of all, YOU! We require you there not only to help keep order at the meeting (things can get a bit rowdy), but also because in Scouting many awards are presented to the parent to then be presented to the Scout. Cub Scouting is a family program. • Please arrive to Pack meetings on time. Plan on arriving at least ten minutes early to purchase a ticket for a drawing, confer with your son's Den leader about upcoming things, chat with friends, etc., as the meeting needs to begin on time. If your son is helping out as a member of a flag ceremony, or assisting with other Pack meeting activities, it is imperative to have him there on time. Thank you. • If your son has a uniform, the Pack meeting is definitely the place to wear it. Class A - shirts tucked in - looking sharp! Most of all, we hope to make Pack meetings entertaining, enriching, and FUN!!!
$$$$$$$ Pack 346 and B.S.A. Dues $$$$$$$ Throughout the Scout year, your Den leader or Pack Treasurer will be collecting money for various Pack functions and activities. These will be addressed in the Calendar and flyers that will be handed out at Pack Meetings, and also via weekly information given to you at Den meetings. The following is a reminder of what two fees are required for your son's involvement in the Pack. B.S.A. Dues $20.00 This annual fee must be collected at signup from every registered Scout and Adult leader of the Pack. This fee includes the yearly membership to B.S.A, Boys Life Subscription. and for the insurance issued to cover the boys and Adult Leaders at all Scout functions. If you just signed up on Join Scout Night, you've already paid this. Note that this covers through the end of January at which time the annual re-chartering will occur and you will be asked for $20 (approx.), which will take your sons membership through to the next January. Pack 346 Dues $5.00 a month per Scout. This fee goes towards the cost of projects and snacks at the Den meetings, your son's Pinewood Derby car and the many awards that will be presented to him throughout the year. This money is collected by the Den leader at the first Den meeting each month. The Pack maintains a separate bank account at Washington Mutual with records being kept by a Pack Treasurer.
Cub Scouting and You When your son earns his Bobcat badge he learns When your son earns his Bobcat badge he learns the Laws of the Pack. One of these laws states: "The Cub Scout Helps the Pack Go". Throughout the year there are banquets, fund-raisers, Scout shows, parades, derbies, camping trips, and many other activities and functions. Ambitious as they are, a Cub Scout still needs your help in implementing the program and thereby giving us the chance to keep our promise in the part of the Law that states "The Pack Helps the Cub Scout Grow". Remember, the Pack is all of us working together... leaders, parents, and Scouts. Unlike other programs your son might enroll in, Cub Scouting involves the whole family, no matter what size or parental make-up exists in the home. In Tigers, you are your son's Adult Partner. In Wolves and Bears you are Akela, the wise leader of the tribe of Webelos, and the final judge of your son's efforts. At the Webelos rank, you are the Activity Badge counselors that could help influence a boy's career direction. Throughout the year you will be asked to assist on different committees, and at different events. Please volunteer freely, and give of yourself when called upon to help. You will find it a rewarding experience, and one in which you and your son will remember that you did together.ONT SIZE="7" COLOR="red" FACE="Arial, Helvetica">Fund Raisers Throughout the year there will be various fund-raisers. Some of the money collected goes to reduce your costs and benefit the Pack for a trip, outing, or needed supplies, and some to benefit the Scout, Pack, and South Florida Council. There are also contests and prizes in some fundraising events. As Cub Scouts, we will always try and make sure to emphasize the fun in fundraising.
Uniforms, Patches, and Accessories Scouts in uniform are more conscious of their role in Cub Scouting, and feel a sense of pride and belonging when wearing one. A uniform provides a proper place for the display of badges earned and a way for him to 'show the world' that he has been rewarded for his achievements. In addition, Scouts in uniform create a strong, positive, visible image in the community that helps to strengthen the important ties between the public and the Scouting organization.
Where to Buy Uniforms, patches and accessories are available at Army
Navy Outdoors located in Davie at 4130 SW 64th Av. Their phone number is 954 584-7227.
If you find yourself in N.
Lauderdale , there is an Army Navy Outdoors located, at 1401 S. State Road 7 in No. Lauderdale, just north of Boulevard
of Champions. Their phone number is 973-6289 Both of these stores will be happy to assist you.
For a real treat, take a drive down to Miami Lakes and visit
the Tatham Scout Center at 15255 NW 82 Avenue, Miami Lakes, FL 33016, home of our Council headquarters, and the wonderful Miami Scout Shop. In addition to uniforms,
they carry everything you see in the Scout Catalog and then some. Enjoy the time spent there! Your son will love
it!
Also, the Pack might have some 'experienced' uniforms available. Please see your Den Leader for details.
Shirts and Shorts The main article of the uniform is the shirt, as it displays the rank of the Scout, and identifies him as belonging to a certain Den, Pack and Council. When purchasing a new uniform, remember that your son is growing and if, for example, he is now a newly signed up Wolf Cub, get an extra size or two larger, so he can wear it for his Bear year as well. (Although a complete uniform for your son is strongly encouraged, if cost is an object, both Wal-Mart and Target sell shorts in colors that closely resemble those of the official uniform. Except for Tigers, blue jeans and other 'unofficial' uniform colors are discouraged.) Pack 346 also has 'Class B' Pack T-shirts for sale for many of our outdoor activities.
Patches In addition to the purchasing of a uniform, those boys entering Wolf, Bear, or Webelos will have many patches that need to be sewn on. Please pay close attention as to where on the uniform these need to be placed. (Please refer to uniform insignia placement below). It is important that when your son receives an award that will become a part of his uniform you affix it to his uniform as soon as possible. He earned it, and he deserves to have it displayed. A uniform is something that a Scout can help pay for himself by assigning him various chores around the house, or helping out with other home projects. Also, keep in mind that uniforms, Scout accessories, camping supplies, and other "Scout stuff" make excellent birthday and holiday presents for your son or the Scouter in your family.
What to Buy Tiger Cubs • Tiger Cub Hand Book (please purchase handbook as soon
as possible)
Wolves and Bears • Wolf or Bear Handbook (please purchase handbook as soon
as possible)
Webelos • Webelos Handbook (please purchase handbook as soon as
possible)
1. American Flag (comes with uniform)
A Brief Summary of Scouting and the Cub Scout Program Scouting has been around a long time. The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910, and became federally chartered with the United States in 1916. Cub Scouts came into being in 1930. Millions of boys have worn the uniform, cooked over an open fire at a campsite, earned their Bobcat, raced their Pinewood Derby cars, worked on service projects, and made new friends under the umbrella of Scouting.Flowing underneath all this fun and excitement is a character building program that encourages making good ethical choices, family strengthening, physical fitness, and citizenship skills in the lives of our boys. Scouting utilizes an advancement system that requires a boy to 'do his best' to fulfill and complete the requirements outlined in his handbook so that he may earn his rank badge. After receiving his badge, these Scouts can go on to earn other awards by completing a series of electives. Please keep in mind that though there are lots of awards in Scouting, Pack 346 will strive towards the end that these be earned through significant, meaningful methods that your son will remember for a long time. At the Tiger Cubs, Wolf, and Bear ranks, Cub Scouting centers around monthly themes that has lots of appeal to boys at this age. During den meetings, the boys will be playing games, building craft projects, learning songs, etc. relating to this theme. In doing so, these boys will be improving on different skills as they learn to get along with others, become more resourceful, and participate in new activities and venues. At the Webelos level, in lieu of the monthly theme, the boys are introduced to several diverse Activity Badges and, within the framework of the Webelos den, these older boys work on completing these badges.If you'll notice, there are Webelos 1's (4th graders) and Webelos 2's (5th graders). At the first level, after earning their Webelos badge, Webelos 1's then continue to earn additional activity badges all the while gaining new knowledge and skills in these areas. The Webelos 2's, having completed much of these tasks previously, are now focusing in on completing the requirements for their Arrow of Light award and conducting activities with various Boy Scout Troops. Pack 346 follows a "Scout year" of September to June and upon nearing the end of the school term, all the boys "cross over" into the next rank. During the summer, Den meeting work on achievements is suspended and the Pack meets monthly at a fun outings such as a bowling derby, fishing derby, kite derby, baseball game, Pack swim, etc. that goes toward the boys earning their Summertime Award pin. There are many, many events offered in Scouting. In addition to the events at Den meetings, Pack 346 will have family camping trips, Pinewood Derby races, a Blue and Gold dinner, and much more that's just for us. In addition, there are District events within Pine Island District which unites us with hundreds of Scouts. Finally, there are South Florida Council events that will have thousands of Scouts in attendance. Your participation at these events will definitely add to your son's enjoyment of the Scouting experience. Thank you for taking the time to go over this handbook with your new Cub Scout! With your help, this will be an exciting, rewarding year for you, your son, your family, and your Pack. We're glad you've joined us. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Thank you very much. Alan Margulies, Cubmaster Pack 346(954)684-1365 |
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