Sunday, March 22, 2015

Cub Scout Cabin Camping Checklist and Safety Guidelines


In preparation for our upcoming camping trip, below you'll find a list of recommended items Scouts and their adults should bring if they're staying overnight. Please note there's a distinct possibility of wet days and cold nights, so be prepared! Following this list there are also important rules and safety guidelines all adults should be aware of.

Clothes Bag (backpacks work great)
Cub Scout T-Shirt (the yellow Class B shirt)
Additional shirts, short and long sleeved
Sweater/sweatshirt
Poncho or raincoat
Warm jacket
Hat or cap
Gloves
Pants
Underwear
Pajamas or sweatshirt & sweatpants for sleeping
Lots of extra socks

Camping Items
Sleeping bag and pillow
Lawn/camping chairs to sit on
Battery operated lanterns or flashlights (no liquid fuel allowed)
Toothpaste & toothbrush
Comb
Washcloth and towel
Soap in container
Extra plastic bag or container

First Aid Extras
Minor first aid kit (the Pack always has one)
Necessary daily medications (parents keep locked up please)

Other Optional Items
Camera
Notebook and pencil
Fishing pole and tackle box (the lake may still be iced over, however)
Board and card games
Slippers for wearing in the cabin
Ear plugs (there may be some snoring)

Please DO NOT Bring
iPads, Gameboys or other electronic devices that may distract from Cub Scout activities (Adults should only use their phone when needed. Other devices will be confiscated from Scouts.)
Pets
Knives for Cub Scouts (unless they have their Whittling Chip, but then they can only use in a designated area)  
Axes or saws
Firearms
Fireworks
Liquid fuel stoves or lanterns
Alcohol

Important reminders for guardians
This is family camping so you should plan to be participating with your Scout all weekend. We will need help from parents setting up or cleaning up after various events, but otherwise you should be near your Scout at all times. If a Scout decides not to be involved in one of the events, he must be under his adult's supervision the entire time instead.

We will be practicing two-deep youth protection at all times. That means there must always be more than one adult with any group of Scouts. Furthermore, unless it is between you and your child, there must never be any one-on-one contact between an adult and any other youth.

Smoking is prohibited within and directly outside the Lodge. We ask that you go to the parking lot to smoke knowing that, at times, you may need to bring your Scout with you.

If there's one thing boys love to play with it's sticks. For obvious safety reasons this is not allowed. Any Scout playing with a stick will be reprimanded and his family may be asked to leave if there are repeat offenses. 

We want everyone to have a safe and fun experience. If anyone violates basic safety guidelines like staying off the ice/out of the water, playing with fire, using a knife outside the designated area or bringing a proscribed item, we may have to ask that family to leave. We're confident it won't come to that, of course, just be aware that we have everyone's safety in mind.

Please contact any leader if you have any questions.

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Pinewood Derby Update


Our annual Pinewood Derby will be held at the West Lodge of Treasure Valley on Saturday, March 28. Vehicle registration ends at 10 am. Get your cars ready in the weeks to come, either at home or during our den meetings.

It's not too late for adults or siblings to build a car and participate in a separate Derby. Kits can be purchased at any Scout shop, many craft stores or let us know if you'd like to buy one our Pack's extras. We also invite former Scouts to bring in any cars from the past for an old timers race!

We've purchased a number of customizable weight strips and are offering them at a discounted price of $3. Exact change is preferred and you must pay before we can give you a strip.





Please note that all cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race:
  • Width shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.
  • Length shall not exceed 7 inches.
  • Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.
  • Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit.
  • Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
  • No lubricating oil may be used. Axles may be lubricated with powdered graphite or silicone.
  • The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.
  • The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices.
  • No loose materials of any kind are allowed in the car.
Be sure to bring your car to any upcoming den meetings for a preliminary inspection. We'll be inspecting the cars officially at the event registration as well.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Snowshoeing at Broad Meadow Brook

 Cub Scouts and parents had a great time on a brisk February morning using snowshoes to traverse  the trails of the Mass Audobon's Broad Meadow Brook Wilderness Reserve. While the snow was so packed that snowshoes weren't strictly necessary, this was a fun introduction to the winter equipment for most of the participants. 
Conditions were also perfect for spotting animal trails. Tracks for deer, skunk, mice and maybe even muskrats were found along the way. They even found hair from a deer not far from the Visitor Center.
Our next Pack hike will be on Saturday, March 28, during our overnight camping excursion at the West Lodge of Treasure Valley. Even if you aren't staying the night, everyone's invited to join the hike after lunch (which will be held right after the Pinewood Derby.)