Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Great Times at the Annual Bike Rodeo!

Pack 115 took over the Crofton Woods Elementary School (CWES) faculty parking lot on a recent Saturday morning for their second year running of the Bike Rodeo! Close to 70 kids came out on a crisp Crofton morning to hone their bike riding and safety skills.

Time to Register.
Upon registration the riders received a goody backpack provided by Fence and Deck Connection. Each rider then headed over to the required bike and helmet inspection. Manned by mechanical support from Eastern Mountain Sports and knowledgeable volunteers, parents could be confident that their child’s bike and headgear were both road-ready. After minor adjustments to some of the bikes and helmets, the kids were able to choose their next station from a wide variety of options. Some of the activities included Passing Pedestrians, Demon Driveway, Slalom, Bike Safety and Newspaper Toss.

Beautiful day for some biking.
First stop, bike and helmet check
Safety and fun, all in one.
While our young riders clearly thought it was all about having fun, observers could see that the children were learning important skills to keep them safe on the road.

Winner for coolest helmet.
Our sponsors made it worth the ride! Fence and Deck Connection graciously provided reflective bags/backpacks and lights for all the participants. The backpacks included free kids meal coupons and reflectors from Chick-fil-A and large Dickey's cups. Additionally Four-Season's and Bruster's provided items that were raffled off during the event.

Ready to make a delivery.

Everyone, kids and spectators alike, enjoyed themselves and got to learn valuable bike safety and skills in a fun and interactive way.

Pack 115 would like to extend a special thanks to all the pack volunteers that came out and helped with setup, station leading and breakdown. The event was a huge success because of your help. Additionally we would like to thank CWESCrofton Town HallFence and Deck ConnectionChick-fil-ADickey's and Bruster's for their support.

Newspaper Toss was a big hit!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Webelos Woods 2014 Report

Pack 115 attended the annual fall gathering of the Webelos at Colhone Farms in near-by Harwood for Webelos Woods on the first weekend in October.  Situated along the Rhode River the site offers a variety of outdoor activities for the Scouts to participate in a full-day and evening schedule of advancement and adventure similar to the annual Boy Scout Camporee.  The stations are hosted by local Scout Troops and offer a variety of activities such as canoeing, archery, rockets, as well as leave no-trace that cover requirements for the Scouts advancement along the Arrow of Light path.  It also serves as an opportunity for the accompanying parents to learn more about Boy Scouting and Troops in their immediate area.

Heading to Opening Ceremony with some cheer!
All present and accounted for.
This year saw the highest Pack-115 attendance in recent years with a total of XXX Webelos braving the early rainy conditions on Friday night and Saturday morning.  As the flags were raised on Saturday to kick off the festivities the weather gave way to clearing skies and perfect conditions for the Scouts as they got underway with rotations.  The Den-1 and 7 first year Webelos schedules featured the timeless Geology, Outdoorsman, and Leave No Trace stations and were highlighted with some range time for Archery and BB’s.  The Web-II Den’s worked hard at Readyman and other Arrow of Light staples and were rewarded for their diligence with Rockets and Canoeing as well as an opportunity to speak with potential Scout Troops for their pending Spring advancement.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Blast off for Webe 2's!
Webe 1's learning Readyman.
Canoes!!
As the daylight hours came to a close the Scouts retreated to their respective Dens for a camp-styled dinner and Pack related fun.  With the winds shifting out the west the skies cleared and temperatures dropped for the traditional evening bonfire.  Rousting cheers, skits and songs were the order of the evening under the stars. The campfire was ended with a respectful flag retirement ceremony. The Scouts, parents and leaders settled into their tents for a well-deserved night of brisk fall tent camping.

Our campfire clowns!
Sunday dawned cold and clear with temp’s in the low 40’s on Sunday morning alerting the Webelos that Fall was officially here.  After a light breakfast the boy’s were back in action for another flag ceremony, followed by Sunday services and raucous Pack vs Pack tug-a-war challenge.  Though the rope pull didn’t go our way on this occasion, the Pack 115 Scouts worked well together and made their presence known throughout the weekend with resounding cheers and upbeat attitudes.

Tug-o-war time!
Thank you to Larry Wans for putting this post together. Thank you also to the Troops and District level personnel that made Webe Woods a great time. Thank you to the Pack 115 parents that allowed their sons to attend such a fun event.


Friday, October 10, 2014

A Spooky Good Time is coming soon

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Cub Scout Pack 115's annual "Trunk or Treat" pack meeting is just around the corner! It will be held on 21 OCT at the Crofton Woods Elementary School (CWES) cafeteria for the first part and then the scouts will head out to the CWES faculty parking lot to have a spooktacular time visiting each of the den's trunk or treat exhibits. The meeting starts at 7pm with the "Trunk or Treat" fun starting at 7:30pm. The scouts will be wearing their Class A uniforms to the start of the meeting but hope many will change into their costumes before they head out to the parking lot. If you aren't a pack member but are interested come on down and see what we are all about.

Here is a link to our past event.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Bobcat Badge Requirements

The first rank that EVERY boy MUST earn when entering the Cub Scouting Program is the Bobcat rank.

To earn the Bobcat rank the new Cub Scout must do the following:
  1. Learn and say the CUB SCOUT PROMISE and complete the Honesty Character Connection.
    1. Know: Discuss these questions with your family. What is a promise? What does it mean to "keep your word?" What does honesty mean? What does it mean to "do your best?"
    2. Commit: Discuss these questions with your family. Why is a promise important? Why is it important for people to trust you when you give your word? When might it be difficult to keep your word? List examples.
    3. Practice: Discuss with family members why it is important to be trustworthy and honest and how can you do your best to be honest when you are doing the activities in Cub Scouting.
    "I .....(name).... promise to do my best
    To do my duty to God and my country,
    To help other people, and
    To obey the Law of the Pack. "
  2. Say the LAW OF THE PACK.  Tell what it means.
    "The Cub Scout follows Akela.
    The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
    The pack helps the Cub Scout Grow.
    The Cub Scout gives goodwill."
  3. Tell what WEBELOS means
    "WE'll BE LOyal Scouts "
  4. Show the CUB SCOUT SIGN.  Tell what it means.
  5. Show the CUB SCOUT HANDSHAKE. Tell what it means.
  6. Say the CUB SCOUT MOTTO. A motto is a guiding principle.
    "Do Your Best"
  7. Give the CUB SCOUT SALUTE.  Tell what it means.
  8. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the booklet, included in the scout handbook called, "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse".
The above items are the basic information that ALL Cub Scouts must learn, which is why EVERY boy who enters into Cub Scouting MUST earn the Bobcat Badge.