Pack 142

Hi Bears,

Today was a bit of a mash-up day of activities related to the May core value: Health & Fitness.

It began with an Observation game, where the boys studied a picture for a short time, then had to answer questions about the picture without looking at it. A great game for improving concentration and memory skills.

We then sampled some new fruits & vegitables that most had not tried before, fresh coconut, sweet peppers, mango, and kiwi. The kiwi and mango were popular, the coconut and pepper, not so much. We also samples 3 different varieties of apples. The boys hadn’t considered that apples could be different. We tasted a soft, mild Golden Delicious, a tart, crunchy Granny Smith, and a sweet, middle-of-the-road Fuji. The important thing is to try lots of new colors, tastes, textures.

We poked around the ‘pickle garden’ Lots of cucumbers about a week away from harvest. Should be enjoying fresh pickles for our end-of-year party June 7th. Woot.

Then we ran around outside. We took our resting pulse, ran around, took our active pulse. Talked about strong hearts and long life. Then played catch, a nice relaxing game of toss with a tennis ball.

I concluded by reading a passage from Sun Tzu “The Art of War”, which I highly recommend everyone read. Great for learning to think strategically rather than tactically.

Happy Birthday to Adam, and thanks for the cupcakes. I hope you enjoyed your special dinner.

See you next week for Pack meeting @ Clark.

Upcoming Events
May 17 (Thurs) Pack Meeting, 6:30-7:30
May 18-20, Campout, Lakewood Retreat
Jun 7 (thurs) Ice Cream Social, 6pm-7pm
Jun 7, RoundTable
Jun 9, Ft. Desoto Beach, Cleanup & Beach Day, 9am (depart Tampa 7:45a)
Jun 11, Leaders Meeting
Jun 24 (sun) Golf Tournament

Hello Pack,

We have a campout coming next weekend. Here’s hopefully everything you’ll need to know.

Where: Lakewood Retreat
25458 Dan Brown Hill Rd.
Brooksville, FL 34602
Office: (352) 796-4097

When: Friday May 18, 1pm – Sunday May 20 1pm

Cost: $15/weekend ($5/day) per non-scout

Food: Pack provides Saturday Breakfast & Dinner.
Pack provides Coffee
You bring Friday Potluck, Saturday Lunch (Hobo), and Sunday Breakfast.
You bring Drinks

Camp Supply List: (on our website)

http://pack142.com/wp/?page_id=808

=== Agenda ===

Friday:
1pm – Earliest Arrival
6:30pm – Pot Luck Dinner
7:15pm – Orientation
7:45 & 8:15pm Hayrides
9pm – Fireside, S’mores(pack provides), Flag Retirement Ceremony
10pm – Quiet Time

Saturday:
8-9am – Pack Breakfast (Fruit, Eggs, Bagels & Cream Cheese)
Post-Breakfast – Den Activity
11:30 – Human Foosball
Lunch – DIY, suggest Hobo style over the fire or grill. !! Bring your own !!
Afternoon – Swimming, Freetime (Hiking, Canoeing, Playground, whatever)
6pm – Pack Dinner (Hamburgers, Hotdogs, chips, fruit)
7pm – Openfire Popcorn Activity
8:30 – Fireside, Camp Songs, Skits, Jokes, Stories
10pm – Quiet Time

Sunday:
8-9am – DIY Breakfast, (recommend cold foods, bagels, poptarts, apples, oranges, hard cook eggs, etc..)
9-9:20 Interfaith Service
Morning – Freetime, (Hiking, Canoeing, Playground, whatever)
1pm – You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

Thanks, Glen

Hi Bears,

We played in the water this week. Here’s what you need to know if you are playing at home.

Equipment:
- Inflatable Alligator

Review Safe Swim Defense on dry land
1. Qualified Supervision 2. Physical Fitness
3. Safe Area 4. Lifeguard on Duty
5. Lookout 6. Ability Groups
7. Buddy System 8. Discipline

Quick Swim evaluation, make sure everyone is beginner level
- Jump feet first into water over head depth, level off, swim 25 feet on the surface.
- Stop, turn sharply, resume swimming as before and return to starting place.

Kick board relay races, scouts on each end, kick down, hand over board, kick back. This satisfied one of the three requirements for the Swimming Belt Loop

Demonstrate the overhand stroke, a classic racing stroke

Inflatable Alligator Wrestling
- 1 minutes to ‘show wrestle’ an alligator inflatable. Vote on best ‘show’. This is very practical. Really.

Cannonball contest
- Big Jumps, Highest Splash Wins

All in all, it was a fun meeting. Nothing too serious. Go forth and complete the Swimming Belt Loop on your own, and let me know when it’s done.

Thanks, Glen

HI Bears,

We had a nice, outdoors-y meeting this week. We honed our fishing skills by practicing how to cast a line, and also how to tie a hook using the Improved Clinch knot. This is the second time this year the scouts were introduced to this particular knot, and I’m happy to see many of them took to it well. That was neat.

We also used GPS to navigate to a treasure cache, a very simply form of geo-caching. GPS is a modern mode of navigation, and so long as we have electricity & satellites, far more accurate than using compass bearings and a map.

Lastly, we did a quick park cleanup, which counts for both a community service and one of the requirements for the World Conservation awards for Bears. (The Panda Patch). If you want to follow through, check your books and let me know when you’ve completed the requirements.

I told the scouts the StarFish Story (below), and related it to their effort cleaning the park. Andrew brought snacks, yummy caramel popcorn.

More fun next week, see you then

Glen
——–

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a scout picking something up and throwing it out into the ocean.

Approaching the scout, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The scout replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

The man scoffed, “Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

The scout listened politely and paused for a minute to think. Then he bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf.

Smiling at the man, the scout said, “I made a difference for that one.”

The old man looked at the scout inquisitively and thought about what he had done. Inspired, he joined the scout in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and most of the starfish were saved.

Tonight we reviewed what needs to be done by 5/31 to earn the wolf rank, and talked briefly about electives and other awards available for those that have already earned the wolf rank. Please review your wolf achievements/electives and let me know what has been completed.

We learned how to tie a necktie to complete elective 17f – let the boys practice at home if they want to!

We talked about our skit that we plan to do at May’s pack meeting. Here is what each boy chose:

Logan – indian
JT – narrator/scout
Alex – scout*
Ben – scout*
Zion – indian
Chris – indian
Sonny – scout
Hans – scout*
Teeven – indian
* speaking roles – I will try to make sure they have a line or two.

We will need an akela to volunteer for 2 roles – indian chief/chieftess, and offstage voice. If anyone wants to fill those roles, please let me know.

For costumes/props, we need each boy to make both a costume and prop (which will earn them electives 2a and/or b):

“Indians” need a decorated vest (made from a paper grocery bag) – design ideas can be seen on pages 156-161 of the handbook. They can also have a headband and feather(s) made from paper bag/construction paper. “Warpaint” is optional, but would be fun!!
Whoever has drums/bongos, the indians will need them to play. If someone wants to make a drum, you can use a coffee can or Quaker Oat container (see pg 155 in the handbook)
“Scouts” can make logs from paper grocery bags or construction paper, and are free to make drums/vests/headbands for the indians so that everyone gets to complete both electives. “Scouts” should plan to wear their uniform and bring a backpack and/or walking stick and/or canteen as if they are on a hike.
A small tepee made from sticks/pvc/yardsticks/etc and cloth/paper covering would be nice too (see page 119 of the handbook) – let the boys decorate it with indian symbols.
Someone mentioned scenery/background – that is fine, but not required.
I will be asking the wolves from den 2 to join us, so we will have up to 4-5 additional actors.

Look for a rehearsal or two before the pack meeting!

We also completed elective 4a – pie tin washer toss outside before wrapping up with a snack – thanks to the Solorzanos for hosting and for the healthy snack!

Upcoming events:
Fishing Tournament, Sat May 5, 9a-12n – can earn the fishing belt loop, and/or complete electives 19a-f
Pack meeting, Thur May 17 6:30 – be ready for the skit!
Lakewood retreat camping – Fri May 18- Sat May 19 – camp 1 or 2 nights, or come for day camp on Sat.

As always, let me know if there are any questions.

Hello Pack 142,

This week is our April pack meeting. The Core value for April is FAITH, and I have faith that all of you will read this email thoroughly.

This month we have multiple guests,
1) An Animal Wrangler will show the boys some exotic Florida animals, including snakes and alligators, and explain how to properly respect these creatures if encountered in the wild.
2) We extended an invitation to Pack 108 to share the show.

Please help put on the best show on for our guests
- Wear your full Blue uniforms, and parents, pack t-shirts if you have them.
- Arrive Early, 6:10, to help setup.
- Bring something you’ve been working on this month with your dens to display on the Pack display table.

Other Upcoming Events:
- Friday April 20, 7pm,
Shrine Circus. Raymond James Stadium, 7pm. Wear your blue uniforms. Meet at the big-top entrance at 7pm so we can sit as a group in the VIP section. Late-comers will be able to sit in the general seating areas.

- Saturday May 5, 9a-12,
Fishing Tournament, Medard Park, Brandon. Poles, Bait, snacks provided, or bring your own. $5 / fisher-person.

- Thursday, May 17
May Pack Meeting, Clark

- May 18-20,
Campout, Lakewood Retreat, Brooksville. Come for the whole weekend, just one night, or just for the day on Saturday. Cost will be about $20 / non-scout for the full weekend.

- Thursday June 7, 6pm,
Ice Cream Social/End Of Year Party, West Meadows Park.

- Saturday June 24, 8:45am
Parent/Scout Golf Tournament, Lutz Executive Golf Center. $20/team

We have many events scheduled the rest of the Summer, watch for emails as they get closer.

Hi Bears,

Tonight we put on our scientists caps and did aeronautical engineering, paper-style. We made paper airplanes. Origami for you fancy folks out there. But, we mixed it up by looking carefully at how small changes to the wings can make a difference in how the planes fly. Afterwards, we went outside, used what we learned, and saw who could throw a plane the farthest.

We talked about Failures vs Mistakes. That essay is below if you are interested.

We also brainstormed what we’ll do the next 5 den meetings. Lots of great ideas, and I’ll put many of them to use.

Awards were given, including 3 pins, and Michael made a tasty snack that balanced his desire for healthy foods (almonds, sun flower seeds, fruit) with his desire for candy (chocolate chips, marshmallows….) .

Pack meeting next week, Animal Wrangler & Pack 108 will be our guest. Please arrive early to help setup, and blue uniform and best behavior (as usual).

Upcoming Events:

April 19, Pack Meeting, Animal Wrangler
April 20, Shrine Circus
May 5, Fishing Tournament, Medard Park, Brandon
May 18-20, Lakewood Retreat Campout

Thanks, Glen

Tonight we accomplished the following:

Denner for April – Logan

Activity:
We mixed the three primary colors to make three secondary colors to complete elective 12c (mix yellow/blue, yellow/red, red/blue paints, tell what color you get from each). Then we drew cartoons to complete elective 12b (tell a story in three steps by drawing three cartoons) and then presented them to the group. Finally, we had some fun decorating eggs and then took them outside for egg/spoon races and an egg toss. We ate the hardboiled eggs and then had a snack. Thanks Mrs. Solorzano!
Homework:
As we have completed all wolf badge requirements either as a pack or as homework, please work to complete any outstanding achievements to make sure they are complete by 5/31, the deadline for earning rank. If you need any help with anything, please let me know.

Upcoming events:
Pack Meeting, Thu Apr 19 6:30 pm. Special Guest Animal Wrangler & Pack 108.
Shrine Circus, Fri Apr 20, 7pm, Raymond James Stadium
Fishing Tournament, Sat May 5, 9a-12n
Den meeting, Tues Apr 24th 6:30 pm at the Solorzano’s house
Thanks!

Hi Bears,

No longer shall we be lost in the woods, now that we’ve learned how to navigate with a map and compass.

We did a number of exercises with maps and compasses. We looked at a compass and learned how it works. We learned how to orient ourselves to a particular heading. We then followed a course around the park by following and finding cards with headings on them. If they followed them correctly, they got a message I AM NOT LOST.

We also looked at maps. We showed how to orient a map to north by using a compass. We used a satellite street map of West Meadows to plan a route from home to Clark. We used a classic road map of Tampa to plan a route from home to Tampa Airport. Lastly we use Google Maps to plan a route from Tampa to Cities far away.

If you look in the Belt Loop & Pin guide, you’ll find that we did 2 of 3 requirements for a Map & Compass loop, and 3 of 5 requirements for a pin.

Adam provided tonights snack, dirt in cups. It was quite well received, great job Adam.

Next week we should be working on hand-sewn brag vests. See you then.

Glen

We had a fun, hands-on den meeting tonight. The scouts prepared, cooked, and ate an outdoor meal – ‘hobo dinners’, which consist of a beef patty, potatoes, carrots, onions and other veggies wrapped in an aluminum foil pouch and thrown on the fire. While our dinner cooked, Sonny shared his collection of Star Wars books, and Ms. Malone shared some toy samples with the boys which they all went crazy over.

Awards were given – Teeven earned the baseball and chess belt loops, Sonny earned his third yellow bead, and Alex earned his fourth and final bead, meaning he is now a wolf scout.

Dinner was eaten and enjoyed, and we had cleanup to make sure we ‘left no trace’.

Upcoming events:

Rain Gutter Regatta, Sat. Apr 7 @ 8am, Richmond Place Pool (if you do not have your kit, please let me know ASAP)
Pack Meeting, Thu. Apr 19 6:30. Special Guest Animal Wrangler & Pack 108.
Shrine Circus, Fri Apr 20, 7pm, Raymond James Stadium (if you do not have a free pass for your scout, please let me know)
Fishing Tournament, Sat May 5, 9a-12n, Medard Park, Brandon
Space Camp, late April or mid May – TBD, Location TBD