Enter the 2009 Boy's Life Reading Contest

Last year our son entered this contest, and recieved a really cool badge. This is a great contest and way for your Cub Scout to recieve another badge. Once they send in their report, a badge will be sent back to your home. Say Yes to Reading!!! The details of the contest are as follows according to boyslife.org

Write a one-page report titled “The Best Book I Read This Year” and enter it in the Boys’ Life 2009 “Say Yes to Reading!” contest.

The book can be fiction or nonfiction. But the report has to be in your own words — 500 words tops. Enter in one of these three age categories:

8 years old and younger 9 and 10 years old 11 years old and older First-place winners in each age category will receive a $100 gift certificate good for any product in the Boy Scouts official retail catalog. Second-place winners will receive a $75 gift certificate, and third-place winners a $50 certificate.

Everyone who enters will get a free patch like the one on this page. (And, yes, the patch is a temporary insignia, so it can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform shirt, on the right pocket. Proudly display it there or anywhere!) In coming years, you’ll have the opportunity to earn different patches.

The contest is open to all Boys’ Life readers. Be sure to include your name, address, age and grade in school on the entry.

Send your report, along with a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope, to:

Boys’ Life Reading Contest

S306

P.O. Box 152079

Irving, TX 75015-2079

Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2009 and must include entry information and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

September 2009 Theme: Cub Scout Pockets

September 2009

Cub Scout Pockets

Pockets contain many special things-items from the boys' collections, maybe; or important phone numbers, or a note home. Pockets, like boys, have special qualities. This is a good month to start exploring both. Get a good start on the year and work on your Bobcat rank if you haven't already, or pair up and work together with someone who hasn't. This theme presents a wonderful opportunity for the boys to start their own collections of neckerchief slides and patches, or the infinite variety of common items that people collect for fun such as sports cards and comic books. This is also a great time to try to earn the Collection Belt loop and Pin.

Introducing:

On Sept 1st, the Cub Scouts welcomed two new members to the Den: Cole and Lucas. Welcome to the Pack Boys!!

What did I miss?

Wolves: At the Wolf Den meeting  the Cubs worked on Elective 4e, and played a game of sharpshooter marbles. Marbles is a great game you can carry in your pocket. This was also a chance for some of the boys to earn their marbles belt loop if they hadn't recieved one already.

Bears: In the Bear Den Meeting, the Cubs worked on Achievement 9B, and created some delicious "Pocket Snacks". The boys enjoyed creating the snacks and working on an achievement at the same time.

How to make Pocket Snacks:

Ingredients: Wheat Bread, cheese slices, finely chopped lettuce

Take a piece of bread, a cheese slice, and lettuce and lay the cheese on the open piece of bread. Put the lettuce on one half of the cheese. Fold the bread over. To seal the edges, press a fork along the sides of the bread.  Now enjoy your "Pocket Snack"!

What Can I work on at home?

Families can work on additional achievements and electives that support this months theme, such as:

Wolves:

• 
  
  Achievement 10: Family Fun: Families may enjoy working on a collection together. Gather leaves or rocks on a walk; collect postcards or brochures from places you visit. Bring your collection to a Den meeting.
• 
  
  Elective 4: Play a Game: Marbles is a game you can carry in your pocket.

Bears:

• Achievement 8e: The Past is Exciting and Important: Boys can explore the history of their community.
• Achievement 11e: Be Ready: Families can plan escape routes and practice in case of emergency.
• Elective 22b: Collecting Things: Mount and display a collection of objects.

How do I earn the Collecting Belt Loop and Pin?

Belt Loop Requirements:

1. 
   
   Begin a collection of at least 10 items that all have something in common. Labe the items and title your collection.
2. 
   
   Display your collection at a pack or den meeting.
3. 
   
   Visit a show or museum that displays different collections.

Academics Pin- Earn the Collecting belt loop, and complete 5 of the following requirements:

1. Give a talk about your collection to someone other than your family. Give a description of your collection, including a short history. Explain how you got started and why you decided to collect what you do.
2. Show how you preserve and display your collection. Explain any special precautions you must take including handling, cleaning, and storage. Note precautions for dampness, sunlight, or other weather conditions.
3. Read a book about what you collect.
4. Start a new collection of at least 20 items. Label the items and title your collection.
5. Define numismatics and philately.
6. Join a club of collectors who share your hobby. This club may be a group of your friends.
7. Find out if there is a career that involves what you collect. Find out what kind of subjects you need to study to prepare for such a career.
8. If you collect coins or stamps, make a list of different countries in your collection. Explain how to identify each country's issues. Make a list of "clues" that help you identify the origin.
9. With an adult partner, visit an online auction and look for items to collect. What does it tell you about rarity and value of the things you collect?
10. Use a computer to catalog, organize, and keep track of your collection.
11. Help a friend get started on a collection of his or her own.

Calendar Events for September 2009

(If any of the leaders have an announcement that needs to be posted please let me know.)

September 2009

September 1: Den Meeting @ 6pm followed by a Parents Committee Meeting @ 7pm. We need at least one parent for each Cub Scout to attend the committee meetings to help plan events and Pack meetings. Thank you!

September 8: No Meeting for Wolf Scouts. Please check with the Bear and Webelos Scouts if there is still be a scheduled meeting.

September 10:For Leaders: Roundtable meeting.

September 15: Den Meeting @ 6pm- Bobcats/Wolf group please bring your collections if you have not presented one to the Den yet. Please bring a small wooden box or metal or plastic canister, stickers of boys' favorite collectibles, wrappers from baseball card packages, or colorful advertisements for decorations. We are going to make a "Treasure Box"

September 18/19:For Leaders: Pick up show and sell popcorn

September 22:Den Meeting @ 6pm for the Popcorn Kick-off Extravaganza!!! This is going to be a fun event!

September 29:Pack Meeting @ 6pm.

Congratulations to Pack #114 new Wolf Scouts!

This summer the boys in Pack #114 have been quite busy earning belt loops, attending Cub Scout Camp, and ....earning new Ranks! Congratulations go out to the newest Wolves in our Pack! These boys have worked their way through the Wolf book, and have achieved the Wolf Rank! They are now ready to start working on the Bear book! The Cub Scouts who have achieved this honor are: Moses Bower Kameron Day Issac Nash Lane Page Braeden Sanders Jeffrey Stratton We also extend Congratulations to our newest Bobcat! Hunter Avila Be sure to be at the next Pack meeting which will be on Tues, August 25, 09 at 6pm. All Bear Cubs and Webelos Scouts need to meet at 5:30 to go over and review the flag ceremony. If you have been assigned to snacks/drink, please bring them a few minutes before 6 so we can get started on time! See you there!

Important August Announcements

Important: The Wolf and Bear Scouts next meeting will be held at the August Pack Meeting. The Pack meeting is scheduled for August 25th,09 at 6:00 p.m. It will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint building 1164 N. Newcomb, in Porterville. This meeting is for ALL of the Cubscouts (Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Webelos)and their families. Many awards and advancements will be presented. Show your support and attend this meeting. Please have all Scouts attend in Full Uniform. We can't express enough the importance of Parent involvement and attendence at Pack and Den Meetings. These meetings are set up to highlight the accomplishments of the boys, and without your support the program won't be successful. We have an exciting year of fun activities set up for the Cub Scouts, but we need your help. We would love for the parents to attend the monthly Committee meetings and help plan for each month's Pack meeting,and other big events like the Blue and Gold and the Pinewood Derby. Next month we will also have a big event-the Popcorn Extravaganze! We can accomplish great things together! This is going to be a great year! See you at the Pack Meeting!

August Theme:Fun in the Sun

WOLF SCOUTS: Advancement possibilities highlighted with this months theme: Achievements 2a, 8e; Elective 11. With the summer in full swing, have fun in the sun. Cub Scouts can enjoy the special times with their family and plan a picnic. Have your son involved in planning what to do, what to cook, and what to bring to make it all happen. Boys learn a valuable lesson when they learn that planning for activities is satisfying when all the plans fall into place and the event is successful. Additional achievements and electives that support this theme, such as: ••Achievement 4f, Know Your Home and Community: “Fun in the sun” applies to trips of discovery. Families will benefit from visiting a local historic location. ••Achievement 10, Family Fun: When Cub Scouts complete the Character Connection for Cooperation, it opens the door to family communication and working together toward mutual goals. ••Elective 14, Pets: Boys can enjoy their pets and have fun with them in the sun while learning responsibility as they take care of pets over the summer. BEAR SCOUTS Advancement possibilities highlighted in this month’s meeting plans: Achievements 9d, 9e, 12, 15, 16, 18d, 18e. Fun in the sun takes planning. Bear Cub Scouts get a chance to learn organizational skills this month. The den will plan its family outdoor day—details of the location, the menu and what foods to bring, what games to play, and what equipment will be needed. This is a shining opportunity for the boys to have a critical part in planning their activity. Congratulate your Cub Scouts, because the ability to organize is an essential life skill. Additional achievements and electives that support this theme, such as: ••Achievement 14, Ride Right: Summertime brings outdoor time, and boys will be riding bikes. Reinforce bike safety and traffic knowledge. With school right around the corner, being aware of the route to school may be important for many. ••Achievement 24, Be a Leader: Boys may see a new boy in their neighborhood or have new den members from spring recruiting. Each Cub Scout can help a new boy through the Bobcat trail or identify a new neighbor who would like to join Cub Scouting. ••Elective 6b, Aircraft: Vacation time often involves travel. As Cub Scouts experience airplane flight, they have the chance to review what kind of an airplane they are on and what it is that makes it fly!

Announcement

There will be a Bear and Wolf Cubscout meeting on August 1, 09 at 6:30pm. Please bring your books and wear your uniforms. Hope to see you there!!

July Den Meeting Photos

In July, the Wolves and Bears joined together and created personalized "walking" sticks. This activity went along with the July theme of "A camping we will go".

Bowling Pictures

Bowling Alley Summertime Fun!

Come join us at the Porterville Lanes Bowling Alley on Saturday, July 10th at 5:30 p.m. The Wolves and Bears will be earning their Bowling Belt Loop and enjoying a Summertime fun activity! Please bring $6.75 for your Cubscout for the first game, which includes the cost of shoes. For additional games it will be $3.75. We hope to see you there!!!!

June Theme: A-Camping We Will Go

We will be having a meeting on June 27, 09 @ 6:30 p.m. The Theme for June is A-Camping We Will Go, and there are several requirements that parents can pass off with their sons during this month. Let's experience the "outing" in Scouting! This month Cub Scouts head outdoors for den meetings and activities. Nine cubscouts from our Pack were able to experience the outdoors at Cub Scout Camp this month. However, there are still plenty of activities for your son to work on this summer. Perhaps have a backyard campout with the family. Pitch a tent or sleep under the stars. Check out these Achievment and Electives that can be worked on this month! Wolf: Achievement 8: Cooking and Eating; Boys cook meals at home. Achievement 9: Be Safe at Home and On the Street, Cub Scouts can review bike safety. Elective 23C: Lets Go Camping; Cub Scouts learn what to do if they get lost-knowledge that will help them be safe and know how best to handle the situation. Achievement 7: Play a Recycle Game at home with your family. Materials:Three boxes labeled Paper, Glass, Plastic/Metals; a selection of paper, glass, plastic and metallic materials, suitable for recycling; two large trash bags;gloves for boys (or use inexpensive,nonresealable sandwich bags). How to play:Fill two large trash bags with various materials to be recycled. Line everyone up into two lines, to make two teams. Everyone needs to wear their gloves for safety. Each team then sorts the contents of its trash bag into the correct recycling bins or boxes. The first team done wins. Try the recipes from Boy's Life. Every year the magazine publishes a contest for reader-orignial recipes to try. At this weeks meeting, the wolves will be working on Achievement 2D and 2C. They will also be making Portable Stoves, and joining the Bears in making Walking Sticks. Portable Survival Stove Materials:Empty Tuna Fish Can, or Wet Cat Food Can, Cardboard Strips, Parafin Wax Empty metal coffee can, or Food Storage Can, Scissors, Tin Snips Make the Fuel Can: Measure the depth of the Cat food, or tuna fish can and cut the cardboard into strips, as wide as the can is deep. Roll the Strips up and pack the cardboard strips into the can until the can is completely full. Melt the wax and pour it on top and fill up the can. Let it cool and dry. Make the Stove: Take the Empty Food Storage Can/Coffee Can and cut on the open lip, a cut about 2" deep and another one to match about 2"wide. This will create the lighting door and the flap that is created should be bent outward. Next, if you have a bottle opener create triangle vents around the outside of the top of the can. These need to be on the side. This will allow the flame to breath. Using the flap as a handle you place the Stove can over the flame can, either before or after you light the fuel can. Let it heat up and use a small pan to cook your meal. This is ideal for simple meals like bacon, eggs and pancakes. Bear Den Activities: A-Camping we will go, a-camping we will go-heigh-ho, the derry-oh, a camping we will go! This month, practice the many camping familiarization activities that are covered in Elective 25. Boys can learn about fire building, trail signs, how to read a compass, and how to set up a tent. This is great preparation for the years of Scouting and many outdoor activities to come. Achievement 9g, What's Cooking? Cook something outdoors with an adult. Achievement 12a, Family Outdoor Adventures;Go camping with your family. Elective 25, Let's Go Camping: Attend day camp or resident camp. The Bears will be making Hiking Sticks at the meeting today. Hiking Stick: Materials: Twine, beads, feathers, scissors, glue, permanent markers, for each boy a sturdy, dry, fallen branch a little longer than from the floor to the boy's waist. Remove small branches and bark from the sticks. Boys decorate the tops of their hiking sticks and mark their names on them.

Cub Scout Day Camp

Bob and his son Gary learning about the Character Counts program.

Cub Scout Day Camp was a blast! Bob Sundre (Bear Leader), Rulaine Nash (awesome mom), and myself led 9 excited Cub Scouts through 5 days of Space themed activities. This years theme was "Out of this World". We left the church a little after 7am each morning, from June 15-19, and came home around 1:30. Thank you so much to our drivers, Bob Sundre and Rulaine Nash!!! The pictures shown are just a few that were taken during our 5 day adventure.

Rulaine and her son Isaac building a squirrel feeder

Day 1:Activities

Asteroid Volleyball -(the boys used waterballoons and towels.) Moon Footprints/Mission Control Log- (Bob was seperated from us and became a "volunteer" to help out in this activity. The boys made a mold out of their footprints in sand and then plaster of paris was poured over it to create a Moon footprint.) The boys also made booklets that they could journal in. Tag Your Planet-The boys stamped and dyed leather to create a necklace for all the beads they were earning. B.B. Gun Shooting-The boys did awesome, and Gavin Short scored enough points to earn a 2009 Junior Shooting Team Rifle Patch. Good job Gavin!

Bob shows Gavrie how to make a moon footprint.

Kameron plays Character Counts Bingo.

Gavin spins the Character Counts wheel.

Day 2:Activities

Astronaut Character Training-The Tulare County Department of Education talked about the pillars of Character and played spin the wheel and bingo with the Cub Scouts. An interesting quote overheard from one of our cubs during this activity was "I swore to myself I would never pick up a piece of paper after school was out. " We got a laugh from this comment.

Alien Creature-The Cubs made salt dough and created their own Alien Creature with pipe cleaner, cookie cutters, and eyes.

Alien Nature Walk-An informational walk from a Boy Scout leader who also happened to be a bioligist. The boys collected quite a few specimens along the way.

Map & Compass- We learned how to read a compass, as well as how to determine how far to walk when reading a map. The boys found a geo cache treasure at the end. (Jolly Ranchers).

Gary and Ethen show how fun it is to make Alien Creatures.

Isaac and Lane enjoying themselves during the Alien Creature class.

Lane and Moses join other scouts and take a rest on the Alien Nature Walk.

Gary , Mason and Ethen wait for instructions during the Alien Creature Class.

Day 3 Activities:

Astro-"Knots"- The boys learned how to tie a slip knot, bow-line knot and square knot.

First Aid-We made Nasa First Aid kits, and practiced what to do for various injuries. The Cubs had allot of fun pretending to be injured.

Puppets-The boys made paperbag puppets that looked like Aliens.

Frisbee Golf-Another fun activity, that wore us out.

Gary learns how to splint broken arms on Moses, while Gavrie and Isaac have fun.

Moses and Gavrie treat a seriously injured Lane during their Nasa Medical Training. Day 4 Activities:

Jedi Training-The cubscouts battled against other young padawans. The force was strong with the younglings.

Paint Alien Creatures-They painted the salt dough creatures.

Lowes Project-Lowes came out and had different kits for the kids to build.

Archery-The long awaited Archery training, wasn't a disappointment for our boys.

Gavin battles it out with another youngling.

Gavrie battles hard to survive this epic struggle The boys decided that if they had to choose a hunter, Ethen would be the cubscout for the job.

Moses watches on, as Kameron takes aim at his target.

Day 5 Activities:

Solar Mobiles

Lunar Rover-The boys had to build a lunar rover and then race it.

Astronaut Training-A vigourous obstacle course for young astronauts

Water Rocket Relay-A wet adventure for leaders and Cubscouts

Air Rockets-Chaos, Waterballoons and Rockets-you get the picture.

We had a fun filled week, and the boys passed off allot of requirements.

Wolf:

Outdoor Flag Ceremony-requirement 2F;elective 11F

Obstacle Course-requirement 1B,1C,1D,1E,1F,1G,1K;elective 4A

First Aid Station-requirement 3C;elective 16C, 18G

Lowes Wood Project-requirement 5D, 5E

Astronauts Character Training-requirement 6A,7A,9A,10A,11A, 12A

Astro-Knots-elective 1A

Archery-elective 20C

BB shooting-elective 20N

Other Electives-12F, 18F, 20 O, 23D, 23E

Bear:

Outdoor Flag Ceremony: Requirement 3i Moon Prints-requirement 7A Mission Control Log-requirement 18C(partial-must continue for one more week),18G Astronaut Character Training-1A,3j,8G,11G,18H,21G,24F Nature Walk-elective4 7A Obstacle Course-elective 7A Astronomy/Solar Mobile-elective 1F Other requirements- 7B,9E,12C,15B Other electives-9A (Can count two times for solar mobile and clay alien), 25F

All Scouts:

Archery Belt Loop BB shooting belt loop Map and Compass Belt Loop Map and Compass Pin-requirement 6,10,12 Ultimate Belt Loop Astronomy Belt Loop Leave No Trace-requirement 1,2,4,5,6 Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award

Cub Scout Day Camp is here!!!!

We are all set to go to Cub Scout Day Camp! I have 9 Cubs that are registered and have paid to attend. We will be meeting in the Church parking lot at 7:15am. I would like to leave no later then 7:25, so if you are running late give Sister Stratton a call. Any parent who wishes to contact their cubscout during the camp, can call Sister Stratton at 559-350-3122. I will have my Cell phone on me at all time, in case of an emergency. The camp runs from June 15-18 from 8-12:30pm at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia. I will be sure to give all the parents a call prior to leaving the Park when the day's activities have been completed. If everyone could be there to pick their son up -that would be wonderful. Be sure to have your boys wear their Cub Scout shirts, and hat if possible. I wouldn't worry about the scarf, as it might fall off during the activities. They are requiring all of the boys to have their Health and Medical Form filled out and turned in at the camp. Important: The boys must wear tennis shoes. They will not permit sandals. There will be 3 Adults with the boys at all times-Janele Stratton, Bob Sundre, and Rulaine Nash. I will take pictures at Camp, so check back to see your boys in action!!!!!

The Deadline for Cub Scout Camp is upon us!

If any of the boys are interested in signing up to go to Cub Scout Camp, we need to have their applications and money turned in to Sister Bower by June 7th. We need a final head count so that we can arrange transportation! If you have any questions please feel free to contact Jeff or Janele Stratton asap! Thank you!

No scouts on May 30th Due to Father Son Campout

Hi everyone! We will not be having a Cub scout meeting on Saturday,May 30th, 09. There is a scheduled Tri-Stake Father and Son overnight camp-out for Friday May 29th-30th up at Camp Wilderness. If you need directions or more information you can either call your bishopric, or Matt McCracken or Jeff Stratton. This is a great opportunity for all Cub Scouts to work on their books with their dads, so bring them up with you and see what you can get accomplished! Hope to see everyone there!