March

Spring break throws an interesting kink into the pack schedules, so please be sure to check back on the blog often and stay in touch with your den leaders about meeting schedules. A few changes: We were planning to have pack meeting on the 28th in order to not conflict with spring break, but that left us conflicting with the RS birthday dinner. So...for those of you who are going to be in town the Thursday of spring break (the 14th), please pack up a picnic and come meet us at Red Mountain Park at 5:30 p.m. for a casual pack meeting. The value this month is Compassion, and we're going to learn about some of the challenges some people face as we send the scouts through a "Differences Awareness Trail." Perhaps we'll make it a contest between parents and scouts....either way we're going to enjoy the outdoors, have a good time, and get some things done! Please reply to the poll on the right letting us know if you are in town that day. Thank you!

February calendar

We have just been informed of a schedule change that will affect our meeting schedules. Apparently in this calendar year we are assigned the SECOND Thursday of each month for our pack meeting. However, because of plans already in place - and the fact that the second Thursday in February is Valentine's Day and the second Thursday in March is during spring break - we are going to stay with the fourth Thursday schedule for our February and March pack meetings. The only thing that may affect March is if the Relief Society has an activity planned for the fourth Thursday. We are checking on that and will keep you informed. So stay tuned for confirmation of the plans in March, and following months, but please add the following dates to your calendars for February: Saturday, February 2nd: Scouting for Food - Meet at the church at 9 a.m. in full uniform. We will divide into teams with the boy scouts to pick up food donations. They will be dropped off at the stake center. We should be done by 10:30 a.m. February 13th and 20th: Wolf den meetings - Den leaders will inform you of details. February 14th and 21st: Bear den meetings - Den leaders will inform you of details. Saturday, February 23rd: Scout-O-Rama - The den leaders and moms are being asked to attend the Stake Women's Conference this day, so this event is for the dads and their scouts. It is taking place in conjunction with the Outdoor Expo at Cardinals Stadium. This is a really fun activity for the scouts, and because of the Outdoor Expo right next door, it will also be fun for the dads. Please let us know if you'd like to go and are willing to carpool. Scouts get in free in uniform. February 28th: Pack Meeting - Blue & Gold, 6:30 p.m. in the Relief Society room. We will be sending invitations and emails with food assignments within the next couple of weeks. Since we are celebrating the birthday of Cub Scouting, it's going to be a party!

January Pack Meeting

Pack Meeting is January 24th, the Thursday of next week, at 6:30 p.m. Two people from the Order of the Arrow are coming to help with a few advancement ceremonies, one of which is the Arrow of Light. Due to the nature of this ceremony, we are planning on meeting outside, in the east parking lot of the McDowell ward building, so please dress warmly!! If there is extreme weather we will move inside, but these ceremonies are really quite fun outdoors. We will especially want to be sure to keep small children close by and bundled up. If you have an outdoor fire pit that you would be willing to set up for some extra warmth (and to help us with warming up the treat for the evening), please let me know. We have also been offered the use of some outdoor heaters (I'm not sure of the exact name for them - but they're kind of like the ones you see on restaurant patios), but we need some help picking them up and getting them to the church that evening. Is there anyone with a truck that would be willing to help with this around 5:30 that evening? The other part of the evening we're looking for help with is photography. It's great for these boys to have pictures commemorating their achievements and difficult for the parents and leaders involved to always get a picture in the moment. If you would be willing to help take some pictures (especially if you can take good "outdoors at night" pictures), please send me a message. It's going to be a fun evening! We will start with our "Early Bird Drawing" and a quick uniform inspection, give a few brief announcements and then get on with the fun. The Order of the Arrow does a great job with memorable ceremonies, so we hope to see you there!

Pinewood Derby

This morning was so much fun! We have a great group of cub scouts and they made some wonderfully creative cars - then they had a great time racing them. Here are a few pictures from my photographer, Bro. Truitt. If you have any additional pictures, please email them to me. I'd love to post them here for everyone to see.