Cubmaster's Corner

Pack 324 Newsletter - March 2012 Cubmaster's Corner:

Hi Everybody!

Are you having fun!?!?!? Did you like the Pack Awards Ceremony tonight? Did you like the gathering activity (Kim's Memory Game) or the balloon demonstration at the end (taken from other scout training). Cub Scouting is "Fun with a Purpose." There are a few volunteer core leaders doing most of the work in our pack for your sons. Do you want a great program for your son? Some parents have already stepped forward to help. We need more! Your son wants to spend time with You! Remember that the Cub Scout handbooks for Tiger, Bear, Wolf, and Webelos all ask for your signature and ask you to do things with your son at home and at meetings. Your son will probably not remember the den leader or the cubmaster into his adult years. What he will remember is the time You spent with him in Cub Scouts!

We are now having all our meetings at Biltmore Preparatory Academy in the Cafeteria - enter from the parking lot side (4601 N. 34th Street - One block North of Campbell). This is where we will meet for Committee Meetings, Den Meetings, and Pack Meetings. We will have our Pinewood Derby there because the old location had another reservation. Most of you have found you way there, but I've noticed some families missing since the move. I know there are other activites like baseball and soccer and it's hard to pick and juggle activities. If you can't make it to our pack meetings for whatever reason, you can always consider transferring to another nearby pack that meets on a different night. Contact the council to find them. If you would like to be removed from our mailing list, please e-mail either Jenna or me.

Changed back to FIRST Thursday of the month: Camelback District Roundtables are monthly on the First Thursday at a the new Location: LDS Cheery Lynn Chapel (1316 E Cheery Lynn, Phoenix - a few blocks South of Osborn on Randolph Rd.) from 7-8 PM. Enter from the North side of the building and ask for directions to the Cub Scout Breakout.

I took Drake to Camp Digalus and we had a blast! There were three other families from our Pack there, too! We had one Bear, five Webelos I, and one Webelos II, so we combined them into just one Webelos I den. The boys built a Gateway that they lashed together which included working flagpoles and a roof! Their gateway got considerable praise from the camp staff. Nice job boys! Consider going next year if your son is a Bear or Webelos! I personally enjoyed laying in the grass in the shade od a tree waiting for the boys to do First Aid. Speaking of which, our boys took Second Place for First Aid! Woo Hoo!!!

Want to conquer your fear of taking a Cub Scout Leader Course? Take Trainers EDGE! This course is offered almost monthly. For just 6 hours on a Saturday, you can learn some great techniques to teach and lead your son! Go to the Coucil Website www.GrandCanyonBSA.org and click on the Training tab on the left. Then click on the Trainer's EDGE course you want to take. You can sign up right there online! You'll come away saying, "Best $15 I ever spent!"

You've heard how much Debbie and I loved Wood Badge, right? You have a chance to take it too! There are 5 to 6 opportunities each year to have this awesome experience! I will be the Senior Patrol Leader for the August/September course at R-C Scout Ranch. This is a Two Weekend course in the cool pines of R Bar C Scout Ranch on Christopher Creek near Payson! It's fun! It's relaxing! It's enjoyable! It's for your kids! Go to the council website and sign up today! www.GrandCanyonBSA.org Click on the Training tab on the left, then click on Wood Badge. From the Wood Badge page at the top, click on the Coucnil Wood Badge Course Information where it says "Click Here". Print out the form and take it to council to sign up today!

Visit our website at www.ScoutPack324.com for helpful links for the above events.

Brent, Cubmaster

Committee Chairman Corner

It's such a breath of fresh air to see parents step up and take charge! I'm impressed with all the parents who come to the pack meetings. Take the next step. Help out with your son as he does the den meeting activities. We still need more parents to step up for upcoming events like the Arrow of Light and Summertime Pack Activities and summer camps. have you signed up yet? Space is limited, so what are you waiting for? Some of you have taken your training to the next level. Way to go! Look at all those sleeves with the "Trained" patch! Woo Hoo! Keep it up, Guys!

Monthly Core Values and Pack Meetings

August Honesty September Cooperation October Responsibility November Citizenship December Respect January Positive Attitude February Resourcefulness March Compassion April Faith May Health & Fitness June Perserverance July Courage

Upcoming Events:

The Boy Scouts of America's Grand Canyon Council will partner with the 12th annual Arizona International Sportsmen's Exposition (ISE) during the state's largest outdoor event Feb. 23-26 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Boy Scout troops and packs will enjoy access to discounted prices. Event tickets are free to all youth under 16 with a paid adult. At the ISE, BSA will create an activity area that includes a Pinewood Derby Track [bring your cars!] and a Pioneering area [know some knots and lashings], featured as part of the expo's youth fair, which is hosted by Arizona Game & Fish Department. "We respect and admire BSA for fostering self-reliance in youth, as well as a respect for the outdoors. We believe ours is a great platform for BSA to promote their message, and also, the ISE appreciates their help in broadening our attendance in Arizona." 300 exhibitors will pack the stadium's 160,000-square-foot space, offering outdoor enthusiasts products and services for fishing, hunting, travel, offroading, boating, camping. Increasing the event's value are free seminars, contests and clinics. Celebrity guest appearances include Lt. John Nores Jr., co-star of National Geographic TV's Wild Justice, and Hank Shaw, author of Hunt, Gather, Cook. Promo code “AZSCOUTS”

Pack 324 Parent and Leader Meeting Thursday March 1st at 5:30 as we start the gathering activity. Scout Ski Week at Sunrise! March 4-10, 2012

Did you miss the Pack Ski Trip over Christmas Break? Now is your chance to take the family up for discounted skiing at Sunrise Ski Resort. http://grandcanyonbsa.org/skiweek/

Click Here for Flyer!

Grand Canyon Council and Sunrise Park Resort are pleased to offer a chance for Scouts and family members to enjoy the best of winter has top offer at Arizona’s premier ski & snowboard destination. Join us this winter for a week of winter fun with fellow scouts and your family. During the week of March 4-10 Boy Scouts and Girl scouts are invited to learn to ski and enjoy a day(s) on the mountain. Come with your troop, your family, or come on your own. Package Details: $34.00/per day Ski Package * $44.00/per day Snowboarding Package * Both the Ski and Snowboard packages includes a full day equipment rental, full day lift ticket, and 1 hr group ski lesson for beginners and intermediates. Equipment rentals are first come first serve. Be there no later than 8:30 am to get equipment fitted and registered for lessons.

Bonus - For every 10 tickets we offer 1 complimentary sponsor ticket free *Discounted Scout Week rates can be use by Scouts, Scout Leaders and their immediate family members. Lessons: You must be ages 5 and up for ski lessons & 8 and up for snowboard lessons. Lessons start at 10:00 am and 12:30 pm daily. Lessons are intended for beginners and intermediates. Be there no later than 8:30am to get equipment fitted and registered for lessons. Approximate daily capacity of 200 Scouters. First come first serve. For registration above the capacity email: [email protected]

Last chance for changes February 27-29, 2012. Registration closes March 1, 2012. No refunds will be granted after March 1, 2012, unless approved.

Things to remember to bring: Sunscreen Sun Glasses Appropriate Snow clothing (layers) $$Money for food and other items Weather This is a snow, rain, and shine event. Please check Sunrise Park Resort for closings and current snow and weather status.\ Cancellation Policy: Last chance for changes February 27-29, 2012. Registration closes March 1, 2012. No refunds will be granted after March 1, 2012, unless approved.

Hand Out Pack 324 Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Car Kits Thursday, March 1st - at Pack Meeting - One per cub scout.

Pack 324 Pinewood Derby Workshop Saturday, March 3rd

Pack 324 Pinewood Derby Trials Thursday, March 15th - at Pack Meeting

Pack 324 Pinewood Derby Race! Saturday, March 17th Pack 324 Camp Out See www.ScoutPack324.com's main page under "Boys Love Camping ! ! ! " and Click on the Link for Details.

When: Friday Mar 23, 2012 Saturday March 24, 2012 And Sunday March 25, 2012

Destination: Chavez Campground – Sedona http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/chavez-group-camp.shtml

Who is invited: Cub scouts and their families

Important information: • The pack will provide all the food and cooking will be done as a group. We will be collecting money for food, firewood and camp reservations. The cost will be $20.00 per person due by Thursday March 15th. RSVP ASAP! Kids under 5 are FREE. • We will stay over Friday night and Saturday night and break camp at about 10:00a.m. on Sunday, you should be home Sunday afternoon. • The campground has vaulted toilets. • All families will make their own transportation arrangements; there will be no convoy. • Those arriving on Friday night should try to be there before dark. Set up camp and get settled in. • Friday dinner will be on your own. You may want to stop for a meal on your way in or be prepared to feed yourself.

Camelback District Pinewood Derby Championship Racing Hosted by Cub Scout Pack 100, Scottsdale Saturday March 31st, 2012 Racing Starts at 10 am

Rio Salado Audubon Center 3131 South Central Ave. (Just South of Salt River/Rio Salado)

This competition is open to all the top four finishers in each rank levels of the Camelback District's Cub sco0ut Pack Races (plus 2 alternates)

Online Registration fee is $15 for each cub scout participating in the District Race. Online Registrations must be received by Friday March 24th. In Person Registrations will be accepted at the registration table on race day for $20

Cub scouts must wear their Class A Uniform.

Online Registration Click Here

All participants will receive a T-Shirt and Patch with paid registration.

For more information, contact the Race Director Ted Harrison Phone 480-213-8137 E-Mail [email protected] April 14th 2012 from 10am - 4 pm Tempe Kiwanis Park 6111 S. All American Way, Tempe

This is a really cool event! You can earn belt loops, pins, merit badges, cross a rope bridge, shoot paper rockets, and lots more! Cost: $5 family ticket Sell tickets, too! For every $5 ticket sold, $1.75 (35%) goes back to the local scouts.

Timeline: Feb 2 Ticket Distribution Feb 4 - Mar 27 Grocery Store Sales Scheduled Mar 28 Ticket and Money Turn In at Distric Locations April 27 Prize Program Closes

Trainer's EDGE Mar 31, May 5, Aug 18, Sep 22, Oct 20, Nov 17, Dec 15. Get a greater understanding of the training process and how to move participants from the explaining stage to enabling them to achieve great things. Learn the BSA teaching techniques of Explain Demonstrate Guide Enable (EDGE). This one is in Mesa and Brent is an Instructor.

Wood Badge Mar8-10/Mar22-24, Apr 12-14/Apr 26-28, May 28-June 2, Aug 17- 17/Sep1-3, Oct 11-13/Oct 25-27 Advanced Leadership Training for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Venturing, District and Council Leaders

Wood Badge Participants Learn To: • View scouting globally as a family of inter-related value-based programs that provide age appropriate activities for youth. • Recognize the contemporary leadership concepts utilized in corporate America and leading government organizations that are relevant to our value-based movement. • Apply the skills learned from participation as a member of a successful working team. • Revitalize commitment by sharing in an overall inspirational experience that helps provide Scouting with the leadership it needs to accomplish its mission on an ongoing basis. Recent Events:

Camp Digalus! I talked about it above, but remember, Council Activities are mostly run by other people so we don't have to do all the work! Tons of fun and activities and we don't have to do the work! We should all be taking advantage of these great activities!