Overwhelming Schedule

A couple of new scout parents have expressed the overwhelmedment at our calendar. Don't be overwhelmed. Remember, that is a list for the entire year of Pack 82 activities - with a couple of major holidays thrown in for good measure. The basic thing to remember is this: Cub Scouts do something once a week. Most weeks, there is a den meeting on Monday evenings for one hour. Den Meetings are usually at Salem United Methodist Church. Once a month, instead of the den meeting, there is a Pack Meeting. Pack Meetings are usually on Mondays at 7pm at Springhill Elem. For Tigers, one of those den meetings is going to be a field trip - so instead of meeting at Salem UMC, you might meet at the Bryant Fire Dept, or a farm, or something like that. Likewise, a field trip den meeting might be on a weekend, in which case it would replace the weekly den meeting. Still, there is only one meeting a week.

Some of our Pack Meetings are also held as "special events." Some pack meetings will be a Pinewood Derby, Picnic, Family Campout, Skating Party, or something like that. Still - only one pack meeting per month, which replaces the weekly den meeting.

Got it? The thing to remember is this: Monday nights are Cub Scout nights - with just a few exceptions.

Now for the exceptions:
- Akela Camp is a Council-wide camp that is incredible fun for boys and their families. We usually cancel den meetings the Monday immediately following Akela Camp. This camp is coming up the first weekend in October, and early registration deadline is Sep 18. If you're not sure about your camping skills or equipment, talk to a Pack 82 leader. There are plenty of experienced campers who would be happy to help you.
- Pinewood Derby - This pack meeting will be held on a Saturday afternoon.
- Blue and Gold Banquet - This is our annual awards recognition dinner. We encourage all scouts to have earned their rank by this time in February. The banquet is held on a Saturday evening and takes the place of the Feb. Pack meeting.
- Cubmobile Derby - The April pack meeting will be held on a Saturday afternoon.
- Committee Meetings - This is the monthly planning meeting for Pack activities and business. All den leaders are part of the committee, as well as any parents who want to take part in planning. It is not mandatory.
- Webelos Campouts - These are extra campouts for our 4th-5th graders only.

Pack Meeting Monday 8/24

Pack 82,

Our last pack meeting of the summer (or first of the fall - however you prefer to look at it!) is Monday, 8/24, 7:00PM at Springhill Elementary. The theme is PIZZA! There will probably be a few minutes to play outside afterward.

Please note these additional announcements:
- Den meetings resume 8/31 at Salem UMC.
- Recruiting is 9/1 (Springhill) and 9/3 (Salem). Encourage your friends to join Pack 82!
- Our September Pack Meeting is 9/14 at Springhill Elem. This will be our fall popcorn kickoff. We will also present awards earned during the summer.
- Akela Camp is 10/2 - 10/4. This year's theme is SCOUT TREK! You don't want to miss it. Sign up as soon as you receive material in the mail.
- Be sure to sign up for a Pack 82 T-Shirt. If you went fishing, you probably did this. If you miss the pack meeting, send me an email.
- Let me know if you need to order uniform material from the Council.
- We still need a couple of leadership positions filled - Tiger leader, Asst. Cubmaster, and Advancement Chairman.

Thanks,

Jeff McFarland
Cubmaster, Pack 82

Fw: Troop 99 Fundraiser

Pack 82:

From Randall Wilchman:
---------------------

Hello: Everyone
I just wanted to let you guys know about a few things the Boy Scouts are doing that might be of interest to you. We worked on the rocket
launchers last night and I think we got a few built. We will have some
adults and boys coming down to akela camp Saturday morning to help with the activities and we will be camping Saturday night if any of the Webelos and parents want to come and spend the night that will take care of one of those requirements.

On
August the 29th which is a Saturday night the guys that are going to be
attending the National Jamboree next summer will be holding a dinner to
raise funds for their trip. It will be a sit down dinner at the church
dress will be casual and the cost will be what ever you would like to
donate. The menu is pork loin, salad, mashed potatoes, corn, rolls and
cake for desert. Reservations for 4:30, 6:00 and 7:30 p.m.
are being taken by me. You know you are going to go out to eat that
night so go ahead and make reservations and enjoy some good food and
great service from the youth of America.

October 16th and 17th we are having a flea market at church so if you have anything that you would like to donate please
contact me and I will get it picked up for you. So clean out those
storage buildings and garages and donate that stuff to the scouts.

Thanks

Randall Wilchman

Family Campout 2009

Pack 82's annual Spring Family Campout was once again an unmitigated success. Over 60 campers descended on Ross-Rhodes Scout Reservation on March 20-22. Originally scheduled for the previous weekend, the campout was moved out seven days due to uncooperative weather. If we were Boy Scouts, it would have been our duty to camp out in the cold and rain and enjoy it. But since we are Cub Scouts, our duty is to have fun! The original weekend's weather being incompatible with that duty, we rescheduled.

Ghostly Tales

Although we had planned on doing some stargazing and earning Astronomy beltloops Friday night, clouds rolled in just as the sun went down. We took advantage of the nighttime creepiness to take a walk in the dark and tell some ghost stories. Old favorites - such as the one about the 10,000 lb gorilla and the ghost of Able Fable - were dragged from the recesses of Mr. Jeff's memory. He also happened to bring along the severed finger of his great-great-grandfather to show the bewildered Scouts. "Is that story true, Mr. Jeff?"

"Yes. I really did have a great-great-grandfather."

Cholesterol, Take I

Many thanks to the Pack 82 Chuckwagon for preparing breakfast for 58 (or so) Saturday morning. Plenty of biscuits, sausage, and eggs were had by all. Note to Jeff - next time, forget the white milk. Get more chocolate.

Flags, Hiking, and Games

Around mid-morning Saturday, the Webelos provided a colorguard and raised the flag at the activity field. The Pack then divided into two patrols and hiked for an hour while picking up trash. One patrol found a Real Live Lizard living inside an old Pepsi can. Immediately following the strenuous hike, the boys spent an hour recuperating by running around on the activity field playing kickball and capture the flag.

Dutch Ovenry

Saturday night saw a dinner of hot dogs, chips, and a multitude of delightful Dutch Oven desserts. Cakes, cobblers, chili, and various other creations tempted the palates of all campers. If you don't have a Dutch Oven, you should get one. If Mr. Rick can do it, so can you.

Campfire

Saturday night concluded with a fun and energetic campfire meeting down at the Council Fire. Mr. Dan lit the bonfire with a giant flaming roll of toilet paper that somewhat resembled a marshmallow. There was plenty of singing (Ravioli, Tom the Toad, On Top of Spaghetti, and Ghost Chickens in the Sky), skits (firefighters, Yaputcha), and fabulous prizes! Did I mention there were Ghost Chickens? For real? (baaaaawk bokbokbokbok!)

Chapel, Cholesterol Take II, and Cleanup

The Pack had a brief chapel service Sunday morning, followed by many pancakes, sausage, and leftover biscuits and hot dogs. (yes, hot dogs for breakfast.) Afterward, each den took responsibility for cleaning up a section of the camp. We left things better than we found them!

In Conclusion

To sum it up, this year's camp was great fun for parents and scouts. While we missed some of our recently crossed-over Webelos and their leaders, we were glad to get to know some new scouts and their parents a bit better.

Photos are here.

Pinewood Derby 2009

Pack 82 held our annual Pinewood Derby on January 24, 2009. With over 50 cars entered in this year's race, we held time trials with the top 16 fastest progressing to a double-elimination round. Cars were also judged for design. Each scout voted for his favorite three cars. The top four in both speed and design competitions advanced to the District Pinewood Derby held on March 7.

Photos may be found here

Blue and Gold 2009

Pack 82 held its annual Blue and Gold banquet on February 28, 2009. Highlights of the evening included fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, baked beans, fried chicken, potato salad, fried chicken, rolls, and fried chicken. And cake. And fried chicken. Other highlights included the awarding of numerous and sundry beltloops, badges, and patches. The Pack was also proud to award rank badges to roughly 90% of its Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos I, and Webelos II.

It is with fond memories and best wishes that we launch eight of our Webelos II's into Boy Scouts as they receive their Arrow of Light ranks. We thank Troop 99 for a well-prepared and meaningful Crossing Over ceremony.