Author Archives: whitewoodd@msn.com

Pack Family Campout Weekends

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We have scheduled our three Pack Family Campouts, so save these dates:
June 25-27
August 20-22
September 10-12

These campouts will be held at Raccoon Creek State Park Sioux B Camping site. (You can join us for one night or both.) This is a primitive camping site with vault toilets and water nearby. There is plenty of room for families to set up tents and for the Scouts to play. Don’t let a lack of tenting equipment keep you out of the fun… Deb Whitewood has plenty of equipment to share.

You can join us for one night or both. If you are unable to camp overnight, please feel free to join us on Saturday for a morning hike and time spent at the lake in the afternoon. We are setting up a fun schedule of events which will include a hike, star gazing, swimming, fishing, boating, a scavenger hunt, crafts, Dutch oven and campfire cooking, games and much more. We will also work on some advancement requirements on this trip.

In order to mitigate concerns regarding COVID-19, all families will bring their own food and prepare their own meals, with the exception of the dinner on Saturday. We will have tin foil pockets for dinner that evening which adult leaders will assist the Scouts in preparing in a sanitary manner.

Signup for the June 25-27 can be accessed here: http://pack843.org/sign-ups/?sheet_id=167
Signups for the other trips will come out closer to the dates.
Pre-registration is required even if you are just joining us for the day.
We hope to have you with us because keeping the OUTING in scOUTING is FUN!
If you have any questions about these Pack Family Campouts, please contact Assistant Cubmaster, Deb Whitewood, at whitewoodD@msn.com.

May Pack Meeting and Picnic

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Sunday, May 16 will be the Pack Meeting and Picnic at Boy’s Home Park from 1-4PM. Advancements will be awarded and there will be activities for Scouts, siblings and family members. The Pack will provide a light meal, so reservations are required. Please indicate on your signup if you require a vegan, gluten free or other special considerations. Sign up here: https://pack843.org/sign-ups/?sheet_id=166

Scouts are encouraged to bring a classmate or friend who might be interested in joining the Pack. Those that join will be able to participate in our fun summer schedule of activities.

Pack Class B T-Shirt Orders

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The Pack Class B uniform t-shirts are HERE! If you haven’t yet placed an order, please do so ASAP. We will be wearing the Class B uniform shirts more often over the summer and hope to have the entire Pack dressed alike.

The t-shirts cost only $10 and are available in Youth and Adult sizes. Parents and guardians are encouraged to buy a shirt to support the Pack. Use the order form below to purchase your Pack 843 t-shirt today!

You can also follow this link to a Google Doc to order your shirt from Jack Freund.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeM06fmwAVYLP8JdUE_xB4WDyOZdP4pt3HrR6TaucJVWl_Rsg/viewform

If you have any questions about T-shirt sales, please contact Jack Freund at JFREUND@gmail.com

Scouting for Food and Bike Rally

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Pack 843 Scouts collected 30 boxes of food and pet supplies on April 18th before the Bike Rally.
Scouts Landon W, Max R, and Xander R., and Assistant Cubmaster, Deb Whitewood, delivered the food to Tim Anderson at the Bridgeville Food Bank on April 21st.
23 Cub Scouts and their parents participated in a bike ride along the Montour Trail from the Hendersonville Pavilion to the National Tunnel. The WEBELO Scouts even went through the tunnel! We learned about bike safety and maintenance before the ride and enjoyed ice cream sundaes afterwards. Thanks to all the parents and Den Leaders who made this ride such a success!

Volunteer Opportunities

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As a volunteer run organization, Pack 843 depends on our parents and guardians to help out in many areas throughout the year. Looking forward to the 2021-22 Scouting season, we have several key positions that need to be filled for the Pack to run efficiently.

These positions include:

* Popcorn Kernel
* Assistant Popcorn Kernel
* Resident Camp Coordinator
* Webmaster
* Summertime Activities Coordinator

Below you will find a brief description of each position and the approximate hours per month. I encourage each of you to read over the descriptions, and to consider if you could become a part of our Pack 843 Leadership Team by agreeing to take on one of these positions. We are lucky as we currently have experienced people in each of these positions who are willing to train and assist their successor.

If you would like more information, or are interested in taking on one of these volunteer positions, you can contact Deb Whitewood, Assistant Cubmaster, at whitewoodD@msn.com.

Popcorn Kernel
September through November
8 hours/month for inventory/reconciliation of spreadsheet
8 hours/month to count/deposit funds
8 hours/month of organizing/tracking/promoting show-and-sells

  • Plan and conduct show-and-sells and walk-about sales (includes marketing and calls)
  • Keep sign up sheet on Pack website up to date
  • Provide Scouts with the materials to perform their sales activities
  • Determine awards and market those awards to the Scouts
  • Provide sales training to the Scouts, typically in the form of a simple document and perhaps a skit at the Pack meeting that kicks off the fundraiser
  • If applicable, meet with the others in the district to find out when, where, how much, and what we get back.
  • Coordinate the product distribution to the Scouts, securing a drop-off/distribution point (typically the fire station)
  • Keep track of the sales, funds and prizes, as well as the history of those sales so that trends and long-term (multi-year) prizes can be tracked and awarded
  • Work with the Treasurer to ensure proper review, reconciliation and disposition of the collected funds
  • Place orders as necessary with the popcorn vendors
  • Store popcorn and keep accurate inventory/records (count money weekly, etc)
  • Delegate tasks as needed to Assistant Kernels

Assistant Popcorn Kernel
September through November
4 hours/month for inventory/reconciliation of spreadsheet
4 hours/month to count/deposit funds
4 hours/month of organizing/tracking/promoting show-and-sells

  • Assist Popcorn Kernel as needed
  • Help to keep track of inventory/records, show-and-sells, and cash flow
  • Help with set up/shut down of show-and-sells
  • Help with weekly money counts/deposits

Resident Camp Coordinator
5 hours per month (April/May/June)
1-2 hours per month (other months)

  • Learn how to get registered for camps through a simple but very time-sensitive process.
  • Identify and communicate the various camping opportunities available at the various rank levels, in line with the Pack culture as coordinated with Pack leadership
  • Contact the camping office (for the district), get camping slots, keep track of the deposits, and most importantly, keep the kids going to camp.
  • Get current camp’s information and maps
  • Assist and/or make recommendations in determining how transportation should be handled
  • Ensure that required paperwork is completed and returned to district/camps on a timely basis
  • Work with Treasurer and Committee to determine camping allowance awards and how to best apply those awards
  • Determine appropriate parent-to-scout ratio, based upon camp and Pack requirements and the rank level
  • Keep the OUTING in scOUTING!
  • Provide written information about camp to those attending, and/or call those signed up prior to camp.  This is to ensure that everyone is aware of the date and what to bring.
  • Handle questions from parents about the camp.
  • Collect health forms prior to leaving for camp. 

Webmaster
1 hour per month

  • Maintain a Pack website (Pack843.org) that also acts as a repository for pictures, program notes and other pack documentation.
  • Work with the Cubmaster, Committee Chair and Assistant Cubmaster(s) to ensure that the website reflects the Pack culture and history
  • Work with the other Pack leadership to ensure that the website meets their practical needs, and the pack’s general communication needs.

Summertime Activity Coordinator
1 hour per month (March, April & May for planning)
1 hour per month (June, July & August)

  • Set up three events for the summer (one each month)
  • Identify and communicate to the Pack the various outing opportunities available at the various rank levels in line with the Pack culture as coordinated with Pack Leadership
  • Work with Pack adults to have a Lead for each event
  • Assist and/or make recommendations in determining how transportation should be handled
  • Ensure that required paperwork is complete if necessary and returned on a timely basis
  • Keep the OUTING in scOUTING!
  • Provide written information about those attending, email/call those signed up prior to events. This is to ensure that everyone is aware of the date and what to bring.
  • Handle questions from parents about the events
  • Collect health forms prior to leaving for events if needed.
  • Act as point of contact to outside agencies when organizing events.






Bike Rally and Scouting for Food

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A reminder that the April Pack meeting will be held on April 18th at the Hendersonville Park and Pavilion in Cecil Township from 1-3PM.

The event will open with a brief Advancement Ceremony, then we will learn some basic bike safety and maintenance skills. Finally, we will have a short ride on the Montour Trail for those scouts who are interested. Scouts should come prepared with their bike ready to ride and wearing a helmet. Scouts should also have their backpack with the six essential items, including a water bottle. Parents and guardians are encouraged to participate in this ride, also wearing a helmet. Scouts who do not feel comfortable or ready for the trail will have the option of remaining at the Pavilion to practice riding there.

If you do not have a bike, contact Janet Spink at jehorton02@gmail.com as we may be able to provide you with a loaner bike.

Finally, each Scout in Pack 843 is encouraged to participate in this year’s Scouting for Food and Chow Wagon event by asking at least two friends or neighbors to contribute to this collection. Scouts will earn Community Service points for participating in this effort.

Items will be collected prior to the Bike Rally at 12:30 PM.

Summer Day Camp

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Hello Pack 843!
Information about Summer Day Camp was sent out earlier this year with information for scout family camp.  Day Camp is a great addition or alternative to family camp depending on your availability.   This year the theme is Rainforest.
Some FAQ answers:

1. This is not a drop off camp- this means that a responsible adult must stay with the scout.

2. Both scouts and siblings can come to the camp and participate- siblings can also come as a nonparticipant. 

3. There are both Day Camps and “Twilight” Camps if it works better with your schedule.    

Near us there is a day camp: Settlers Cabin Park
Tuesday 06-29-2021 to Thursday 07-01-2021

and a Twilight Camp at Cecil Park
Generations Room at Cecil Park
Monday 08-02-2021 to Wednesday 08-04-2021

Other Dates are available at South Park, North Park and Camp Guysauta

4. Payment and Registration- you can do this all online!
Follow the link below
DayCamp
a. Costs are in the center of the page.
b. on the right hand side is a list of all the sites and times available.
c. Early Bird Deadline is 4/15/2021.


5.  No food served at camp.  Everyone will bring their own lunches.


6. All adults will also need to present proof of completion of BSA Youth Protection Training as well as provide current PA State Police Background Check, PA Childline Clearance, and either the PA volunteer affidavit for those who have lived in the state for more than 10 years, or the FBI clearance for those who have lived out of state.
Information on obtaining these clearances can be found at this website:

https://www.lhcscouting.org/boy-scouts-america/resources/youth-protection

If you have any additional questions please contact Susan Lewandowski
slewando00@gmail.com 

Scouting for Food

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Each Scout in Pack 843 is encouraged to participate in this year’s Scouting for Food and Chow Wagon event by asking at least two friends or neighbors to contribute to this collection.

Items will be collected at 12:30 PM on April 18th prior to April Pack Meeting.
This event will be held at Hendersonville Park on Henderson Drive in Cecil Township.

If you have questions about Scout for Food, please contact Deb Whitewood, Assistant Cubmaster, at whitewoodD@msn.com.

April Pack Meeting & Bike Rally

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Join us for the Pack 843 Bike Rally on April 18th! We will meet from 1-3PM at the Hendersonville Park & Pavilion on Henderson Drive in Cecil Township.

The event will open with a brief Advancement Ceremony, then we will learn some basic bike safety and maintenance skills. Finally, we will have a short ride on the Montour Trail for those scouts who are interested. Scouts should come prepared with their bike ready to ride and wearing a helmet. Parents and guardians are encouraged to participate in this ride, also wearing a helmet. Scouts who do not feel comfortable or ready for the trail will have the option of remaining at the Pavilion to practice riding there.

Scouts will be divided into three groups for the ride, beginner, intermediate and advanced. Each group will be supervised by Den Leaders and parents, maintaining two deep leadership at all times. The groups will ride out for a certain time frame, then turn around and return to the Hendersonville Pavilion.

If you do not have a bike, contact Janet Spink at jehorton02@gmail.com as we may be able to provide you with a loaner bike.

Scouts should bring:
*bike
*helmet
*water
*backpack with the six essential items

Summer Day Camp

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Join us on Expedition Rainforest!

Cub Scout Day Camp is three days of fun, exciting program activities and adventures at Settler’s Cabin Park held on June 29 & 30 and July 1. It is an introductory outdoor program for Cub Scouts and Webelos with little camping experience. Programs are run by highly trained volunteers and are inspected and accredited annually by the Laurel Highlands Council.

2021 Costs Paid in full by4/15/2021Paid in full by5/14/2021Paid in full by5/15/2021 or after
Scout$65$75$90
Sibling$55$55$55
Adult$15$15$15

Please see this link for more information: https://scoutingevent.com/527-2021CSDayCamp#


In order to avoid late fees, unit payments must be received at one of the council service centers by the payment dates listed above.