Explore our world and the oceans as we go on a Sea Adventure! Sail the ocean blue and tame the wild waves with our council’s Camp Independence Guides learning skills that will carry your Cub Scout on the trail of life.

Join our Pack July 15-18 at Laurel Highlands Council’s Camp Independence, for the ultimate Cub Scouting camping experience. Scouts, their leaders, and parents/guardians stay overnight for three days at the camp, part of the council’s Heritage Reservation, nestled in the Laurel Highlands wilderness. The camp has many activities for the scouts to enjoy, like BB guns, archery, climbing, hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, campfires, and more!

Our fully furnished campsites offer wall tents on platforms, covered picnic tables, latrines with wash basins, and campfire circles for your use. Want to bring your own camping equipment with you? Go for it!

And Webelos scouts get to do even more! Webelos have the option to arrive on Thursday, July 14th for an extra day of Webelos specific programs. These activities for older scouts have included in the past: a hike to another camp on the council’s reservation, BMX biking, shooting pellet guns, and extra time boating and fishing.

***COST***
–The price of camp includes all meals, programs, and learning materials.

3 Day Camp, Friday – Sunday/Monday morning, July 15-18
Early bird special pricing if paid before 4/1/2022:
Scout: $210
Adult: $90
**sibling discount $30 off second sibling

Webelos 4 Day Camp, Thursday – Sunday/Monday morning, July 14-18
Early bird special pricing if paid before 4/1/2022:
Scout: $280
Adult: $120

–More than one parent may attend resident camp, or parents can swap, but one parent MUST be present with your scout and any parents attending must have paperwork turned in ahead of the first day of camp. If you are interested in attending the Cub and Webelos Scout Pack Resident Camp with Pack 843, contact Jon Spink at jon.spink@gmail.com

Check out these videos, done by our council, that show off the fun to be had at Camp Independence. This video is aimed more at the parents and touches on some of the benefits of camp. https://youtu.be/f3Gl7AsSPUM

This was the camp 2021 video and does include some 2021 specific information, but there are lots of great visuals show what goes on around camp. https://youtu.be/ag8eoqA7eQ0

Cub Scout Day Camp is three days of exciting fun, exciting program activities and adventure at a location close to home with no overnight stay. Day Camp is an introductory outdoor program for Tigers, 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.

Our 2022 theme will run throughout the daily program of challenge, adventure, creativity, and learning. Both daytime and evening “twilight” camp opportunities are available. Scouts and their siblings can attend any camp that fits their schedule provided they have the required adult leadership. They are also welcome to attend more than one day camp as each one is a little different.

For Pack 843 there are two close options:
South Park
Wednesday 06-22-2022 to Friday 06-24-2022, from 8AM to 4PM
OR
Settlers Cabin Park
Tuesday 06-28-2022 to Thursday 06-30-2022, from 8:30AM to 3PM

This is NOT a drop off camp. As a PACK we need to provide enough leadership to supervise our scouts.  Susan Lewandowski (Bear Den Leader) will be able to attend all three days of one of the two camp sessions.  We need one other adult each day to provide two deep leadership if any other scouts want to attend.   NOTE: you do not need to attend all three days- we just need to know which day you can attend.

As per BSA regulations, all adults attending camp will need to present the following documents:
– proof of completion of BSA youth protection training. FREE
– PA Criminal Background Check. FREE
– Child Abuse Record Check (Childline). FREE
– Either the PA 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. (The FBI report costs $23.85 and requires fingerprinting, so please plan for at least a month to get your fingerprints done and the report sent to you.)

More information about obtaining your clearances can be found here:

https://lhcscouting.org/resources/youth-protection/

For more information or to register go to: https://scoutingevent.com/527-2022CubScoutDayCamp
If your Scout is interested in attending Day Camp, please fill it out this Google Form and we can see how many adult volunteers we have. This will determine how many scouts the Pack can take.  https://forms.gle/hLQG8KKRBpcCiahx6 

If you have any questions, please reach out to: Susan Lewandowski at slewando00@gmail.com

Join us for our March Pack meeting at SkyZone in Canonsburg on March 13 from 6:15-8PM. Address: 281 Georgetown Rd, Canonsburg, PA 15317.

Scouts jump for free, and siblings jump for only $10. Advance signups are MANDATORY for this event. You must be signed up by Thursday evening, March 10th to participate. Sign up here: http://pack843.org/sign-ups/

A SkyZone waiver MUST be completed in advance for each individual who will be jumping. Please complete your waiver by Thursday, March 10th. Waivers can be accessed here: https://www.skyzone.com/canonsburg

Schedule:
6:15PM – Arrival
6:30PM – Opening and Awards Ceremony
7:00PM – Jump time starts
8:00PM – Jump time ends

Scouts should wear their Class B Pack T-shirt for this event. Please bring a water bottle for each participant. The concession stand have drinks and snacks available for purchase, however no hot foods will be served.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Deb Whitewood at whitewoodd@msn.com

We had a delightful evening celebrating our Arrow of Light Scouts as they crossed over into their new Troops. These Scouts and their families have worked tirelessly to accomplish the necessary advancements and awards to move from one rank to the next over the past several years. This ceremony culminates their journey as Cub Scouts and sends them off with good wishes as they continue on the path with their new BSA Troops. Congratulations!

We had another successful Pinewood Derby with 45 cars racing throughout the day! Thanks to all the adult volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to making this such a successful event! Below you can view the Pack results.

AOL Rank

Pack 843 Pinewood Derby will be held on Saturday, January 22nd at Crossroad Church, 1120 Boyce Road in Upper St. Clair. Please see the schedule below for your Scout’s race time. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before your race time.

Weigh in will occur on Friday, January 21st from 6:30 – 8:00 PM at the church.
You will be required to leave your car for the races on Saturday.
All cars MUST BE AT THE WEIGH-IN in order to race!  If you are not available at that date and time, please make arrangements with another scout to bring your car to the weigh in.

Please note, masks must be worn at all times in the building. Scouts will sit with their families throughout the races. If you have any questions regarding the Pinewood Derby, please contact Cubmaster Jon Sperry at jdsperry2001@gmail.com

The schedule is as follows:
9:00 AM AOL (Fifth Grade)
9:50 AM Webelos (Fourth Grade)
10:40 AM Bears (Third Grade)
11:30 AM Wolf (Second Grade)
1:00 PM Tiger (First Grade)
1:30 PM Lion (Kindergarten)
2:30 PM Winners Race

On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, Pack 843 will hold a Pinewood Derby Car Build Night at the Oakdale Community Center from 6:15-8:00PM. Please bring your Pinewood Derby car and any accessories that you have purchased for your car, ie weights.

You must sign up for this event in advance here: http://pack843.org/sign-ups/

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Deb Whitewood at whitewoodD@msn.com

Our February Pack meeting is our Annual Blue & Gold Banquet. This event will be held at the Fairview Firehall (Sunset Room) on Sunday, February 20th from 3-6PM. The Pack meeting will start with our Opening Ceremony and Advancements for all Dens. Buffet dinner to follow. After dinner we will have the Arrow of Light Ceremony for our AOL Scouts followed by the Crossover Ceremony for our AOL scouts crossing over to a Troop. Please print this form: http://pack843.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Blue-and-Gold-RSVP-2.pdf . Fill out the bottom of the sheet and mail it, with payment, to the address on the sheet ON or BEFORE February 10th.

This year we have nine scouts crossing over to local Troops. This is a great event where the younger scouts learn about the Arrow of Light Award and have exposure to local Troops. We encourage all scouts and families to join us for this event. Since there is a buffet dinner, there is a cost for this event which can be paid by cash, check (made out to Pack 843) or your scout account. If you have any questions, please email Deb Whitewood at whitewoodD@msn.com.

Due to Covid-19, we will be distancing and ask all scouts and families to remain seated as much as possible. Masks must be worn unless actively eating or drinking.

Get out of the house this winter at Heritage Reservation’s Cub Scout Winter Weekends! Pack 843 Cub Scouts and their families are invited for a weekend of fun and friends.

February 4-6, we will stay in the Potomac Homes overlooking Lake Courage. Cafeteria style meals are provided in the dining area at Pathfinder Lodge. Come with your personal gear and enjoy winter with its exciting program features. Winter Weekends at Heritage Reservation are a tremendous opportunity for Cub Scouts and their families to enjoy a fun-filled day in the great outdoors while experiencing the beauty of winter.

PROGRAM FEATURES

• BB shooting
• Archery
• Giant slingshots
• Klondike games – Log sawing and branding
• Games
• More

Should there be sufficient snow, some activities may be switched out for sledding and/or snowshoeing.  All needed equipment is provided. The camp has sleds and helmets. However, please bring any equipment that you may have (no hockey sticks please). All individuals (youth and adults), per BSA safety policies, must wear a helmet to sled.

The cost is $100 per person for the weekend. Day passes are available for those families that wish to come up for the day and enjoy the winter fun! Day passes will cost $25 for children and $10 for adults.

If you are interested in attending our February 4-6, 2022 Winter Weekend at Heritage Reservation with the Pack, please email Jon Spink at jon.spink@gmail.com.

Join us on Sunday, December 12 as we explore Fairview Park while winter geocaching from 1-3PM. Advancements will be distributed. Siblings are invited to attend. Come dressed for the weather, including appropriate footwear, gloves and coats. Bring a drink and chair for each participant, as well as a mask.

Signups are required for this event, so please register here:
https://pack843.org/sign-ups/