Arrow of Light Crossover and More Good News

Augusta — Only the glow from candles broke the darkness in the room. Three Augusta 11 year olds stood flanked by teens dressed in traditional Native American garb. The audience sat in silence witnessing the important milestone. One teen explained the significance of the event that had drawn them all together -- the crossing over from Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts, made possible when the three younger boys earned their Arrow of Light badges.

Eric Lombard, Theodore Mahaleris and Hunter Ripley were presented their Arrow of Light badges and crossed over the Arrow of Light Bridge that symbolically links Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting. Their Webelos den leader, Shawn Gallant, and their parents stood with them on one side of the bridge, while members of Boy Scout Troop 603 were prepared to welcome them on the other side during the special ceremony at Veterans Memorial American Legion Post 205, Eastern Avenue, on March 30.

All of the youth in Cub Scout Pack 603, including the graduating Webelos, were recognized with badges and pins they had earned since the February Blue and Gold Banquet. The highlight of the evening, however, was the Arrow of Light Ceremony that was presented by members of the Pine Tree Council's Madockawanda Order of the Arrow Lodge Ceremonial Team.

Boy Scouts Connor Pillsbury of Troop 479 in China, Jared Baker of Troop 454 in Oakland, Jarod White of Troop 546 in Temple and Dustin Wiggin of Troop 199 in Jay described different the challenges the three youths encountered as they made their way through the Cub Scout ranks until finally reaching the highest award, the Arrow of Light badge.

"As we have said before, this ceremony marks an end of a journey," said Pillsbury. "But even as this journey ends, another is just beginning. Here at the summit of Cub Scouting you have found the start of a new trail. This trail is a pathway that leads to the realm of our brothers in the sky, the Eagles."

"That was the best ceremony I have seen," said new Boy Scout Lombard. "I'm very proud." Mahaleris and Ripley agreed.

"They [the teens on the ceremonial team] were awesome," Mahaleris said.

"It was a lot of work, but I had a lot of fun in Pack 603," Ripley said.

"The ceremony was remarkable," Den Leader Gallant said. "Those boys should be very proud of themselves and we were lucky they could come from all over the area to take part in our graduation ceremony. It made it very special for the boys."

The new Boy Scouts met their first challenge the following weekend when Troop 603 took a hike up Ragged Mountain. In all, the Scouts hiked 12 miles. "Scouting is all about challenging the boys," said Assistant Scoutmaster Dana Antworth. "They all did great."

Many other Cub Scouts were also presented awards during the March 30 gathering. Jacob Arbour, Leland Bailey, Nathaniel Barbeau, Joseph Beaulieu, Kaleb Bechard, Chris Black, Dustin Dyer, Chris Colson, Trey Muxima, Sawyer McCutcheon, Luc Sirois and Matthew Sirois all earned Disability Awareness belt loops. The boys in the Augusta Bear program in Pack 603 are among the first in the nation to earn this award, as it became an official part of the program in January of this year.

"They learned an awful lot about people who have disabilities," Den Leader Chris Bailey said. "The boys had to think a lot, and they really got into it. You could see when they really understood how challenging things can be for other people. It was like a light went on. They got it."

To earn the belt loop, the boys had to visit with a friend, family member, classmate or other person with a disability and learn what that person enjoys as well as finds difficult. The Cub Scouts had to attend a disabilities event -- such as an Easter Seals event, Special Olympics, a performance with sign language interpretation, an activity with Guiding Eyes dogs, or a wheelchair race -- and talk about the experience with their leader. They also had to make a display about one or more disabilities that included physical, learning or mental challenges.

Tiger Cubs Andrew Truman, Zack Hutchison, Killian Gagnon, Luke Giampatruzzi, Jonathan Urquhart and Kaden Urquhart earned their Tiger rank patches. Luke and Killian also earned their Bobcat ranks.

For Earth Day, Scouts do 'Good Deeds' for planet

Apr 18, 2010

Cub Scouts Reese St. Pierre and Ryan Lathe work with Den Leader Andy Lathe.

Augusta — This month, Cub Scouts from Pack 603 in Augusta are taking part in environmental projects to mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 and the 100th anniversary year of Scouting.

Boys in the Wolf Den built bat houses and boys in other dens took part in neighborhood clean-up efforts, hiked at the Viles Arboretum and learned about ways to help the environment.

"Scouting teaches boys that they have a duty to care for the world around them," said Pack 603 Cubmaster Chuck Mahaleris.

"The 'Leave No Trace' program fosters in them the idea that they should leave the trail, campsite and woods better than when they got there. Scouting's World Conservation Award gives the boys an opportunity to think globally and act locally to preserve and improve our environment. This program is designed to make youth members aware that all nations are closely related through natural resources and that we are interdependent with our world environment."

Cubs received awards at the March 30 pack meeting related to their work in the outdoors. Graduating Webelos Scouts Hunter Ripley and Theodore Mahaleris earned their World Conservation Award. They, along with fellow Webelos Morgan Young, also earned their Forester pins, while Webelos Eric Lombard earned his Outdoorsman Pin.

Bears Jacob Arbour, Leland Bailey, Nathaniel Barbeau, Joseph Beaulieu, Kaleb Bechard, Dustin Dyer, Chris Colson, Trey Muzima, Luk Sirois, Matthew Sirois and Sawyer McCutcheon took part in a neighborhood service project as one of their requirements for the Citizenship Belt Loop.

"There are requirements built into the Scouting program at every level to encourage the boys to not only get out and learn about the world around them but to challenge them to find ways to protect it for future generations to enjoy," said Mahaleris. "Scouts are known for 'Doing Good Deeds' and on Earth Day we want them to do 'Good Deeds' for the planet.”

Pack 603 Tigers Visit the Capital Weekly

Augusta — Members of Augusta Cub Scout Pack 603 visited the Capital Weekly office at 295 Water St. to learn about newspapers and fulfill a communications requirement for their Tiger badges.

During their March 24 visit, they met the newspaper's editor, Beth Staples.

"It was fun to meet the boss and take a picture with her," said Killian Gagnon and Kaden Urquhart.

The Scouts also learned about selling advertisements, what reporters do, the number of papers delivered every week, and how to adjust and remove red eye in photos.

Then they helped write and lay out a front page story about their visit, complete with the photo of them with "the boss." When they finished, each Scout received a copy of their custom-made front page to take home as a souvenir of their visit.

All in all, the youngsters enjoyed their visit.

"It was fun," said Zachary Hutchinson.

http://capital.villagesoup.com/place/story/cub-scouts-strive-to-earn-tiger-badge/314706

America Honors Scouting With Centennial Coin, Stamp

If it seems as if the whole country is getting involved in Scouting’s 100th Anniversary, OK, maybe it is. Two great “birthday presents” for Scouting appear this year—a Scout stamp and an official Scout coin.

As a result of a bill sponsored by U. S. Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas, the U. S. Mint will initially produce 350,000 silver-dollar coins to commemorate the centennial. The mint turns out only two commemorative coins each year. A $10 surcharge on each coin will raise $3.5 million for the BSA Foundation, which will support extending Scouting in hard-to-serve areas.

The obverse (heads side) design of the coin depicts a Cub Scout in the foreground with a Boy Scout and female Venturer in the background saluting. The Venturer represents how BSA has evolved over the past century to serve all the youth of America, including girls. The reverse (tails) design features the BSA emblem and these inscriptions: United States of America, Boy Scouts of America, Be Prepared, E Pluribus Unum, and One Dollar. The coin is due out March 23. Get it from the U.S. Mint at catalog.usmint.gov.

The new 44-cent postage stamp, the “Celebrate Scouting” stamp, will be issued at the centennial jamboree in July at Fort AP Hill, Va. The stamp, designed by California artist Craig Frazier, depicts a modern Scout standing on a rocky summit, silhouetted against the shadow of a classic Scout peering through binoculars.

As any serious philatelist knows, the centennial stamp won’t mark the first time Scouting has been honored this way. Other stamps have appeared in the past, most notably for the 40th, 50th, and 75th anniversaries of the BSA.

March Cub Reminders

March Pack Meeting

Our pack meeting is set for March 30th at the American Legion at 6 PM. This is going to be a crossover ceremony for our 2nd Year Webelos who have earned their Arrow of Light (they will crossover next month if they have not). We will also be presenting all of the awards that were earned since the Blue and Gold or presenting awards to the boys who could not attend the Blue and Gold. Leaders please have a list of awards and names of boys who have earned them by March 23.

Every den is asked to do a song and a skit for the cross over.

Recharter

March is our annual recharter. I would like to complete all of the paperwork next Wednesday so include the registration fees (none of this stays with Pack 603) with your son when he comes toPack meeting.


Re-Charter length - 9 months - Expires 12/31/2010
Re-Charter Cost per Cub - $12.25 (Pack 603 pays for the fee for our adult leaders)
Boy's Life Renewal per subscription - $9.00 So if you want your son to get the monthly magazine, he needs to bring in $21.25. Checks can be made out to Pack 603. We will write one check to council.


PTC UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING

March 27, 2010, Central Maine Community College, Auburn, ME

Course catalog is now available for download off the KV District Website under the Newsletter section! OR go to the Pine Tree Council Website: http://www.pinetreebsa.org

Early bird deadline is 3/19. Save yourself $5 and register before the deadline. Roughly 60
different courses offered for all levels of scouting.

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TRAINING

Cub Scout Leader Training

Remember, BSA is mandating that all Cubmasters, Asst. Cubmasters, Den Leaders, and Asst. Den Leaders attend Leader Training.

Pack 445 is hosting Cub Leader Training on April 6 and 13 from 6:30 till 8:00 at Winslow Elementary School. Fee $7. (Pack 603 reimburses for this training) You must attend both nights to be trained. Before this training, everyone needs to take online training for Fast Start and Youth Protection at; http://olc.scouting.org/ To register or for more information contact Scott Verrill at 797-5252 ext 27 or strictly@megalink.net


BALOO, WLOT (Webelos Leader Outdoor Training) and ITOLS (Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills) will be offered at the Abnaki District Spring Camporee at Camp Gustin in Sabatus on May 21-23, 2010.


K-Valley also plans to offer Cub Scout Leader Specific. June 19 at the Madison Congregational Church. More details to follow.




BOSTON MUSEUM OF SCIENCE CUB SCOUT TRIP

Overnight event, April 24-25. PTC has 500 slots available. For more info and to sign-up, please see the Council Website: http://www.pinetreebsa.org



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Fun Pack Weekend Camping Report – Juanita Spaulding
Juanita Spaulding is looking for volunteers to staff the K-Valley Funpack Weekend. She needs:
Cook(s) – lunch Sat, dinner Sat, breakfast Sun (preferably 2-3)
Nature Area Director
Scout Skills Director
Craft Director
Extra Scouts/Volunteers to help at BB, Archery
and Swim front (Scouts should be at least 15 to be on these sites)

The theme will be Sea Adventures.
Here are is the list of Funpack Weekends and their Host Districts:
July 10-11 - All district's key staff
July 18 - 18 York
July 24- 25 Casco Bay
July 31- Aug. 1 K-Valley
Aug 7- 8 Downeast
Aug. 14- 15 Abnaki

This in no way means Districts can only attend the weekend their district is hosting the program. Anyone can go any date.

Please contact Juanita either by email: cubjuanita@midmaine.com
or phone 257-3431 if you can help out as staff.

City Council Becomes Honorary Cub Scouts

For Immediate Release

Contact: Chuck Mahaleris, 400-9850

(Photo by Stacy Haskell)

Augusta City Council Becomes Honorary Cub Scouts

AUGUSTA- Mayor Roger Katz and the Augusta City Council recently joined a group they never expected to become members of- the Cub Scouts. Boys from Cub Scout Pack 603 in Augusta led the opening flag ceremony, Pledge of Allegiance, and the Cub Scout Promise during the March 4 City Council meeting. “The Cub Scouts did a very professional job. We were glad they could take part in our meeting,” said Mayor Katz. “I’m honored to be an Honorary Cub Scout. Maybe I’ll go to Cub Camp this summer.”

Cubs Leland Bailey, Morgan Young, Ryan Lathe, Caleb Bechard and Hunter Ripley served as color guards for the occasion and followed up by having the city’s top elected officials repeat the Cub Scout Promise making them Honorary Cub Scouts. Cubs Lathe, Young, Ripley and Bechard then reminded the officials that they now had an obligation to “Do Their Best” which is the motto of the Cub Scouts.

“We were very pleased that the city council would take time to honor Scouting on its 100^th Anniversary,” said Cub Master Chuck Mahaleris. “Plus it was a great way to teach the boys about good citizenship. Scouting isn’t just about camping and building race cars and making macaroni art. The three goals of Scouting are to instill in young people a desire to be participating citizens, help build solid character, and encourage them to a life of spiritual and physical fitness. Leading the flag ceremony for Augusta’s City Council will be one of those events they look back on later in life with pride.”

Boys in grades 1-4 can join Cub Scouts now and be ready for summer camp. Contact Cubmaster Mahaleris at 400-9850 for more details or visit the pack’s website at http://pack603augusta.blogspot.com/

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March Cub Notes

Dear Parents and Leaders:

Into the News

I wanted to let you all know that I have submitted an article about the Pinewood Derby with picture to the various newspapers. Thanks Pam for the pictures. I plan to submit another article about all of the other activities that happened in February. Leaders, if you can get me a list of the awards (rank primarily) the boys earned last month (include the names of the boys), I would appreciate it.

March Pack Meeting

Our pack meeting is set for March 30^th at the American Legion at 6 PM. This is going to be a crossover ceremony for our 2^nd Year Webelos who have earned their Arrow of Light (they will crossover next month if they have not). We will also be presenting all of the awards that were earned since the Blue and Gold or presenting awards to the boys who could not attend the Blue and Gold. Leaders please have a list of awards and names of boys who have earned them by March 23.

Every den is asked to do a song and a skit for the cross over.

Recharter

March is our annual recharter. I would like to complete all of the paperwork by the 26^th so include the registration fees (none of this stays with Pack 603) with your son when he comes to the Den meetings on the 16^th or the 23^rd.

Re-Charter length - 9 months - Expires 12/31/2010
Re-Charter Cost per Cub - $11.25 (Pack 603 pays for the fee for our adult leaders)
Boy's Life Renewal per subscription - $9.00

So if you want your son to get the monthly magazine, he needs to bring in $20.25. Checks can be made out to Pack 603. We will write one check to council.

Outdoors

Leaders, when the weather is nice- try to have as many outdoor activities as you can. We pretty much wrap up at the end of April. Time is fleeting. Our April pack meeting will be the final one and all of the boys will cross over to the next rank.