Late February News for Pack 603

UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING The classes at University of Scouting are designed to help develop a strong program. You can learn what happens at the Council and District levels to support your program. You might pick up some pointers on how to improve the unit administrative efficiency. You can share experiences on what makes a successful meeting. There are also many classes that will give you ideas to support the backbone of the program, that aspect that the Scouts love the most about Scouting - that is the OUTINGS! We all know that great outings are the key to keeping Scouts. There are many elements that make for a great outing; one of those is the food. Nothing tastes better than that first hot dog you burnt as a Tiger or the pineapple upside down cake out of the dutch oven. No matter if you're camping with the full Troop trailer or carrying all your food on a week long high adventure trip, you can always eat well. U of Scouting classes cover anything and everything you can think of as it relates to Scouts, outings and eating. Check out one of these classes - there is something for everyone! 1. Cub Grub / Cub Cooking - foil dinners to pie iron, learn the basics of cooking and fire building.2. Webelos Outdoor Cooking - hobo stoves, box ovens and other fun cooking techniques!3. Dutch Oven Basics - back by popular demand, what else is there to say, the food is great!4. Food Dehydration - learn about equipment and techniques for all types of camping and cooking.5. Patrol Cook Boxes - come see some examples, look for what would make a good box for your unit.6. Edible plants - we're not talking onions, potatoes and carrots. Learn how to identify edible plants and some practical applications. Join us for Pine Tree Council's University of Scouting!Where: Central Maine Community CollegeWhen: Saturday, March 21, 2009 For more information http://www.pinetreebsa.org/university/UoS2009Catalog%20REV%20E.pdf To register for classes http://www.doubleknot.com/Registration/CalendarDetail.asp?ActivityKey=527797&OrgKey=1649 Please forward this email to fellow Scouters, Committee Members, Scout parents and friends that might have an interest in this fun filled, knowledge sharing day.See you there. Thanks,Jim LesserAssistant Scoutmaster, Troop 93, Falmouth, MEMarketing Volunteer, U of Scouting – PTC

TRAILS END POPCORN RECALL Weaver Popcorn, parent company of Trails End, has issued a voluntary recall on Feb. 4 as follows:Weaver Popcorn Company Issues a Nationwide Precautionary Voluntary Recall of 9.5 oz. Trail's End Caramel Corn with Peanuts
As a result of the expansion of Peanut Corporation of Americas (PCA) Salmonella related recall to include all peanut ingredient products produced in their Blakely, Georgia facility since January 1, 2007, Weaver Popcorn Company has issued a precautionary voluntary recall for the following product:9.5 oz. Trails End Caramel Corn with Peanuts, with code date markings of 102861 109 JAN 19 08 through 102861 297 JUL 23 09.No other Trail's End or Weaver Popcorn Company products are part of this recall. Consumers with an unopened, sealed popcorn foil bag, with the above listed code dates, can arrange for a refund by calling 1-800-782-4255 (Monday through Friday from 8:00am 3:00pm EST) or by sending an email to ccp@trails-end.com

EARN YOUR WAY TO CAMP ­PTC Late Winter Popcorn Sale:Pine Tree Council has initiated a late winter popcorn sales event to help scouts earn their own way to camp. Details:· Any registered scout may participate.· Sale starts 2/16 and orders must be into the council office by 4/3.· Sale is take-order only. It is conducted individually by the scout and their family. It is not a troop or pack run sale. If you need order sheets, contact the council office (797-5252).· Each scout who sells popcorn will receive a commission of 35% of his total sale in the form of a voucher that can be used for any PTC-sponsored program: PTC Summer Camp, NOAC, 2010 National Jamboree, Philmont or Sea Base (Feb. 2010). It is not available for use to attend an out-of-council camp.· Popcorn is to be picked-up on April 25 at Barber Foods, 56 Milliken St. in Portland from 8 to 11am.· All money must be turned in by May 8 to the council office. Vouchers for camp will not be released until full payment is sent to the council office.For more info, contact Matt Randall at mrandall@bsamail.org or 797-5252 x21. Details can also be obtained off the Pine Tree Council website http://www.pinetreebsa.org

PORTLAND PIRATES SCOUT NIGHT February 28, 7pm vs. Harford. Tickets are $22 and include skating and a movie after the game. Call Ryan Delaney at 828-4665 x 309 to order tickets.

SCOUTING SKI DAYS Please contact Matt Mower (contact info is further below) for more info on these tickets. The first price is the Jr ticket and the second price is the adult ticket price: Shawnee Peak (yes, two dates!), March 1 ($24/$29)Mt Abram, March 8 ($22/$27) Senior District Executive Matt Mower at mmower@bsamail.org or 797-5252 ext 27

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2009 Pinewood Derby & Klondike Derby

Augusta Cubs Race Through Winter with Pinewood & Klondike Derbies
AUGUSTA- Sportsmanship, speed and creativity were the words on the lips of every Cub Scout at Pack 603’s recent Pinewood Derby races at the American Legion on Eastern Avenue. Each one hoping that their cleverly-carved car would capture the checkered flag and earn him a trophy.
At Christmas, each Cub was given a block of wood, four nails, and four wheels. The boys, working with their parent or another adult, carved their block of wood into a race car within a few weeks time. “The boys are always very creative,” said Cubmaster Chuck Mahaleris. “I’m always impressed by the imagination of our young racers.” The boys range in age from 7 to 11. They have to follow very specific rules when crafting their car. For example, cars cannot weigh anymore than 5 ounces and they must use only the official kit that they were given. They can’t use one of the fancy store-bought pinewood derby cars. Gravity is the only power source allowed. “It becomes a real challenge for the boys and their dads to come up with the right shape and placement of weights.”
Reid Albison - who isn’t yet a Cub Scout but carved a car and raced it against siblings of other cubs said, “This is sweet!!!” as his car zoomed down the long, wooden, two-lane track. It was his first pinewood derby race. His brother Connor, a member of the Wolf den, came in second overall for speed and said, “Wow, I can’t wait to bring my trophy to school and show my friends!” It was a project that involved both parent and son. Their mom, Rene Albison said, ”Painting the cars was a little messy, but that’s what it’s all about....a fun, family experience.”
According to the National Scouting Museum, the first Pinewood Derby ever held took place in 1953. Pack 280C of Manhattan Beach, California gathered at the Manhattan Beach Clubhouse and made Cub Scout history. The races soon swept across the country and Cubs have been watching cars that they created hurtle down the 32-foot long track ever since.
Each boy races his car at least five times. They race on each lane on the track and against many of the other boys to make sure their cars have had a variety of opportunities to win at least one heat.
Wolf Nathaniel Barbeau rolled away with the “Best Design” trophy. “I worked on it for three nights,” he said. “I liked making the car with my grampy and my “Uncle” John Wentworth
Wolf Matthew Sirois said watching his car race to the finish was like watching a monkey running up a tree for a banana. “Monkeys can climb really fast,” he said excitedly.
Bear Morgan Young was given the “Sportsmanship” Trophy for cheering on his fellow Cubs throughout the race and displaying true-Scout like spirit. “It was like being part of a real race,” he said. “I had so much fun coming up with the design.”
The third place trophy for speed went home with Bear Cub Christian Paulin. Wolf Cub Leland Bailey and Webelos Theodore Mahaleris captured the 2nd and 3rd place trophies in the design category.
The race was held on January 20th. Since then, the Cubs have been busy with other activities such as a trip to the bowling lanes to complete the requirements for the Bowling Belt Loop. The Webelos and Bears took part in the Klondike Derby held the first weekend in February in China. This was a joint event between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. The boys learned about cold-weather survival and had fun in the snow at various stations. Pack 603 showed their grit when they brought home a trophy for their efforts at that outdoor, challenging event that saw them compete against dens from all over Kennebec and Somerset Counties. “The boys really worked as a team,” said Webelos Leader Shawn Gallant. “They did a great job and were very proud to come in 2nd overall.”
Boys who are interested in joining Cub Scouts can contact Cubmaster Chuck Mahaleris at cmahaleris@hotmail.com or 400-9850. More information about Pack 603 can be found at http://pack603augusta.blogspot.com/
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