Augusta Pack 603

Arrow of Light Crossover and More Good News

2010-04-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-19T05:49:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-07T05:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-30T14:20:00.001-07:00

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

2010-03-26T08:51:00.001-07:00

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

2010-03-13T16:18:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-09T14:23:00.000-08:00

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.

Mayor Katz and Augusta Cubs Race into Scouting's 2nd 100 Years‏

2010-03-08T13:43:00.000-08:00

AUGUSTA- Racing fans are not only those who head Windsor Fairgrounds or watch NASCAR. Some of Augusta’s most spirited racing enthusiasts are under the age of 11 and built their own race cars.

Cub Scout Pack 603 held their annual Pine Wood Derby races at Augusta City Hall last month during February school vacation week as part of the year-long celebration of the 100^th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Mayor Roger Katz served as the honorary race starter and welcomed the boys –all in grades 1 through 5- to City Center. "The Derby was a great example of Scouting at its best--working towards a goal, good clean fun, and a real emphasis on sportsmanship," Katz said. He admitted that he had been a Cub Scout in Augusta as a boy but never built a race car out of a block of wood like today’s Cub Scouts.

Cub Scouts, with the help of parents, build their own cars from wood they received from an official kit containing a block of pine, plastic wheels and metal axles. The finished car must use all nine pieces, must not exceed five ounces in weight, must not exceed a certain length, and must fit on the Pack 603 track. They can be any design. “I love the creativity of the boys,” said Pack 603 Cubmaster Chuck Mahaleris. “You could tell that a lot of time and effort went into working on these cars.”

Pack 280 Cubmaster Don Murphy organized the first pinewood derby, held on May 15, 1953 in Manhattan Beach, California. It’s popularity spread throughout the nation and is an annual event for nearly every Cub Scout Pack in America.

"I was so impressed with how hard these boys worked on their cars and the quality of the results. I'll bet a few of them will be designing real cars in a few years," Katz said.

The youngest boys in the pack, the Tiger Cubs in 1^st grade, each received a trophy for participating. “Every Cub will get at least on Pinewood Derby Trophy in their time in Cub Scouts,” said Mahaleris. All of the boys also received participation awards specially made for the event.

Bear Cub Chris Colson received the “Good Sportsman” trophy. “One of the objectives of Scouting is to develop good character in the boys. Chris’ car was not very fast but he did not lose his positive spirit and was there to cheer on all of his fellow Cubs.”

Cub Scout Luc Sirois received a trophy for having the best looking car. Chris Black and Jacob Arbor received 2^nd and 3^rd place trophies respectively for their designs. Chris Black had the fastest car in the pack and received another trophy. Jonathan Urquhart and Killian Gagnon received trophies for their 2^nd and 3^rd place finishes.

“Every car raced at least six heats,” Mahaleris said. “We made sure they raced a variety of other cars and raced on both lanes. We made sure we had a fair and fun run for all of the boys.” The top seven cars from the earlier heats raced over and over against each other until a winner was determined. “It was a busy afternoon,” Mahaleris said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without all of the parent volunteers who helped in the pit crew, registration area, and on the race track. Volunteers make Scouting happen.”

March Cub Scout Notes

2010-02-25T12:28:00.000-08:00

March Highlights

-Flag Ceremony for City Council Thursday, March 4th. Meet at City Hall in full uniform or as close as you can come at 6:30. The mayor will meet us at 6:45 and take us in. We will do a flag ceremony and make the city council honorary cub scouts. Not required to take part but we hope to have good scouts who are eager to show how well our Pack can represent Cub Scouts to the citizens of Augusta.

- Den Meeting- 6 PM at Hussey Elementary School on the 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd unless your Den Leader has made alternate arrangements. Remember the policy- no school, no scouts. Parents bring boys to the lobby and wait for the leader to take the boys to the classrooms. Thanks

-Pack meeting at the Legion March 30th at 6 PM. Leaders get me awards list including names by March 23rd. Each den to do song, skit and cheer at the meeting. This will be the big crossover for 2nd Year Webelos into Boy Scouts and awards presentation for other cubs as well.

ITS RECHARTER TIME

Our Pack has an annual charter from the Boy Scouts of America to run as a pack owned by the American Legion. This charter is the registration for all of our adult leaders and youth members. Typically, we charter from March to March. Boys who join in September (new Scouts not returning Scouts) pay a reduced registration at sign up and that covers them until charter time in March. None of this money stays with the pack. All of it goes to the Boy Scouts of America. There is a change this year. Council is changing recharter after this year to DECEMBER for all units. So, Pack 603 will be rechartering for 9 months instead of 12. The recharter fee will be for nine months.

Re-charter Deadline - March 31, 2010
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

Chuck will be collecting the recharter fees at the March den meetings with the idea that we will turn in our charter at the March 30th Pack meeting.

Remember: one of the requirements for Centennial Honor Unit is to Recharter on time!

TRAINING

NATIONAL TO INSTITUTE MANDATORY TRAINING!!!!

All Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, and Venture Advisors must be trained for their position (Fast start/This is Scouting and leader specific) by the end of 2010!

All other leaders with direct contact with youth (Ex. Den Leaders, ASMs, Ast. Advisors) must be fully trained (Fast Start/This is Scouting and leader specific) by 2011!

Don't wait. If you're not training in your position take advantage of one or more of the following opportunities:

Upcoming Training Schedule Council-wide (forwarded from Matt Randall by way of Downeast District’s newsletter, “The Beacon”)

Key to abbreviations at the end of the list of trainings.

2/27/2010
Council
Topsham LDS
TIS, YP, CSLS
matt randall
8AM - 5PM

3/6/2010
Casco Bay
Windham LDS Church
TIS, YP, CSLS
jht@maine.rr.com
8AM - 5PM

3/13/2010
York
Saco City Hall
CSLS, DC
scott valcourt
8AM - 5PM

3/27/2010
Council
CMCC Auburn
University of Scouting
Robert Robinson
8AM - 5PM

5/22/2010
Abnaki
Spring Camporee - Camp Gustin
Baloo/Wlot/Itols
abessey@bsamail.org
8AM - 5PM

6/5/2010
Downeast
Damariscotta LDS Church
TIS, YP, CSLS,

bluegate@tds.net
8AM - 5PM

9/25/2010
Council
Holy Cross Church - Lewiston
TIS, YP, CSLS,
Tony Bessy
8AM - 5PM

10/2/2010
Downeast
Damariscotta LDS Church
TIS, YP, CSLS,
bluegate@tds.net

10/23/2010
Council
Camp Hinds
ITOLS, WLOT, BALOO
Robert Robinson
W/e
11/6/2010

Council
Saco City Hall
TIS, YP, CSLS,
smt399@yahoo.com

KEY -
TIS - This Is Scouting
YP - Youth Protection
CSLS - Cub Scout Leader Specific
WLOT - Webelos Leader Outdoor Training
BALOO - Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation

--

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.

--

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!

http://www.kv-scouts.org

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

Bowling Day this Saturday

2010-02-09T09:09:00.000-08:00

Strike into the Next 100 Years

When: Saturday, Feb 13

Time: 9:45 AM - 11:30 AM

Where: Sparetime Recreation 215 Whitten Rd in Hallowell

What: We will be celebrating the start of the next century of Scouting by having a bowling party. The event will meet at the bowling alley to go over rules of the game at 9:45 AM and then bowling until 11:30 AM. All of the boys who take part will earn their bowling belt loop.

Cost: Cubs $2. Siblings & Non-Cubs: $7

Cub Scout 100th Anniversary Patch Requirements

2010-02-09T08:01:00.000-08:00

A Year of Celebration, A Century of Making a Difference

Cub Scout Patch Requirements

By demonstrating dedication to five of Scouting’s core values, Cub Scouts and others can earn award ribbons to hang from the 100th Anniversary Commemorative patch. A Year of Celebration, A Century of Making a Difference is fun, engaging and—most importantly—shows America the impact of Scouting through its commitment to these values. A Year of Celebration will be in effect from Sept. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2010.

LEADERSHIP

Complete three of the five requirements in each category to earn the ribbon.

1. Explain what makes a good leader and give an example of a Scout (past or present) demonstrating those qualities. Ask your parent or den leader what makes a good leader.

2. Practice being a leader such as being a denner for one week. Write or tell your parent or den leader about what you did during that week.

3. Get a friend to join Cub Scouts.

4. Organize the den to set up and take down chairs at the pack meeting.

5. With the approval of your den leader, plan and lead a den activity.

ACHIEVEMENT

Complete three of the five requirements to earn the ribbon.

1. Choose something you'd like to do better, and work on it for a week. Write or tell your parent or den leader about your progress.

2. Earn one Cub Scout Academics belt loop and one Cub Scout Sports belt loop.

3. Complete one achievement or activity badge for your rank.

4. Complete one elective for your current rank.

5. Complete one Cub Scout Sports or Academics pin, or the BSA Emergency Preparedness Award or the BSA Physical Fitness Award.

Community Service

Complete three of the five requirements to earn the ribbon. * Make sure that all service hours are recorded online for ―Good Turn For America.‖

1. With your parent or den leader, identify a person who serves the community. Write or tell about what that person does for others.

2. With your family or den, help plan and carry out a community service project. Write or tell about the project.

3. With your family and/or den, clean up your Pack’s chartering organization’s parking lot, a neighborhood park, the school grounds, or other public area.

4. Participate in a nature beautification project such as a tree or natural vegetation planting.

5. Give service to a community organization such as a food bank or feeding station.

CHARACTER

Complete three of the five requirements in each category to earn that patch.

1. Talk to your parent or den leader about the Cub Scout Promise or Law of the Pack. What

does it say about the kind of character a Scout should have?

2. With your family or den, plan and carry out a game that helps demonstrate one of the Character ConnectionsTM. Write or tell about your experience.

3. Talk to your parent or rabbi, minister, cleric, or other religious leader about how trust in God provides inner strength and confidence.

4. Talk to your parent or den leader about honesty. Talk about why it is important to be honest in everything you say and do.

5. Become a friend of a boy who is being left out of the group. Discuss how compassion and cooperation are essential to good character.

OUTDOORS

Complete three of the five requirements to earn the ribbon.

1. With your family or den, help plan and carry out an outdoor activity. Write or tell about your experience.

2. Describe to your parent or den leader the different kinds of plants and animals you can find around your neighborhood.

3. Earn Cub Scouting’s Leave No Trace Awareness Award or the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award.

4. Go on a hike with your family or den.

5. Participate in a district or council outdoor experience (day camp, resident camp, etc.).

Blue and Gold Banquet Finalized

2010-02-09T07:02:00.000-08:00

Blue and Gold Banquet

When: Sunday, February 21- 3- 5 PM (Set up at 2 PM)

Where: Green Street United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall http://www.greenstreetumc.net/templates/System/default.asp?id=45500

Directions: From the old Cony High School, cross Memorial Bridge to the second rotary, take the immediate first exit (by Walgreens) and bear right toward downtown. Turn left onto Green Street just before going down the big hill. Parking is available on Green Street, in the Poulin Building parking lot next to the church, and in the Kennebec County parking lot adjacent to the church and accessible from State Street.

What: The Blue and Gold Banquet is our annual Pot Luck Dinner & celebration of the founding of Scouting. The boys will be receiving awards earned since November. Leaders should get me the list of awards ASAP so I have a chance to purchase them.

Entertainment: Dens should be prepared with a song, skit and cheer and make decorations for their tables.

The entire Family is welcome! This is a great event for the entire family. Please bring enough food for your family plus some others. The pack will provide salad, beverages, paper products, placemats and rolls.

Cake Bake Competition/Auction: Desserts will be cakes! Every Cub should enter the Cake Bake! Everything on the cake has to be edible. He can make it with a parent partner. The theme of the cake is Cub Scouting or the 100^th Anniversary of Scouting. Cakes will be judged by an impartial judge and ribbons will be given to the top cake in each of the following categories:
-Most Likely Made by a Cub Scouts
-Most Yummy Looking
-Best in Theme (Scouting)

Cubs can then donate their cakes, if they choose for the Cake auction! Only adults will be able to bid on the auction but it is more fun than fundraiser.

Cakes that aren't auctioned off will be part of the dessert for the evening!

Thanks to Shawn Gallant for securing the use of the church.

Pinewood Derby to be Held at City Hall

2010-02-03T07:23:00.000-08:00

Pinewood Derby- February 13

When: Saturday, Feb 13

Set Up: 2 PM (Need people to help set up the track, decorate the hall, prepare the pit crew and registration areas)

Registration and Races: 2:30 PM (We are paying by the hour for use of City Hall so we will need to get in, register efficiently, and move to the races. We have the space only until 5 PM)

Where: Augusta City Center (City Hall)

Who: Cubs and their Families

Volunteers Needed:

-Set Up & Decorations- We will begin setting up the track, arranging the hall and putting up decorations at noon. We will need help to accomplish this.

-Registration- Heather and Shawn coordinating but will need helpers especially if Shawn is working.

-Pit crew- Gary, Chris, George and volunteers. We will need a crew to help the Cubs as they finalize their cars. If you have tools and extra weights, etc. Please bring them.

-Refreshments- Em is heading this area but I am sure she would welcome help. Dinner items and snacks will be on sale. We are not looking at this as a fundraiser but as a service to our parents so they dont have to worry about dinner. Cost will be cheap enough to cover our costs. We may need additional help in the kitchen.

-Line Judges- We will have need of three line judges. Two will be at the foot of the track and one will be the starter. If your boy is racing, you go to the starter's mark.

-Scoring- Chuck will be working the scoring. Every Cub will race at least five times.

Trophies: Tigers will all be receiving a trophy for participating. There is a trophy for the Scout who demonstrates the best sportsmanship. There are three for the fastest cars and three for the best designs.

Rules: All cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race:

1-Width shall not exceed 2-1/4 inches.

2-Length shall not exceed 7 inches.

3-Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.

4- Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit.

5- Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.

6- No lubricating oil may be used. Axles may be lubricated with powdered graphite or NO SILICONE.
7- The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.

8- The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices

9- No loose materials of any kind are allowed in the car.

10- The Pack does not provide weights. The racer must supply those.

11- Once the car has been inspected and officially registered, it cannot be worked on or fine-tuned without the express permission of the head race official and then only to reapply something that came off after check in.

12- Cars cannot be carved in the front. We have a post that rises at the starting point of our track and the entire front of the car must be behind the post at the start of the race.

February- Pinewood Derby & Blue and Gold

2010-01-27T11:17:00.000-08:00

February Calendar

2- Regular Den Meeting at Hussey Elementary School

9- Regular Den Meeting (Den Leaders get me the awards list you will need for the Blue and Gold)

13- Pinewood Derby at Legion (Set up at 1 PM, registration at 3 PM)

15-19- School Vacation Week (no Scouts)

20- Pack Ice Fishing/ Ice Skating event (provided it is safe- details to follow)

21- Blue and Gold Banquet at Legion at 3 PM

23- Regular Den Meeting

Pine Tree Council 100th Anniversary Patch

2010 Anniversary Celebration Activities (Note: this is separate from the national award).
Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America with the Pine Tree Council! Earn your special edition 100th anniversary three part patch by completing one activity in each area!

Available to all Scouts and Leaders!

Service - Good Turns are the back bone of the BSA! Complete a conservation or community service project to earn your service patch!

ü Participate in a community service project with your unit such as Scouting for Food, etc
*Report your community service with “Good Turns for America”

Camping - Scouting is Outing! Attend a PTC or national camp program in 2010 and receive your camping patch

For Cub Scouts:
* FunPack Weekend
* Day Camp
* Webelos Resident Camp

100th Anniversary Celebration ` Join in the fun with us and receive your Scout Fest patch!

Ø Attend “Scout Fest 2010” Pine Tree Council’s 100th Anniversary Celebration in October!

Religious Emblems

Now is a good time to work on religious emblems. If you hurry, you may be able to finish in time for the Blue and Gold. There is a link on this website to take you to the religious emblem information in the left column.

Pinewood Derby- February 13

When: Sunday, Feb 13

Set Up: 1 PM (Need people to help set up the track, decorate the hall, prepare the pit crew and registration areas)

Registration and Races: 3 PM

Where: American Legion

Who: Cubs and their Families

Volunteers Needed:

-Set Up & Decorations- We will begin setting up the track, arranging the hall and putting up decorations at noon. We will need help to accomplish this.

-Registration- Heather and Shawn coordinating but will need helpers especially if Shawn is working.

Blue and Gold Banquet- February 21- American Legion- 3 PM
The Blue and Gold Banquet is our annual Pot Luck Dinner & celebration of the founding of Scouting. The boys will be receiving awards earned since November. Leaders should get me the list of awards two weeks before so I have a chance to purchase them.

Dens should be prepared with a song, skit and cheer and make decorations for their tables.

The entire Family is welcome! This is a great event for the entire family. Please bring enough food for your family plus some others. The pack will provide salad, beverages, paper products, placemates and rolls.

Desserts will be cakes! Every Cub should enter the Cake Bake! Everything on the cake has to be edible. He can make it with a parent partner. The theme of the cake is Cub Scouting or Presidents (since it is two days after George Washington's birthday). Cakes will be judged by an impartial judge and ribbons will be given to the top cake in each of the following categories:
-Most Likely Made by a Cub Scouts
-Most Yummy Looking
-Best in Theme (Scouting)
-Best in Theme (Presidents)

Cubs can then donate their cakes, if they choose for the Cake auction! Only adults will be able to bid on the auction but it is more fun than fundraiser.

Cakes that aren't auctioned off will be part of the dessert for the evening!

Pinewood Rescheduled- Other Notes

2010-01-15T06:08:00.000-08:00

We have rescheduled the Pinewood Derby for Sunday, Feb 7 at the American Legion at 2 PM. This will give your son has time to work on the cars and make sure they are fantastic. We will still need volunteers to help with all of things we talked about before: pit crew, registration, line judges, concessions, set up/decorations. If you can help with any of those things please let me know. Den leaders, please contact your cub parents to make sure they know about the date change. Thanks (See earlier post for complete rules)

FUNDRAISER FOR SCOUTS GOING TO NATIONAL JAMBOREE

Troop 479 in China his holding a spaghetti supper on Friday, January 29 from 5:00 to 6 PM at the Masonic Hall on Main Street in China Village. The proceeds will go toward expenses for the boys attending the National Jamboree at Ft. AP Hill in Virginia next summer. The tickets are $5 per person and will include spaghetti, salad, roll, drink and dessert. There will be donated items for a silent auction as well. Please join us for fellowship and to help support these young men. To help with planning to everyone we are attempting to pre-sell the tickets. If interested, please contact Kelly Pillsbury @ kellyp22@myfairpoint.net or 453-4631.

NATIONAL TO INSTITUTE MANDATORY TRAINING!!!!

All Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, and Venture Advisors must be trained for their position (Fast start/This is Scouting and leader specific) by the end fo 2010!

All other leaders with direct contact with youth (Ex. Den Leaders, ASM’s, Ast. Advisors) must be fully trained (Fast Start/This is Scouting and leader specific) by 2011!

Don't wait. If you're not training in your position take advantage of one or more of the following opportunities:

TRAINING IN KENNEBEC VALLEY DISTRICT

Kennebec Valley District will next offer leader training on February 13, 2010. Location: LDS Church in Farmingdale.Cub Scout Leader and Boy Scout Leader specific training will be offered.Please preregister through the council office. A flyer is available for download from the district website newsletter page. PRe-registration will determine which trainings are offered and which ones are cancelled. Our volunteer trainers will show-up if they know they have people needing to be trained. Please preregister.

TRAINING IN DOWNEAST DISTRICT

Downeast District has announced a Save-the-Date. They will next offer leader training on February 7, 2010. Remember, you do not need to be trained in your own district!

Outdoor Training
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.

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/

Pinewood Derby and January Happenings

2009-12-22T12:58:00.000-08:00

Pinewood Derby is Here!

When: Martin Luther King Weekend -Sun Jan 17 – 2 PM
Where: American Legion

Who: Cubs and their Families

Volunteers Needed:

-Set Up & Decorations- We will begin setting up the track, arranging the hall and putting up decorations at noon. We will need help to accomplish this.

-Registration- We will need this person to check in the cars. Needs to be at the legion before 2 PM

-Pit crew- We will need a crew of four to help the Cubs as they finalize their cars.

-Refreshments- We need two people working the refreshment stand. Dinner items and snacks will be on sale. We are not looking at this as a fundraiser but as a service to our parents so they dont have to worry about dinner. Cost will be cheap enough to cover our costs. We may need additional help in the kitchen.

-Line Judges- We will have need of three line judges. Two will be at the foot of the track and one will be the starter. If your boy is racing, you go to the starter's mark.

-Scoring- Chuck will be working the scoring. Every Cub will race at least five times.

Rules: All cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race:

1-Width shall not exceed 2-1/4 inches.

2-Length shall not exceed 7 inches.

3-Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.

4- Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit.

5- Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.

6- No lubricating oil may be used. Axles may be lubricated with powdered graphite or NO SILICONE.
7- The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.

8- The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices

9- No loose materials of any kind are allowed in the car.

10- The Pack does not provide weights. The racer must supply those.

11- Once the car has been inspected and officially registered, it cannot be worked on or fine-tuned without the express permission of the head race official and then only to reapply something that came off after check in.

12- Cars cannot be carved in the front. We have a post that rises at the starting point of our track and the entire front of the car must be behind the post at the start of the race.

January Scouting Calendar (As always, if school is cancelled due to snow or ice, there will be no Scouts that night)

Scout Shop Note: The Scout Shop will be closed for business due to inventory starting December 24 and will reopen on January 2, 2010.

Tuesday, Dec 29- No school, no scouts

Friday, Jan 1- BSA Float in the Tournament of Roses Parade

Tuesday, January 5- Regular Den Meeting

Tuesday, Jan 12- Movie Night/Pinewood Car Workshop (Please arrive a few minutes before 6. We will likely run til 7:30 PM)

Wed, Jan 13- Leaders Roundtable in Waterville 6:30 PM http://www.kv-scouts.org/calendar.aspx

Thurs, Jan 14- 2nd Year Webelos visit with Troop 603

Fri, Jan 15- Early Release Day from School

Sat Jan 16 - Pack ice skating party (provided ice is solid) More details as we get closer

Sun, Jan 17- Pinewood Derby

Mon, Jan 18- No School, Martin Luther King Birthday

Tues. Jan 19- Regular Den Meeting

Tues, Jan 26- Regular Den Meeting

Sat, Jan 30- Klondike Derby at Maine Maritime Museum in Bath? http://www.kv-scouts.org/upldDocuments/Unit659/Newsletters/Downeast%20KLONDIKE%20DERBY%202010.pdf (May not be available to Cubs- have to check)

Sat, Jan 30- Klondike Derby at Mt Abram Ski Resort in Greenwood. Webelos only. http://www.kv-scouts.org/upldDocuments/Unit659/Newsletters/Downeast%20KLONDIKE%20DERBY%202010.pdf

Sun, Feb 7- Leader Training in Downeast District http://www.kv-scouts.org/calendar.aspx

Gearing Up for the 100th Anniversary of Scouting

2009-11-24T07:39:00.000-08:00

Monument-Al Changes
It’s no secret that the BSA Memorial Monument on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., has seen some better days—50 years of them, in fact. Now this imposing work, depicting a representative Scout and the symbolic figures of a man and woman guiding the Scout’s growth, has received a makeover from the National Parks Service—just in time for the 100th anniversary. The fountain was restored to its original function with new pumps and piping, the benches around the patio were repaired, and the bronze statues were cleaned and polished. Now they’re ready to watch over Scouts as they enter a new century.

Mark Your Calendar: Coming Up Roses
Until they play the game on New Year’s Day 2010, nobody knows which team will win the Rose Bowl Game. But we already know this: In honor of Scouting’s 100th Anniversary, the BSA will have its own float in the spectacular Tournament of Roses Parade that steps off at 8 a.m. Pacific Time that morning. The screen will be filled with marching bands and dancers, but as you can tell from this artist’s rendering, the millions of viewers at home will have no trouble spotting the BSA float!

Let's Get this Party Started!
We all love to tell stories about our family history. Such stories remind us from whence we came, and they bind us together even tighter. It’s the same with the Scouting family. And during Scouting’s 100th Anniversary, the entire Scouting family will come together to look back on a proud history that includes highlights such as these:
After World War I ended in 1918, the Scouts adopted the motto, “The War is Over, But Our Work is Not.”
During the 1918 influenza epidemic, Scouts rendered nationwide service.
During the Great Depression, Scouts answered President Franklin Roosevelt’s call to do a Nationwide Good Turn. Scouts collected almost 2 million items of clothing, household goods, foodstuffs, and supplies for the needy.
During World War II, Scouts helped the country in myriad ways: planting Victory Gardens, collecting aluminum and waste paper, distributing air raid posters, assisting the Red Cross, and more.
Important as that history is, however, the BSA’s 100th Anniversary is more than just a time to look back. It’s also a time to demonstrate the vitality and importance of Scouting as the organization enters its second century. Nowhere is that more clear than in the “A Year of Celebration: A Century of Making a Difference” program, which started on Sept. 1 and runs through Dec. 31, 2010.
“The Year of Celebration program is a wonderful opportunity for Scouts, leaders, and BSA alumni to get involved in enjoyable Scouting activities that will also help show America the important things that Scouting does in our communities today,” says Bob Mersereau, national director of the 100th Anniversary project. Mersereau explains that all of the activities emphasized during the Year of Celebration fall under five of Scouting’s core values: Leadership, Achievement, Character, Community Service, and Respect for the Outdoors. An extensive list of activities for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, Leaders, and Alumni can be found at scouting.org/100years. And everyone in the Scouting family can earn the Year of Celebration ribbons that represent the five core values. That includes not just active Scouts and Scouters, but those who have been inactive and would like to rejoin the Scouting family for this great event.
To earn the Leadership ribbon, for example, a Cub Scout might get a friend to join his pack; a Boy Scout might serve as a youth staff member for a unit, district, or council event or camp; and alumni could become involved with a district or council as a registered volunteer in support of Scouting. In the Character category, Venturers might choose to earn the Religious Life Bronze Award, while adult leaders could do a Good Turn for seven consecutive days. Participants must complete three of the five requirements in a category to earn the ribbon.
“As they complete the requirements, they’re showing their towns and communities that Scouting improves the quality of life for young people, families, and communities. It’s not just a nice recreational activity, but an important program for our country,” Mersereau says. Bruce Showstack, vice-president of the 100th Anniversary team for the Boston Minuteman Council, says he’s looking forward to a “jam-packed year” of activities. The council has had several reunions of Eagle Scouts who live and work in the Boston area. “We’ve had college students and retired people show up,” Showstack says. “Some of them have already come forward to play key leadership roles in some of our celebration activities.”
Additionally, during the 100th Anniversary the BSA will reach out to older generations who have been involved in Scouting. At scouting.org/100years, anyone can share stories about relatives who played a part in the Scouting story, download a Generations Connections family tree, and order an official BSA 100th Anniversary tree from the Arbor Day Foundation.
Planting the tree as a family will strengthen the bonds between generations, Mersereau says. He adds that first-generation members can declare themselves a Founding Scouting family, share their stories, and download an appropriate certificate. Other special features of the Year of Celebration include the BSA 100th Anniversary National Hall of Leadership. Almost everyone who takes part in Scouting owes a debt to a memorable leader, and this is a great opportunity to honor that leader by nominating any living Scout or Scouting volunteer. Nominees do not have to be officially registered with the BSA, but they must have served as an active Scout or Scouting volunteer for at least one year. Click here to learn how to nominate someone.

The Boys Are Back!
Don’t miss the second season of “Scouting For Adventure,” the Outdoor Channel’s original series based on the BSA and Boys’ Life. Filmed at national high adventure bases and Scout camps across the United States, the series highlights exciting activities: rock climbing, kayaking, scuba diving, backpacking, horse riding, canoeing, whitewater rafting. You’ll see plenty of scenic beauty as Scouts tackle challenging outdoor activities such as coral-reef sailing and mountain trekking, but the emphasis remains on Scouting’s core values, safety, and team building. The season is already under way. So tune in Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. Saturdays at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m., or Sundays at 6 a.m. (all times Eastern). Or, set the DVR.

National 100th Anniversary Kick-Off Rally
Thank you for your interest in the BSA 100th Anniversary Kick-Off Rally! Click here to RSVP http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=sEg2w_2bun0UPAnU_2bVs0TE5A_3d_3d
or submit a question to our presenters. The rally will be found right here on Scouting.org/100years on December 10th. Check back for more information closer to the event. Until then, explore and learn more about our 100th Anniversary programs.
Date:
Thursday, December 10
Time:
8:00 – 8:30 p.m. Eastern
Presenters:
Randall Stephenson, AT&T President, CEO and Chairman and 100th Anniversary ChairJohn Gottschalk, BSA National PresidentBob Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive

Popcorn, Scouting for Food, And More!

2009-11-11T07:19:00.000-08:00

Scouting for Food

Door Hangers

Door Hangers Have been Distributed to Den Leaders. These were provided by the council- thanks to District Executive Matt Mower for delivering them to us at last night's Den meetings.

The door hangers have information on the Scouting for Food drive to help the needy. It explains the kind of food items we are looking to collect. Scouts need to write November 21 in the space that says what day the boy will return to that home to pick up the bag of food. The door hanger even explains to have the bag out on that morning by 9 AM. And those who donate food even get a coupon for pizza. Its a win for everyone. If you haven't received your door hangers- see your den leader. Cubs,in uniform, take those door hangers and put them on fifteen homes in their community sometime this weekend. You don't have to knock. Just hang it on the door that is closest to the driveway.

Safety Note: Scouts should never go out alone. They should travel with a buddy or with a parent.

Food Collection

On Saturday, November 21, the boys, in uniform, return to the same homes to collect the bags of food. Try to get to the homes in the morning. Bring all of the bags of food you collect to the Nobember pack meeting at the American Legion which will be held on Tuesday, November 24.

American Legion Post 205

We are working with our chartered partner, American Legion Post #205, to make this year's collection for the needy even bigger. The legion is going to set up a container so people who do not receive a door hanger can stop by and drop off food items at the legion between November 14 and 21. A press release went out to the papers this morning to inform the public. We will visit the legion every day to empty the container so as to prevent items from freezing overnight.

Food Pantry

All of the food we collect will stock the shelves at the Augusta Food Pantry run by St Mark's Episcopal Church. The pantry relies on the work of our Scouts to help keep food available to needy families. This year has been particularly hard for a lot of people and a strong effort is critical. We are hoping for every Cub to distribute fifteen door hangers and collect the food to help those in need. It is our biggest good deed and teaches the boys that they have a responsibility to help other people.

What if I can't Collect the Food on November 21?

Write in a different date on the door hangers that works for you. We want to have the collection end with our pack meeting.

Popcorn Pickup and Delivery

Den Leaders Paul and George are going to Waterville this Saturday to pick up the popcorn in the morning.

Pick Up the Popcorn

Time: 1 PM

Location: Theodore's Seemless Gutters, 110 Northern Ave

Day: Saturday, November 14

Questions: Contact George at 441-5621

After you have all of your popcorn, distribute to those who purchased it and make sure the boys say thanks.

What If I Can't Attend the Popcorn Pickup?

George was good enough to offer up his location for the popcorn pick up. He said that if people cannot attend the pick up on Saturday at 1 PM, then they can contact him to make alternate arrangements.

Want to Help Sort the Orders?

Meet at noon at George's office.

Veterans Day

Thanks to the Wolf/Bear den for coordinating the Waterville Veterans' Day parade participation. It is important to remind the boys about the sacrifices others have made so that we can be free. Pack 603 sent 14 Cubs and several leaders to take part in the parade and it was a wonderful event.

November Pack Meeting

Tuesday, November 24th 6 PM at the Legion

We will be presenting awards and preparing for Thanksgiving.

Who's Doing What?

Dens should be prepared to do a song and a skit.

Webelos to run the opening ceremony

Tigers to run the closing ceremony

Wolf/Bear to bring snacks

Awards

Leaders, please have your list of awards for me by the November 17th Den Meeting so I have an opportunity to pick up all the awards.

Scouting in the News

Our Cubs have been featured recently in the Kennebec Journal and in the Capital Weekly. I will have copies of those articles at our pack meeting.

November at a Glance

2009-11-05T07:56:00.000-08:00

Saturday, November 7- We will be having a bike ride for the boys this w/e to earn there biking belt loop. Time of the ride which will be at 11.00 am @ the gathering spot which is at the park under the Memorial bridge (down town Augusta side).Please have your son and bike with a helmet there at 11.00 we will be checking the bikes to assure that they have brakes and are in proper working order at that time.we will be riding for about one hour and will return to the same spot for pick up. Thanks to the Wolf/Bear Den for organizing this. .................................................................................................................................................................................Tuesday, November 10- Regular Den Meeting at Hussey Elementary School. 6 PM. I will distribute the Scouting for Food door hangers. We are asking each Cub to take 15 of these to hang on homes in their area. The door hangers have information about the good deed to explain the program.

Wednesday, November 11- Veterans' Day Parade. We will meet at the Legion in Waterville at 9:30 am. The parade goes around the downtown area, and ends back at the Legion, where there is a small ceremony. Scouts should be in full uniform. Thanks to George in our Wolf/Bear Den for organizing this.

Saturday, November 14- Popcorn Delivery Day. We will need folks with trucks to join me early in the morning in Waterville to pick up the popcorn. If you can join me, please let me know. We will distribute at the American Legion at 1 PM. we will need folks at the legion to help sort orders at noon. Again, if you can help sort, please let me know. Everyone please come to the legion at 1 to pick up your popcorn.

Saturday, November 14 or Sunday, November 15- Scouting for Food Door Hanger Distribution. The door hangers that we gave out at Tuesday meetings should be distributed to homes in your neighborhood. Scouts should wear uniforms and travel with a buddy or a parent. This could even be a good den activity Go See It.

Tuesday, November 17- Regular Den Meeting at Hussey. Den Leaders please give me a list of awards that the boys should be receiving at the Pack meeting so I have time to pick up the awards at the Scout shop. Thanks
...................................................................................................................................................................................Saturday, November 21- Scouting for Food Bag Collection. Scouts go back to the homes where they delivered the door hangers and they will have left outside a bag of non-perishable food stuffs, cleaning supplies, baby items, etc. Bring these items to the Nov 24th Pack Meeting. We will bring it to St Mark's Food Pantry for the needy.

Tuesday, November 24th- Thanksgiving Pack Meeting. Awards will be handed out. Each den should be prepared to do a song and a skit. Prefer these to be focused on Thanksgiving or doing good deeds. Also, please bring things that the boys have been working on so we can show them off at the meeting.

December 1- Regular Den Meeting at Hussey.

Our Rocket Launch was in the News

2009-10-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

Augusta — The temperature hovered above 40 degrees and the light of day was fading fast. The field beyond the launch pad was saturated with rain that had fallen that morning. Dark clouds hung overhead.
It was not an ideal setting for a rocket launch, but for the 20 Cub Scouts from Pack 603 and their parents, it might as well have been the Kennedy Space Center in Florida."It was awesome," said first-grader Andrew Truman when rockets began firing into the sky.
After each launch, the boys ran across the field to try to find the rocket that had returned to Earth.
Each den (Cubs are placed in age-groups called dens) had been given a 1-inch model rocket to assemble and decorate at the Oct. 6 meeting at Hussey Elementary School.
Parents equipped the rockets with a removable engine at the time of the launch Tuesday, Oct. 13 at the American Legion on Eastern Avenue.Cub Scout Ryan Lathe had not built a model rocket before and was anxious to see one take flight.
"I think the orange one will go the highest," he said prior to the countdown.One rocket was recovered; the others experienced equipment failure when the parachutes failed to deploy."The boys had a lot of fun despite the technical problems," said Den Leader Chris Bailey. "So did I.""I liked shooting them up itno the sky," said Cub Scout Jacob Arbour."It's great to give these boys experiences like this," said Cub Master Chuck Mahaleris. "These Cub Scouts could be the next Mainers into space, following in the footsteps of current astronauts Charlie Owen Hobaugh, Kenneth Ha and Christopher Cassidy. It's a fun way to teach them about science."
Of the 312 pilots and scientists selected as astronauts since 1959, at least 207 were Scouts or active in Scouting. The list includes 39 Eagle Scouts.
Of the 27 men who traveled to the moon on the Apollo 9 through Apollo 17 missions, 24 were Scouts, including 11 of the 12 men who walked on the moon's surface, and all three members of the crew of Apollo 13.
This past summer, the Cubs attended Cub Scout Day Camp at Camp Bomazeen in Belgrade and Webelos Resident Camp at Camp Hinds in Raymond; outer space fun was the theme for the programs.For more information about Cub Scout Pack 603, contact Mahaleris at 400-9850
-at-rocket-launch/201609

Mid-October Notes, Scouts in the News, Rocketry, and More

2009-10-15T07:09:00.000-07:00

Popcorn
We are into the final push of the Popcorn Sale! All popcorn orders and money have to be turned in at the Halloween Pack Party on October 27th at 6 PM at the American Legion.
This is the big fundraiser of the year. We don't do another. This has to carry us all year long. When you realize that each belt loop costs the pack more than a dollar you can see how fast it all ads up when we have about 30 boys in the pack. Several boys earned more than six awards each from summer camp alone. It adds up quickly. If your son has not sold anything, please set a goal of selling four or five items in the next two weeks. It will make a world of difference.

Congratulations to the following Cubs for their Popcorn Salesmanship:
Reese St. Pierre won a Dairy Queen gift certificate two weeks ago and followed up with a gift card to K-Mart for having sold the most items overall. Joseph Beaulieu was our top seller last week and also received a K-Mart gift card. I know we have several Cubs who are going to sell big this week as they want a shot at a prize next week. We will give out a big prize at the pack meeting. These prizes were donated to the Pack by my wife and I to help encourage the boys to sell more popcorn. They will also be able to order prizes at the end of the sale based on how much they sell.

Rocket Launch

Nice job at the rocket launch on Tuesday. In support of that outstanding program, I have found a link to NASA and their information model rocketry programs. http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/rocket/rktparts.html and some information about astronauts who had been scouts:http://www.usscouts.org/eagle/eagleastronauts.asp Feel free to incorporate any of this stuff in your next den meeting if you like to cap off the rocket launch program. Again, thanks to Chris, Paul, Gary and George for organizing the launch! Here is some information about what is happening in the skies overhead the rest of this month:
Oct. 16. Saturn and Venus will be 7 degrees north of the waning crescent moon this morning.
Oct.18. New moon is at 1:33 a.m.
Oct.25. First quarter moon is at 8:42 pm and the moon is also at apogee, or farthest from earth.
Oct. 27. Jupiter will be three degrees south of the waxing gibbous moon tonight.
Oct. 28. On this day in 1971 Britain becomes only the 6th nation to launch a satellite.

Here is a link for a fall star chart: http://www.northern-stars.com/Autumn_Star_Chart.pdf

Great resources for your den meeting: http://www.northern-stars.com/teacher

Here is information on programs this year at the Fairfield Planetarium: http://www.northern-stars.com/programlist09-10.pdf Nice work.

Halloween Party- Tuesday Oct 27 6 PM at the American Legion. Kids (Cubs and Siblings) come in costume. Each den will run a station (ideas are pumpkin bowling, eating mini donut off a string, etc). Den leaders, please shoot me a note what stations you will run for this event. Thanks. Kids will travel from station to station and do the fun things at each station. We will have a costume parade. Kids will leave with a little candy bag. Parents are welcome to bring in some candy to help fill the bags :)

Scouts in the News
The Capital Weekly ran an article about our Cubs attending summer camp and getting their awards at the September meeting. Here is the link. http://capital.villagesoup.com/place/story/scouts-blast-off-to-new-adventures/201508 The paper is now free and distributed at most supermarkets, etc around town.

Religious Emblems
I would encourage everyone to work with their son on their religious emblem. Scouting does not advocate any particular religion but it is one of those cornerstones of life that lead to a well-rounded adult. There are links on the pack website.

Cubs in the News- Rocket Launch- Popcorn- All Kinds of News

2009-10-07T14:22:00.000-07:00

Our pack's visit to the fire station was reported in the Capital Weekly. Here is a link to that story: http://capital.villagesoup.com/place/story/cub-scouts-tour-fire-station/201086#

Next week (Tuesday, Oct 13) we will be launching rockets during den meeting. Due to Parent/Teacher conferences at Hussey School, we will be meeting at the American Legion at our regular time. Some dens are starting early to decorate the rockets prior to launch. You are safe if you show up after 5:30 PM. The launch will begin shortly after 6 so we can do them while it is still light out.

Popcorn top seller of the week was Wolf Reese St Pierre who sold 24 items of popcorn. Nice job Reese. Reese received a gift certificate to Dairy Queen. We will have a prize next week for the boy who sold the most number of items since last week and the boy who has sold the most number of items to date. Two prizes! We will have prizes each week until the pack Halloween Party when all the popcorn order forms and money have to be turned in.

Halloween Party- Tuesday Oct 27 6 PM at the American Legion. Kids (Cubs and Siblings) come in costume. Each den will run a station (ideas are pumpkin bowling, eating mini donut off a string, etc). Kids will travel from station to station and do the fun things at each station. We will have a costume parade. Kids will leave with a little candy bag. Parents are welcome to bring in some candy to help fill the bags :)

Hikes- I like to encourage our dens to have outdoor activities while we can with the weather. I found a neat website that has information about area hiking trails that would be a great Go See It for your den. http://www.capitalwalks.blogspot.com/

Planetarium- Message from the planetarium: There are still plenty of fall and early winter dates available at the Northern Stars Planetarium in Fairfield, but dates are filling quickly. Call to reserve the 2009-2010 dates you want. I hope to see many of you and your kids under the stars soon. http://www.northern-stars.com/

Trails' End Popcorn Message: Hey, Scouts!Get four orders online between today, October 5, and midnight EST on Monday night October 12, and you'll receive a $20 Walmart.com gift card.Congratulations to the 99 Scouts who earned the last bonus giveaway ... a $20 Walmart.com gift card for selling $200 online between Sept 22 and 28.Click on the link below to get started. Good luck!
http://www.trails-end.com/trailsend/scouts/

October Pack Notes

2009-09-29T13:51:00.000-07:00

Notes

Do Something
By Baden Powell
"You should not be content with sitting down to defend yourselves against evil habits, but should also be active in
doing good. By 'doing good' I mean making yourselves useful and doing small kindness to other people - whether
they are friends or strangers. It is not a difficult matter, and the best way to set about it is to make up your mind to do at least one 'good turn' to somebody every day, and you will soon get into the habit of doing good turns always.
It does not matter how small the 'good turn' may be - even if it is to help an old woman across the street, or to say a good word for somebody who is being badly spoke of. The great thing is to do something."

Message to Parents:
As you learn more about how Cub Scouting works and what goes on in a den and a pack, you will see that the program helps your boy in these five important developmental needs. The uniqueness of Cub Scouting is that you, as his family, join the program with your boy. You will help him all along the way.

I Took His Hand and Followed
(Author Unknown)
My dishes went unwashed today,
I didn't make the bed,
I took his hand and followed
Where his eager footsteps led.
Oh yes, we went adventuring
My little son and I.
Exploring all the great outdoors
Beneath the autumn sky.

We tossed stones in a crystal stream,
We wandered through the woods
My kitchen wasn't swept today
But life was mighty good.
We found a cool, sun-dappled glade
And now my small son knows
How Mother Bunny hides her nest,
Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.

We watched a robin feed her young,
We climbed a sunlit hill
Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky,
We plucked a daffodil.
That my house was neglected,
That I didn't brush the stairs,
In twenty years, no one on earth
Will know, or even care

But that I've helped my little boy
To noble manhood grow,
In twenty years, the whole wide world
May look and see and know.

10 COMMANDMENTS OF DEN CONTROL
1. Regularly use the Cub Scout Ideals: the Motto, the Promise and Law of the Pack, in ceremonies, and as a guide to conduct. You must set the example.
2. Use Den Rules. Start using them immediately. Boys need to know what is expected of them. Make sure both boys and parents know what the rules are.
3. Make uniforms important. Have regular uniform inspections and instill pride in wearing their uniforms. Boys behave differently when they dress up.
4. Be firm, fair and consistent. They will test you from time to time to make sure that you really mean it.
5. Use positive incentives. When the conduct candle burns down or the marble jar is full, give them the special party or outing you promised.
6. Make each boy feel special. Use warm greetings, compliments, words of praise, and fond farewells, liberally for each boy. Make them feel appreciated and wanted.
7. Boys must have input to rules. If you want them to cooperate they should feel that they have some control of how the den operates. You empower them and teach responsibility when they help set the rules.
8. Den programs must be full of short, fun activities. Boys at this age are active and quickly become bored or frustrated. Long talking sessions and complicated craft projects make it difficult to keep control of the meeting.
9. Use lots of help. From time to time, boys require individual attention. They will need help, encouragement, reassurance, advice or just want to tell you something important. You can't give them that attention if you’re doing it alone.
10. Get to know each boy. Every boy in your den is a unique individual with his own dreams, fears, and sense of humor. He needs to know that you care about him.

Boys’ Life Reading Contest for 2009
SAY ‘YES’ TO READING
Enter the 2009 Boys’ Life Reading Contest
Write a one-page report titled “The Best Book I Read This Year” and enter it in the Boys’ Life 2009 “Say Yes to Reading!” contest.
The book can be fiction or nonfiction. But the report has to be in your own words — 500 words tops. Enter in one of these three age categories:
􀂒 8 years old and younger
􀂒 9 and 10 years old
􀂒 11 years old and older
First-place winners in each age category will receive a $100 gift certificate good for any product in the Boy Scouts official retail catalog. Second-place winners will receive a $75 gift certificate and third-place winners a $50 certificate.
Everyone who enters will get a free patch like the one shown above. (And, yes, the patch is a temporary insignia, so it can be worn on your Cub Scout or Boy Scout uniform shirt, on the right pocket. Proudly display it there or anywhere!) In coming years, you’ll have the opportunity to earn different patches.
The contest is open to all Boys’ Life readers. Be sure to include your name, address, age and grade in school on the entry.
Send your report, along with a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope, to:
Boys’ Life Reading Contest
S306
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079
Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2009 and must include entry information and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
For more details go to www.boyslife.org

Family and Den Go See It Activities for October
10/3- Home Depot. 9-noon. They are builing a fire house bank. Kids ages 5-12.
10/10- Michaels- 10- 1 PM Bring the whole family to Michaels and create your own craft pumpkin. $5 per pumpkin includes supplies. While supplies last.
10/10- Lowe’s- 8-2PM wood project- they believe windmill making but subject to change. Free.
10/11- Fort Western – Fall Festival. Cider pressing and other seasonal activities. 1-4 PM

10/12- Litchfield- Haunted trail, 6 to 9 p.m., Carrie Ricker Middle School. Cost is $5 for adults, $2 for children younger than 10.

10/31- 7 PM Portland Pirates Halloween Scout NightPortland Pirates Vs. Bridgeport Sound TigersPrice $10 per person-must order in advance.All scouts are encouraged to wear their best costumes for an evening of trick or treating, costume contests and additional fun & games.Order tickets by contacting Ben Nickerson of the Portland Pirates franchise at: 828-4665 x 317. Fax order (with credit card): 773-3278Deadline is 10/30 or when tickets sell-out, whichever comes first. For more info, contact Ben Nickerson at bnickerson@portlandpirates.com
Craft Afternoons at Lithgow Library. begins again in the fall and meets the second Tuesday of each month. from 3:00-4:30 p.m. in Youth Services downstairs at Lithgow Library. Come join us for fun craft projects from the library's collection of arts and crafts books. This program is free and open all ages but children under six will need adult supervision. Call and ask for Robbi with any questions or for more details.

Pack 603 October Calendar
3- Cub Scout Trailblazer Day at Camp Bomazeen
6- Regular Den meeting13- Regular Den meeting
14- Leaders Roundtable in Waterville
16-18- Webelos II take part in Boy Scout Fall Camporee as guests of Troop 603
20- Regular Den Meeting
27- Halloween Pack meeting (Boys and siblings come in Costume, we ask everyone to bring a bag of candy so we can make treat bags for the kids. Dens run a halloween station) Popcorn orders due.

Early September Notes

2009-09-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

Hi Parents:

Fliers Went Home Yesterday or Today. If your boy did not receive an invitation to attend Cub Scout sign up night from your school, please let me know.

Sunday- Show and Sell. I have been working with the district to get my hands on popcorn to sell at the Biker Toy Run on Sunday at the Augusta Civic Center. I don't have the product but it looks like we will be able to get some on Saturday so we should have it on Sunday to sell. I am looking for Scouts in uniform to meet me at the Civic Center at 10 AM or a little before. All the proceeds from this Show and Sell will be used to help cover some of the costs of the rocket launch that will be happening later in the month. We will be there for a couple hours.

Monday- Sign up at 6 PM at Hussey. Everyone is welcome but returning Scouts do not have to attend. We will have a registration table for new signups. Paul and Chris have Masons coming in to run a child identification station and we will need some adults to help with that. All kids can be identified and that will help police if (and hopefully never) they are kidnapped or become lost. We also will have use of the gym and the playground outside so I will need parents to help with those areas. My goal is to be free to talk to parents at the sign up part with the kids entertained inside.

Tuesday- Go See It. Paul Jerzombek has set up a visit to the Bangor Street Fire Station for the entire pack. This includes all of our new and returning Cubs. This is at 6 PM. This will be in place of our regular meeting but with the restart of school and all of the return to school activities we thought it would be a good idea for us to start off out of Hussey. Boys should wear uniform if they have them. I would suggest parking across the street at Rite Aid.

Tuesday Sept 22- Regular Den meeting at Hussey Elementary School at 6 PM
Sept 26- Popcorn Push Day and Rocket Launch
Sept 29- 1st Pack meeting at the American Legion on Eastern Ave at 6 PM. Leaders should get me the list of awards they need by the 24th.

Upcoming Calendar Items:
Cub Scout Leader Training
Pack 603 reimburses leaders for training!
Cub Leader Training will be split over two months at Waterville Roundtable on October 14 & November 11 (that’s no typo, we are meeting on 11/11).
or you can attend the following training:
Adult Leader Training
Downeast District
October 10, 2009
Damariscotta Chapel of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Corner of Rt. 1 and Belvedere Road, Damariscotta
Cost: $9.00
Registration 8:30 AM
New Leader Essentials 9:00 AM
(Bring your own) Lunch 11:00 AM
Adult Leader Specific Training 11:30 AM
*****Please note: To be respectful of our trainers time, we must have at least one registrant for the leader specific portion by Wednesday October 7 or that training will not be offered******* All leaders should take the program specific Fast Start training and Youth Protection Training (<http://www.pinetreebsa.org/>www.pinetreebsa.org) before attending this training.* Adult leaders should be in uniform and have the appropriate leader book. Also bring a notebook and pen.* There will be a trading post with limited items to purchase including Leader hand books.* Please bring a bag lunch. Please do not bring coffee into the Church.* Any questions contact Steve Saucier at 797-5252 ext. 28 or ssaucier@bsamail.org.Please Mail Registrations and payment ($9 per person) to:Downeast District TrainingPine Tree Council131 Johnson Rd.Portland, ME 04102Contact Person: ____________________________UNIT: ___________________________Phone: _____________________________ email: ________________________Please list number of people who will be attending sectionCub Scouts:Tiger Den LeaderCub Scout (Wolf/Bear) Den LeaderWebelos Den LeaderCubmaster / Assistant CubmasterCommittee Member
Here is another Great Training Opportunity:Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (Cub Scout Leaders)
Webelos Leader Outdoor Training Council will hold the above three trainings the weekend of Oct. 23-24 at Camp Hinds.

Webelos Woods Weekend Pine Tree Council invites you to Webelos Woods Weekend!When: September 18 - 20, 2009
Where: At Camp Hinds in Raymond
Arrival Time: Friday night starting at 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Departure Time: Sunday morning at 10:00 AM
How Many: 400 Participants-Maximum of 1 adult per 1 Webelos Scout
Cost: $10.00 per person
"Surviving the Maine Woods"
Activities and Stations to include:*Cooking & Edible Plants*Animal and Tree ID*Compass Work with a Compass Trail*Scout Skills*Slingshots*Readyman and More!
Webelos Woods is an outdoor experience to work on Webelos Advancements and prepare for the crossover into Boy Scouting. Parents and leaders are welcome to attend and participate!For a List of What to Bring Check out our FlyerFlyer is on the website at: <http://www.pinetreebsa.org/campingprogram/cubscout/2009WebelosWoodsregistrationform.pdf>http://www.pinetreebsa.org/campingprogram/cubscout/2009WebelosWoodsregistrationform.pdfYou can also register online. Go to the main page of the council website: <http://www.pinetreebsa.org/>http://www.pinetreebsa.org
Registration is limited so register now!
For questions or information contact Webelos Woods Chairman-Scott Martin at 892-0628 or scott04062@hotmail.com or Cathy Gosselin,PTC Camping Administrator at 797-5252 x 14 or cgosseli@bsamail.org

CUB SCOUT TRAILBLAZERS
October 3 at Camp Bomazeen in Belgrade
8:30am to 3:30pm (check-in is 8:30 to 9am)
Fee is $8 per person and includes a BBQ lunch.Pre-registration is encouraged. You can also download the flyer from the Council website: http://www.pinetreebsa.org
You can also register online at the council website. If you plan to attend this event, please note that parking is limited at Bomazeen. Please car pool as much as possible and encourage other members of your pack to do the same.
Events will include:
BB Gun range
Archery Range
Slingshot Range
Obstacle Course
Wildlife demonstrations

Portland Pirates Halloween Scout Night
Portland Pirates Vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers
October 31, 2009 at 7pm.
Price $10 per person-must order in advance.
All scouts are encouraged to wear their best costumes for an evening of trick or treating, costume contests and additional fun & games.
Order tickets by contacting Ben Nickerson of the Portland Pirates franchise at: 828-4665 x 317. Fax order (with credit card): 773-3278Deadline is 10/30 or when tickets sell-out, whichever comes first. For more info, contact Ben Nickerson at bnickerson@portlandpirates.com

September News for Our Pack Leaders and Parents-

2009-09-02T14:16:00.000-07:00

Here is our September and October Calendar
September
2 - First Day of School (We are ok with Hussey to continue to have our den meetings there all year- boys should be receiving fliers from Hussey and Farrington soon)
7- Labor Day- No School
9- Leaders' Roundtable in Waterville
13- Popcorn Show and Sell at the Augusta Civic Center
14- Cub Scout Sign Up at Hussey School Gym at 6 PM. (Den leaders, please be prepared to run an activity station for the boys while Chuck talks to Parents)
15- Go See It (Pack go see it. Paul J is working on visiting the Fire department)
22- 1st Regular Den Meeting (Boys will be working on Model Rockets)
24- Dens need to give Chuck their list of awards the boys earned at camp
26- Popcorn Push Day and Rocket Launch
29- 1st Pack meeting (Legion if it is available- otherwise Hussey) Awards presented to boys

October
3- Cub Scout Trailblazer Day at Camp Bomazeen
6- Regular Den meeting
13- Regular Den meeting
14- Leaders Roundtable in Waterville
16-18- Webelos II take part in Boy Scout Fall Camporee as guests of Troop 603
20- Regular Den Meeting
27- Halloween Pack meeting (Boys and siblings come in Costume, we ask everyone to bring a bag of candy so we can make treat bags for the kids. Dens run a halloween station) Popcorn orders due.

Popcorn
Popcorn is our big sale. We try to sell enough product during the sale so we don't have to do any other sale throughout the year!

There are several ways we are selling popcorn this year:
Internet Sales- This is a great way to reach out to family members far away. They order the product that they want online and plug in your son's code and your boy gets the credit for the sale. Nice and easy. My son Theo's number is 2531183 so if I could figure it out, you can too! Here are the steps to set it up:
-Go to http://www.trails-end.com/

-Click on the "Scout" icon at the bottom of the page. This will bring you to a page with a cute pic of a Cub Scout at the top of the screen. Text is Sell popcorn. Earn Cool Prizes. Fund your program.

-Click on the "Track my online sales" link in the middle of the page. This will bring you to a form to fill out so your son can begin selling popcorn online. Be sure to put down Pack where it asks the type of unit and 603 for the number. It has a parental approval area so you will have to go back to your website and approve that it is ok for him to set up the account.

-After you have completed that, it has an email generator to send out emails to those people you would like to receive an invite to buy popcorn. Your son's code should appear right on the email they receive.
These sales get added on at the end of the total popcorn sale but how successful can your boy be with online sales? Ask Webelos Scout Morgan Young in our pack who paid for camp this summer by selling popcorn online!

Show and Sell- We will be having a one day effort to sell popcorn outside the Augusta Civic Center on September 13th. We will have the product for this event on hand. All Scouts are asked to participate. I will send out a separate email after all of the details are ironed out.

Take Order Sale- Boys should have received the information in the mail. They can begin going out door to door and taking orders. Be sure to take the money at the time the order is placed! They can take orders right up to the October pack meeting. All orders and money are due at that meeting.
Popcorn Push Day- We are trying to have Sept 26th be the day that all of the boys go out in pairs in neighborhoods selling for a few hours. Then afterwards we will have our rocket launch at the legion. The boys should travel with a scout buddy and a parent.
More popcorn information: http://www.pinetreebsa.org/resources/forms/popcorn/salesguide2009.pdf

Leaders: Here is Some Program Helps for September
http://kismif.org/category/themes/cub-scout-pockets/
http://usscouts.org/bbugle/bb0908.pdf

CHIP Program at Sign Up Night
Thanks to Den Leader Chris Bailey for securing folks from the Maine Freemasons to come in to our Cub Scout sign up night on Monday, September 14 at 6 PM. The CHIP (Child Identification Program) is designed to combat child abduction and assist in finding a lost child. Scouting takes child safety seriously and this year that begins right at sign up. This is a voluntary program but we are glad to have CHIP representatives joining us at sign up night. Returning Scouts are not required to come to sign up night but parents can bring them and other siblings to take part in this program.

CUB SCOUT TRAILBLAZERS
October 3 at Camp Bomazeen
This is a family event for cub scouts, parents and siblings. More details as we get closer but this is likely to be a super day of camp-style activities right in Belgrade and a super event for our dens to get out of their meetings and into the woods in October.

Shoe Boxes
The Bear Den is looking for shoe boxes for a project so please keep them when you are buying new school shoes! Thanks

Pack 603 Program Launch and Pool Party

2009-08-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

What: Pool-party/ Pack Program Launch/ Scouting Calendar Building Meeting
Who: Leaders, Parents, Kids
Where: Williams Park
When: Saturday, August 15 at 1 PM

Hi Everyone,

Well we are already in August! Hard to believe but the boys will soon be back in school and back to school means back to Scouting.

School begins on Wednesday, Sept 2nd this year. Here is a link to the school calendar:
http://www.augustaschools.org/Calendars/2009-2010-Augusta%20School%20Dept.%20Calendar.pdf

I want to have a calendar-planning meeting with leaders and parents to build our Scouting year and give out Popcorn information.

On Wednesday, August 12, leaders are invited to Camp Bomazeen in Belgrade for the district program launch. Some of the information they will receive is the Scouting calendar for all of Pine Tree Council.

I would like to have our Pack 603 calendar planning meeting on Saturday, August 15 at Williams Park at 1 PM. Bring the kids as the pool and playground is open. Williams Park is located at the intersection of Bangor and Quimby down the road from Hussey Elementary School.

Bring your calendar, scouting questions, lawn chairs, and let's start 2009-2010 Scouting Year off with a great pool-party/program launch calendar planning meeting.

Questions?
Call me at 400-9850
Chuck Mahaleris, Cubmaster

Great Job with the 4th of July Parade

2009-07-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

Augusta Pack 603 celebrated America's Independence by taking part in the annual parade that wound its way from Western Ave through the downtown and ending at Augusta City Center. The Bear Den coordinated the decorating of the two vehicles used in the parade. The float had a tent and a dog sled on it to represent that Scouting is active in all seasons.

"Pack 603 keeps a full schedule of activies," said Cubmaster Chuck Mahaleris. "The boys have a lot of fun at summer camp, at the winter Klondike Derby, and at so many other events during the year."

Reid Albison said, "I love America and loved the parade." Reed is a sub-cub in the Pack. His older brother Connor is in the Bear Den.

Webelos Scout Theo Mahaleris said, "I love throwing candy during the parade."

Shawn Gallant, the Pack's committee chair said, "It is really suprising how many boys showed up even though it is summer vacation time. They really were full of Cub Scout spirit."

Den Leader Gary Sirois was proud of the work the boys put into decorating the two vehicles with flags, banners and signs. "The boys did good. They did a lot of work and they had a good time." The Bear Den also had pizza and a waterballoon fight after they finished decorating things Friday night before the parade.

June, 2009 Cub Notes

2009-06-09T14:31:00.000-07:00

June Is Here!

Hi Everyone. June is here and I just wanted to go over a few things with you.

Camperships. I have emailed a campership application. I spoke with Matt Mower from Boy Scouts and he said that the deadline was May 15 but that those who have not applied for a campership should do so. There may be money left, especially for those who just signed up during our recent school sign up. "If they're new we might be able to get some extra time for them to pay at the early bird rate," Matt said.
Spirit of America Award. As you know, our boys were recognized by the Augusta "Spirit of America" Committee with the "Spirit of America Award" in honor of their volunteerism in the city in 2008. I emailed a copy of that letter and certificate so the boys can have one for their scrap books!
Sign Ups. We have had a few new boys looking to join. You can find me typically at my office in Augusta T, W, and Thursday or in the evenings during the week. My phone number is 400-9850 and cmahaleris@hotmail.com. I can get you the application if you havent already had a chance to grab one.
BSA RAISING REGISTRATION FEE IN 2010. Our District Scout Executive let me know that the BSA national will be raising the annual membership fee to $15 from $10. This will begin next March, 2010 when we recharter our pack.
Cub Scout Leader Training. Saturday, June 13, Methodist Church in Skowhegan. Please preregister for the training as lunch will be provided based on the preregistration head count. mmower@bsamail.org. Pack 603 will reimburse leaders who attend cub training course.
SPRING KICK-OFF, Wed. June 10, 7 pm, Blessed Hope Adventist Church, 10 Pleasant St. in Waterville (Roundtable Location) This is the leaders meeting where all of the information about the coming Scouting program year is giving out by District volunteers. Chuck cannot attend this year so is looking for someone to represent Pack 603. Thanks
June 20- Mini Camp in Pride's Corner in Westbrook. Open to all including our newly recruited Cubs. The day will include all fun outdoor events and is a great time for boys and their parent. Cost is $20 for a child and 1 parent. $8 for each additional parent or child. Registration can be sent to: Pine Tree Council 131 Johnson Rd Portland, ME 04012 Call 797-5252 for more details
July 1st- Webelos Camp OPEN HOUSE - Camp Hinds - 5:30 PM to 8 PM - BBQ served at 6 PM Come to our Galactic Get-together an open house for all Webelos and parents! Visit camp to meet the camp directors and staff, tour a campsite and see what camp is all about! Join us for a BBQ, complete with space dogs and burgers for our favorite Webelos Space Warriors
July- 4th of July Parade. We will be meeting at the Shaw's parking lot at 10 AM. Parade steps off at 11. Boys should be in full uniform. Thanks to Den Leader Chris Bailey for coordinating this year's float.

Information about Cub Scout Camps in general: http://www.pinetreebsa.org/campingprogram/cubscout/index.html

Webelos Resident Camp. Shawn and Chuck leading the group. We have an open spot on the last day for another leader. We will be attending:
4 Day Resident Camp
Session 1 Aug. 16 – 19
Contact Chuck about attending that session. Fill out the following and return to Chuck: http://www.pinetreebsa.org/resources/forms/camping/cub/page%2022REG_FORM_2009_Webelos%5b1%5d.pdf

and boys and adults will need to see a doctor prior to camp and have the following medical form completed: http://www.pinetreebsa.org/resources/forms/medical/healthandmedicalrecord2009.pdf

Day Camp is still looking for leaders. It is a great program and if you go your son attends at a greatly reduced rate. They provide training.
Kennebec Valley District:
Camp Bomazeen in Belgrade - Aug 3 - 7 Day Camp registration form: http://www.pinetreebsa.org/resources/forms/camping/cub/page%2020%20Daycamp%20reg%20form%202009.pdf
Staff Application form: http://www.pinetreebsa.org/resources/forms/camping/cub/DayCampStaffApp.pdf
Day Camp Medical form:
http://www.pinetreebsa.org/resources/forms/camping/cub/CubMedFormClass1.pdf

Pre-Summer Scouting Notes

2009-05-28T08:26:00.001-07:00

April and May Have Been Very Busy Months for Pack 603 and Summer Will be Even Busier!

Awards
Congratulations to Eric Olny who crossed over from Pack 603 and is starting his adventures with Boy Scout Troop 603!

Congratulations to all of the boys who moved up in rank and received their awards at our April pack meeting!

Webelos Scout Morgan Young received his religious emblem award. We will do a special presentation at our next pack meeting but I wanted to make sure that Morgan was recognized for his "Duty to God." If other boys have received their religious emblems, please let me know so we can celebrate their success.

"Spirit of America Award"

Pack 603 was recognized for its volunteer efforts for 2008 with the "Spirit of America" Award. Augusta's "Spirit of America" committee, presided by local community leader Roger Pomerleau, recognized the boy's efforts to improve their community and the work of leaders to improve the community by improving the boys! The ceremony was held Tuesday at the Blaine House. Three Cubs: Hunter Ripley, Christian Paulin, and Leland Bailey represented the pack at the ceremony along with leaders Chuck Mahaleris, Shawn Gallant, and Chris Bailey. Kennebec Valley District Scout Executive Matt Mower also was on hand for the ceremony. There will be a separate presentation at a later date. Roger wants to make sure that all of the boys are thanked personally for their good works. Thanks also to Paul for taking pictures during the event.

Sign Up

We held a Cub Scout sign up and so far have recruited two new boys. Welcome to Andrew Truman and Ryan Lathe. Ryan will be a Wolf Cub in the Fall and Andrew will be working towards his Tiger Rank. Andrew will be joined by his dad Richard who has volunteered to serve as our Tiger Den Leader. In the Tiger program, all of the parents take turns running the den meetings but Richard will be coordinating things. Thanks Richard and welcome to Andrew and Ryan. We also had some other boys call and express interest. I will be recognizing them as well when they sign up officially. if you have friends who would like to join, summer is a great time. Have them call Cub Master Chuck at 400-9850 or email at cmahaleris@hotmail.com

Charter Clean Up

We turned in our charter. This is our annual registration paperwork so we can function as a pack for another year. We had four boys who were not listed on the charter:

Nathaniel Barbeau
Ben Lee
Chris Colson
Connor Albison

I was able to find the original paperwork for Nathaniel and Ben and sent that to council. They should be added onto our charter. However, neither I nor council could find the paperwork for Chris and Connor so will need those again. My apologies. Shoot me a note and I can get you a new application.

I know we had some boys who will be likely joining us at camp who did not resign up at charter time and unfortunately, you will have to complete an application again. Let me know if you need one.

The result of the charter is that we crossed over one boy, one moved to Waterville, and four dropped out. We have picked up two new boys, turned in paperwork for two who should have been on the charter but weren't and we have two more existing cubs with simple paperwork issues so we are currently plus one Cub Scout going into the new Scouting year.

June Den Meetings

Chris, Paul and Gary are running den meetings on Tuesday at 6 PM at Hussey until school gets done on the 16th of June. These are mostly fun, outdoor types of programs but they are opening it up to all of the boys, not just those in their bear den. Thanks guys!

Popcorn Training

Chuck attended the Popcorn Kickoff meeting at the Senator Inn and Spa at the end of May. It was a good training. Our Fall popcorn sale is the only fundraiser for Pack 603 and should be great. It funds our pack for the entire year thanks to strong, one-shot efforts by our Cubs and their parents. There are several ways to sell popcorn this year: Show and Sell, Online Sales, Take Order. More details as we move forward.

State House Tour

In the past we have done a tour of the statehouse. It has been a couple years and we are looking at doing another early in June. The tours are run from 9 to 1 each day. The legislature will likely not be in session when school is out so it will either be without the legislature or during school hours. I will let you know details.

Some Important Upcoming Dates

May 30- Mini Camp in Sabattus at Camp Gustin. Open to all including our newly recruited Cubs. The day will include all fun outdoor events and is a great time for boys and their parent. Cost is $20 for a child and 1 parent. $8 for each additional parent or child. Registration can be sent to: Pine Tree Council 131 Johnson Rd Portland, ME 04012 Call 797-5252 for more details.

June 1- Camp Early Bird Date to sign up for Day Camp and Webelos Resident Camp. Webelos Resident Camp normally costs $160 but $140 if paid in full by June 1. See Chuck or Shawn for applications. Day camp normally costs $125 but is reduced if paid $100 by June 1. If you volunteer for day camp, your cost to have your son attend camp is only $15. Contact Pine Tree for Day Camp questions at 797-5252. Contact Shawn or Chuck for Webelos Resident Camp questions.

June 6- Sea Dogs Sleepover- $20 per person. Gates open at 4:30 PM and the game begins at 6 PM. Scouts sleep out on the field and watch a movie. Call the Scout office to see if there are still tickets available and how to reserve your spot. 797-5252

June 10- SPRING KICK-OFF, Wed. June 10, 7 pm, Blessed Hope Adventist Church, 10 Pleasant St. in Waterville (Roundtable Location) This is the leaders meeting where all of the information about the coming Scouting program year is giving out by District volunteers. Chuck cannot attend this year so is looking for someone to represent Pack 603. Thanks

June 13- Cub Scout Leader Training in Skowhegan (see below for details)

June 20- Mini Camp in Pride's Corner in Westbrook. Open to all including our newly recruited Cubs. The day will include all fun outdoor events and is a great time for boys and their parent. Cost is $20 for a child and 1 parent. $8 for each additional parent or child. Registration can be sent to: Pine Tree Council 131 Johnson Rd Portland, ME 04012 Call 797-5252 for more details.

July 1st- Webelos Camp OPEN HOUSE - Camp Hinds - 5:30 PM to 8 PM - BBQ served at 6 PM Come to our Galactic Get-together an open house for all Webelos and parents! Visit camp to meet the camp directors and staff, tour a campsite and see what camp is all about! Join us for a BBQ, complete with space dogs and burgers for our favorite Webelos Space Warriors

July- 4th of July Parade. We will be meeting at the Shaw's parking lot at 10 AM. Parade steps off at 11. Boys should be in full uniform. Thanks to Den Leader Chris Bailey for coordinating this year's float.

July- Family Camping. Our Pack will be holding a Pack 603 family camping weekend. We are looking at holding this at Camp Bomazeen in Belgrade. More details after we get things locked in. If it happens, we have a couple extra pack tents and some other supplies but this is a great time for families to spend time together.

August 3-7- Day Camp- - Camp Bomazeen in Belgrade: sign up information at http://www.doubleknot.com/Registration/CalendarDetail.asp?orgkey=1649&activitykey=559871

Day camp is a lot of fun with trained leaders and great events that keep the boys busy doing activities that help them advance! Highly recommended. Open to boys going into Grades 2-5 in September.

August 15- Mini Camp at Camp Nutter in Acton. Open to all including our newly recruited Cubs. The day will include all fun outdoor events and is a great time for boys and their parent. Cost is $20 for a child and 1 parent. $8 for each additional parent or child. Registration can be sent to: Pine Tree Council 131 Johnson Rd Portland, ME 04012 Call 797-5252 for more details.

August 16-19- Webelos Resident Camp. Camp Hinds. Shawn and Chuck will be providing the leadership again for our two dens of Webelos. The boys will be staying in tents and will work on activities like BB, Archery, Swimming, Boating, Crafts, Nature and more. Open to boys going into grades 4 and 5 in September.

August 22- Scout Night at the Sea Dogs. This is not an overnighter.
Tickets for the event are $6 for Adults and $3 for Youth (16 & Under). Each ticket includes:
• Admission to the game – Sea Dogs vs. Bowie Baysox, Game Time 6:00PM. Scouts should wear their uniform. For information call 797-5252. Open to all of our Scouts.

National Summertime Pack Award
A pack can qualify for the National Summertime Pack Award by planning and conducting three pack activities - one each in June, July, and August. This award can be an incentive for greater attendance at your summer pack activities.
Individual scouts that participate in all three pack events can receive the National Summertime Pack Award pin. Starting in 2008, there is a different color pin for each Cub Scout rank so earning the pin each year has more incentive.
Qualifying packs receive a colorful streamer for their pack flag.
Dens with an average attendance of at least half their members at the three summer pack events will be eligible for a colorful den participation ribbon. The purpose of the National Summertime Pack Award is to encourage packs to provide a year-round program
by continuing to meet during the time periods when school is out of session for several weeks or months. If a pack is in a 'year-round school' (or is part of a home-school association), the pack could earn the Summertime Pack Award by having a special pack activity
during those breaks.
Tiger
Tiger Cubs, Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts have the opportunity to earn the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award. Boys may earn the award in each of the program years as long as the requirements are completed each year. The first time the award is earned, the boy will receive the pocket flap award (shown above), which is to be worn on the right pocket flap of the uniform shirt. Each successive time the award is earned, a wolf track pin (also shown above) may be added to the flap. Leaders should encourage boys to build on skills and experiences from previous years when working on the award for a successive year.
Requirements ~ All Ranks
Attend Cub Scout day camp or Cub Scout/ Webelos Scout resident camp.
Rank-Specific
• Tiger Cubs. Complete one requirement in Achievement 5, “Let’s Go Outdoors” (Tiger Cub Handbook) and complete three of the outdoor activities listed below.
• Wolf Cub Scouts. Assemble the “Six Essentials for Going Outdoors” (Wolf Handbook, Elective 23b) and discuss their purpose, and complete four of the outdoor activities listed below.
• Bear Cub Scouts. Earn the Cub Scout Leave No Trace Award (Bear Handbook, Elective 25h) and compete five of the outdoor activities listed below.
Webelos Scouts. Earn the Outdoorsman Activity Badge (Webelos Handbook); and complete
six of the outdoor activities listed below.
Outdoor Activities
With your den, pack, or family:
1. Participate in a nature hike in your local area. This can be on an organized, marked trail, or just a hike to observe nature in your area.
2. Participate in an outdoor activity such as a picnic or park fun day.
3. Explain the buddy system and tell what to do if lost. Explain the importance of cooperation.
4. Attend a pack overnighter. Be responsible by being prepared for the event.
5. Complete an outdoor service project in your community.
6. Complete a nature/conservation project in your area. This project should involve improving, beautifying, or supporting natural habitats. Discuss how this project helped you to respect nature.
7. Earn the Summertime Pack Award.
8. Participate in a nature observation activity. Describe or illustrate and display your observations at a den or pack meeting.
9. Participate in an outdoor aquatic activity. This can be an organized swim meet or just a den or pack swim.
10. Participate in an outdoor campfire program. Perform in a skit, sing a song, or take part in a ceremony.
11. Participate in an outdoor sporting event.
12. Participate in an outdoor Scout’s Own or other worship service.
13. Explore a local city, county, state, or national park. Discuss with your den how a good citizen obeys the park rules.

CUB LEADER TRAINING

Cub Scout Leader Training: Intro to Cub Scouting/Leader Position-Specific Training

Saturday, June 13, 2009 Centenary United Methodist Church, Skowhegan Maine

Cost: $7.00 per person 8:30 am - 1:00 pm (or so)

Registration: 8:30 - 8:45 am FREE Lunch graciously provided by Pack #485

IMPORTANT: Before coming to this training, new leaders should complete (online) Fast Start Training, This Is Scouting and Youth Protection Training BSA Online Learning Center: http://olc.scouting.org/ (Please print your certificate of completion and bring it with you.)

RSVP who is attending, unit number and position to one of the following people: Matt Mower, K-Valley District Executive, mmower@bsamail.org, 797-5252 x 27, (fax) 797-7183 Rick Lees, K-Valley Cub Training Chair, lees5@adelphia.net, Juanita Spaulding, K-Valley Cub Leader Trainer, cubjuanita@midmaine.com, 257-3431. Pack 603 reimburses leaders who complete training!

Directions: From I-95, Take exit 133 (Skowhegan), (if from the north, turn LEFT from exit, if from south, turn RIGHT from exit) You are now on Rt. 201 NORTH. Travel about 14.5 miles. At the only traffic lights you come to, turn RIGHT and go over both bridges. Continue straight through town, this road turns into US-2 NORTH. In approximately one mile, you run out of town and the river (THE EDDY)is on your right. Take a LEFT on MALBONS MILL ROAD and continue up the hill for about 0.7 miles. Take a LEFT onto DR. MANN ROAD. The church is on the LEFT just after the nursing home.

May Notes and Looking Forward to Summer 2009

2009-04-22T16:26:00.000-07:00

Circus Update
Beth Still Has Tickets for the Circus this Weekend! Some have not claimed their tickets
If you ordered tickets, please contact Beth. Give her a call at 607-2650!Where: Augusta Civic CenterShows: 4/24 at 2pm and 7pm & 4/25 at 9:30, 2pm and 7pmWho: Open to Cubs, Siblings, Parents and interested friends (Parents must drive their own children to and attend the event with their children unless other adult supervision is set up in advance)When to Go: Dens can coordinate the best times to go that work for their dens. Cubs should wear their uniforms to the event.Thanks Beth for organizing this Go See It!

Pack Meeting & Crossover
Our next meeting will be the crossover ceremony as boys move up in Scouting. 6 PM at the American Legion this coming Tuesday.
Boys should be in uniform.
Relatives are welcome as the boys will be presented with all their final awards of this rank
Leaders, please send me your list by Sunday so I can pick up the supplies at the Scout shop on Monday.

What's Coming Next for Pack 603
May- Dens are encouraged to have one event each month but they can also have more. These can be meetings or go see its.
May- We were notified that pack 603 will be recognized with the Spirit of America Award for the work we are doing with the boys and for the work the boys are doing with the community. I will get you more details as we receive them. There will be a dinner sometime in May to receive this recognition.
May- Pre-camp meeting, new Cub Orientation. We will be having a kickball game for the boys and a Cub Camp signup night in May. We will also be doing a sign up for new boys and this will be a good way for them to move right into the Cub Scout program. Date and time to be announced. We will have paperwork for all of the upcoming summer activities at the meeting. Cub Camp information located here: http://www.pinetreebsa.org/campingprogram/cubscout/index.html
May 30- Mini Camp in Sabattus at Camp Gustin.
June 6- Sea Dogs Sleepover- $20 per person. Gates open at 4:30 PM and the game begins at 6 PM. Scouts sleep out on the field and watch a movie.
June- Dens are encouraged to meet for a gathering once this month.
July- 4th of July Parade. We will be meeting at the Shaw's parking lot. Boys should be in full uniform. More details coming.
July- Dens are encouraged to meet once during the month of July for a fun event.
August 3-7- Day Camp- - Camp Bomazeen in Belgrade: sign up information at http://www.doubleknot.com/Registration/CalendarDetail.asp?orgkey=1649&activitykey=559871
August 16-19- Webelos Resident Camp. Camp Hinds. Shawn and Chuck will be providing the leadership again for our webelos (boys currently Bears will be able to go)
August 22- Scout Night at the Sea Dogs. Tickets for the event are $6 for Adults and $3 for Youth (16 & Under). Each ticket includes:
• Admission to the August 22nd game – Sea Dogs vs. Bowie Baysox, Game Time 6:00PM

BSA Action Required: "THIS IS SCOUTING" - Volunteer Training Component

TO: Scout Executives, Regional Directors, Area Directors
FROM: Program Impact Department/Volunteer Development TeamSUBJECT: "THIS IS SCOUTING" - volunteer training component Read and pass along to council and district trainers, field staff, and pack trainer. Include announcement on council web sites
"This is Scouting" was added to the BSA's on-line Learning Center over the weekend. "This is Scouting" replaces New Leader Essentials as a required course for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing volunteers to earn the "Trained" leader emblem. Councils should eliminate New Leader Essentials from all training calendars and add a link to http://mysouting.org/.While the primary delivery method for "This is Scouting" is on-line, a DVD . No. 36118, will be available after April 1, from Supply for areas where internet access is limited or where group presentation is desired.All Scouters are encouraged to create a MyScouting account and access this training through the MyScouting portal, as credit for this training will be recorded on their PAS record upon completion.Questions should be directed to Jamie Shearer http://us.mc396.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jamie.shearer@scouting.orgProgram Impact Department or Joe Glasscock http://us.mc396.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=joe.glasscock@scouting.org
Team Leader, Volunteer Development.

Pack 603 in the News!
Check out the story in the Good News Gazette about our Cubs in action.
http://www.turnerpublishing.net/files/GNG.pdf

Greenhouse Tour

2009-04-02T13:55:00.000-07:00

Eric Lombard (Webelos)- some of the plants are highly toxic. You shouldn't touch or eat a plant if you don't know what it is.

Hunter Ripley (Webelos)- it's really important to learn how things grow. It's a really great greenhouse. It's super warm and a nice change to see so many green, growing things.

Chris Colson (Wolf)- I liked the purple plant. It's the best. My plants will grow taller than me.

Eric Olney (webelos)- I'm planting watermellon and sun flower and tomato. I hope my watermellon is delicious.

The fieldtrip to the “Keep Growing” at CATC greenhouse went very. We had 13 scouts and their parents participating. The seeds that the boys planted will be nurtured at the facility until they are viable for planting outdoors this season. Along with the actual planting in earning their gardening badge the boys learned a lot about plant science and how it is a crucial part of their natural world.The “Keep growing “ Program offers educational filed trips to to students Pre-K –12th grade in the region. We have had a number of classrooms and organizations participating this year as we have partnered with a local expert, Fieldstone Gardens in Vassalboro. Keep Growing is also hoping to reach out to the Master Gardener’s program and Senior organizations in the region this next season. If your organization is interested in a plant based community service project or a educational visit to the CATC greenhouse please contact Rene Albison at CATC.....ralbison@augustaschools.org

Cub Scout Circus Trip

2009-04-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome Welcome One and All!!

Bear Leader Beth Morgan has lined up a great event for Pack 603- a trip to the circus!

Where: Augusta Civic Center

Shows: 4/24 at 2pm and 7pm & 4/25 at 9:30, 2pm and 7pm

Who: Open to Cubs, Siblings, Parents and interested friends (Parents must drive their own children to and attend the event with their children unless other adult supervision is set up in advance)

Cost: $3 per youth and $6 per adult- Bring Your money to the den meetings this Tuesday. Beth has to turn all of the money at the end of next week.

When to Go: Dens can coordinate the best times to go that work for their dens. Cubs should wear their uniforms to the event.

Thanks Beth for organizing this Go See It and thanks again to Rene Albison for organizing the great trip to the greenhouse this week! Everyone had a great time!

End Of March Cub Notes

2009-03-30T06:36:00.000-07:00

Greenhouse Tour- Tomorrow- Tuesday, March 30. Rene Albisson has graciously organized a neat tour for all of our Pack's Cub Scouts. Thanks Rene for doing that. Here is a note from her:
"In regards to the greenhouse fieldtrip: Have scouts meet in the back parking lot at CATC on Pierce Drive in Augusta at 6pm. The greenhouse will have the lights on so it will be very visible. All seeds and equipment will be free of charge. The perennials or vegetable seedlings could be transplanted at a later date for a community service project. I would love to get some newspaper publicity for our ”Keep Growing” Greenhouse program at CATC out of this so if anyone has a camera and contacts in the media. Please make it clear that parents must be with their child. There is a section in the wolf book that this planting will cover. No open toed shoes please!!!! It is fully heated so no jackets will be necessary. Have people leave them in their cars as their isn’t a place to put them.Thanks,Rene

March is our annual recharter month. That means it is time to pay our membership fees. Please bring $11 for each youth you are registering and $12 if you want them to have Boys' Life Magazine to the den meeting on Tuesday. This will cover your registration costs through next March. The leader fees are paid for by Pack 603. My goal is to turn in all of the paperwork next week so please bring registration fees on Tuesday. Thanks

April Meetings. April is our big wrap up month for the Scouting year. The pack meeting will be on the last Tuesday of the month due to school vacation week on the third Tuesday. We are looking for a good "Go See It" activity for the month. If you have any good ideas, please feel free. This can be for your den or for the pack as a whole. Sharing is good. At the April meeting, the Webelos will run the opening and the Bears will run the closing. The Wolves will provide refreshments and I am asking each den to run a song, skit, or game. Please let me know the awards I need to pick up by Sunday, April 26. The boys will be crossing over at this meeting into their new dens and new ranks.

Spring Signup. Our pack will have a pack meeting in May and one event as a pack in May, June, July and August. Some of the things we are looking at are day camp, webelos resident camp, fun pack weekends, Scout Night at the Sea Dogs, and more. We will be having a May sign up for boys who want to join Scouting and are looking forward to taking part in all of the great Scouting activities. I will get more detail as we get closer.

Camp Sign Up. We will have sign ups for all of the camps at our April and May pack meetings.

Religious Emblems. Please continue to work on the religious emblems. Our goal is to finish that program prior to the end of April so we can recognize the boys at the pack meeting.

Late March News Notes for Parents and Leaders

2009-03-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents and Leaders:

As we move into warmer weather, I wanted to touch base on how things for Pack 603 will be working.

Keep the Outing in Scouting. I encourage our dens to do more outdoor meetings or activities as weather permits. Go see its, athletic events, etc. This is good for the boys after the long winter and active activities will keep the boys interested longer.

Chess. We did some of the requirements for the belt loop last night at the Pack meeting but I don't believe more than a few of the boys actually played a game or really learned the way the pieces move. I am going to be working with the Webelos again at this coming meeting. I am asking dens to find time to work on the requirements for the Chess belt loop with the boys before the April pack meeting so we can present those as well. They have to:
-Identify the chess pieces and set up a chess board for play.
-Demonstrate the moves of each chess piece to your den leader or adult partner.
-Play a game of chess.

Greenhouse Tour on Tuesday, March 30. Rene Albisson has graciously organized a neat tour for all of our Pack's Cub Scouts. Thanks Rene for doing that. Here is a note from her:

"In regards to the greenhouse fieldtrip: Have scouts meet in the back parking lot at CATC on Pierce Drive in Augusta at 6pm. The greenhouse will have the lights on so it will be very visible. All seeds and equipment will be free of charge. The perennials or vegetable seedlings could be transplanted at a later date for a community service project. I would love to get some newspaper publicity for our ”Keep Growing” Greenhouse program at CATC out of this so if anyone has a camera and contacts in the media. Please make it clear that parents must be with their child. There is a section in the wolf book that this planting will cover. No open toed shoes please!!!! It is fully heated so no jackets will be necessary. Have people leave them in their cars as their isn’t a place to put them.Thanks,Rene

Flow of Meetings. I want to see us get more organized with both our den meetings and Pack meetings. Here are some tips:
-Pre-Meeting Activity- Give the boys something to do
-Opening Ceremony
-Activity/recognitions
-Sharing (Give boys opportunity to share some interesting things related to the topic of the meeting)
-Game, Song, etc
-Closing

Contact with Absent Cubs. I would like to have each den contact boys who were not at the pack meeting to make sure they come on Tuesday. Let them know we miss them and let them know about the events going on and plans for summer camp. Let them know about recharter as well. Thanks.

Cub Camp. Everyone should have received information about Cub Scout camp in the mail. If you have not, please let me know and I will get it to you. Here is a link to the council's camp information website: http://www.pinetreebsa.org/campingprogram/cubscout/index.html

March is our annual recharter month. That means it is time to pay our membership fees. Please bring $11 for each youth you are registering and $12 if you want them to have Boys' Life Magazine to the den meeting on Tuesday. This will cover your registration costs through next March. The leader fees are paid for by Pack 603.

University of Scouting. University of Scouting Early Bird Discount Deadline is Friday, March 13th! Take advantage of the Early Bird Discount and save 20% on your registration fee for Pine Tree Council's University of Scouting. If you register on or before March 13th you'll save $5. After March 13th the cost will be $25. The fee covers materials, lunch, patch and your certificate. You can register on-line now, just go to http://www.pinetreebsa.org/ The University will be held on Saturday, March 21st, it is located in Kirk and Jalbert Halls at Central Maine Community College in Auburn. Registration will begin at 7:45 am, the opening ceremony begins promptly at 8:30 am and the first period begins at 9:00 am. Checkout and closing will be held at 4 pm.Attire for the day, full field uniforms for registered uniformed Scouters, full uniform or dress casual for committee members and dress casual for civilians. This is a great program but not one the pack reimburses for leaders to attend.

Training. Downeast District is hosting a training on April 24 - 25 at the Beaver Lodge in Union. To sign up, contact Steve Saucier Ssaucier@bsamail.org or at the Council office. Pack 603 will reimburse any leader who attends this training.

Sign Up Before Camp. Know a Boy who could benefit from Cub Scouts and wants to go to camp but is not a member? He can join! Bring him to our meetings!

April & May Pack Meetings. The April Pack meeting will be our cross over pack meeting. Eric will be crossing into the troop and the other boys will be moving up in rank. I am asking each den to have a go see it event in April. Maybe a tour of a fire station or an outdoor activity, etc. Typically we do not meet in May but I am leaving that up to den leaders. I believe it would be good for us to meet as a pack in May either as a regular pack meeting or a special go see it. This will give an opportunity for the new ranks to meet. I am asking all dens to meet at least once in May and also have one go see it in May.

Mid-March News and Notes

2009-03-13T12:38:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to share some Cub Scout notes.

Everyone should have received information about Cub Scout camp in the mail. If you have not, please let me know and I will get it to you.

The next meeting is our pack meeting. I am asking each den to be prepared to run a station. The meeting will be held Tuesday at 6 PM at the American Legion. The stations can be an activity or a game

If you have awards, I am going shopping on Monday so please let me know on Sunday!

March is our annual recharter month. That means it is time to pay our membership fees. Please bring $11 for each youth you are registering and $12 if you want them to have Boys' Life Magazine to the pack meeting. This will cover your registration costs through next March. The leader fees are paid for by Pack 603.

The University will be held on Saturday, March 21st, it is located in Kirk and Jalbert Halls at Central Maine Community College in Auburn. Registration will begin at 7:45 am, the opening ceremony begins promptly at 8:30 am and the first period begins at 9:00 am. Checkout and closing will be held at 4 pm.Attire for the day, full field uniforms for registered uniformed Scouters, full uniform or dress casual for committee members and dress casual for civilians.
Training. Downeast District is hosting a training on April 24 - 25 at the Beaver Lodge in Union. To sign up, contact Steve Saucier Ssaucier@bsamail.org or at the Council office.

Scouts in the News. Pack 603 was featured on the front page of the Good News Gazette! Check it out: http://www.turnerpublishing.net/files/GNG.pdf

Know a Boy who could benefit from Cub Scouts and wants to go to camp but is not a member? He can join! Bring him to our Pack meeting!

Thanks to everyone who helped make our Blue and Gold Banquet fantastic!

Thanks for the Cake!

Cubmaster Chuck

Late February News for Pack 603

2009-02-24T13:26:00.000-08:00

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

Looking for Scouting Info?
Visit the Pack 603 website: http://pack603augusta.blogspot.com/
-Local news, national scouting news, links galore, useful information, program helps, and more!

2009 Pinewood Derby & Klondike Derby

2009-02-22T15:47:00.000-08:00

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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Pinewood and Other News!

2009-01-23T12:57:00.000-08:00

Pinewood Derby is Here!
When: Tuesday, Jan 27, 6 PM
Where: American Legion
Who: Cubs and their Families

Volunteers Needed:
-Set Up & Decorations- We will begin setting up the track, arranging the hall and putting up decorations at 4 PM. We will need help to accomplish this.

-Registration- We will need this person to check in the cars. Needs to be at the legion before 6 PM

-Pit crew- Chris and Gary are heading up this area but it would be good to have others to help. See Chris and Gary when you arrive. When the Cub's car is done with the pit crew it cannot be touched by anyone other than the cub and it must only go right to the pre-racing table. Nothing can be added or subtracted to a car after it has gone through the pit crew.

-Refreshments- We will have Liz working the refreshment stand. Dinner items and snacks will be on sale. We are not looking at this as a fundraiser but as a service to our parents so they dont have to worry about dinner. Cost will be cheap enough to cover our costs. We may need additional help in the kitchen.

-Line Judges- We will have need of three line judges. Two will be at the foot of the track and one will be the starter. If your boy is racing, you go to the starter's mark.

-Scoring- Chuck will be working the scoring. Every Cub will race at least five times.

Rules: All cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race:
1-Width shall not exceed 2-1/4 inches.
2-Length shall not exceed 7 inches.
3-Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.
4- Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit.
5- Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
6- No lubricating oil may be used. Axles may be lubricated with powdered graphite or NO SILICONE.7- The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.
8- The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices9- No loose materials of any kind are allowed in the car.
10- The Pack does not provide weights. The racer must supply those.
11- Once the car has been inspected and officially registered, it cannot be worked on or fine-tuned without the express permission of the head race official and then only to reapply something that came off after check in.
12- Cars cannot be carved in the front. We have a post that rises at the starting point of our track and the entire front of the car must be behind the post at the start of the race.

Other Scouting News:
WEBELOS AQUANAUT ACTIVITY BADGE OPPORTUNITY AT TOGUS VA
On Saturday, January 24, Leslie Ellis is offering to teach Aquanaut from 8:30-11:30AM at the Togus VA pool in Augusta. There is no cost to the scouts. Webelos who are interested need to contact her either by email or phone.
Her contact info is:Leslie Ellis 62 Hill St. Apt F Farmingdale, ME 04344 (207)624-2458
lbellis07@hotmail.com

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: Sugarloaf USA, Feb. 1 ($29/$39)Sunday River, Feb 8 ($29/$38)Shawnee Peak (yes, two dates!), March 1 ($24/$29)Mt Abram, March 8 ($22/$27)

SCOUTING FOR FOOD - Winter!
Our Boy Scout District is going to conduct a District-wide Scouting for Food Good Turn in association with Scout Anniversary Week in February. Bag/flyer distribution will be Sat. Feb. 7, 2009 and collection the following Sat., Feb. 13. Like the Nov. event, our pack will give the food to St Mark's Food Bank.

UPCOMING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
K-Valley District: February 21, 2009, Belgrade Central School: Cub Leader Specific Fee: $7 (Pack will reimburse)
Schedule:8:00 AM – 8:30 AM-Registration
8:30 AM – 11:30 AM Cub Leader Specific
What to bring: Uniform (If you have one), Pencil & Paper, Scout Spirit, Bag Lunch & Drink
To Pre-register for this training you can email or call...Senior District Executive Matt Mower at mmower@bsamail.org or 797-5252 ext 27. Please include your name, unit, and your unit position. PLEASE NOTE: If we do not receive enough preregistrations for a particular training module, that module will NOT BE OFFERED. HOW TO GET TO BELGRADE CENTRAL SCHOOL: From State Route 27, turn onto Depot Rd at Hammond Lumber.

Klondike Derby & Blue and Gold Banquet (See Details at this link)
http://pack603augusta.blogspot.com/2009/01/january-2009-cub-notes.html

Request to Pack 603 from Pack 253 in Texas
Request From: Toni Currington
Email: toni@pack253.co.cc

Address: 2922 overlook Circle
City: Corsicana
State: Texas
Zip: 75110
Phone: 9038516621
Organization: Cub Scouts Pack 253
Our Cub Scout Pack 253 in Corsicana Texas will be learning about different states as we approach the 100th year anniversary of Scouting we would really appreciate any information that you could send us about your state (map, visitor info, ect) We will also send you information about our state for the Blue and Gold Banquet.

I'm hoping each of our Cubs can send a postcard or note of some sort about Maine to our friends in Pack 253!

Cub Scouts in the News

2009-01-17T11:44:00.000-08:00

Augusta & Chelsea Cubs Filled with Holiday Spirit
Originally printed in the Good News Gazette, January 2009- Cub Scouts celebrated the Christmas season with fun, laughter, presents, and some pretty odd games. Pack 603 held their annual Christmas Party at the American Legion on Eastern Avenue on December 16. Every Cub received their pinewood derby car as a present along with prizes they had earned during the popcorn sale fundraiser.

Parents and siblings joined in as the Cubs sang songs and told holiday jokes. The most entertaining part of the evening came with the activities, however.

Den leaders ran stations scattered around the hall where the kids- both Cub Scouts and their brothers and sisters- could try their hand. The different activities were: Holiday Hockey where the youths wield a festively-festooned hockey stick and try to send a balloon into a laundry basket; Santa Stuffing finds a youth selected to play St. Nick and the other children have to fill the Kringle-sized suit he wears with balloons; the Dradle was spun by one and all as the children learned about the Jewish miracle celebrated during Chanukah- some even won some candy; and everyone left with plates that they decorated for the cookies the jolly Old Elf so enjoys eating on that special night.

"The kids got to paint their own design on the plates," Cubmaster Chuck Mahaleris said. "They will be able to seal the image by baking it in their ovens at home with their parents and will have a permanent memento of Christmas 2008."

Parents brought in treats for the kids to enjoy in between all of the activities and a letter of appreciation was read from the Augusta Food Bank in recognition of the work the Cubs had done to collect food for the needy.

The fundraiser raised more than $630 for the which will be spent on awards, leader training programs, and supplies in support of the program, according to Mahaleris.

The top sellers of the popcorn sale was Leland Bailey, who sold $250 worth of popcorn; Theodore Mahaleris sold $243; Eric Lombard sold $236; and Chris Black $232. "It was a great effort by the boys," Mahaleris said. "They enjoyed the prizes they earned and the pack will be able to keep running into 2009 without a problem. It’s our only fundraiser of the year."

The boys are still selling popcorn but this time through online sales, and the money they raise will be applied to such things as their summer camp fees, uniform parts or other Scouting-related needs. Those interested in helping in this effort can contact Mahaleris at cmahaleris@hotmail.com.

For more information about Cub Scout Pack 603, visit their website at http://pack603augusta.blogspot.com/. Boys in Grades 1-5 are eligible to join. The weekly den meetings are held on Tuesday nights at Hussey Elementary School and Pack meetings are generally the third Tuesday of the month at the American Legion. All meetings begin at 6 PM

Pack 603 Cubs in the News

2009-01-17T11:32:00.000-08:00

Augusta Cubs Bring Christmas to Veteran
Printed in the Good News Gazette- January, 2009 edition

While others were busy finding their last minute gifts at the stores, Cub Scouts from Pack 603 spent the Tuesday before Christmas finishing up a gift for one of the city's veterans.
Boys in the Tiger and Wolf Dens -made up of boys in first and second grade- spent their pre-Christmas time working to make someone else's holiday brighter. At Hussey Elementary School, where the dens meet for their weekly meetings, the boys decorated a three to four foot high spruce tree with snowflake ornaments they made themselves.
Each ornament was adorned with a picture of the Cub who worked on it. The tree was delivered to a veteran who lives alone in the city and has no family.
"We wanted to give him something to help bring out a smile for Christmas," said Den Leader Chris Bailey. The tree was donated by the Augusta Lowe's store and the project was the idea of Cub Scout Nathaniel Barbeau's grandfather Paul Jarzorabek, who also served in the military.
"It's a great lesson for the boys because it teaches them that Christmas is not only about getting but also about giving," Jarzorabek said when the tree was completed. "It's our Christmas gift to him," Barbeau said with a big smile.
Jaden Ambers joined Pack 603 only two weeks ago but was happy to help in the project, "It makes me feel good to help someone," he said.
Wolf Cub Luc Sirois talked about the project. "It was a little hard cutting out
the snowflake ornaments," he said with obvious pride about the results. He wasn't the only one to feel pride. His dad, Gary Sirois, who is also a leader for the boys, said: "This is what Christmas is supposed to be about."
The veteran, who is remaining anonymous, received the tree on Christmas eve day. It is still living so in the spring he can plant it in his yard as a permanent reminder of the Scouts who did him a good deed in thanks for the good deed he did for our nation.

January 2009 Cub Notes

2009-01-08T14:21:00.000-08:00

January is sliding along faster than a puck across a frozen pond! I wanted to keep you up to date on some things that are going on and give you dates to things so you can put them on your calendars.

Pinewood Derby- January 27th-American Legion- 6 PM
-We will have refreshments on sale for a modest price so you don't have to worry about dinner.
-We are running the Pinewood Derby on a Tuesday night in place of our January pack meeting and not on the weekend so as to give you parents the weekend free. We usually do it on the weekends.
-We will need folks to work on set up and take down of the track and decorations. Those who can volunteer for this please contact Chuck at cmahaleris@hotmail.com
-We will need one parent or leader from each den to work in the pit crew and one to work as a line judge
-Gary and Chris will be bringing in their woodworking tools to the den meetings leading up to the race to help scouts who have mechanically-challenged parents (your humble Cubmaster included).

Pinewood Derby Rules:
Pack 603 Pinewood Derby

Cub Scouts were given their pinewood derby kits.

If you haven't received yours, please contact Shawn- she has a few extras. If you have lost wheels or axels or need a new kit- they are available at http://www.pinetreebsa.org/ or at Reny's or Joseph's.

This is a great time for the boys and a family member to work together on the car.
All cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race:

1-Width shall not exceed 2-1/4 inches.

2-Length shall not exceed 7 inches.

3-Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.

4- Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit.

5- Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.

6- No lubricating oil may be used. Axles may be lubricated with powdered graphite or NO SILICONE.
7- The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.

8- The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices
9- No loose materials of any kind are allowed in the car.

10- The Pack does not provide weights. The racer must supply those.

11- Once the car has been inspected and officially registered, it cannot be worked on or fine-tuned without the express permission of the head race official and then only to reapply something that came off after check in.

12- Cars cannot be carved in the front. We have a post that rises at the starting point of our track and the entire front of the car must be behind the post at the start of the race.

Klondike Derby- January 31- China Middle School- All Day
Date: January 31, 2009
Location: China Middle School- Rt 202, Lakeview Drive China, Maine
Times:
7:30 AM- Registration at China Middle School
8:45 AM- Opening Ceremony
9:00 AM- Great Sledge Race (Webelos only)
9:30-11 AM- Activity Stations
11-noon- Lunch
After Lunch til 3- Finish Stations
3:00 PM- Cub Scout Closing Ceremony
Directions: From Augusta take Route 3 to South China (12 miles). Take a left on Route 202 to China (3.8 miles)- shool will be on right.
Information: Kennebec Valley District and host Troop 479 have plaqnned the annual derby. The Klondike Derby is a fun-filled winter activity patterned after the Gold Rush Days in the Yukon. The boys race on sledges that they build. The boys also serve as the team of huskies pulling the sledge around the course. They will visit a number of stations, each having a simulated Alaskan town name. At each town, they will be confronted with a problem requiring a Scout skill to solve. Depending on how well they work out the problem, they will receive a number of Gold Nuggets.
All Cubs Can Take Part: The Webelos Den will be working on their sledge at their next den meeting. They will be eligible to race in the sledge race but all Cubs can take part in all of the activities at the Alaskan towns.
Cost: $10 per person with lunch included. Please make checks payable to Pine Tree Council (none of this money stays with Pack 603) and bring to the den meeting ear on January 13th. We have to turn in all money by January 14th or else there is a $2 late registration fee so we are going to collect at the Den meeting. The pack will pay for three leaders to attend for free. These leaders will supervise the boys. Registration will cover lunch, patch, cocoa, snacks, coffee, ribbons and trophies (if the boys earn them), and activities. Cost for adults is $7. Parents who are attending but not taking part do not have to pay. If you want to order a patch as a keepsake they cost $3 but every Cub and leader registered for the event will receive one.

What to Bring:
Dress Warm- No Sneakers!
Dress in layers
Snowgear- snow suits, gloves, wool hats, mittens, scarves (Every year some kid ends up risking frostbite for not coming to this event properly dressed!)
Boots should be waterproof
Avoid working up a sweat.
Clothing that is not good for the snow: Cotton, jeans, sneakers, baseball hats, gloves are good but not as good as wool mittens with waterproofing on them.

Blue and Gold Banquet- February 24- American Legion- 6 PM
The Blue and Gold Banquet is our annual Pot Luck Dinner & celebration of the founding of Scouting. The boys will be receiving awards earned since November. Leaders should get me the list of awards two weeks before so I have a chance to purchase them.

Dens should be prepared with a song, skit and cheer and make decorations for their tables.

The entire Family is welcome! This is a great event for the entire family. Please bring enough food for your family plus some others. The pack will provide salad, beverages, paper products, placemates and rolls.

Desserts will be cakes! Every Cub should enter the Cake Bake! Everything on the cake has to be edible. He can make it with a parent partner. The theme of the cake is Cub Scouting or Presidents (since it is two days after George Washington's birthday). Cakes will be judged by an impartial judge and ribbons will be given to the top cake in each of the following categories:
-Most Likely Made by a Cub Scouts
-Most Yummy Looking
-Best in Theme (Scouting)
-Best in Theme (Presidents)

Cubs can then donate their cakes, if they choose for the Cake auction! Only adults will be able to bid on the auction but it is more fun than fundraiser.

Cakes that aren't auctioned off will be part of the dessert for the evening!

2009 Klondike Derby

2009-01-01T07:28:00.000-08:00

Date: January 31, 2009

Location: China Middle School- Rt 202, Lakeview Drive China, Maine

Times:

7:30 AM- Registration at China Middle School

8:45 AM- Opening Ceremony

9:00 AM- Great Sledge Race (Webelos only)

9:30-11 AM- Activity Stations

11-noon- Lunch

After Lunch til 3- Finish Stations

3:00 PM- Cub Scout Closing Ceremony

Directions: From Augusta take Route 3 to South China (12 miles). Take a left on Route 202 to China (3.8 miles)- shool will be on right.

Information: Kennebec Valley District and host Troop 479 have plaqnned the annual derby. The Klondike Derby is a fun-filled winter activity patterned after the Gold Rush Days in the Yukon. The boys race on sledges that they build. The boys also serve as the team of huskies pulling the sledge around the course. They will visit a number of stations, each having a simulated Alaskan town name. At each town, they will be confronted with a problem requiring a Scout skill to solve. Depending on how well they work out the problem, they will receive a number of Gold Nuggets.

All Cubs Can Take Part: The Webelos Den will be working on their sledge at their next den meeting. They will be eligible to race in the sledge race but all Cubs can take part in all of the activities at the Alaskan towns.

Cost: $10 per person with lunch included. Please make checks payable to Pine Tree Council (none of this money stays with Pack 603) and bring to the first den meeting of the year on January 5th. We have to turn in all money by January 14th or else there is a $2 late registration fee so we are going to try to collect at the 1st Den meeting. The pack will pay for three leaders to attend for free. These leaders will supervise the boys. Registration will cover lunch, patch, cocoa, snacks, coffee, ribbons and trophies (if the boys earn them), and activities. Cost for adults is $7. Parents who are attending but not taking part do not have to pay. If you want to order a patch as a keepsake they cost $3 but every Cub and leader registered for the event will receive one.

What to Bring:

Dress Warm- No Sneakers!

Dress in layers

Snowgear- snow suits, gloves, wool hats, mittens, scarves (Every year some kid ends up risking frostbite for not coming to this event properly dressed!)

Boots should be waterproof

Avoid working up a sweat.

Clothing that is not good for the snow: Cotton, jeans, sneakers, baseball hats, gloves are good but not as good as wool mittens with waterproofing on them.

Christmas Party

2008-12-17T08:25:00.001-08:00

Thanks to everyone who ran a station or brought in some treats! I think the meeting went fabulously. Enjoy your Holidays!- Chuck

Mid-December Newsletter

2008-12-16T07:16:00.000-08:00

Pack 603 Pinewood Derby
Cub Scouts are given their pinewood derby kits. If you haven't received yours, please contact Shawn- she has a few extras. If you have lost wheels or axels or need a new kit- they are available at http://www.pinetreebsa.org/ or at Reny's or Joseph's. The date of this year's race has not been finalized but we expect it will happen during the third of fourth week of January. We'll let den leaders know as soon as we have a date and location secured. This is a great time for the boys and a family member to work together on the car.

All cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race:
1-Width shall not exceed 2-1/4 inches.
2-Length shall not exceed 7 inches.
3-Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.
4- Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit.
5- Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
6- No lubricating oil may be used. Axles may be lubricated with powdered graphite or NO SILICONE.

7- The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.
8- The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices
9- No loose materials of any kind are allowed in the car.
10- The Pack does not provide weights. The racer must supply those.
11- Once the car has been inspected and officially registered, it cannot be worked on or fine-tuned without the express permission of the head race official and then only to reapply something that came off after check in.
12- Cars cannot be carved in the front. We have a post that rises at the starting point of our track and the entire front of the car must be behind the post at the start of the race.

Letter to the Editor: Food drive teaches Cubs about helping others

Cub Scout Pack 603 was recently sent a thank-you note from the Augusta Food Bank. The Cubs collected some food as part of our annual "Scouting for Food" drive last month.
Three families received enough food to feed them for a day due to the efforts of the Cubs, but really it should be us thanking the Food Bank and their staff rather than the other way around.
Part of the mission of scouting is to teach the boys that they have a responsibility to help other people at all times. We want them to grow up realizing that they are a part of a community and even boys as young as 7 can make a difference.
This food drive gave us the opportunity to teach that lesson to our Cub Scouts.
Chuck Mahaleris
Augusta

(Source: Kennebec Journal, December 16, 2008)

Thanks to everyone who took part in this good deed!

SCOUTING SKI DAYS Please contact Matt Mower (mmower@bsamail.org) for more info on these tickets. The first price is the Jr ticket and the second price is the adult ticket price: Shawnee Peak, Jan. 19 ($24/$29)Sugarloaf USA, Feb. 1 ($29/$39)Sunday River, Feb 8 ($29/$38)Shawnee Peak (yes, two dates!), March 1 ($24/$29)Mt Abram, March 8 ($22/$27)

UPCOMING LEADER TRAINING OPPORTUNITY K-Valley District: February 21, 2009, Belgrade Central School: New Leaders Essential and Cub Leader Specific

Neat Things to Do With Your Son or Den

Every Saturday 10 AM to 1 PM there is a different arts and crafts project at Michaels in Augusta. Cost $5 per child. 623-3832 for details. Lowe's Augusta & Home Depot Augusta- 1st Saturday of every month. Check with the stores for details.

Klondike Derby January 31, 2009 at China Elementary School! Keep the Date Free. More Details as soon as we receive them.

Popcorn- Individual Sales Over the Internet

From Thanksgiving through Christmas, your Cub can sell popcorn to family and friends online. Boys were given their usernames and passwords at one of the recent den meetings.

If you do not have yours, shoot me a note and I will send it to you. (I kept a copy of all of them).

The pack does not earn anything from this sale. It is strictly to help your Cub! He will earn Scout bucks that can be applied towards summer camp, uniform, scouting merchandise, etc. I think this is a great way for the boys to earn their way to summer camp!

Here is a sample text for an email your Cub can send to family and friends to tell them about the program. Feel free to change it around.:

Hi,My Pack, Cub Pack 603, and I are working towards going to summer camp and go on other special Scouting trips.I hope you will support me in my efforts to earn some money to help pay my way by buying some Trails End popcorn! By doing this I will get part of the profits credited to my program fees.This is a perfect time of the year for popcorn! It makes great Christmas gifts and has a good selection of flavors and taste great!Go to http://www.orderpopcorn.com/ and use my order key, which is #____________!

The order will be shipped directly to you!

Thanks, I really appreciate you helping me out and I know I will enjoy my time in Scouts! We do some really cool things!

Happy Holidays!

(Your Name)

Looking for a Good Deed for Your Den? Check Out These Websites!

http://www.goodturnforamerica.org/

http://www.americaspromise.org/APA.aspx

Looking for the Pack 603 News and Notes?

Visit Our Pack website: http://pack603augusta.blogspot.com/

You will find our newsletter and links to all kinds of things for Den Leaders, Parents and Cubs

Early December Notes

2008-12-05T06:51:00.000-08:00

Cub Scout Sign up- We will be welcoming in New Cubs on Tuesday and at our Pack meeting. Fliers were distributed at Farrington and Hussey. If you know boys in grades 1-5 (We really need some 1st, 3rd and 5th graders) please encourage their parents to call Chuck at 400-9850 or email at cmahaleris@hotmail.com

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA-Wreaths Across America remembering and honoring U.S. veterans and reminding us all of the sacrifice that many have made for freedom Residents in Maine are cordially invited to participate in activities associated with Wreaths Across America, a program of remembering and honoring American veterans and one that also teaches citizens about the value of freedom. (Please see the Web site for details about the program http://www.wreaths-across-america.org/.) Don Duplessis of Augusta wishes to share information about Wreaths Across American with Maine residents. Mr. Duplessis is the Special Events coordinator for the Maine Patriot Guard Riders, a group that escorts the Wreaths Across American convoy from Maine to Washington, D.C. This year, the program takes place over the time period December 7, when the wreaths journey across the state, to December 13, when the wreaths are placed on the headstones in Arlington National Cemetery. Also, on December 13, similar programs take place at many other veterans’ cemeteries in participating communities and a number of Mainecommunities are participating in this. I've put in bold the information about local events that your den could attend. In Maine, there are two important dates to remember for an opportunity to participate: December 7, when the wreaths will travel across the state and ceremonies will take place at various sites; and December 13, when the wreaths will be placed in Arlington National Cemetery AND when a parallel program will be taking place in some Maine communities (see the Web site noted above and click on “locations” for a full list). On December 7, participate by observing the convoy of trucks carrying wreaths as they make their way from Harrington, Maine, to the various ceremonies. Or, participate in one of the ceremonies by being there to greet the convoy (bring your American flag) and / or attend the ceremony. On December 13, participate in one of the laying of the wreath ceremonies (see the Website noted above for details). The program began about fifteen years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company (of Harrington, Maine) donated wreaths for Arlington National Cemetery. Their generosity has continued over the years. The program has grown to include the procession of the wreaths traveling through Maine on their way to Washington, D.C., ceremonies at various sites during the journey (which happens December 7 & 8), then the placement of the wreaths on the headstones in Arlington National Cemetery and other places on December 13.The itinerary for Maine follows:
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA ESCORT TO ARLINGTON 2008 ITINERARY
December 7, 2008
7:30 Volunteers gather at Worcester Wreath Co. (Harrington, ME) and decorate wreaths for Arlington9:00 Patriot Guard Escort Staging @ Worcester Wreath Co.
9:45 Send off ceremony10:30 Wreaths loaded and escort departs Harrington for Bangor.ROUTE: Harrington to Bangor 68 miles Route 1 to Ellsworth then Route 1A to Bangor.
12:00 Wreath escort arrives in Bangor at the Bangor Auditorium for Ceremony.1:30 Wreath escort leaves Bangor and heads south to Augusta ROUTE: Bangor to Augusta 85 miles. Route 1A south to Route 1 inBucksport to Route 3 in Belfast. Follow Route 3 to Route 202 in Augusta
4:00 Wreath escort arrives in Augusta Augusta Armory
4:45 Wreath escort leaves Augusta for Lewiston.R OUTE:Augusta to Lewiston 35 miles. Route 202 to Lewiston5:30 Wreath escort arrives in Lewiston for wreath ceremony at Veterans Park on bridge between Lewiston @ Auburn
6:15 Wreath escort leaves Lewiston for Portland. ROUTE:Lewiston to Portland 44 miles. Route 202 to Gray. Route 26 south to Portland. Route 26 to Route 295 Forest Ave Exit 6A. Right onto Forest Ave then Right onto State St. Turn left onto Park Ave at light and park along the side of the Expo.
7:15 Wreath escort arrives at the Portland Expo
9:00 Wreath escort leaves the Expo and heads to South Portland to the Best Western Hotel for the night.
December 8, 2008
7:00 am Wreath escort staging at the Best Western Hotel in South Portland (Route 1) and wreath escort departs Best Western Hotel (Route 1)
8:15 Escort arrives at Scarborough Veterans Home
9:30 Escort arrives in Old Orchard Beach for short Ceremony
10:30 Escort arrives in Wells at Wells Jr. High for short ceremony
11:45 Escort arrives at Kittery Trading Post for short ceremony, departs at12:30
For December 9, 10, 11, and 12, the convoy continues on into New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and on into D.C. for the December 13 ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.December 13, 20085:30 am Staging @ Branchville Fire Station 4905 Banchville Rd., N. College Park, MD 6:30 am ESCORT LEAVES FOR ARLINGTON NC FORPLACEMENT OF THE WREATHS ON OUR HEROES GRAVES12 noon - Wreath placing ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery

December 13 - Schedule for Augusta, Maine, wreath ceremonies (for the schedule for other communities, see the Web site noted above)9 AM Laying of wreaths at Togus
Noon Laying of wreaths Veterans Cemetery in Augusta (off Rt. 27)Around 1 PM laying of wreaths at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road in AugustaFor details please call 512-3181 and speak with Don Duplessis.----------------

Scouting for Food Still Collecting at Dec Den Meetings! At our Den and Pack Meetings in December, keep bringing in canned food items, boxed items, cleaning supplies, baby food, and other non-perishible food items and we will keep bringing those items to the food bank. A recent report showed that more and more families are turning to the food banks in Maine for assistance and donations are going down. Our boys are making a significant difference for local families in need. Thanks for giving them the opportunity to show they can make a positive difference in town!
Bring Food Items to the Dec Den & Pack Meetings

Christmas Pack Meeting -Dec 16- American Legion- 6 PM
At our Christmas Pack meeting, we will have the following:
Games- We are asking each den to run one Christmas-themed game station
Songs & Skits- Each den should come with their boys ready to entertain with either a holiday song or skit
Displays- Tables will be set up for each den to display things that the boys have been working on all Fall in their den meetings or at home.
Snacks- Bring in some treats to share!
Gifts- Our pack will again be giving our boys gifts this year to keep them "rolling" into 2009 (hint)
Fun- Bring the family!
Awards- Any awards that the boys earned but have not received will be presented.
Welcome- We need boys for our Tiger and Bear Dens. If you know boys in grades 1 and 3- a great gift is the gift of Scouting!

Cub Leader Roundtable Dec. 10 at Blessed Hope Advent Church, 10 Pleasant St. in Waterville at 7pm. Please note that there will be no roundtable in Strong in December.In addition to the monthly OA chapter meeting, Cub Leader and Boy Scout Leader sessions, Cub Scout Leader Specific Training will be presented.Cub Scout Topic: "A-MAXE-ing" Games and discussion on What do you do with THAT parent? Leaders This is a Great Training Opportunity!

Neat Things to Do With Your Son or Den
Every Saturday 10 AM to 1 PM there is a different arts and crafts project at Michaels in Augusta. Cost $5 per child. 623-3832 for details.
Lowe's Augusta- Dec 13 building Gingerbread House. No Cost. 10 AM.
Home Depot Augusta- 1st Saturday of every month. Dec is "art easle" on Dec 6 from 9 to noon. No cost.

Klondike Derby January 31, 2009 at China Elementary School! Keep the Date Free. More Details at the December Pack Meeting

Popcorn- Delivered! More than $600 Raised for Pack 603
Thanks to everyone who went around to friends and neighbors to help sell Popcorn. Even though we are a smaller group this year, we still managed to raise more than $600 for Pack 603 activities! Prizes will be awarded to the Cubs who took part at our December Pack meeting. Thanks to everyone who helped and sold and to our Treasurer Liz for keeping track of the books. It was very smooth this year with only one item that needs to be changed.

Popcorn- Individual Sales Over the Internet
From Thanksgiving through Christmas, your Cub can sell popcorn to family and friends online. Boys were given their usernames and passwords at one of the recent den meetings. (I have the ones for the Bears as they werent at that meeting). If you do not have yours, shoot me a note and I will send it to you. (I kept a copy of all of them).

The pack does not earn anything from this sale. It is strictly to help your Cub! He will earn Scout bucks that can be applied towards summer camp, uniform, scouting merchandise, etc. I think this is a great way for the boys to earn their way to summer camp!

Here is a sample text for an email your Cub can send to family and friends to tell them about the program. Feel free to change it around.:

Hi,

My Pack, Cub Pack 603, and I are working towards going to summer camp and go on other special Scouting trips.

I hope you will support me in my efforts to earn some money to help pay my way by buying some Trails End popcorn! By doing this I will get part of the profits credited to my program fees.

This is a perfect time of the year for popcorn! It makes great Christmas gifts and has a good selection of flavors and taste great!

Go to www.Orderpopcorn.com and use my order key, which is #____________! The order will be shipped directly to you!

Thanks, I really appreciate you helping me out and I know I will enjoy my time in Scouts! We do some really cool things!

Happy Holidays!
(Your Name)

Remember: No School (due to weather or other factors) then There Will be No Scouts

December Pack Newsletter

2008-11-24T13:35:00.000-08:00

Giving Thanks
General George Washington issued general orders including the following during the Revolutionary War: "Tomorrow being the day set apart by the Honorable Congress for public thanksgiving and Praise; and duty calling us devoutly to express our gratefulacknowledgements to God for the manifold blessings he has granted us, the General directs that the army remain in its present quarters, and that the Chaplains perform divine service with their several Corps and Brigades. And earnestly exhorts, all officers and soldiers, whose absence is not indispensably necessary, to attend with reverence the solemnities of the day."

On behalf of all of our Cubs, thanks to our parents and leaders for all that they do to support the boys in our Pack. May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family and joy.

Scouting for Food- Still Collecting at Dec Den Meetings!
Last Wed, Cubmaster Chuck brought a car load of food that our Cubs had collected to St. Mark's Episcopal Church Food Bank. They were excited and very grateful for the help from our Cubs. At our Den Meetings in December, keep bringing in canned food items, boxed items, cleaning supplies, baby food, and other non-perishible food items and we will keep bringing those items to the food bank. A recent report showed that more and more families are turning to the food banks in Maine for assistance and donations are going down. Our boys are making a significant difference for local families in need. Thanks for giving them the opportunity to show they can make a positive difference in town!
Bring Food Items to the Dec Den Meetings

Christmas Pack Meeting -Dec 16- American Legion- 6 PM
At our Christmas Pack meeting, we will have the following:
Games- We are asking each den to run one Christmas-themed game station
Songs & Skits- Each den should come with their boys ready to entertain with either a holiday song or skit
Displays- Tables will be set up for each den to display things that the boys have been working on all Fall in their den meetings or at home.
Snacks- Bring in some treats to share!
Gifts- Our pack will again be giving our boys gifts this year to keep them "rolling" into 2009 (hint)
Fun- Bring the family!
Awards- Any awards that the boys earned but have not received will be presented.
Welcome- We need boys for our Tiger and Bear Dens. If you know boys in grades 1 and 3- a great gift is the gift of Scouting!

Cub Leader Roundtable December 10

Dec. 10 at Blessed Hope Advent Church, 10 Pleasant St. in Waterville at 7pm. Please note that there will be no roundtable in Strong in December.In addition to the monthly OA chapter meeting, Cub Leader and Boy Scout Leader sessions, Cub Scout Leader Specific Training will be presented.Cub Scout Topic: "A-MAXE-ing" Games and discussion on What do you do with THAT parent? Leaders This is a Great Training Opportunity!

Neat Things to Do With Your Son or Den
-Every Saturday 10 AM to 1 PM there is a different arts and crafts project at Michaels in Augusta. Cost $5 per child. 623-3832 for details.
-Lowe's Augusta- Dec 13 building Gingerbread House. No Cost. 10 AM.
-Home Depot Augusta- 1st Saturday of every month. Dec is "art easle" on Dec 6 from 9 to noon. No cost.

Klondike Derby- January 31, 2009 - China Elementary School!
Keep the Date Free. More Details at the December Pack Meeting

Boys' Life Reading Contest
Write a one-page report titled "The Best Book I Read This Year" and enter it in the Boys' Life 2008 "Say Yes to Reading!" contest. The book can be fiction or nonfiction. But the report has to be in your own words - 500 words tops. Enter in one of these three age categories:
8 years old and younger
9 and 10 years old
11 years old and older First-place winners in each age category will receive a $100 gift certificate good for any product in the Boy Scouts official retail catalog. Second-place winners will receive a $75 gift certificate, and third-place winners a $50 certificate.Everyone who enters will get a free patch. The contest is open to all Boys' Life readers. Be sure to include your name, address, age and grade in school on the entry.Send your report, along with a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope, to:Boys' Life Reading ContestS306P.O. Box 152079Irving, TX 75015-2079Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2008 and must include entry information and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Dear Parents and Leaders- The holiday season is coming on fast. The Scouting for Food Drive was a great way to teach our boys that they have a duty to help other people at all times. I am encouraging our Dens to do an additional service project this Winter to help reinforce this message in our boys. Some ideas are caroling at a nursing home or veterans' home; making cards to send to our servicemembers overseas; or ask them what they would like to do. The boys are usually creative. Thanks for keeping the goodness of Scouting alive in our Cubs.

Sincerely,
Chuck Mahalers, CubmasterCub Scout Pack 603

Scouting for Food

2008-10-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

Pine Tree Council Boy Scouts of America

Scouting for Food

A food collection campaign to help Augusta's hungry

Cub Scout Pack 603, charted by the American Legion, will take part in the annual Scouting for Food drive and will collect hundreds of pounds of food to support needy families in our area.

On the weekends of Nov 1 & 8, 2008 and the week in between, our Cub Scouts distributed bags like this one to homes in their neighborhood by hanging them on front step doorknobs or tucked under doormats (do not place in mailboxes as it is against the postal law).

Bag Collection Day - Saturday, November 15, 2008

Beginning no earlier than 9:15 a.m., our Cubs will return to the same streets and homes that they distributed bags to in their area. They will pick up these bags left on doorsteps and porches. Cubs will be working in pairs or with their parents. Please try to have your bag of food out on your front porch by 9 AM, Saturday, November 15.

All Food Collected Will be Used for Our Community’s Neediest Families

What to Donate:
Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Canned Soups, Canned Meats, Chips, Cleaning Supplies, Baby Food, Tuna Fish, Paper Towels, Beef/Chicken Stew, Canned Fruits, Rice, Mac& Cheese, Laundry Detergent, Powdered Foods, cleaning supplies

Please! No Glass, Opened Containers, or Perishable Foods. Please check Expiration Dates. No dented cans.

Thanks for Helping Our Neediest Citizens & Teaching Our Scouts that They Can Make a Difference