January 2009 Cub Notes

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!