Late March News Notes for Parents and Leaders

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.