Cub Scouts to lead Pledge of Allegiance

Location: City of Mission Viejo, City Hall (200 Civic Center Dr, Mission Viejo, CA)

Date: Monday, December 3, 2007

Time: 5:45 – 7:00PM

The City of Mission Viejo just published the Council Agenda and we are confirmed to lead the Pledge of Allegiance during the Public Session of the meeting. (Agenda)

Please arrive at the City Hall no later than 5:45P to help ensure we have enough time to rehearse and check-in. Please encourage your Scout to wear his full uniform during this event. We look forward to seeing all the Scouts in attendance.

Special thanks to Mayor Reavis, City Councilmembers and the City Clerk’s Office for coordinating this Character Building Activity (Citizenship) for our Scouts.

Following this event we will be touring the Mission Viejo Library and Akelas (parents) are encouraged to complete a Library Card Application for their Scouts prior to arrival. (PDF Application). If you do not have a printer or want to use the online application, click here and click ‘Get Library Card”. The Library also has a list of recommended reading on Character that parents might want to check out while visiting the Library.

Itinerary for the Event

5:45 – 5:55 Opening Ceremony & Rehearsal

5:55 – 6:00 Check-in with City Clerk

6:00 – 6:15 Pledge and Invocation*

6:15 – 6:45 Tour of Library and Family Reading

6:45 – 7:00 Snack Time and Closing Ceremony

*Invocation is lead by City Council. Scouts will remain standing during the Invocation and promptly & quietly walk out of Council Chambers following the conclusion of the invocation.

If you have any questions, please call me. (Note: Our home phone is working again as of yesterday and sorry to all those who attempted to contact us over the weekend.)

I want to also thank Craig Johnson, Bill Grennell, Lara Fisher and all the City of Mission Viejo Staff for their assistance, time and resources.

City of Mission Viejo Pledge of Allegiance Confirmation/Request

Ms. Schmitt,

I would like to thank you for helping organize the event (agenda, staff, council and so forth) for the upcoming December 3^rd Council Meeting. After conversations with various parents and the Mayor we would like to confirm the request and our attendance on December 3, 2007.

Mayor Reavis offered to postpone the Pledge and Invocation under after the closed session at 6:00PM in order to help make this event convenient for our Scouts and their families. Based on overall feedback from our parents we would like to accept that offer to have the Cub Scouts perform the Pledge of Allegiance at the later time.

We will instruct our Parents and Scouts to arrive at City Hall / Mission Viejo Library at 5:45 to prepare and check in for the event. Again thank you so much for helping coordinate this event.

Alan

---

From: Kimberly Schmitt [mailto:KSchmitt@cityofmissionviejo.org]
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 8:52 AM
Subject: Pledge of Allegiance for the December 3rd meeting

The Mayor is delighted to have the boys come and lead the pledge. The City Council opens the meeting at 5:00 p.m. with the Pledge. Let me know if that works for you.

Kimberly Schmitt

City of Mission Viejo

(949) 470-3031

FW: Very Special Sc-Outing at the City of Mission Viejo (December 3)

In Mayor Reavis’ extraordinary commitment to make this opportunity convenient for both parents and Scouts, she has offered to change the normal order of the meeting for the Council. This means that the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation would be postponed until the normal public session of the meeting, which starts at 6:00P. This gives us two (2) options for our Den Meeting on December 3. Please reply back which time would best fit your schedule or if both times are suitable.

Option 1: 4:45 – 6:00P

Option 2: 5:45 – 7:00P

Please reply back before Monday on which option is best for your family so we can give the City Clerk and Mayor time to arrange the Agenda accordingly. Thanks.

---

From: Gail Reavis
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 3:19 PM
Subject: RE: Very Special Sc-Outing at the City of Mission Viejo (December 3)

We are excited to host you. You have the option to do the salute at the 5pm opening (when there is no audience), or 6pm when we open for general session and there is usually a lot of visitors.

Gail

---

Sent: Wed 11/21/2007 10:02 AM
To: 'Don Clem'; 'Dragica Hansen'; 'Howard Thomas'; 'Ian Prosser'; 'Janice Simpson'; 'John Nodar'; 'Michael Fatigate'; 'Reannah Sartoris'
Subject: Very Special Sc-Outing at the City of Mission Viejo (December 3)

In an effort to avoid two (2) activities (Home Depot Tour & Library) in the same week I want to move our first Den Meeting for next month back to the “scheduled” first Monday of the month (December 3, 2007) at the Mission Viejo Library. This is also the same date of the City of Mission Viejo Council Meeting and we have been invited as a group to do the Pledge of Allegiance for the meeting. This activity will help in completing achievements for the Cub Scouts.

Mayor Gail Reavis of Mission Viejo has made very special arrangements to accommodate our Cub Scouts in her ongoing commitment to the youth of our community. However, in order to help facilitate the activity we would need to move our meeting from the normal 6:30 – 7:45P to 4:45 – 6:00P on December 3, 2007.

At 4:45P, we would gather outside City Hall and practice for our entry and exit for the event and at 4:55P we would check in with the City Clerk who will direct us where to assemble. Once the meeting is called to order the City Clerk takes roll and following the roll call the Mayor or a Councilmember will briefly introduce our Cub Scouts and when the Mayor says “... will now lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance” is when our Scouts will say “Please Stand” and proceed with the Pledge of Allegiance. Once complete the Scouts, Councilmembers and attendees will remain standing for an invocation.

Once the invocation is complete the Scouts would quietly exit the room and the Council would then proceed with their meeting. We would then go over rules for the library and make our way to the Library.

This is an exciting opportunity and I will need confirmation from at least half our Den before making the final arrangements with the City Clerk’s Office. If you are available to have your Scout in attendance at an earlier time then normally schedule (4:45P) on December 3, please reply back so I can confirm with the Mayor’s Office and the City Clerk on our attendance no later than Monday, November 26, 2007.

Very Special Sc-Outing at the City of Mission Viejo (December 3)

In an effort to avoid two (2) activities (Home Depot Tour & Library) in the same week I want to move our first Den Meeting for next month back to the “scheduled” first Monday of the month (December 3, 2007) at the Mission Viejo Library. This is also the same date of the City of Mission Viejo Council Meeting and we have been invited as a group to do the Pledge of Allegiance for the meeting. This activity will help in completing achievements for the Cub Scouts.

Mayor Gail Reavis of Mission Viejo has made very special arrangements to accommodate our Cub Scouts in her ongoing commitment to the youth of our community. However, in order to help facilitate the activity we would need to move our meeting from the normal 6:30 – 7:45P to 4:45 – 6:00P on December 3, 2007.

At 4:45P, we would gather outside City Hall and practice for our entry and exit for the event and at 4:55P we would check in with the City Clerk who will direct us where to assemble. Once the meeting is called to order the City Clerk takes roll and following the roll call the Mayor or a Councilmember will briefly introduce our Cub Scouts and when the Mayor says “... will now lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance” is when our Scouts will say “Please Stand” and proceed with the Pledge of Allegiance. Once complete the Scouts, Councilmembers and attendees will remain standing for an invocation.

Once the invocation is complete the Scouts would quietly exit the room and the Council would then proceed with their meeting. We would then go over rules for the library and make our way to the Library.

This is an exciting opportunity and I will need confirmation from at least half our Den before making the final arrangements with the City Clerk’s Office. If you are available to have your Scout in attendance at an earlier time then normally schedule (4:45P) on December 3, please reply back so I can confirm with the Mayor’s Office and the City Clerk on our attendance no later than Monday, November 26, 2007.

United States Flag for the Den

I just got off the phone with Congressmen Gary Miller’s Office and we have arranged for a United States Flag for our Den to be flown over the US Capital in Washington DC.

This flag will be flown in recognition of Pack 766, Den 6’s promise to do their best to their duty to God, County to help other people and obey the law of the Pack.

This flag will be flow sometime over the next month and will be forwarded to us with a Certificate to present to the Scouts.

Please remember to keep Mr. Miller’s family in prayer doing this time. Thanks,

November Outing Recap - Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary

Wolf Scouts & Akelas,

Special Thanks to our Akela Clem (Host) and Master Brian (Denner for November) for a wonderful event at Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary on November 18.

 

Scouts attending:

Brian

Nathan

Rigel

Sean

Stojan

William

 

If you were not able to attend the meeting, please call or email me with any accomplishments that were completed since our last meeting.  At the meeting various forms were handed out to help us update records and organize our mutual records.

 

During the start of our meeting we learned the huddled that will be used to remind ourselves to “Do my best” at being quiet and respectful and as we walked through the Sanctuary.  I encourage everyone to practice the Huddle as it will serve as a reminder on our future Sc-Outings, Pack and Den Meetings.  Thank you Akelas for playing along with us and in the future I will ask the Akelas to say “Quiet you Wolves” and forgot to change the wording on the agenda.

 

This meeting was officially my first meeting as our Den Leader and I want to thank everyone for your support.  We also appointed our first Denner, Master Clem.  This role will change based on the Host Family each month.  Once we have located a Den Chief from a local Troop the Denner will be more under the direction of the Chief.

 

At our Den Meeting we used the US Flag Shoulder Patch of Master Brian as our Official Flag for our meeting.  It was not a bad idea; however I wanted to present the idea to the Akelas of our Den to see if we should pitch in and purchase a US Flag and Den Flag.  The cost of the Den Flag (12.91) and the US Flag (17.24), is $30.15.

 

We might be able to use some of the profit from our upcoming Den Fundraiser (Mistletoe) or take a $3-4 collection from all the Akelas.  I will let everything think about the idea and after the Den Fundraiser we will have a better idea on what our Den Budget will be for 2008.

 

I also encouraged the Scouts to finish up on Achievement 8 by helping plan and prepare a meal at home.  If you need the notes for October, please send me an email and I can forward them.  We started this month talking about the people that protect our world.  Some of these people include grant writers, scholars and all of us.

 

As we visited the fire areas and drove through the Canyon affected by the recent fire it was important to introduce Achievement 4 and 9 on being prepared and being safe.  The Scouts were challenged to make emergency plans for their home and talk to their families on setting up plans and reviewing what we all can do to help (Wolf Handbook, pages 60-63 and 82-85).

 

As we finished up our quick 10 minute overview of the achievements to work on over the next month we got everyone out of their seats with “The Grand Old Duke of York” and headed across the street to the Sanctuary to begin our Sc-Outing.

 

While looking at all the various Eagle Projects we learned about the life and habitat of the opossum.  This was followed by Bird Watching, Plant Walk and a visit to the Center’s Office where we got hands-on with a snake.  This was a very exciting place and meeting Cracker was worth the time.

 

Following our tour we gathered for a snack and talked about what birds eat and the stuff they use for nesting.  Now we will have a chance in the coming weeks to tour Home Depot and build a birdhouse to finish Elective 13 and work on more advancement.

 

One of the parents asked about the beads for completing tasks and they are still on recall and the new ones are not yet available so I would like to suggest at this point we use leather lace and normal beads.  Any idea is a good idea so feel free to think about what we might use instead of the normal item.  For more information, check out Scout Stuff (http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/info.aspx?page=cskit).

Tucker Photos

Wow!  We had an awesome time at Tucker.  Everything from Cracker the possum, Bird Watching, Native Plant Walk, snakes to looking at all the projects completed by Boy Scouts earning their Eagle Scout Rank.

 

Please reply with any pictures you might have so we can share with the rest of the parents.

Popcorn ARRIVED!

Congratulations to all the Wolves!

 

This morning Kim Stroud went to Santa Ana and picked up the Popcorn for the Pack <- Thank you, Mrs. Stroud.  This afternoon I went pass Mr & Mrs. Stroud’s home and loaded our trunk and the back seat of our car.  Tomorrow I will have everyone’s popcorn with me for distribution to the parents at Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary.  Please make room in your trunk !

 

I am taking this opportunity to extend a very special cheer to our Top Den Seller – Master Stojan!

Very Cool

This is great. I cannot believe we have our own blog. It should be nice way to stay informed.

Thanks,
DON CLEM

Pack Website

Hopefully everyone knows our Den has a Blog (http://pack766den6.blogspot.com) to help ensure all the Akelas have access to the announcement emails and to help remind everyone of special events and provide a quick list of links to available resources. Also any attachment will be available for download along the left side of the Blog. It has been set up so that I just send the same email that is sent to Akelas to a special email address and presto it appears on the Blog.

Over the last couple years our Pack Website has taken on various forms and it is currently being managed through the volunteer efforts of Mr. Peter Puchalski. He has designed a very nice site that he maintains on his family’s server. He also has safeguards in place to help protect our Scouts (such as, password protected photo access and so forth). If you get a chance, check out the site at http://www.puchalskifamily.us/BSA-Pack766/index.asp. The password to access the photos is currently “(contact me for password)“. I have also created a quick signature for my emails that contains the links to all sites that deal directly with our Den.

Have a Great Weekend and look forward to seeing everyone at Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary.

2007 Boys' Life 2007 "Say Yes to Reading!" Award

In an effort to encourage the Scouts to read I want to make everyone aware of a special award that is available. It is the “Say Yes to Reading” offered by Boys’ Life Magazine. I am hoping to get our entire Den on the stage in January to receive this wonderful award. It only takes about an hour for your Scout to earn this award. All he has to do is write about his favorite book he read this year.

Attached is a form I created to help him get his report in to receive this special award from Boys’ Life. Please do not feel that your Scout cannot earn this award as everyone who tries their best and makes a good effort on writing will receive this award.

However, I need the help of all the Akelas in getting these forms back as soon as possible so we can get them submitted together so we can all get our awards at the same time. I will follow up in a couple weeks to see how everyone is progressing on their reports.

If you have any questions, please call me.

P.S. I will have some blank forms with me at Tucker.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the following Scouts for their accomplishments:

 

Bobcat Advancements

First step to your Arrow of Light – Congratulations!

Master Toby

Master Stojan

Master Sean

Master Nathan

Master Drew

Master Luke (Bear)

 

Outdoor Activity Award*

Master William

Master Toby

Master Rigel

 

Leave No Trace Award**

Master William

Master Rigel

 

Academics and Sports Program Recipients

Belt Loops

Master William (Golf, Swimming)

Master Toby (Archery, BB Gun, Fishing, Marbles, Soccer & Chess)

Master Rigel (Bowling)

 

 

 * Outdoor Activity Award is attached to the Left Pocket Flap of the Uniform. Devices can now be earned every year.

** Leave No Trace Award is a “Temporary Insignia” and can be attached to the right pocket.

 

(Please accept my personal apology for mixing up the “labeled” packets.  Please let me know if yours was lost in the mix-up.  I want to say thank you to the Scouts for “doing a good deed” in making my mistake right.)

Home Depot Tour - Rescheduled

Hi Alan and Den members,

 

I have contacted Home Depot for our birdhouse building project (Achievement 5).  We are scheduled to work on the project on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 3:30.  (The earlier date will not work, because the bird house will not be at the store until the later date.)  Also, if you have not yet noticed the website for the information on belt loops has changed it is now usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/a-sindex.asp   This site gives the information about what your cub must do to get a belt loop.  Take a look.  If your child has been in sports, he may already qualify for a belt loop.

 

Also Alan, the Castille calender site is www.castilleschool.com/monthly.htm

Patches and Awards

A Patch is quick recognition of a Cub Scouts accomplishment. The first question from new Akelas (Parents) is, “Where do I put the Patches on the uniform.”.

First there are three (3) primary categories for Cub Scout patches. 1) Advancements, 2) Awards, and 3) Accomplishments

Advancements

An advancement is a permanent insignia or “Badge” on the “Left Pocket” of the Uniform.

Awards

An award is a temporary insignia and is placed on the “Right Pocket” of the Uniform. Only one award can be worn at a time!

Accomplishments

An accomplishment is a “Patch”! These are not worn on the Uniform! These are displayed on a Sash or other method of display.

Note: The Outdoor Activity Award is worn on the Flap of the Right Pocket.

Last night I wanted to show a quick example and wore an award for completing the Scout Leadership Conference and placed the Patch on my left pocket by mistake so I did not earn the Uniform Inspection Patch L! Some Scouts really want to wear other patches that are earned on their uniform, however, in an effort to help the Scout show his accomplishments the Scout Store have products available to help in displaying accomplishments (see below).

Placement detail is provided in the Wolf Handbook. You can also download a Uniform Inspection Sheet online at www.scouting.org.

Vests, Blankets and Sashes - Displaying Scout Accomplishments

As new and existing Scouts start earning merits, awards and patches it is a wonderful idea to display these so other Scouts can be encouraged to ask questions on how Patches are earned and then make efforts to push themselves on completing the same goals. These also serve as a reminder of their hard work.

These Patches can be attached to a jacket, sweater or an official sash. You can also attach them to a blanket or vest available from the Scout Store (address insert) or online at www.scoutstuff.org. The sash also gets them use to how Merits are displayed in Boy Scouts after they earn their Arrow of Light and make that bridge into the Boy Scouts.

Here is lists of the products mentioned above that are available for purchase:

Merit Badge Sash - $4.99 (30”)

Patch Vest - $12.49

Classic Patch Blanket - $20.99

Also, once the Scout earns his first (Sports/Academic) Pin he will be presented with a “Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program Letter” (Patch) for displaying his pins. The Pin is a not the same as a beltloop and requires additional requirements to complete and can be challenging and also rewarding at the same time. If you have any questions on Patches or where a patch is placed, please call me.

The Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program

Speaking of Beltloops and Pins (Devices) our Pack offers the Academic and Sports Program as an extension of the Cub Scouts Program to help the kids achieve physical strength (Sports) and remain mentally awake (Academics). As mention by Janice there is a website available for Akelas to help review the requirements of this program. These accomplishments are on an honor based system and in order to be placed on the agenda for recognition at a pack meeting I need to receive an email by the second Tuesday of the month (or a week prior to the Pack Meeting).

To find out more about the Academics and Sports Program check out usscouts.org. (Thanks Janice)

Search, Discovery, Share

As busy parents we have to rely on one another to get us through this program and part of the Cub Scout Motto is to share. If you have special information to share with the Den about events, outings, please do not be shy. Please email everyone! If you are going on a hike or beach trip and want some company send an email and see how the schedule looks for everyone and who knows you might have a Pack of Wolves showing up to have FUN!

Blog

On a side note I am posting all my announcement emails to a Blog as I am still getting errors when trying to email various Akelas and I am extremely sorry as I have no control over the emails after they leave my computer. The web address for the Blog is: pack766den6.blogspot.com. This blog will be made private in the coming week so look for your invitation to join the Blog by the end of next week.

Upcoming Meetings - Pack Meeting Follow-up

Den 6 Akelas!

Sunday, November 18 (12P – 2PM) Tucker Sanctuary - FREE (Donations Welcomed)

http://www.tuckerwildlife.org/directions.asp

Monthly Den Outing hosted by Master Brian and Akela Clem.

Saturday, November 17 (All Day) Rancho Las Flores Farewell Event (Harvest Carnival) - $7-$20

http://www.ocbsa.org/site/lookup.asp?b=2627921

(Register online – Wednesday! is the deadline but they might have room for non-reservation attendees) Please let us know if you will be camping on Friday Night.

Saturday, November 17 (9:00A – 12:00P) Doheny Cleanup - FREE

http://www.dohenystatebeach.org/2007ThnxOceanClean.htm

*Be sure to tell the staff at the front gate that you are with the Cub Scouts for the Beach Cleanup

NOTE: Cub Scouts participating in this event PLEASE send me an email as this Project meets the requirements for a World Conservation Project. (Please use good judgment on how long to engage your Scout in the activity)

December Meetings & Outings

Tentative dates and times:

Thursday, December 6, 3:30PM – Home Depot in Mission Viejo

Monday, December 10, 6:30PM – Mission Viejo Library

Tuesday, December 18, 6:30PM – Castile Elementary (Pack Meeting)

*More detail will follow as these dates approach.

Congratulations to all the new Bobcats! Please accept my apology for mixing up the names on the bags.

Also, GREAT Work on helping make our Pack 766 exceed our Popcorn Sales Goal.

See everyone on Sunday!

- Alan

---

From: mike fatigate [mailto:mandv@cox.net]
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 8:32 PM
Subject:

Attention: Allen

Could you please send me the info for this Sunday’s event.

Thank you,

Mike Fatigate

Den Records Update - Ice Cream TONIGHT!

NOTE: If your Scout has any beltloops, pins, Bobcat or Merits (Leave No Trace, Outdoor Activity and so forth) that have NOT been presented or communicated to me directly - please let me know this morning, if possible. In the future all reports will be submitted to the Pack following our Den Meetings. Please accept my personally apology if this information was already communicated prior to my appointment as Den Leader.

Den 6 Akelas!

Tonight during the Pack Meeting I will have the attached forms with me in folders for each Cub Scout. These records will accompany the Den on our Meetings and Outings and serve as the Official Den Record.

Achievement Report - This summary report will track the Cubs progress towards Wolf and Arrow Points. (Also very nice one page summary)

Belt Loops & Pin Report - Our Pack & Den use the Sports Pin Program in order to offer an extended reward system and encourage our Cubs to fulfill the Mental & Fitness Goal of the BSA

A new summary of these reports will be emailed before each future Den Meeting so we can correctly update our mutual records. Do not worry about updating these before tonight as I will have these filled out for each Scout according to what is already in the system and we will pick up revised and updated forms at Tucker this weekend.

Please encourage your Scout to wear a belt with his earned Belt Loops! I am wearing my Baloo Pin :)

One time forms:

The second attachment contains one-time forms that need to be on file. Please complete the medical record as much as possible. For compliance with government regulations the Medical Record, once complete, will be placed in a seal Medical Record Envelope and will only be made available in the event a medical treatment is required or to those people with Court Orders. If your religious beliefs prohibit certain medical procedures we MUST have those in writing BEFORE an emergency arises, otherwise Informed Consent for Medical Treatment (until Parental Notification/Arrival) is fully granted to the BSA Organization, Employees and Volunteers thus ultimately physicians and/or other trained personnel will treat in the best medical interest of the injured person. We hope a medical emergency never arises during the program; however, we must make sure we are “prepared”. (Please list at least one family member NOT living with the child as an emergency contact on the Medical Form.)

If you do not have a printer or access to a printer I will also have these forms tonight at the Pack Meeting

Remember ICE CREAM Party – TONIGHT! (It’s a Secret)

Castile Elementary School

6:30 PM

Today!

Other Notes:

Rancho Las Flores – Farewell Event Registration and Fees due today to register with the Den/Pack – Last Day to Register on your own is Wednesday. $7-$20

2008 Program Renewal – If you have not paid for 2008, please make efforts to bring full payment tonight if you are renewing. If you are not renewing for 2008 you are still entitled to continue with the program through the end of the year. $75.00 Note: If you have financial issues that will prevent full payment tonight, please just communicate that with us so we can make payment arraignments and make sure your Scout is included with your communications to Council later this week.

I know I am forgetting something!

Pack Meeting Surprise <- Must Read

Shhhh...   Ice Cream will be served at the Pack Meeting!

 

 

Pack Meeting – November 13, 2007, 6:30PM

On behalf of the Pack Committee I am being asked to keep a secret!  I have not done Elective 1 (“It’s a Secret”) in the Wolf Handbook so I might get myself in trouble!

(Destroy this message after you finish reading it and checking to make sure there is gas in the car and your schedule is open for tomorrow.)

 

Ok, seriously IT IS A SECRET!  Please do not tell the Scouts, but we need to tell you in order to make sure you and your Scout(s) do not miss the ICE CREAM Party – TOMORROW!

 

Location:

Castile Elementary School

24042 Via La Coruna

Mission Viejo, CA

Map & Directions

 

 

 

Note:  If you or your Scout is lactose intolerant or has other health restrictions that would prevent him from eating Ice Cream, please be sure to bring an alternate desert reward so they can be a part of the celebrations.

 

BALOO Training & Online Youth Protection Training for Parents!

I wanted to make sure everyone is aware that I took the BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) Training that is required on Local Tour Permits (outside of Mission Viejo and within 500 miles) and if Scott is unavailable and you are doing an overnight outing with the Cubs you can send a request to see if I am available.  This will relieve Scott’s time and provide a back-up in the event your permit requires a BALOO to be onsite.  It was an amazing program I would encourage everyone to attend the course.

 

Also encourage your Akela’s (Parents) to register online at BSA My Scouting (http://www.scouting.org/nav/enter.jsp?s=ms) and check out the Online Learning Center – Youth Protection Training (http://olc.scouting.org/info/ypt.html).  It is a FREE Course and you do not need to have a Membership ID and it is an optional field when you register.

Blue & Gold - Achievement Schedule

Dear Den 6 Akelas,

Blue & Gold is just around the corner. This is the Annual Event where the Cubs are presented their rank. For our Scouts they will be receiving their Wolf Patch and will be officially recognized as a Wolf Scout.*

This requires us to complete a lot of fun tasks!

According to some conversations with the Akelas the Cubs have completed the basics for Achievement 1 and the start of 2 at the first Den Meeting in September. In October we completed Achievement 2 and covered the requirements for Achievement 8 while introducing Your Living World (Achievement 7). We will complete Achievement 7 with a small talk about ecology and three things that are outside influences on our Hike at Tucker. (Please tell me or Don know if you will not be attending the hike at the Pack Meeting, call or by reply email) Also if you are heading down to Camp Pendleton this weekend make the check for the total amount EXCEPT for the dinner as we will pay at the event for Dinner on Saturday.

If you are not able to make the Pack Meeting and still want to come down to Camp Pendleton – it is there last event as the facility is closing, please send me a quick email or call me.

I spent some time this morning to work on a formal time achievement schedule to make sure we are ready for the Blue & Gold Ceremony in February.

November 18 – Tucker (Achievement 7, Achievement 4 & 9 (Intro), Elective 13)

December 1 – Home Depot Tour & Building Project (Achievement 5, Achievement 6 (Intro))

December 3 – Mission Viejo Library (Achievement 10, Achievement 11 (Intro))

January 7 – Norman Center* (Achievement 9, Achievement 6 – Show & Tell, Achievement 2)

February 4 – Norman Center* (Achievement 12)

I want to thank the Simpson’s for helping with the Home Deport idea for December in order to relieve the pressure off the Nodars while Gaby is busy with the three kids. *Starting in January we are attempting to have the meetings held at the Norman Center. This will enable the Host Family to relax about 20+ people in their house and enable the family to help plan a monthly outing with the kids to work on electives and fun projects!

If we stick to the schedule above all of our Cubs will be ready for the Blue & Gold Ceremony in February. This is an exciting time for the Cubs and is truly exciting.

The program does not end in February and we will move forward with monthly outings and working on electives, patches, belt loops and pins along with helping the Cubs earn their Leave No Trace, Outdoor Activity Patch or Device (Pin), World Conversation and put into practice the last Achievement on Making Choices.

P.S. Bobcat Badge - Akelas can ask to have Bobcats presented at a Pack Meeting or wait for the annual Blue & Gold ceremony. In either case the Bobcat is traditionally presented to the Cub “upside down” to challenge them to do a good deed and at a Den Meeting is rotated by their Akela when they talk about what they did as a good deed. Please let me know if your Scout is waiting for their Bobcat!

Environmental Links for Kids

Disney has a full list of various areas of helping the environment and most are linked directly to kid centered information.

http://disney.go.com/environmentality/dec/resources_helpful.html

Here is the link to the Starr Ranch Sanctuary and there are a few stories that cover the history of their program and each one covers different people in different eras.

http://www.starrranch.org/index.html

More directing: http://www.starrranch.org/history.html (History Page covers a lot of dedicated people and right here in Orange County involved in Conversation and the Environment)

They have a program for Scouts and I might look into having an outing to this Sanctuary or the Upper Newport Bay.

RE: Change in Wolf Den Leadership

Introduction

As a Boy Scout we concern ourselves with helping other people. Boy Scout Law does not end at Eagle or when you turn 18 and is a life-long commitment to your fellow Scouts and more importantly to yourself, your deity and Community.

The motto of the Boy Scouts organization is “be prepared”. Over the last two weekends and through self-discipline with the support of my family, I have undergone various training in order to prepare myself again as a Scout and to help assist the program for the benefit of our children.

I view the leadership role of Cub Scouts no different than Boy Scouts. In Boy Scouts it is youth that run the program with the parents in the background to help ensure a safe environment. However, now instead of a Boy serving as the Patrol Leader “you” are appointed to that role as their Akela (Parent).

However, you cannot be a successful Patrol Leader^[i] for your Scout(s) without the help of the Senior Patrol Leader. Having never served as a Senior Patrol Leader I will look forward to ongoing training along with guidance of our Pack Committee and Cubmaster.

I want to thank the Pack Committee for instilling their confidence in my abilities, my family for their support and a special thank you to Craig Johnson, District Training Chairman for his time in offering very insightful New Leader Essential Training and Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) Training. Having completed these required training courses our Den will not have any interruption in our local outdoor hikes and/or other activities that require Council Permits such as our hike at Tucker next weekend.

This Tuesday our Pack will be holding the Monthly Pack Meeting (yes, it is scheduled for the 3rd Tuesday; however the meeting was moved forward a week in order to relieve holiday and school schedules for Thanksgiving week) in which I will be presented the official Den Leader Patch and Trained Insignia by our Cubmaster. Please accept my apologies for the late notice on the changed schedule. I will be making personal phone calls over the next day to each parent to help me update records and get us all prepared for the Pack Meeting.

Following the Pack Meeting I will be holding a Patrol Leader (Akela) Meeting for about 10 minutes in order to more formally introduce myself and help answer any questions you may have regarding the change.

Pack Meeting Reschedule

Early this month our Pack Meeting was rescheduled based on vacations during the Thanksgiving Break. Please accept my apology for the late notice. The new date and time:

Tuesday, November 13, 2007, at 6:30pm

Castille Elementary School (the “Den”)

24042 Via La Coruna, Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Merits, Advancements, Awards – Please contact me today or by noon tomorrow if your Cub has completed any requirements for Sports, Academic, Project and/or fulfilled the requirements and have not yet been presented their Bobcat.

Outdoor Activity Award

Last year various Cubs completed the requirements to earn their Outdoor Activity Award and these will be presented at the Pack Meeting. If your Cub Scout attended a Council or District Camp (such as, Tiger Safari, Summer Day Camp or other theme-based event that engaged the Cub in multiple activities helping complete the tasks in more than one belt loop based requirement) and three (3) of the following, please let me know so we can present his Award at a Pack Meeting:

1. Participate in a nature hike.

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.

4. Attend a pack overnighter.

5. Complete an outdoor service project in your community.

6. Complete a nature/conservation project in your area.

7. Earn the Summertime Pack Award pin.

8. Participate in a nature observation activity.

9. Participate in an outdoor aquatic activity.

10. Participate in an outdoor campfire program.

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.

Harvest Carnival: The Great Pumpkin Chase Rescheduled

November 16-18, 2007 – Campout ($14-$20/person)

November 17, 2007 – Main Activities ($7-$17/person)

This is the LAST event scheduled at the Rancho Los Flores Facility and I encourage every Cub Scout to make an effort to be part of this farewell event. Our Den will be represented at the event on Friday and Saturday! If you are interested in joining us, please inform me at the Pack Meeting on Tuesday so we can turn in our monies and forms in together.

Fees per Person:

$7.00 Saturday Only

$4.00 Commemorative Patch

$6.00 Saturday Evening Dinner

$14.00 Weekend Camping (includes Saturday Carnival and Patch)

If you are interested in the Weekend Camping, please remember to bring a sack dinner for Friday night or eat before heading out of the San Clemente area.

Use this link for Directions: Ranch Las Flores

Den Chief & Denners

As an added resource to the Cub Scouts I am in search of a Boy Scout who wants to serve our Den as the Den Chief^[ii]. This youth will serve a critical connection in the development of the long term program.

In addition, I want to instill within our Den the role of a Denner^[iii]. The Denner will be assigned based on the month the Hosting Family will be helping with the Den Meeting and Outing. I encourage the Akela to ask leading questions in selecting what snacks, hikes, activities the Scout wants to see in the meeting. This will help them in feeling a sense of belonging (leadership) and develop the skills necessary to be future Boy Scouts.

As a bonus the Cub Scout will wear a special Denner Cord at the Den Meetings and the monthly Pack Meeting.

Monthly Den Meetings & Outings

In an effort to help develop a schedule for 2008 I am working closely with the City of Mission Viejo to host our Den Meetings at the Norman Center (24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92692) on the first Monday of each month at 6:30pm (except April and September which would be held the second Monday). This will help in two ways for both our Parents (Akela) and Scouts. It will relieve the pressure of parents having a dozen kids in their home at one time and will help the Scouts feel comfortable having a centralized meeting place.

This will also enable us to have a Scout Outing during the second or third weekend of each month to help our Scouts work on electives and other outdoor tasks. These could include things like our Tucker Hike, Den Campout, Beach Day, Soaring Swings & Slides (Park Day) and other wonderful outings.

Fundraiser – Mistletoe

I would like to extend an idea to everyone as I have received mixed opinions on the benefit of hosting a Mistletoe Fundraiser on December 1st and 2nd. Following the Thanksgiving Weekend I would like to get the Den together for a Mistletoe sale on either Saturday, Sunday or both.

From experiences as a child I remember selling Mistletoe and making trips every weekend with our family to Silverwood Lake to get more of the parasite. This last weekend I presented the idea to the Pack Committee to seek permission or to extend the idea to the entire Pack and was given a tentative green light if others were interested within the Den. During the conversation it was mentioned that another Den had done sales in the past with minimal earnings.

At the Council Pow-Wow last weekend one of the class lecturers mentioned his Cub Scouts did it last year and had to end the fundraiser early after earning over $500 and selling 4 trash bags full of Mistletoe.

The proceeds from the sell would help in offsetting the cost of renting the Norman Center and allow our Den to do a fully paid Weekend Campout at Oso Lake for our Cubs.

Closing

If you have not turned in your fees for the 2008 Cub Scout Program (newly enrolled families are exempt from the new renewal date change and no additional fees will be collected), please have a check or cash available for collection at the Pack Meeting. If you are renewing and current financial restrictions (such as, bi-weekly or monthly payroll, fire related/unexpected hardships and so forth) make it necessary to ask for an extension, please let me know and we can make sure we include your Scout in our communications to the Council this month.

I look forward to helping make all of us Patrol Leaders and help both you and the Cub Scouts in gaining the experience of the program and having FUN!

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From: Kim & Scott Stroud [mailto:stroudville@cox.net]
Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2007 5:27 PM
To: Sartoris Family; Fatigate Family; Alan Schuh-Munn; Angie Schuh-Munn; Don Clem; Ian & Susan Prosser; Johnny Nodar; Richard & Cica Hansen; Randall & Janice Simpson; Howard Thomas
Cc: Tom and Julie Miller; Scott Stroud; Robertson Family; Mark Robertson; Lisa and Peter Puchalski; Larry Dalphy; Kimberly at Apria; John & Jeanette O'Keeffe; Jeannie King; Denamarie Baker_wk; Denamarie Baker_hm; Amy Dalphy_wk; Amy Dalphy_hm; Tom Miller
Subject: Change in Wolf Den Leadership

Dear Den 6 Parents and Scouts -

Wally Nelson, along with Kaio and Lukas, has decided to exit Scouting at this time. We have thanked him for his efforts and hope to see the Nelson family return to Scouting in the future.

We are very excited to announce that Alan will assume the Leadership role for the Wolf Den. Alan has demonstrated a great enthusiasm for Scouting and the desire to create the best experience possible for all of your Cubs. Please provide him your support and assistance.

If you have any questions, please contact anyone on the Leadership Committee; and stay tuned for further communications from Alan about upcoming Den and Pack events. The Wolf Den has a terrific year ahead, and it's just getting started.

Yours in Scouting,

Pack 766 Leadership Committee

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^[i] Patrol Leader in Boy Scouts is the Boy who the team (patrol) elects/appoints as the leader of the other Boy Scouts and is in charge of meetings and outings. In the role of Cub Scouts the same responsibilities falls on the Akela (parent) in helping lead their Cub Scouts. Senior Patrol Leader (Den Leader) is the person who oversees multiple Patrols within the Troop (Den). Do not worry about understanding the terms and it is merely a reference. The biggest thing is understanding that this program cannot exist without you the Akela (parent) and you are critical to the success of your Cub Scout.

^[ii] Den Chief is a trained Boy Scout, who as part of his program, undertakes a very critical aspect of Boy Scouts by helping others be prepared and is part of the Scout Law. The Den Chief plans and is in charge of a small 10-15 minute activity and allows time for the Akelas and the Den Leader to take care of administrative tasks (such as, planning, task verification and so forth).

^[iii] Denner is a Cub Scout who is in charge of helping setup (to the best of his ability) and also leads the Den in the monthly song and/or skit, with our help. The immediate reward of the Denner is being in charge of the snacks. Long term this role enables the Cub Scout to take on greater leadership roles and touch on some of the basics required among Boy Scouts.