December 22 Den Meeting Cancelled

I previously sent out a note about canceling our 12/22 den meeting but decided to be safe and remind everyone again, just in case! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all and see you in January!

PS - The Pinewood Derby car kits were handed out at the Pack Christmas party. If you still need one, please let me know and I'll get one to you!

December 6 Go See It

Our December Go See It trip is scheduled for this Saturday, December 6th at 12:30 PM. It will take place at Pompton Plains Fire Department Company 1 building on Jackson Avenue in Pompton Plains.

I have arranged for our visit with Robert VanRiper. I will be traveling on business this weekend so I need a few volunteer leaders to step up and coordinate the event. Basically, all that needs to be done is coordinate the families upon arrival, take attendance and make sure no one gets hurt or breaks anything during the visit! Please let me know if you'd like to volunteer.

A few important notes...UPDATE

Our next den meeting is scheduled for this week, Tuesday, 11/25 at 3:15 PM in the All Purpose Room at North Boulevard School. I need a volunteer to pick up a few supplies tomorrow or Tuesday morning.

The list includes:
- 20 bagels (stale is OK)
- lard or shortening (enough to coat all of the bagels)
- birdseed (1 to 2 lbs.)
- rolled oats or similar

The supplies are needed to build bagel bird feeders as part of this month's lesson/activity. Please let me know if you can assist. I will reimburse for the supplies you purchase.

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Our Go See It on December 6th was originally set to visit American Woodcarving School in Wayne, NJ. I will need to reschedule that trip to early 2009. Our December 6th Go See It will now likely be a visit to either the police station or the fire department. Additionally, I need to travel on business that weekend so I will need a volunteer to run this Go See It. Please let me know if you would be willing to lead or co-lead the Go See It. If no one volunteers, I will be forced to cancel the date altogether.

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Money and dues. There are still two families that owe me camping money. The fee is $10 per person.

Also, most families still owe den dues. They were originally estimated at $35 dollars per scout. SInce we are not using the orange uniform shirts, the fee is now $30 per scout. My records indicate that only the Andrea family (Tom, I owe you $5) and Barthelemy family have paid den dues. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns re: these fees.

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Quick survey...I am considering canceling the December 22nd den meeting since it will be a hectic week for most of us. Please reply to this email with a "Yes, please cancel" or "No, prefer to keep the meeting" note. I am willing to hold and run the meeting but will only do so if a majority of our scouts will be able to attend.

REMINDER - Pack 144 meeting is this Wednesday at 7:30 at PV School

Please make sure your Tiger Cub wears his uniform. An adult partner is required to attend. Since this is my first Pack 144 meeting, I don't have any further information on what to expect or how the meeting will run. For any specific questions, please contact Alison Afflitto.

NOTE: For those who have indicated that they will be joining the NoBeBoSco Camping Trip on April 3-5, please bring a check to the meeting on Wednesday. The cost is $10 per person for those staying overnight. Here's my list of who will be attending:

• Bulger - 1 child, 1 adult
• Crefeld - 1 child, 1 adult
• Terry - 1 child, 1 adult
• Barthelemy - 1 child, 1 adult
• Andrea - 1 child, 1 adult (already paid)
• Lamoureaux - 1 child, 1 adult
• White - 1 child, 1 adult
• Foster - 1 child, 1 adult
• Bauer - 1 child, 1 adult
• Geissel - 2 children, 1 adult
• Rodriguez - 1 child, 1 adult (already paid)
• Hinnigan - 2 children, 1 adult (day only)
  

URGENT INFO - Uniforms

So that we have all our cubs in uniform at the pack meeting next week, I will be making a run to the Oakland Trading Post store on Ramapo Valley Road tomorrow morning. I will pick up whatever is needed and will personally deliver them to your home this weekend. I will take care of paying for the order and you will simply need to pay me when I drop them off to you.

Please let me know if you need any uniform items from the list below: ALL ITEMS BELOW ARE REQUIRED. Prices listed are what I/you will pay. I NEED YOUR ORDER TODAY VIA EMAIL SO I CAN PICK UP UNIFORMS TOMORROW AM. PLEASE NOTE...I ALSO NEED TO KNOW WHAT SIZE SHIRT YOUR SON NEEDS. MOST WILL BE GETTING MEDIUM SO THAT THEY CAN USE THEM NEXT YEAR AS WELL.

Cub Scout Short-Sleeve ShirtPrice: $22.99

Tiger Cub Web Belt with BucklePrice: $6.49

Tiger Cub Neckerchief SlidePrice: $2.99

Tiger Cub NeckerchiefPrice: $4.99

Tiger Cub CapPrice: $11.99


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PATRIOT'S PATH COUNCIL SHOULDER PATCH - $5,00 (no picture available)

Unit NumeralPrice: $1.19
THREE UNIT NUMERALS ARE NEEDED (144) SO TOTAL COST IS $3.57

Cub Scout Den NumeralPrice: $1.49

World Scout Crest EmblemPrice: $1.49

Tiger Cub Emblem
$1.19

Our Next Den Meeting Agenda

Tiger Cub Den Meeting #2
“Adventures in Books and Storytelling”
October 29, 2008
3:15 pm – 4:30 pm

Gather:

Hand out Information Packages
Hand out Permission Slips
Name Badges for Tiger Scouts
Attendance

Open:
Recite Pledge of Allegiance
Recite Cub Scout Motto and Promise
Den Volunteer Recognition

Share:
Introduction to Bobcat Badge Requirements
Story Circle – Cubs will make up cooperative story
Character Connection – “Courage”

Discover:

Group 1 – Halloween Masks
Group 2 – Story of Akela and Mowgli

Activity:

Group 3 – Outdoor Adventure – Collect Leaf

(Note: groups will rotate every 15 minutes so each scout participates in all three activities)

Snack Break:

Snacks and Drinks – Uniform Fittings

Closing:

Summary of Meeting
Review “Family” Assignments
Preparation for November Pack 144 Meeting
- Wednesday, November 5th, 7:30 PM – PACK MTG @ PV
“Seeds of Kindness” Den Meeting
- Tuesday, November 25th, 3:15 PM – Den Mtg @ NBS

Be Prepared! The Bobcat Badge Requirements...

I will be testing each scout at this week's den meeting. As a reminder, here's what is required of them for attaining their Bobcat Badge:

THE BOBCAT BADGE

#1 – Cub Scout Promise
I, [your name], promise to do my best
To do my duty to God and my country,
To help other people, and
To obey the Law of the Pack

#2 – The Law of the Pack
The Cub Scout follows Akela (Ah-KAY-la).
The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill.

#3 – Tell What Webelos means.
Webelos (WE-buh-lows) is a Cub Scout
Secret. Cub Scouts know the secret.
It is WE’ll BE LOyal Scouts

#4 – Show the Cub Scout sign.
Tell what it means.
Two raised fingers stand for the two parts of the
Cub Scout Promise – “to help other people” and
“to obey the Law of the Pack.”

#5 – Show the Cub Scout handshake.
Tell what it means.
You help and that you obey the Law of the Pack.
The Cub Scout handshake is a standard handshake but each Cub Scout extends their pointer and middle fingers and places them on the wrist of the other scout while shaking hands.

#6 – Say the Cub Scout Motto.
A motto is a guiding principle.
“Do Your Best.”

#7 – Give the Cub Scout salute.
Tell what it means.
This is the way to show respect to your den leaders.
You salute the flag to show respect to your country.
The Cub Scout salute is extending the first two fingers in a salute and placing it either on the eyebrow if not wearing a uniform cap or on the brim of the cap if wearing a uniform cap.

#8 – With your adult partner, complete “A Bobcat
Requirement” in front of the Content pages of your handbook.

Please confirm Hike-O-Ree participation!

In preparation for the November 5th pack meeting, I need to make sure I order badges and awards so that our Tiger Cubs get the recognition they deserve during that meeting. Every Tiger Cub who passes the Bobcat Badge testing at this week's den meeting will receive his Bobcat Badge (a requirement).

Also, those who participated in the Hike-O-Ree will be recognized and meet their Go See It - 5G acheivement requirement (page 76 in their Tiger Cub Handbook). I think I know who attended the Hike-O-Ree but I want to make sure I didn't miss anyone. If you attended the Hike-O-Ree (either with our den or on your own with your Tiger Scout) please send me an email and let me know. Also, if you DID NOT attend the Hike-O-Ree but will be able to take your son hiking BEFORE our November 5th pack meeting, please let me know that so I can include your son in the order I'll be placing this week.

Speaking of requirements and handbooks, I'll have the handbooks at the meeting this week and will also have a sheet which explains the requirements we'll be working on for the Tiger Badge (which will be the next step once they acquire their Bobcat Badge). I know this all sounds confusing now but after this week's meeting I hope it will all make more sense!

Camp-O-Ree 2009

This year’s Camp-O-Ree will be taking place at Camp NoBeBoSco in Blairstown, NJ on April 3-5th, 2009. Rain or shine. (This is before Spring break and baseball).

http://www.nobebosco.org/

Pack 144 needs to book space now, so they are asking for sign-ups/money by October 30th. I will need to know if you plan to attend by this week's den meeting at North Boulevard School.

Overview:

1. Each den can camp in heated cabins, grouped by den. (heating is a small additional cost)
2. Cost is $10 per person (non-refundable, unless there is a problem booking our date)
3. An adult/parent must attend with their Tiger Cub son.
4. Siblings are allowed, but keep in mind that younger siblings probably won’t be comfortable in this setting.
5. Bathroom facilities are “rustic” latrine-style and are unheated.
6. We can attend on Friday and Saturday night, just Saturday night, or come for the day (no cost, but we must register). For Tigers, it is advised overnight camping for only ONE night and I am suggesting that if we have enough interested families and space permits, we would camp on Saturday night.
7. Tigers are welcome (provided they have the space), but please keep in mind how well your cub will be able to sleep away from home.
8. Activities include: hiking, fishing, campfires, activities with the boy scouts, possibly archery with a certified instructor at a small additional cost.
9. Food/cooking is purchased/prepared by den and cooked outdoors on a campfire and campstoves which our den brings. Dens also bring their own firewood.
10. All attendees will be required to fill out Class one Medical forms (kept by den leader, or designated den representative) and the den leader will fill out and file proper tour permits.
11. Scout siblings of different ages/dens can stay with parent in whichever den they choose.
12. Registration for scouts is in March. Scouts must be registered to attend.
13. Women can attend (many are planning to) but we can’t guarantee separate quarters. Alison Afflitto will do what she can, depending on participation.
14. Tents can be set up outside cabins, but keep in mind, it may be cold.

Problems with Orange Uniform T-Shirts

Unfortunately, the Class-B Orange Tiger Cub uniform t-shirts are no longer available and the BSA have phased them out as official Cub Scout uniforms. The folks at the BSA National Trading Post in Oakland informed me on Saturday that they can't even find any in other stores' inventories.

I spoke with our Pack leaders about what to do and was told that we'll need to upgrade to the standard blue Cub Scout shirts. They are more expensive than the orange t-shirts (the blue shirts are $23.00) and for those who already purchased t-shirts for their sons (myself included) it means that we'll need to also buy the blue shirts now. The only good news seems to be that the orange t-shirts were inexpensive so I'm intending to have Phillip wear his at informal den events, hikes and meetings. For our Pack meetings we'll use the blue uniform shirts.

I will pick up a few shirts of various sizes from the BSA store that we can use as samples for fittings at our next den meeting. I will take orders at that time and will gladly pick them up for those who need them. Any money already paid to me for the t-shirts will be applied to the upgraded blue uniform shirts.

My apologies for the extra work and confusion regarding uniforms.

Hike-O-Ree Was Great Fun!

The weather was incredible, the trees were colorful and the Pack 144 Webelos and Boy Scouts were great hosts.

The NBS Tiger Scouts who joined the hike had a great time and got to see several demonstrations once we reached the Pack 144 camp area. There was a "lashing" demonstration, a memory demonstration and a demonstration of how to set a trip-wire alert system to let campers know if someone is approaching their campsite at night. There was also a campfire that kept us all warm during our break in our hike with an A-frame cooking rig that was going to be used to roast chickens for dinner on Saturday evening. The coolest (or hottest, as the case may be) demonstration was of how to bake cookies in a cardboard oven! Great fun!

Hike-O-Ree and other info...

For those who can join us, I'll be taking my son on the hike beginning at 12:30 PM. Mountainside Park on Mountain Avenue.

Also, for those who volunteered to assist with den meetings, snacks, etc, THANK YOU. I will send a note shortly outlining what we need to do to prepare for our next den meeting which will take place at 3:15 PM on Wednesday, 10/29.

Finally, I'm working with the BSA store to secure t-shirts and Tiger Cub Manuals for those who needed them. I hope to have an update on the order this weekend. I'll be back in touch regarding that!

The best-laid plans of mice and men often go astray...

The proverbial lines about the plans of mice and men come from the poem To a Mouse by Robert Burns, the eighteenth century Scottish poet. Given that our next den meeting will focus on "Books, Adventures & Storytelling," it seems appropriate to use them here to describe yesterday's meeting...

First, thank you to everyone who participated in our first Tiger Scout den meeting. Overall, I was very pleased with the group and see great potential in many of our scouts who are eager to participate and learn. However, as a few of you were aware, there was an inconvenient mix-up with the school and my son was put on the bus to the Pequannock Boys & Girls Club yesterday right before our meeting started. That caused our meeting to suffer a bit in that I was not able to spend the time I needed to get everything set up and organized for our meeting. Hopefully that won't happen again and there should be better organization of materials, documents, etc. My apologies for all of that confusion yesterday.

While the meeting was relatively productive and the scouts seemed to enjoy themselves, there certainly were a few moments of chaos (which is to be expected when 17 six-year old boys get together) and I recognize that I'm outnumbered and in need of some assistance if we're going to have productive and accident-free meetings in the future. To that end, I am appealing to all of you to volunteer your assistance as you're able. Here are the list of "leaders" I believe I'll need:

* Pack 144 Tiger Scout Co-Leader - I am hoping that one parent can step up and assist me with leading our den. This position would do everything from working with me to plan the meetings to running some of the meetings to representing our den at all Pack 144 functions. This is a critical position and is generally needed for dens that are larger than 8 scouts. If no one can commit to this level, then all positions below will be critical to fill so that our meetings remain productive and accident-free.

* Den Meeting Co-Helpers - I need two parents to volunteer to actively assist me with running each meeting. They would not have to prepare content for the meeting as that will be my responsibility, but they would need to take on responsibility at each meeting for helping me with discipline and keeping the boys focused as well as helping me when we need to break our meeting into small groups (which, given the size of our den, will happen at all future meetings). For example, next week we have three things to accomplish. First, I'll need to individually test each scout on the 7 requirements for earning their Bobcat badge. That cannot be done in a group setting. Second, we need to start making our den banner for the Memorial Day Parade and pack meetings. I know...that seems so far away yet but the Scout program calls for it to be started now. Third, we need to cover the main topic of the meeting which is "adventures in books and storytelling." Therefore, I envision three separate areas needing three leaders.

* Snack Helper - this person would create and maintain a list of scheduled families to provide snacks for each meeting. Every family is expected to volunteer to bring snacks to one den meeting. The Snack Helper would oversee that list and would also ensure that the snacks to be provided are nut-free (we do have one scout with peanut allergies). The snack helper would also set up the snacks during the course of the meeting.

* Restroom Monitor - (some lofty title, right?) I need one volunteer at each meeting to monitor the scouts use of the restrooms and to make sure they get to and from our meeting without incident. Also, this person would make sure that the restroom facilities are left in satisfactory condition after our meeting.

* Clean-Up Helpers - I need two parents at each meeting to volunteer to clean up after snacks and help put the room back in order and pick up/wipe up after the meeting.

Please email me or call me if you can assist. Remember, Tiger Cub Scouting is designed to involve the scout and an adult partner since, at age 6, it is understood that attention spans of children are short and need for discipline and keeping them focused is paramount to making their scouting experience truly rewarding.

Thank you in advance!!!

Akela Ed

Info about uniforms and handbooks...

There is no need to rush out and purchase the orange class-b uniform t-shirts we'll need. I will take orders and payments at our meeting this week and will gladly pick them up for everyone. I went to the Boy Scouts of American store in Oakland this past weekend and they were sold out so they will have to be ordered anyway.

Same goes for the handbooks. I'll take orders and pick them up for those who need them.

Updated Info on "Hike-O-Ree" Start Time

It has been brought to my attention that many of the scouts in our den play soccer or have other commitments on Saturday mornings. With that in mind, the 11 AM start time for our hike has been moved to 12:30 PM. This should give everyone who wants to join our hike an opportunity to go home, change, and pack a lunch and water for our hike.

PLEASE NOTE: The starting point for our hike is NOT the main trail entrance to Mountainside Park (in the parking lot at the top of Mountain Avenue). To find the trail entrance we'll be starting from, drive up Mountain Avenue to the point where it intersects with Rt. 287 and then park anywhere you can find a spot between there and the parking lot at the very top of Mountain Ave. I'll be standing at the trail entrance with my son (see photos for visual of trail location) and we'll assemble on the side of the road where we'll begin our hike at 12:30 PM.

I advise dressing your scout in layers and making sure they wear comfortable hiking shoes or sneakers. I also advise bringing bottled water and a snack or lunch. Other optional items you may want to consider bringing...hiking stick, camera, compass, etc.

New Information About Den Meetings and 10/18 Event

MEETING TIMES:
After getting feedback from a majority of the den parents, it is nearly unanimous that the 3:15 to 4:30 time slot works best for everyone. Therefore, we'll proceed with that time slot as our primary meeting time and I will speak with North Boulevard School about securing more dates on their calendar. With the holidays fast approaching and space at a premium, I may have to juggle our December meeting schedule and possibly even do one or two evening meetings. I'll do my best to give you all as much notice as possible.

APPLE PICKING CANCELLED IN ORDER TO ATTEND PACK 144 "Hike-O-Ree":
I learned earlier this week that the Pack 144 Hike-O-Ree is scheduled for 10/18 from 10 AM to 3 PM at Mountainside Park in Pompton Plains. This activity is much better suited to our group at this time and will give us an opportunity to take our tiger scouts on a hike in one of our local parks and meet other cub scouts, webelos and boy scouts and their families. The boy scouts of Troop 144 will be there & will have demonstrations & games for the cubs. I will be leading our den on the hike at 11 AM from the top of Mountain Avenue. Any scout wishing to attend MUST be accompanied by a parent/adult. Cost is free. Detailed information and a map will be distributed at our 10/8 meeting at NBS.

OUR FIRST DEN MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8 FROM 3:15 to 4:30 PM:
The Tiger Cub Motto is "Search, Discover, Share" and I'm eager to meet your children and introduce them to what I hope will be the most rewarding experiences of their young lives. We will have our first official den meeting at 3:15 PM in the All Purpose Room at North Boulevard School. This meeting will serve as an orientation meeting and I urge everyone who can attend to please do so. I will discuss the basics of scouting as well as what your children can expect to gain from the program. I will also address what will be expected of them and of you (Tiger Cub scouting is a family-focused experience and parental participation is essential). I anticipate we will have great fun this year but to do so I'll need a little help with planning and executing certain activities. As we review the basics next Wednesday, I'll be hoping that several of you will be able to lend a hand on occasion or vounteer your talents and time in order to make your child's experience richly rewarding and to encourage them to stick with scouting beyond year one.

All the best,
Ed Lamoureaux, Tiger Cub Den Leader

Welcome All New Tiger Cub Families!

Hello. I’m Ed Lamoureaux and I’ll be the den leader for the North Boulevard Tiger Scouts this year. My son, Phillip, will be part of the North Boulevard den. Alison Afflitto just sent me the list of everyone who will be in our den so I’m writing to let you all know that I’m currently working to put all of the details together and get our meetings scheduled. Co-leading the den with me will be Troy Terry. We will be sending you more about us in a future email.

Our first den meeting is scheduled for 3:15 PM on Wednesday, October 8th at North Boulevard School. This will be an orientation meeting with light activities for the scouts. I urge any parents who can attend that meeting to please do so but if you cannot attend due to the time of day, please contact me and we’ll see if arrangements can be made for your child to attend anyway and what, if any, permission slips may be required for your child to stay after school.

To start, I’d like to take a quick poll on what time will work best for the majority of us. It was suggested during the orientation meeting a few weeks ago that after school meetings usually work best from 3:15 PM to about 4:30 PM and that holding them at North Boulevard School allows for the children to go right from their classroom to the all purpose room where we’d be meeting. However, it was also stated that Tiger Scout meetings are usually not “drop-and-go” meetings for the parents and that, generally speaking, one or both parents are expected to attend the meetings with their child. Since many households now have two working parents, this may or may not be convenient. On the other hand, it was suggested that evening meetings may interfere with family plans and/or dinners and homework and that having to get your child ready and then head out for a meeting may or may not be convenient either.

So, with that in mind, I ask that everyone simply reply to this email today or tomorrow and let me know which you would prefer…after school from 3:15 PM to 4:30 PM during the week (most likely on one or two Wednesday afternoons per month – due to limited availability at NB school on any other days of the week) or one or two Wednesday evenings per month from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM at a place yet to be determined (we’re investigating North Boulevard school, First Reformed Church and a few other sites). Based on the replies, I will do my best to accommodate everyone but will choose dates and times based on the convenience and attendance ability of the majority.

Some more information you will find handy:

Cost for partial year (dues): $31.50 payable to Pack 144 through Alison Afflito

Estimated cost for den expenses (activities, crafts, materials, etc): $30 to $40 payable to Troy and myself who will use the “pool” of money to fund the den’s meeting activities and supplies.

Tiger Scout Uniforms: $10 to $15. We’ll be purchasing t-shirts rather than the full scout uniforms which can run $50 and higher. This is suggested during your child’s first year in scouting since some will undoubtedly decide not to continue (although I’ll do my best to make their experience something they will want to build on next year) and by going with t-shirts, the cost to all parents is kept at a bare minimum.

“Go-and-see” field trips: Cost TBD (hopefully most will be nominal or free)
I have already arranged for a trip to the American Woodcarving School in Wayne, NJ and I’m in the process of setting up trips to local sporting events, a few local businesses, the Turtleback Zoo the Camden Aquarium and others. Also, if enough people are interested, I will arrange for an apple picking and farm trip on Saturday, October 18th or Sunday, October 19th in Sussex County, NJ. Please let me know if you would be interested in attending with your scout. Dates for the field trips will usually be during the weekends and I anticipate one (maximum two) field trip(s) per month, most of them local (within 5 to 10 miles from Pompton Plains).

I look forward to meeting all of you!