Our next two meetings are Den Meetings at Wayne Elementary.  They are on Oct 11^th and Oct 25^th from 7-8pm.

In between we have our trip(s) to Hawk Mountain (http://www.hawkmountain.org/).  Hawk Mountain is located in Kempton, PA which is about 80 mins from Wayne. 

Founded in 1934, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world’s first refuge for birds of prey and an international center for raptor conservation.  The 2,600-acre mountaintop preserve offers incredible scenic overlooks, eight miles of trail, a Visitor Center, native plant garden, and more.  If you look at the website you can see the birds that are spotted each day during the fall migration which is taking place right now.  Along with many different hawks you will see mention of bald eagles, osprey, golden eagles, falcons, etc…

We are targeting our visit to coincide with a 2pm showing of their fascinating Raptor’s Up Close! Program which offers the chance to see a live hawk, falcon or owl, and to learn what puts these winged predators at the top of nature’s food chain.  We then intend a short walk to the South Lookout and a longer ¾ mile hike to the North Lookout where the majority of the sightings and watching takes place.  Although we will not formally do so as a group there are many other great hikes that you can do during our visit.

We are arranging two trips to try and help everyone work around sports and other commitments.  We will have a Saturday trip for which you should plan on leaving the Wayne area at about 12noon so you can be there and ready for the 2pm program and then repeat that on Sunday.  As usual, admission for the scouts will be covered by the pack – siblings (6-12) will be $3 and adults $7 (I’m still working on a group rate so this might change. 

I would suggest brining a small backpack with water and binoculars if you have them.  If not, they do rent binoculars in the visitor center for a nominal fee.

Please let me know by Sunday night which trip you would like to attend along with how many people will be participating.

If you have any questions please let me know.

Keith

Pinewood Derby

I want to thank everyone for their help with the Derby.  Whether you were part of the weigh-in or race day crews and/or you helped your son make his car, your participation is what helped make the event a success.

Unfortunately we did get a complaint from the school district that I wanted everyone to be aware of:

“On Saturday, March 13, 2010 around noon, the District Mobile Officer reported finding numerous unsupervised children running throughout the main artery and wings of Wayne Elementary School.  All of the adults were standing in the Cafeteria.”

I know that we are talking about young boys (and siblings) with lots of energy but imagine the trouble that we will be in if we lose our ability to meet at WES.  Finding an alternative location for 70 boys and their respective parents to meet will be very tough if not impossible.  I really need all of your help to keep the kids in the cafeteria and little theatre whenever we are at the school.  This is the second warning we received this year and I don’t think we are going to get many more.  Please help me with this.

Also, I have a Nikon lens cap that was left at the Pinewood Derby.  If it belongs to you let me know and I will get it to you.

Next Meeting

Our next meeting is a Den meeting on Tuesday the 23^rd.  Please look for information from your den leader as to what is planned.

ScoutReach

A number of you have asked about the ScoutReach program, and whether they take donations of “gently used” books, caps, uniforms, etc…  The answer is that they do — donations can be sent or brought to:

Cradle of Liberty Council, BSA,

1485 Valley Forge Road

Wayne, PA 19087

Attn: ScoutReach

The ScoutReach link is - http://www.colbsa.org/openrosters/view_homepage.asp?orgkey=1880

Keith

Boys’ Life wants to know what your son collects. If selected for publication, the Scout receives $10. http://boyslife.org/home/493/write-about-your-collection/

This deadline has passed, but keeping checking www.boyslife.org for the 2010 version. “Say Yes to Reading” contest: http://boyslife.org/home/1053/enter-the-2009-boys-life-reading-contest/

Take a quiz, win $500. ( A Scout is thrifty). http://contests.boyslife.org/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=10891

We have wrapped up 2009 for cub scouts!  I hope that you have all had as much fun as I did the first half of the year.  Starting in January we will pick up again with meetings.  Some of the big events are the Blue & Gold Dinner, the Pinewood Derby, a Bike Rodeo/Ride and of course the camping trip in May.  I’m still working on January’s activity so look for details in the coming weeks.

During the holidays please work with your son on the achievements that he needs to reach the next level.  Your Den leader has all the details of what is needed if you are unsure.

Two coats were left behind after Tuesday’s pack meeting.  Please contact Clarke Piatt (pack284tigercubs@verizon.net) if they belong to your son.

Have a Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year!

Keith