Mahoney Ice Skating Sun Jan 3

Hey Cubs!
As Mr. Denne mentioned at the last Pack Meeting, we are still having our trip to Mahoney this Sunday, January 3rd.

We'll meet at the Mahoney craft center (ask at the entry booth for directions) at 2pm. The craft center closes at 4pm. We'll then meet at the activity center for ice skating at 3:30pm. We'll start with a safety discussion and then skate. Scouts can earn their ice skating belt loop by attending.

Remember:
1. The ice rink is a covered, but outside rink. Please dress accordingly (forecast is 20F). The rink is adjacent to the indoor activity center though, so warming up is easy.

2. If you don't know where the craft center is, just ask at the park entrance booth - they'll tell you the directions.

3. Driving conditions sound like they'll be okay. I will call Saturday for ice rink condition (it was good today). If either condition changes or we need to cancel I will call to let you know. Check your email before you leave for Mahoney!

4. Of course parents should skate with their scout, if necessary

5. Here is the google map to Mahoney, if you are not familiar:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=41.138847,-96.043167&daddr=28500+W+Park+Hwy,+Ashland,+NE+68003+(Mahoney+State+Park)&hl=en&geocode=%3BFQracQIdg1FC-iGzEATwh17i0Q&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=11&sll=41.100569,-96.176376&sspn=0.230254,0.4422&ie=UTF8&z=11

6. You can purchase ceramics and leather products to paint and work at the craft center for a reasonable price. Here are the costs:
Craft Center is open 11-4 on the 3rd
Skating is open 11-6 on the 3rd

Costs:
Park Entry – Daily $4
Entrance to the Activity center AND Skating - $2
Skate Rental - $3

Leather craft and pottery items range from $3 to $18 average, you can spend more on bigger pottery items.

Please reply to this email so we can get a head count.

Jim Astuto

Join us for the December Pack Meeting

The whole family is invited to the Pack meeting on Monday, December 14th at 7pm in the Social Level. The meeting will start promptly at 7:00 pm, so please arrive a little early if possible.

Other items of interest:

• Our Webelos IIs will receive their Arrow of Light, a major award in scouting. Venture Crew 483 will participate in the memorable ceremony.
• Coloring for the younger siblings
• Awards and belt loops will be presented to scouts
• Someone special will visit our pack, with a surprise for all...

Hope to see you there!

November Pack Meeting Rescheduled for Monday 11/16

Sorry for the late change, but due to an 'over-booked' Social Level we need to switch our November Pack Meeting from Tuesday 11/17 to Monday 11/16, still at 7pm. We hope everyone can still make the meeting!

As usual, families are encouraged to attend. This month we will be handing out popcorn sale incentives, scout awards, and, if any dens met their goals, maybe even throwing pies at unlucky leaders :o)

Vala's is RESCHEDULED for Monday (10/26)

Due to a poor weather forecast (some forecasts now show 40F, 6 mph wind, and 50% rain) and the recent wave of flu that has affected our families, the leaders have decided to reschedule our Vala's night. It will now take place on Monday (10/26) - current forecast is a high of 58F with no rain. We will not have a Party Barn on Monday, but will have an area with 2 campfires instead.

We will still have the same 'eating' shifts at the campfire: Tigers/Bears 5:30-6:30, Wolves/Webelos 6:30-7:30.

I apologize to those who cannot make the event on Monday due to conflicts. If you have an after school event or Religious Education please consider coming out to Vala's afterward.

IMPORTANT: Please reply to this email so that the leaders know you have received word of the rescheduled event. Leaders will be calling those that do not reply this afternoon. Thanks!

Pack 359 Trip to Vala's Pumpkin Patch!

One of the best nights of the year! Join us on Friday, October 23th for a fun night at the pumpkin patch. Arrive anytime during the day and enter via the Group Admissions entry. Scouts and leaders (including Den Chiefs) are free admission (paid by the Pack) - just give your name to the employee. All other family members pay a discounted price, $11.25 per person (2 and under are free).

And dinner is provided by the Pack: hot dogs, pop, chips, condiments, and roasted marshmallows too. (Trust us, this saves you a lot of money!) We will have a campfire at a Party Barn (new this year) for our group - admissions should tell you which one. Due to the size of our Pack, we ask that you show up for dinner at these times: Tigers/Bears 5:30-6:30, Wolves/Webelos 6:30-7:30. Of course, if you absolutely cannot make your time or if you have scouts in more than 1 den then just pick a shift. But we cannot have *everyone* at dinner at the same time :O). Otherwise, you are free to roam all night long! (Vala's is open until 10 p.m.)

IMPORTANT! We need all scout families to R.S.V.P. to Rick Denne no later than October 16th so that we can estimate how much food we require. Please include the number of adults and the number of children attending. Thank you!

For more Vala's info, visit http://www.valaspumpkinpatch.com

Campfire, but NO OVERNIGHT

Due to the forecast (29F, snow, 15+mph winds) that keeps getting worse for the overnight, the leaders have decided to keep the cookout and campfire but cancel the overnight portion of our event. Too many kids are already sick this week and the dropping temperature will be too low in the morning for most cub scouts. Since we no longer need time to setup camp, here is the new schedule:

5:30-6:30 Craft/Game/Hike
6:30-7:00 Dinner
7:00-8:00 Pack meeting @ stage
8:00-8:30 S'mores @campsite
Note the 5:30pm start time...

Please, if you did RSVP to say that you were planning on camping, reply to this email to let me know you received word that we have changed the plan. Otherwise, I will attempt to call you this afternoon.

Thanks! Please be patient with us as we are adapting the plans on the fly...
Rick

Fall Family Campout October 9th

Are you ready for some good, old fashioned fun?! The Pack Fall Campout is almost here! Join us on Friday, October 9th at Camp Wakonda in Bellevue (near Fontenelle Forest). Don't forget that this is also our Pack Meeting for October. You don't want to miss the scouts performing skits and the fun campfire songs. The entire family is invited for all the fun. Join our cookout, games, and treats – rain or shine. Food and drinks will be provided by the pack. All are invited to camp overnight, but if you cannot stay overnight please join us for the pack meeting and campfire...

Please email rick.denne@cox.net to RSVP to this event! We need a headcount to help with food purchases. (Please list those attending and ages, also specify who may be camping overnight...)

Purpose:Build friendship among the scouts and parents

Who: Scouts and Families (and siblings)!

When: Friday, October 9th @ 5 p.m.

Where: Target shelter @ Camp Wakonda

(Bellevue, just south of Fontenelle Forest)

Directions to Camp:
CAMP WAKONDA – Take Cornhusker rd east toward Bellevue. Go east as the street name changes to Harvell Rd, keep going past Ft. Crook Rd and Galvin Rd. Turn left on Lincoln Rd go north until Bellevue Blvd S is on the right and Lorraine is on the left. Camp Wakonda sign shows to take a right. Continue on Bellevue Blvd S. until Forest Dr. Camp Wakonda sign shows to take a left. Follow Forest Dr. until the end of the road. Signs will be posted in the parking lot to point you toward the campsite.
Google map link is here.

Please, remember this is Nebraska in October - the weather is *very* unpredictable (70F? 40F? Who knows!) So Be Prepared and bring some heavier coats and blankets just to be safe.
If you would like to camp, but do not have a tent please contact your den leader or email rick.denne@cox.net. Several families have extra tents and would be happy to help you out.

Suggested items to bring:

• tent
• sleeping bag
• pillow
• flashlight
• bug spray
• pack t-shirt (uniforms are unnecessary)
• (any t-shirt is fine if you don't have the pack t-shirt)
• appropriate clothes (sweatshirt, jeans)
• rain gear (just in case)
• snacks
• medications
• camera

Optional items:

• camp chair
• canteen
• football, Frisbee
• lantern
• air mattress or cot
• first aid kit
• "substitute food" if your child has food allergies

Please no TVs, radios, alcohol, or weapons (excepting a scout approved pocketknife for those scouts who have a Whittling Chip)

Tentative Schedule:
5pm Arrival/setup
6pm Games
7pm Cookout
8pm Campfire (hot dogs)/Pack Meeting/S'mores/Skits, songs
10pm Lights out
------
8am Donuts & coffee
9am Nature hike

We hope to see YOU there!

2009 Family Fun Festival

As in past years, Pack 359 will run a booth at the St. Columbkille Family Fun Festival on September 20th from 10:30am-6:30pm. Wolves, Bears, and Webelos are expected to work at the booth for 1 hr. Tigers are not required, but are encouraged to come with a parent and help out with the fun. Please have your scout wear their uniform. Adult volunteers are also required, since we need 2 scouts + 1 adult at the booth. In past years we ran 2 booths, this year only 1 booth.

Our booth should be located in the parking lot near the corner of 84th and Cornhusker (near the dunk tank). Also, make sure you give yourself extra time to park, since the festival can get very crowded.

Please remember that St. Columbkille allows our pack to meet in the church building; this is our time to support their efforts!

current schedule (names abbreviated):

Start	End	Scout 1	Scout 2	Adult 1	Adult 2
10:30	11:30	JS	LL	JS	AL
11:30	12:30	JK	BF	LK	TF
12:30	1:30	JS	BH	JS	FH
1:30	2:30	SS	MA	MS	RA
2:30	3:30	NM	KC	BM	RC
3:30	4:30	CD	ND	RD	X
4:30	5:30	ME	SE	LE	X
5:30	6:30	MC	DC	JC	X

Please email your requested shift times to rick.denne@cox.net. Thanks again for your help!

Join us for the September Pack Meeting

The whole family is invited to the Pack meeting on Tuesday, September 15th at 7pm in the Social Level.

We have a lot to cover this meeting:

• Summer awards (patches, belt loops, etc.)
• Popcorn fundraiser kick-off!
  
• Annual scout registration ($35 per scout, $30 if you have multiple scouts)
  
• Upcoming events (Family Fun Festival on 9/20, Pack Campout, Vala's)
  

Parents, please bring your checkbook - we really want to get our scouts registered early this year. Thanks!

Scout Sale
Also, Canfields is giving a 10% discount on all scout items September 8th-20th; don't miss this one if you need uniforms, books, etc.


Uniform Day
Please have your scout honor our country's military, police officers, and firefighters by wearing their scout uniform on Friday, September 11th. This is an official BSA event.

Come to the Aug 25th Pack Meeting/Open House

Please join us for the first pack meeting of the year, on Tuesday, August 25th at 7 p.m. in the St. Columbkille Social Level. The highlight of the meeting: Amazing Arthur the magician will be there to entertain you! This meeting is all fun and no boring information (just to ease you back into the swing of the school year).
As always, families are encouraged to attend. This is also our Open House; scouts are welcome to bring friends interested in joining our pack.

This year's pack schedule is now online in the calendar found on www.cubpack359.com. Check it out!

Ice Cream Social on Sun Aug 16th

Please join us for the first event of the year: our annual ice cream social on Sunday August 16th, from 3pm - 4:30pm at the Papillion City Park pavilion (84th and Lincoln, by the Boy Scouts' Log Cabin). Meet the new scouts or catch up with friends from last year. Families are welcome to join us and please bring along any friends that may be interested in joining scouts too!

See the marker on the map here for the location (just south of the Papio creek, on the west side of 84th street).

See you there!

Too Cold For Pool Party - Plan B

Due to the fact that it will be 60F at 10am on Saturday, and the water at the Papio Pool may be about the same temperature, we've decided to nix the pool party. If this was Boy Scouts we'd say, "tough it out", but this is a family event :O)

So... instead let's meet at Halleck, at the new playground just across the street from Papio Fun Park. It's a very nice playground the kids will love. And bring your yard games, footballs, frisbees, etc. so we can still have some fun on a nice Autumn morning. Who would have ever thought it would be too cold in July in Nebraska?!?

We'll still provide drinks and treats. Hope to see you at the playground at 10am-12pm on Saturday...

Annual Pool Party July 18

Join us on Saturday, July 18th, from 10am-12pm for our annual Pack 359 Pool Party at the Papillion Pool (near Papio Fun Park). The whole family is invited! Snacks will be provided. This event is required for your scout to earn his Summertime Pack Award...

Please RSVP and include the number of adults and the number of children so that we can plan accordingly. Thanks.

See you there!

Papillion Days Parade June 20th

Please join us for our June event, the Papillion Days Parade on Saturday, June 20th. (This also counts toward the summertime pack award for the scouts.) The scouts get to ride on our float and do the "parade wave". If you are planning on your scout riding on the float in the parade please reply to this email to let me know (so we have enough room for everyone).

Please arrive at the Scout Center (June 20th) at 1pm. You can drop off your scout at the school's north parking lot (things may be a bit congested on the side streets by then). The parade lineup is at 1:30pm and the parade starts at 2pm.

Scouts should be in uniform and don't forget sunblock (it's always a hot day). We will have water on hand. See you then!

Mother's Day Pancake Breakfast May 10 - ALL DENS

Next Sunday, May 10th, is Mother's Day and the last pancake breakfast for this school year. We need everyone's help (all dens) to support this breakfast since everyone has plans for the day. And this is the busiest pancake breakfast for the Knights, so we need more scouts and parents there than the typical breakfast. Please sign up your scout for at least 1 slot. If everyone pitches in, then it will be easy!

Leaders and parents, please let me know if you can be there too, since our scouts will need some supervision.

7:30-9:00 (first slot is setup)
9:00-10:00
10:00-11:00
11:00-12:30 (last slot is cleanup)

Please email rick.denne@cox.net with your desired slot(s).

Thanks for your support... The Knights are counting on us :O)

Spring Cleaning Day at the Scout Center, May 9th 2pm

Spring Cleaning Day at the Scout Center!

Saturday, May 9 2:00-5:00pm

As was mentioned at the last Pack meeting, our Scout Center is in need of a deep cleaning. Let's all come together to help make the place shine! St. Columbkille allows us to use these facilities but it is our responsibility to keep it clean (no custodial services provided). The Girl Scouts will also be there to help clean up...

We know schedules are busy, but if you can spare one hour the end result will be great! Please sign up for a 1 hour time slot listed below.

2:00-3:00

3:00-4:00

4:00-5:00

To sign up to help, please email stacy.denne@cox.net

What to bring: The Center doesn't have much so please bring your own cleaning supplies (Mr. clean, Windex, Lysol cleaners, etc.), rags, buckets, mops, vacuums, carpet cleaning machines and anything else you can think that would make the place sparkle!

Thanks for your help! You can make a difference!

Feller's Cake Bake Rules - April 14th

We will have our annual “Feller’s Cake Bake” at our April 14th Pack meeting.
A major change this year to our cake bake... after much leader and parent input we have decided to drop the auction portion but retain the cake judging. In the past, most scouts wanted to take home their cake but many would get outbid in the auction, leaving the scout less-than-thrilled. Hopefully this change will make the event fun for everyone.

Remember, scouts usually have a cooking requirement to fulfill at all scout levels, which this cake bake will satisfy.
Please, the point of this exercise (as with the Pinewood Derby) is to teach the scouts 3 things:
1. New skills (baking, decorating)
2. Working together - the scout and adult should bake the cake together (as much as possible, especially for the younger scouts). It's about learning, not perfection :O)
3. ! Sportsmanship ! - the scout needs to be a good sport whether he wins or loses. Please prepare your scout by stressing this point. We just want everyone to have fun :O)

The rules are as follows:
1. Cakes should be delivered to the social level by 6:45 PM on April 14. The judging will be done at this time.
2. Cakes must be made by a Cub Scout or Webelos Scout & an older male. (This may be a father, grandfather, uncle, big brother or neighbor.)
3. Cake & icing mixes may be used. The cake should be a minimum of two layers.
4. No female assistance is allowed. (If this rule is a problem, please contact your den leader to arrange a "surrogate" male - especially for our military families.)
5. The entire creation must be edible, including all decorations, to be eligible to win a prize.
6. Cakes should be on a disposable plate or tray.
7. Please come up with a title (The Rocket, Enjoying Nature, etc.) & include it on a small card attached to the cake plate. Cakes will be numbered for judging – do not write your name on your card.
8. Prizes will be awarded, based on adult judges’ votes, in the following categories:
• Animal Theme
• Scouting (Nature/Camping/Pinewood Derby) Theme
• Patriotic Theme
• Miscellaneous Theme
The scout must announce the theme of his cake at delivery time.
9. The scouts will vote for their favorite cake. A prize will be awarded for “Scouts Choice” as well.
10. Most importantly: Cakes MUST be homemade; no purchased cakes can be entered.

If you have any questions or concerns with these rules please email rick.denne@cox.net.

Scouting For Food March 28th

Saturday March 28th is the kick-off for the annual food collection drive, "Scouting For Food". Our Pack will place paper hangers on doors in the neighborhood behind Super Target. The hangers ask homeowners to place food donations outside 1 week later, when the Boy Scouts of Troop 359 will pick up the donations.

Last year, Scouts and volunteers collected over 381,000 items of food for those in need in 484 communities served by the Mid-America Council. This community-wide drive helps reinforce the value of the Scout motto, “Doing a Good Turn Daily.”

We need all scouts and leaders to meet at 8:45 am at the north St. Columbkille school lot (by the library). Please wear scout uniforms. If we have a lot of help we can get this done in about an hour. Sibling and adult help is also welcome. Please, we need everyone to help accomplish this task! Thanks...

Here comes the Pinewood Derby!

Welcome to Derby Week!

Friday Weigh-in #1 6:00pm - 7:30pm (Scout Center)
Sunday Weigh-in #2 12:30pm - 1:30pm (Social Level)
Sunday Pack Meeting/Pinewood Derby 2pm (Social Level)

Notes:

• After weigh-in, cars must stay with the Pack derby committee
  
• Snacks will be provided
• Scouts will race within each group (e.g. Tigers vs Tigers)
• Each scout will race 4 times (once on each of the 4 lanes)
  
• After the scouts are done, there will be an open race for anyone to enter (adults included)
• Do not put a number sticker on your car - the leaders will number the cars
• Weights, graphite, and tools will be available at the weigh-ins to help gain or lose weight (to stay under 5 oz)
• During this week, the official scale and 'measuring box' are available at the scout center for checking your weight and dimensions. Contact your den leader if you would like to stop in the scout center and pre-test your car.

Remember what's important about the Derby!
1. Working together - the scout and adult should build the car together (as much as possible, especially for the younger scouts). It's about learning, not perfection :O)
2. Learning about tools - the scout should learn something about the tools and materials used
3. ! Sportsmanship ! - the scout needs to be a good sport whether he wins or loses. Please prepare your scout for the races by stressing this point. We just want everyone to have fun :O)

Don't forget there is an Open Class race following the rank races, open to all adults, siblings, etc.

We need one volunteer to help with the weigh-ins and several volunteers to help set up the track on race day (at noon) and to clean up after the derby. If you can help, please reply to this email. Thanks!

See you at the Derby!

Pinewood Derby Workshop on 2/22

Join us on Sunday, February 22nd from 1 pm - 4 pm at the Scout Center for our annual Pinewood Derby Workshop. Pack families will provide various power tools (sanding station, band saw, scroll saw, etc.) for use in crafting your car. If you have a power tool or a shop vac that you can bring to the event please email rick.denne@cox.net to let me know. An email with the official derby rules is also on the way. Thanks!

The Blue & Gold Banquet is on February 21st

The Blue & Gold Banquet (Saturday, Feb. 21st, 6:30pm, in the Social Level) is quickly approaching!

Please remember to R.S.V.P. to the invitation (email stacy.denne@cox.net) that you should have received from your scout (if you attended the Winter Lock-in) or in the mail. Also, please include the number of adults and children attending the event. We appreciate your timely reply, as this info will help with planning.

Remember, the whole family, including grandparents, is invited to the banquet. We will witness the Webelos II scouts as they cross over into the Boy Scout troop, as well as honor some of the special people in our pack. We will also recap some of the events of the year...

This year we will enjoy a sit-down dinner, with a little help from our families. The Pack will provide:

• Fried chicken
• Drinks (pop and juice boxes)
• Cake
• Condiments, dressings

We need families to bring side dishes, according to the rank of their scout:

• Tigers - Salads (fruit salad or lettuce salad) or veggies (casseroles, relish tray)
• Wolves - Potato dishes (mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, potato casserole)
• Bears/Webelos - Breads/rolls

If your family has more than one scout in different ranks, please just pick one category. Please bring enough items to feed about 10 people. We appreciate your help and look forward to a great meal and a fun night!

More info on the Winter Lock-in, Friday 1/23

Join us for the Winter Lock-in on Friday, January 23rd at 6:30 pm in the Social Level. Families are invited for pizza, the Pack Meeting, and a movie. Scouts (and adults) are invited to stay the night.

Agenda:

• 6:30pm Arrive at the Social Level for pizza
• 7pm Pack meeting (awards, show'n'tell)
• 7:30pm Scout activity
• 8pm Movie (with popcorn)
• 10pm Lights out
• 7am Donuts
  
• 8am Leave for home (wedding needs the space soon after)
  

Things to bring if you are staying overnight:

• sleeping bag
• air mattress (recommended)
  
• pajamas
• toothbrush/toothpaste
• pillow
• flashlight

Again, only scouts can stay overnight, not their siblings, so that our group doesn't get unmanageable :O) Thanks for your understanding...

Join us for the Winter Lock-in!

Join us for the Winter Lock-in on Friday, January 23rd at 6:30 pm in the Social Level. Families are invited for pizza, the Pack Meeting, and a movie. Scouts (and adults) are invited to stay the night. More details to come, but please make sure you mark your calendars!