Friday, September 25, 2015

November Service Project: A Sandwich Build

The Pack 285 theme for it's November Pack Meeting is Service: A Scout is Helpful.

We will be showcasing service by assembling 250 sandwiches!

Crossroads Atlanta (http://crossroadsatlanta.org/) is a well respected organization which serves homeless and transitional men, women and families inside Metro Atlanta.  The United Way endorses this facility as a charity which is reliable, trustworthy and in compliance with health service standards.  Crossroads Atlanta also adheres to industry-best practices when it comes to providing bagged meals to guests.

Our goal for November will be to make 250 sandwiches which amounts to a full day of sandwiches for Crossroads Atlanta patrons.  

To meet this goal Pack 285 will need at least 25 families to commit to supplying the goods and labor to make 10 sandwiches.  With 25 families each sponsoring 10 sandwiches, we can easily meet our goal.

Do you want to make a commitment to this project? RSVP HERE.

Essentially we are asking each family to contribute:
  • One loaf of wheat bread (1 loaf/20 slices = 10 sandwiches)
  • Turkey deli meat enough for 10 sandwiches
  • American cheese enough for 10 sandwiches
  • 10 Ziploc bags
  • 10 Bananas
The pack will purchase a box of disposal kitchen gloves and some smiley face stickers to go on the sandwich bags. 

In order to keep the focus on our service project, we will not be hosting a potluck this evening and will move the meeting start time to 6:30PM.  Please be sure to use this extra half hour to feed your family.  Drinks and a few snacks will be available during the build if needed.

TOGETHER WE CAN BE HELPFUL AND OF SERVICE TO THOSE IN NEED!


Spooky Ree in Two Weeks

Let the Countdown Begin!

Only fourteen days until the 2 Night Spooky Ree Camp-out!


We are excited to have nine families joining Pack 285 at it's first ever Spooky Ree Weekend.  This sell-out annual event is hosted each weekend in October.  Families participate in both Fall-themed and traditional scouting activities while enjoying the fun and companionship of their Pack.

An email has gone out tonight to those families participating with a general list of things to pack as well as attachments featuring the camp activity schedule, map of activity locations, and trick or treating details. Please be on the look out either Monday, October 5th or Tuesday, October 6th for an email providing your tent and pod assignment.  You will need this information to check-in at camp.


We can't wait to see everyone there!  Remember NO PACK MEETING IN OCTOBER!


Tigers Get It Done!

Games Tigers Play!  Completed!

The Tiger Den is off to a great start and completed much of the Games Tigers Play Adventure at their first den meeting.  The Den completed requirements 1A-1C, 2 and 3.

We kicked off the meeting with an review of Bobcat requirements including learning the handshake, sign, motto, meaning of Webelos, and the law and oath. Each Tiger began his own journal on the 12 characteristics of a cub scout.  The first meeting was focused on being FRIENDLY.  


Win or lose, each Tiger did his best when playing games.  One of the first games involved moving a large yoga ball into three hula hoops without using our feet, arms or hands.  The den started by using their heads!


But quickly we learned that it was easier and faster to use our knees. The den discussed that, sometimes when we have a problem, we might need to experiment with different ways to solve it.  The first answer we come up with might work but it might not be easy.  Someone might be able to suggest another way to resolve the problem which is both FUN and EASY!  Being open to the ideas of our teammates is one way that we can demonstrate a FRIENDLY attitude.


There were celebrations and high fives when we accomplished our goal!  TIGERS ROARED!


Being FRIENDLY also means being excited to volunteer and giving each other a chance to be the first to play a new game.

Trust was developed as our scouts led one another as well as their parents through an obstacle course while blind folded.  The catch here was that Tigers couldn't use their voices to direct each other.  They could touch each other, clap, stomp and make other noises but nothing vocal.



When one Tiger had trouble with not giving vocal directions, we all acknowledged just how exciting the game was and that sometimes it's hard to follow rules when you are excited.  FRIENDLY scouts can point out opportunities for improvement without hurting one another's feelings.


Our parents are great at demonstrating alternatives to offering verbal directions!  The handclapping approach required the scout to focus on a single sound.  Concentration was very important to completing the obstacle course.

Then the scout was able to led his fellow Tiger through the course using the same approach!  It was a great deal of fun to watch the boys learn from one another as well as their parents.


Our Tigers also created their own game involving hula hoops and leaping.  We learned pretty quickly that the hoops were placed too far apart.  With some adjustments, we were able to leap and stretch our way from hoop to hoop.  The last hoop required us to dance when reaching it.  Now THAT was a fun game!


The last game came with very few directions.  The scouts were given an assortment of balls and devices to use when carrying the balls.  The scouts could work together but they needed to get all the balls back into a plastic bag without touching the balls.  Together the scouts tried various scoops and techniques until they hit on a way to move the balls quickly.  FRIENDLY scouts cooperate with one another!  Teamwork!

Tiger Families, please remember to complete the following homework before the next meeting:

  • Requirement #4: While at a sporting event (amateur, professional, youth or adult), school or other location, as a coach or player why he or she thinks it is important to be active.
  • Requirement #5: Prepare a healthy snack to bring to a den meeting and share why you picked it and what makes it healthy.  (Bring this snack with you to eat at our next den meeting in October!)



Monday, September 21, 2015

Scouting Day With the Braves! Optional Event!

Come Celebrate Scouting at Turner Field!


Boy Scouts Day is a celebration of area Boy Scouts and their families & friends while enjoying a baseball game! Participating Scouts will also receive an Atlanta Braves Scout Patch.
All uniformed Scouts and leaders will participate in a pregame parade. Please line up at the Hank Aaron ramp one hour and 30 minutes before first pitch.  First pitch is at 3:05
If you are interested in General Admission Tickets, please email Melissa at mwblalock@gmail.com bySeptember 25th.  If you are interested in an assigned seat, please purchase tickets at here.

If you purchase tickets on your own, please email Melissa so we can coordinate meeting up to do the parade!!!

Let’s Play Ball!

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Racing the Raingutter Regatta


2015 Raingutter Regatta!  Start Your Sails! 






There was so much excitement in the air!  We had double elimination runs with battle to the finish.  There four photo finishes and one tie.  Amazing sportsmanship abounded.  We learned quite a bit from one another's techniques and boat designs.  Join us next year to RACE!