Religious Emblems to be Awarded

A Scout is Reverent

Pack 285 is preparing to honor those cub scouts which have completed their specific Religious Emblem Program in May.  We are happy to recognize any scout in the last two years who has achieved this award. 

Please let the Committee know if:

1.) Your scout has completed the program, has his medal and would like to be recognized.

2.) Your scout has completed the program, a medal has been applied for but has not yet been received, and you would like him to be recognized.

3.) Your scout is undertaking the program now and you are scheduled to finish by the end of April.

Are you interested in starting the program with your scout? 

A list of the faiths which participate can be found here.

For the most part these programs can be done individually and your family turns in the necessary completion documents to the contact provided online along with any fees for the cost of medal/emblem. You may opt to have the emblem presented at your congregation as well as being recognized in May at our final pack meeting.

We look forward to acknowledging the hard work of our scouts who have completed this program.

Scouting for Food 2016

Food Drive Kick-off was a Success!

Pack 285 launched it's 2016 Scouting for Food initiative today with a food collection event in Milton.

Several scouts and their parents joined together to collect non-perishable items from neighborhoods in Milton.  This marked the kick-off of our annual Scouting for Food service project.  Unlike in past years the Atlanta Area Council did not supply plastic bags or specific the how's and when's for food collection.  Instead each unit was able to coordinate their food collection activities as it best suited their membership. 

Pack 285 has always had good neighborhood response rates which made going door-to-door on a chilly Saturday morning a worthwhile activity. We encourage all of our scouts to take time this week to ask their neighbors for food donations.  In addition to food, there is always a need for these items:

• tin foil, plastic bags, garbage bags, cupcake liners, Tupperware or tinfoil baking pans
• hair care products including shampoo, conditioner, gel, mousse, and relaxers
• hygiene items including razors, shaving gel, deodorant, lotion, and body wash or soap
• laundry and dish washing products such as bleach, stain fighters, detergent, and dish liquid
• pet food, treats and assorted products
• over the counter first aid and medicines such as band-aids, Neosporin, Tylenol, and more

Typically food banks request that items used together such as peanut butter and jelly or rice and beans be donated together.  So if your family is considering donating pasta sauce, please also donate pasta.  This helps the food bank to balance it's shelves and to ensure that "complete" meals are distributed to clients.

Remember that as Spring approaches, the number of donations in our community tends to drop-off. Many families with school age children are also negatively impacted by the glut of school closures for teacher conferences and planning days as well as holidays.  Families who normally rely on the Federal School Food Program as a source of breakfast and lunch find themselves without options for two out of the day's three meals.  Scouting for Food is timed to help provide local food banks with a necessary boost in donations just as Spring arrives.

It's hard for neighbors to say NO to such active and cheerful children! 

Please bring all donated food to Amana Academy on Saturday, March 5th during the Pinewood Derby.  We will be making the combined delivery to the Food Bank at the North Fulton Community Charities after the racing concludes.

Great job, Scouts! 

Thank you to our siblings and parents for joining in on this worthy cause!

Neighborhood Blitz is this Saturday

Just a reminder that this Saturday, Pack 285 will be doing a Neighborhood Blitz in Milton to sell off the remaining inventory of popcorn as well as to collect non-perishable items for the 2016 Scouting for Food.

This is a vital fundraiser for us with the potential to earn $900 in sales. These funds are essential to offsetting the costs for our pack meetings, den supplies, and camp outs.

Unlike in years past, the Atlanta Area Council did not provide plastic collection bags to leave at doors when collecting food.  This move is in an attempt to be more environmentally friendly. Now rather than returning to collect food at a later date, our scouts will be collecting whatever the household has to offer in the moment.

We will also be leaving a decorated box in the lobby at Amana Academy to collect items.  Last year Amana families donated the bulk of the food we collected. #wearecrew

The Atlanta Area Council is also encouraging parents to collect non-perishable items through their workplaces.  If you are able to leave a box in your office lobby, break room or conference room, Pack 285 would appreciate it. Ask your scout to help you decorate the box or to make a flyer or sign for the bulletin board. 

All items collected will be donated to the Food Bank at the North Fulton Community Charities located in Roswell. NFCC serves residents in Milton, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs and Dunwoody.

WHEN: Saturday, Feb 27th at 9:30AM arrival and 10:00AM start time.

WHERE: Steve Jackson's Home (Zack's house!) 350 Wigton Drive, Milton, GA 30004.

WHY: Divide into teams and sell popcorn door to door in two adjacent neighborhoods while collecting non-perishables for the NFCC Food Bank. Steve will email the neighborhood residents to alert them ahead of time so that we aren't surprising anyone. 

HOW: If they prefer not to purchase popcorn, residents are welcome to give cash or check donations towards popcorn being donated to NFCC. All donations will be pooled together; and however much popcorn it buys will be what we donate. So no donation is too small!
Late sleepers can just leave their donations on the doorstep for us to collect! No knocking! No one has to come to the door! :)

This activity will count towards service project requirements.
Parents: please sign-off on the appropriate adventure and/or elective for your scout.

Wetlands Restoration Day at CNC is this Saturday!

Wetlands Restoration Day
at the
Chattahoochee Nature Center

Date: Sunday, February 7, 2016

Registered Volunteer Report Time: 1 pm

Please report at 1:00pm. For directions to the center, click here.
 

Volunteer Departure Time: 4:00 pm.

Volunteers will be working in the wetlands near the boardwalk at the Chattahoochee Nature Center and then finishing up by helping us to haul out the removed invasive plants and clean and stow away any tools were used.
 

Parking: in the regular CNC parking lot

CNC opens to the public at 12:00 on Sunday.
 

Check in Location:  In front of "Scheduling Office"

We will handle volunteer check-in at the end of the parking lot, near the "scheduling" building (the one with the solar panels of the roof). Please stop by to check-in and drop off/complete your waiver form.
 

What to wear: Clothing that will provide protection and that can also get wet and dirty.

Please dress according to the weather. Volunteers will be working in the wetlands part of the CNC property. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and clothing and shoes that can get wet and dirty. You might want to bring a change of clothes or shoes for the ride home.
 

What to bring: Gloves, and any outdoor-related allergy medications

The CNC has a supply of work gloves for volunteers, but if you have your own, please plan to bring them. If you have plant or insect allergies please arrive prepared with any needed medications. Please alert the Naturalist that you will be working with about your condition.
 

Weather:  Plan to report...unless you get an email from us!

In the event of expected steady rain, this wetland restoration day may be cancelled. In the event of a cancellation, the pre-registered volunteers  and group leaders will receive an email - close to 12pm  - though this email system. 
 

What you will be doing: Helping us remove privet and other invasive plants

This invasive removal day will focus on removing privet from our wetlands.
 

Group leaders:  Please forward this mailing to ALL your volunteers

Please pass on this essential information to all volunteers from your group! YOU are our contact person with your group.

Waivers:  If you are under 18, you need to complete IN ADVANCE

Event volunteers at the CNC will need to sign a waiver form at check-in. Those under 18, will need to have the form signed by a parent/guardian. Please complete the attached form and bring it with you to the event.
 

Volunteer Hours Verification Forms:  Please email volunteer coordinator after the event.

If you need an volunteer hours verification form, we will be happy to send you one by email as a .pdf file.  Please email your request, following the event, and we will plan to send it to you quickly.
 

Cancellation:

If you discover that you are  unable to attend, please contact Libby Lintel by email or phone at 770-992-2055 x 223
 

Thanks!   We could not do it without YOU!

Thanks for helping us manage our wetands by removing invasive plants. We are glad that you are on our team!