Pack 17 - UA, OH

April showers brings May flowers - they say. April also is time to reflect on our scouting year and be amazed at all we did as a pack. Record Popcorn Sales, (highest in the district), Rocket Day, Pinewood Derby, COSI Sleepover, Spring Campout and numerous guest speakers - all for the boys entertainment. An enormous thanks is due the many parent volunteers that made this year successful. The den leaders and committee members are the engines that make cub scouting what it is- a fun and entertaining opportunity for our boys to co-mingle, adapt, learn and mature into young adults. Thank you for the effort everyone put in to make this year a success. On April 27th from 6pm to 730pm we have our Blue & Gold Banquet at St. Marks Church. A few of the scheduled events include Webelos II Crossover, a wonderful dinner catered by Moretti's and special entertainment. I look forward to seeing everyone there. Please be sure to RSVP to Paul and Sally Boyer if you are planning to attend the B&G banquet so there is adequate food and drink and seating for all. Sign up sheets will be available for parents to volunteer for the various Pack17 committees and leadership positions that are vacant. The majority of these slots require very little time and effort on the parents' part but when they are all combined - they are part of the whole that make our scouting year fun and interesting. Please consider signing up and taking an active role in your child's scouting experience.

The COSI Sleepover was a huge success. Thanks to Alistair Firman for his coordination of this event in his last official capacity in the Pack. We had 81 scouts and parents register for the event and  by my count  I about 76 from Pack 17 actually attended the event. The scouts enjoyed activities that included searching for a hidden treasure of knowledge in the Adventure activity, exploring the Space, Ocean and Human science attractions. Each scout was also was educated on how to care for and raise their own African Horned Frog tadpole. The boys had a blast having free run of the place and being able to explore it with several friends.

This month brought us news that our Cub Master Alistair Firman has accepted an opportunity for him and his family in Portland Oregon. I'd like to thank Alistair and Kate for their commitment to the pack and we will surely miss them and their contributions. Andrew and Will are good scouts and we wish them and the entire Firman family the best of luck in the Pacific Northwest. Myself and Bill Hoke and all the volunteer leaders of the pack will do our best to continue the tradition and keep the boys excited about the scouting adventure.

At our next Pack Meeting we will be having the Arrow of Light ceremony. This is the highest rank in Cub Scouts and is the only Cub Scout rank that can be worn on the Boy Scout Uniform. Our Webelos have worked hard to earn this award and the pack will recognize their hard work at the meeting. This will mark the last stop in the journey of Cub Scouts before they move to Boy Scouts.

As we enter this holiday season, we need to remember Scouting is about more than rockets, campouts and pinewood derby cars.  One of the main purposes of Cub Scouts is to promote Good Citizenship.  Our boys are surrounded with many daily reminders that we live in a materialistic world.  As a Pack, we will strive to present the cubs with opportunities to give back to the community.  This month's Pack meeting will focus on learning carols for our Arlington Court visit.  January's Pack meeting will also underscore the Pack's commitment to recognize service to our country and to others that are less fortunate.  Todd March is our Community Service Chair.  He and the other parents on that committee are looking for ideas for which the Pack or the Dens can schedule additional events to expand the boys' opportunities to show they can "do their best" and to be helpful to others.  The holiday season always presents itself with many opportunities; if you can think of any ideas for the other 11 months, please contact anyone on the committee.   On behalf of all of us on the leadership committee, have a happy holiday and joyous New Year!