Fall cleanup

On Sunday, November 1st our charter organization, South Congregational Church will be having a fall cleanup event.

Please join us to help out starting between 11:15 - 11:30, bring rakes, leaf blowers, tarps, gloves, etc. Scouts please wear your shirts to as we do a good turn for our community. Lunch will be served afterwards!

Rocket day today!

It rained last night so we can expect the field is going to be soggy, dress accordingly.

Blast-off will be at 2pm.


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Online Popcorn orders, so easy even a Committe Chairman can do it

I hate to admit it, I didn't understand the change in the popcorn system that makes it considerably easier this year to do online sales. In past years a leader needed to login to the system and generate a code for each scout, not anymore.

The easy steps:
1) Go to Trails End, this is the link you need

2) Go down to the Create a new Account section, it looks like this

3) Setup an account for your scout, once you put in their age it will ask for Parent/Guardian info & e-mail.

4) On the next screen select: CONNECTICUT RIVERS Pack 0061 South Congregational Church

5) Final screen will ask for a little more info

And then you are done! Trails End will e-mail you a confirmation e-mail then you can sign in and e-mail from their system your friends and relatives.

Next Wolf Meeting 10-10

Our next Den activity will be at Goodwin School on Saturday, October 10, at 10:30 am. We will work on the first requirement on the Wolf trail so dress for outdoor activity. No uniforms necessary. Plan to spend an hour to ninety minutes for some outdoor fun!!

McDonalds scout recruiting night

On October 8th we will be having a Cubscout recruiting night at McDonalds, 2915 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT.

- Learn about Scouting in East Hartford and speak to the parents involved in this years exciting program for this 100th year of scouting.
- Meet mascots from the Rock Cats and Wolf Pack




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Money, Money, Money

Pack 61 and South Congregational Church will be hosting a "Gold Party" where people can trade in their unwanted jewelry for cash with Becker's Jewelry. Some proceeds from this event will go to Pack 61 and South Congregational Church

Thursday, October 22, 2009 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm



Also, our friends (and a Pinewood Derby sponsor) at Webster will be having an open house week from Monday, September 21st until Saturday, September 26th. If you are looking to find a new bank please check them out. 1491 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT - 860-569-4499



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Ready, Set, Popcorn!

Thank you everyone who attended our Popcorn kickoff for returning scouts. We have goals and are excited to meet them.

1. Always wear you class “A” uniform.

2. Never sell alone or enter anyone’s home.

3. Practice the five principles for success presentation

a. Who you are? Use first name only
“Hi, my name is Joe”

b. Where you are from?
“I’m a Cub Scout with Pack 61 in East Hartford.”

c. What you are doing?
“We’re working very hard to try and help raise money for our scouting activities this year.”

d. What they can do to help you?
“You can help us by buying some of our delicious popcorn!”

e. Close the sale.
“You’ll help us, won’t you?”

4. Be polite and always say “Thank you”.

5. Always walk on the sidewalk and/or driveway.

6. Keep your Take Order forms each year for repeat customers.

7. Have Mom and/or Dad take an order form to work.

8. Plan how many sales you will need to reach your goal.

a. Determine whom you will ask to help you reach your goal.

b. Remember; “two out of three people will buy when asked”.

I think it's going to be an exciting year ahead.

Popcorn kickoff - August 27th

We are quickly approaching our popcorn fundraising time frame and we will be holding our first Popcorn Kickoff Meeting on Aug 27, 7PM SHARP at the church. At this meeting we will:

• Hand out the popcorn order forms


• Review the Trails End popcorn website and how to order online


• Explain the MANY ways scouts can earn prizes and gift cardssample some new products


• Explain the goals for this year and show you the big, wet trip we plan on taking show and sell popcorn opportunities

and most important

• GET EXCITED!!!!!!

If you cannot attend, please let me know so we can arrange for you to come to my house and get your order forms and other paperwork.

DEN LEADERS - please call your scouts and make sure the parents know about this meeting.

Scoutphone61 and Facebook

Pack 61, always at the cutting edge has enabled ScoutPhone61! By using google voice we have a way for you to leave messages and contact the scout leaders. Messages will be e-mailed to the pack61easthartford@gmail.com address.

If you look over on the right, you can even connect by using the widget we've posted. Or you can call (860) 368-0061 directly.

Feel free to try it out!

Pack 61 is also on Facebook

After finding out a number of our parents are on facebook we setup a Pack 61 group to further communication. If you follow our group you will see pictures and events, even a discussion board where we will talk about upcoming activities.

Click here for the Pack 61 Facebook group

Rescheduled: Webelos tour of Channel 3

On August 4th at 7pm the Webelos 1 & 2 groups will go on a tour of the Channel 3 facility in Rocky Hill.

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Rockcats Sleepover pictures

Saturday night our scouts had a fun time at the Rockcats game. I'm sure they are resting up from it today, I sure am.

Pack 61 picnic

On Sunday July 12th at noon pack 61 will celibrate summer with swimming, fishing, a cookout and scouting fun at P & F pond. Please bring a desert or side dish.



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What could be better than eating pizza with Pack 61?

Watching pinewood derby races at the same time!

June 26th we'll be having our first ever Pinewood Derby free-for-all night. The important info:

• Pizza and drinks, $10 per family
• Bring your cars from previous races or a new car
• We'll race all the cars to find the fastest and if time permits we'll have a few grudge match races
• Everyone will need to stick around to help break down the event and clean up.
• Visitors and spectators are welcome, see the fun that pack 61 has in action.

Annual Strawberry Fair at South Congregational Church

On Saturday June 13th, South Congregational Church will be holding their anual Fair fund raiser. Cubmaster Brian Goh will be manning a table to raise funds for the scouts, Committee Chairman Scott Malin will be manning the grill. There are activies for the kids, crafts, a raffle, baked goods, hot grilled food, and delicious fresh made strawberry shortcake made of locally grown strawberries.

See you there.

Memorial Day parade pictures

Here's the pictures I have. Parents, let us know and we can add your pictures to our gallery.

Hockanum River District Pinewood Derby

Location: Marlborough Elementary School – Community Room.

Registration fee: $5.00 per car

Check-in begins at 11:00 am

Race begins at noon

Who: Top three winners of your pack derby (Joshua Cadwallader, Matthew Milbrandt, Andrew Kelly)

Note: Pictured track is not being used, it would be very cool though.

Advancement: Heritage

Every family has a story to two to tell, this learning opportunity could be used toward your Heritage belt loop or pin.

Belt Loop
Complete these three requirements:

1. Talk with members of your family about your family heritage: its history, traditions, and culture.
2. Make a poster that shows the origins of your ancestors. Share it with your den or other group.
3. Draw a family tree showing members of your family for three generations.

Academics Pin
Earn the Heritages belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Participate in a pack heritage celebration in which Cub Scouts give presentations about their family heritage.
2. Attend a family reunion.
3. Correspond with a pen pal from another country. Find out how his or her heritage is different from yours.
4. Learn 20 words in a language other than your native language.
5. Interview a grandparent or other family elder about what it was like when he or she was growing up.
6. Work with a parent or adult partner to organize family photographs in a photo album.
7. Visit a genealogy library and talk with the librarian about how to trace family records.
8. Variation: Access a genealogy Web site and learn how to use it to find out information about ancestors.
9. Make an article of clothing, a toy, or a tool that your ancestors used. Show it to your den.
10. Help your parent or adult partner prepare one of your family's traditional food dishes.
11. Learn about the origin of your first, middle, or last name.

Advancements do not need to be completed as part of den or pack activities, we as parents can sign off on the activites and let the den or pack leadership know. E-mail us at pack61easthartford@gmail.com with questions or to record your son's advancement.

Achievement: World Conservation Award

The World Conservation Award provides an opportunity for individual Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers to "think globally" and "act locally" to preserve and improve our environment. This program is designed to make youth members aware that all nations are closely related through natural resources and that we are interdependent with our world environment.

The Cub Scout version of the World Conservation Award can be earned by Wolf or Bear Cub Scouts, and by Webelos Scouts.

As a Wolf Cub Scout, you can earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award by doing the following:

1. Complete achievement #7 - Your Living World
2. Complete all Arrow Points in 2 of the following 3 Electives:
   #13 - Birds
   #15 - Grow Something
   #19 - Fishing
3. Participate in a den or pack conservation project in addition to the above

As a Bear Cub Scout, you can earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award by doing the following:

1. Complete achievement #5 - SHARING YOUR WORLD WITH WILDLIFE
2. Complete all requirements in 2 of the following 3 electives:
   #2 - Weather
   #12 - Nature Crafts
   #15 - Water and Soil Conservation
3. Participate in a den or pack conservation project in addition to the above

As a Webelos Scout, you can earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award by doing the following:

1. Earn the Forester activity badge.
2. Earn the Naturalist activity badge.
3. Earn the Outdoorsman activity badge.
4. Participate in a den or pack conservation project.

Advancements do not need to be completed as part of den or pack activities, we as parents can sign off on the activites and let the den or pack leadership know. E-mail us at pack61easthartford@gmail.com with questions or to record your son's advancement.

Advancement: Art

Also this month our scouts showed their creative sides and earned their artist belt loops and pins.

Belt Loop
Complete these three requirements:

1. Make a list of common materials used to create visual art compositions.
2. Demonstrate how six of the following elements of design are used in a drawing: lines, circles, dots, shapes, colors, patterns, textures, space, balance, or perspective.
3. Identify the three primary colors and the three secondary colors that can be made by mixing them. Show how this is done using paints or markers. Use the primary and secondary colors to create a painting

Academics Pin
Earn the Art belt loop, and complete six of the following requirements:

1. Visit an art museum, gallery, or exhibit. Discuss with an adult the art you saw.
2. Create two self-portraits using two different art techniques, such as drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, or computer illustration.
3. Demonstrate how to make paper. Make a sample at least 4 inches by 4 inches.
4. Make a simple silkscreen or stencil. Print a card or T-shirt.
5. Create a freestanding sculpture or mobile using wood, metal, soap, papier-m�ch�, or found objects.
6. Create an object using clay that can be fired, baked in the oven, or hardened in water.
7. Photograph four subjects in one theme, such as landscapes, people, animals, sports, or buildings.
8. Make a collage using several different materials.
9. Use your artistic skills to create a postage stamp, book cover, or music CD cover.
10. Use a computer illustration or painting program to create a work of art.
11. Display your artwork in a pack, school, or community art show.

Webelos Scouts that earn the Art Belt Loop while a Webelos Scout also satisfy requirement 11 for the Artist Activity Badge.

Advancements do not need to be completed as part of den or pack activities, we as parents can sign off on the activites and let the den or pack leadership know. E-mail us at pack61easthartford@gmail.com with questions or to record your son's advancement.

Advancement: Chess

This month we awarded 7 Chess belt loops, this is a Academics award.

Belt Loop
Complete these three requirements:

1. Identify the chess pieces and set up a chess board for play.
2. Demonstrate the moves of each chess piece to your den leader or adult partner.
3. Play a game of chess.

Academics Pin
Earn the Chess belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Demonstrate basic opening principles (such as development of pieces, control center, castle, don't bring queen out too early, don't move same piece twice).
2. Visit a chess tournament and tell your den about it.
3. Participate in a pack, school, or community chess tournament.
4. Solve a pre-specified chess problem (e.g., "White to move and mate in three") given to you by your adult partner.
5. Play five games of chess.
6. Play 10 chess games via computer or on the Internet.
7. Read about a famous chess player.
8. Describe U.S. Chess Federation ratings for chess players.
9. Learn to write chess notation and record a game with another Scout.
10. Present a report about the history of chess to your den or family.

Advancements do not need to be completed as part of den or pack activities, we as parents can sign off on the activites and let the den or pack leadership know. E-mail us at pack61easthartford@gmail.com with questions or to record your son's advancement.

Pictures from tonight's Blue & Gold Banquet

The chairs are put away for the night, the room swept, the decorations put away. I hope everyone enjoyed our celibration of the birth of scouting. Below are a few pictures we took tonight.

Note to all parents, if you take pictures and would like to add them to our online album, let us know, we'd love to have them.

District Awards

Every year members of the community who work with the scouting program are recognized for their efforts, the 1hr a week that turns into 8 trying to bring the best experience for our young scouts. If there is someone you feels stands out, please nominate with the below forms.

Download Nomination Forms for District Awards
2009 Hockanum River DISTRICT AWARD OF MERIT (.doc)
2009 Hockanum River DISTRICT OUTSTANDING SCOUTER Award (.doc)
2009 Hockanum River DISTRICT HOCKANUM HERO Award (.doc)

Nomination forms are due by February 20, 2009.

If you have any questions please send us an e-mail pack61easthartford@gmail.com.

Blue & Gold Banquet

On Feburary 21st we will celibrate the birthday of scouting with the Blue & Gold Banquet. The pack meeting will start at 5pm and dinner will be served around 6pm. Scouts and immediate families are free, additional tickets will be on sale for Adults - $8, Children under 12 - $4.

Blue and gold are the Cub Scout colors. They have special meaning, which the boys and leaders should understand, and will help them see beyond the fun of Cub Scouting to its ultimate goals.

• Blue stands for truth and spirituality, steadfast loyalty, the sky above.
• Gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness.

Pinewood Derby 2009

On January 24th we held our annual Pinewood Derby and we wanted to share with you a few of the sights and sounds of the event.

Our Tiger scouts were excited and drew these pictures.




The cars on display as we setup for the event



Youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/Pack61EastHartford

If you have some pictures youd like to add to our gallery just e-mail us at pack61easthartford@gmail.com

Congrats to all participants.

TIGER MEETINGS

Just a reminder that there is a Tiger Meeting tonight at the church at 7 pm. We will be doing a flag ceremony so please come in uniform! There is also another Tiger den meeting on Feb. 13 at the church same time. Thanks and I will see you all tonight.

Movie Night - 1-23-2008

On Friday the 23rd, starting at 6:30pm we'll be showing Down and Derby to warm the kids up for the Pinewood Derby on Saturday the 24th. Popcorn and drinks will be served.

Note: If you have not checked your car in for the Derby this is your Last Chance!

See you at the movies ...

Reminder: Weigh-in nights 1-15 & 1-16

Reminder, we're checking in cars on Friday 1-16-2009 between 6:30-7:30. You need to have your car weighed before it can race and we will not be checking in any cars the day of the race.

January Pack 61 events

The weather outside is cold but we're going to heat things up with some Pinewood Derby action this month.

• January 15th - Weigh-in night 6:30pm-7:30pm
• January 16th - Weigh-in night 6:30pm-7:30pm
• January 23rd - Movie Night in Charrier Hall 6:30pm, Down-n-Derby! Popcorn will be served
• January 24th - Pinewood Derby, doors open at 11am, races start at noon.

Derby notes:

• All cars need to be weighed in at one of the weigh-in nights and will be stored until race. This allows us to get a count of the cars and display the cars for judging before the race. We will not have time to weigh-in any cars on the day of the race I'm afraid.
• The Masons will be once again having a CT Chip event in the church library, this is a free service and we are encouraging people to spread the word. See http://www.ctchip.org/ for details on the program.

Upcoming Events for Tigers

Hello All, there will be a Tiger Den meeting at the church on January 16 at 7 pm. Hope to see you there!