Centennial Merit Badges

If you have been working on your Centennial Merit Badges and need to have blue cards signed, please contact Craig or Natalie before December 27th so that we can fax the cards in to the Advancement Chair to make sure that you get the awards. These merit badges will no longer be available after the first of the year and all work must be completed by December 31, 2010 to receive them.

The following merit badges are the ones that will need to be passed off before the end of the year:
Carpentry
Pathfinding
Signaling
Tracking

Craig is the Merit Badge Counselor for Carpentry, Pathfinding, and Signaling. 

Please give us a call if you have questions or need help or you can email me at bearlakescouts@yahoo.com or natowlie@gmail.com.

Hope y'all have  a very Merry Christmas!

THANKS FOR BIKING THE BEAR

Special thanks to all the boys, leaders, and those that helped with Bike the Bear. It was a great success. All but two of the boys were able to finish the full 50 miles and the two that didn't finish had to leave early for football. We appreciate all those involved!

COURT OF HONOR/ARROW OF LIGHT CEREMONY

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EACH OF YOU AT OUR COURT OF HONOR THIS SUNDAY AT 6:30 PM AT THE CHURCH HOUSE. 

We will be doing an ARROW OF LIGHT ceremony for several of our boys that are coming into the 11 year old scouts. SO, ALL FAMILIES AND PACK ARE INVITED. WE will then go right into the awards for the young men at the Court of Honor. There are lots of things that have happened this summer and many merit badges, awards, patches, etc that have been earned. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE THAT DOESN'T GET OUR MESSAGES...please let them know about the COURT OF HONOR THIS SUNDAY.

Questions?  Please call me. Thanks so very much!

 

WOOD BADGE INFO FOR NOVEMBER COURSE

Just wanted you to know that our Woodbadge course in November is ALMOST FULL. We have three spots left.

To those of you that have replied and will not be able to make it...WE WILL MISS YOU!

To those of you that have signed up...WE ARE SUPER EXCITED!!!! Our course director is helping us plan for all of us from the Bear Lake Valley. Right now, we have TWELVE coming from our valley.  This is SOOOOO exciting. Our leaders will be trained and I am so excited to be a part of the course as a Troop Guide on the staff.  (You can call me if you have questions.)

To those of you that have NOT signed up but would like to attend...PLEASE CALL ME TODAY!!!! This is an amazing staff.  In over 16 years of scouting service, of all of the staffs that I have worked with on a council level, this is the most organized and enthusiastic of them all. I am so lucky to be a part of it. If any of you that had wanted to come and have not put in your registration forms yet, please call me.  I don't want to leave anyone out that wants to attend. This is going to be one of those events that we will be talking about for years to come.

WHAT IF I CAN'T RIDE THE FULL 50 MILES FOR BIKE THE BEAR?

WE DON'T WANT TO LEAVE ANYONE OUT.  If a scout doesn't want to bike the Bear, we still want him to participate in the overnighter. They will not have to ride the full 50 miles if they do not want to. There are people every 10 miles for mechanic problems and for the boys to stop and rest. If they feel they can't go any further, we will have people that will come and get them and they will still get awards for the mileage they went. We know each of the boys can go at least 10 miles because they have already had a practice run to Dingle Pond. It was very successful and we have high hopes for the boys. This counts towards their CENTENNIAL AWARD that we have been working on all year, so please have them come, if at all possible.

If you have ANY questions, please call us!

We will be working on bikes during scouts and making sure they are in order to BIKE THE BEAR for the next two weeks. Please have your boys bring their bikes and we will help them, where necessary. We are also setting up new patrols and now have new leaders for the patrols.

THANKS TO LEADERS

Just wanted to let our two assistant Scout Masters know how much we appreciated their efforts in working with us during the last year. They have been released and moved to other callings and we are grateful that they still help us when we need them!

We want to welcome our four NEW assistant Scout Masters in the 11 year old program and are super excited to work with each of them. 

We also welcome our new Scout Committee Chair and those that have said yes to serving on the Scout Committee. To have a successful program takes a lot of work and more people helping makes it easier for everyone. THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH!!!!

Special thanks goes to the Bishop's of each of the wards for helping staff the program and provide great leaders for us to work with.  WE SO APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!

BIKE THE BEAR

Each of you should have received a packet for BIKE THE BEAR to be held over night on August 13-14th.
 PLEASE FILL OUT THE REGISTRATION FORM AND THE PERMISSION FORM AND RETURN IT TO ONE OF THE LEADERS THAT IS LISTED ON YOUR PAPERWORK.

We need to have a count by Tuesday, August 3, 2010. Money and paperwork needs to be turned in no later than SATURDAY, AUGUST 8.

MEDICAL FORMS: If you have not filled out a medical form for scouts this year, or if you are new to the 11 year old scout program, please contact me immediately at bearlakescouts@yahoo.com and let me know that you need a form and I will get you one. You can also call any of the leaders that are listed on the packet that you received during the last few days.

Great time at Camp Hunt

CUB SCOUTS were able to attend the Day Camp on June 9 and had a great time. They earned their Ultimate Frisbee and Badmitton Belt Loops along with having a great time. They received their awards at Pack Meeting in July.

11 YEAR OLD SCOUTS June 10 and 11, 2010
We got really wet at Camp Hunt, but it was a great experience for the boys. Thanks to all the parents, leaders, and helpers that made this activity happen. The awards they earned will be given out at the next Court of Honor.

NO ROUND TABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER

No ROUNDTABLE will be held during the summer. Our next Roundtable will be held the first Wednesday of September at 7:30.

PACK MEETINGS IN SUMMER

PACK MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY, MAY 19th, at 5:00 PM in the Pavillion at the Church house. Because there are so many activities at the end of school, we are holding a short PACK meeting this Wednesday.  We want to make sure the boys receive the awards they have been working on.


JUNE PACK MEETING WILL BE THE DAY CAMP AT CAMP HUNT. It is being held on June 10th.  That is a CHANGE from the previous date. Remember, THURSDAY, JUNE 10th.

JULY PACK MEETING WILL BE THE LAST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH AT 5:30 PM.

AUGUST PACK MEETING WILL BE THE LAST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH AT 5:30 PM.

CHANGE IN LEADERS

Special thanks goes to our 11-year-old Assistant Scoutmaster. He has been a great leader and we are going to really miss him!!!

We also want to thank our former Cubmaster and Wolf  Den Leader for all the work they  have done. We will miss them both.

 We want to WELCOME our new Assistant Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, and Wolf Den Leader! Thanks for sharing the exciting Scouting program with us.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE THE 11-YEAR-OLD CAMP AT CAMP HUNT coming up on June 11-12.  If you have not told me that you that you want to go, please call me asap. We are going to finish registering this week. It is going to be a great overnighter.

Those of you in Troop 684 or 614, the ward is paying for your fees of $30.00 for participation. More information will be coming.

BIKE THE BEAR IS the second weekend in August 13-14. Please mark it on your calendar now. This is also an overnight event. Everyone age 8-18 is invited.  The Cubs will only be there on Saturday, the 14th. Fathers and parents are always welcome.  We will need help to have everyone attend.

JAMBORAL WAS FABULOUS

We had 35 Cubs, Scouts, Leaders, and Fathers attend the Jamboral on May 14-15th in Ogden, Utah. It was great fun. Some of the activities they attended were: Scuba Diving; Climbing the wall; BMX racing-actually participating on the track; Shooting range; Archery; Monkey Rope climb; and Scales and Tails where they saw a yellow snake that was so long that it took 8 scouts to hold it...obviously, due to my lack of enthusiasm in holding ANY snake, I did not attend that event!

The scouts saw a Magician on Friday night and there were fireworks. 

They had one building where you could view the history of Scouting and see old uniforms and displays. In another building, there were booths where the boys participating in Regatta Boat races, Pinewood Derby races, and they saw an amazing booth with creations made from Legos. 

It was a great activity. Special thanks to all the fathers, leaders, and organizers of the event. It was GREAT! We are very glad we had such great participation from Pack/Troop 684, 614, and 647. We also appreciate the Bear Lake District and the Council for giving us this opportunity.

THANK YOU!!

WHERE TO FIND MERIT BADGE INFORMATION ONLINE

To print out the worksheets for merit badges, please go to the following link:

http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badge_Worksheets

CALENDAR OF EVENTS COMING UP

CUB SCOUTS
March 23 CUB SCOUTS hand out Scouting for Food Bags BE AT CHURCH AT 5:00 PM
May 15- Jamborall in Ogden, Ut  Saturday ONLY


11- YEAR OLD SCOUTS
March 16  SCOUTS Catch up books and then Activity
March 23  SCOUTS Plan Camp out and then activity

March 25-26 OVERNIGHT CAMPOUT SCOUTS Swimming at Soda Springs 4:30 pm meet at church
 this night. Swimming will be on Friday at 11-1:00  Back early Friday afternoon 
March 27 SCOUTS pick up food for SCOUTING FOR FOOD  9:00 AM

April - we will begin working on more merit badges.  We will also be getting ready for the Court of Honor to be held on April 28

May 11 - Plan campout
May 14-15  Jamborall in Ogden,Utah

June 9 - Plan campout
June 11-12 Camp Hunt 11 year old scout overnighter

August 13-14  Bike the Bear

Sept 25 Adventure Base 100

October 15 Centennial Extravaganza

NO SWIMMING THIS WEEK

We have had to postpone the swimming because several of the boys have the last Ski class this Friday. We are hoping to reschedule for March 26.  More information coming.

UNIFORMS AND WELCOME TO NEW SCOUTS

WELCOME TO THE NEW SCOUTS that have just turned 11 years old in the last few months. We are excited to have you be a part of the scouting program. If you have any questions, please call us.

TO THE NEW SCOUTS AND PARENTS:

We suggest that each scout have a bag that they bring to Scouts each week. This should have their SCOUT BOOK, THEIR SCOUT BINDER, THEIR FAITH IN GOD BOOKLET, and they will be given their own ROPES to bring. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR SCOUT HAS HIS NAME WRITTEN ON HIS ITEMS and on his bag or backpack. If you have questions about this, please contact me.

UNIFORMS:

We consider the boys to be in uniform if they have their tan scout shirt on and their scarf that goes with their patrol.  They need to wear their uniforms each week unless we are doing the Physical Fitness Merit Badge.  We are going to begin having periodic drawings from the Uniform Jar and those that wear their uniforms each week will be able to put their names in the Uniform Jar. If you have problems finding a uniform, please let us know.

NEW SCOUT EMAIL ACCOUNT

If you need information, you can email me at bearlakescouts@yahoo.com or you can call me.  This way I can give you detailed information in a private email and you don't have to post anything on this blog. This site will take the place of the Mentor Memo's and you can check it as often as you need to.  You can also call or email me as often as you need to. Thanks for all your support in helping your Scout succeed.

MERIT BADGES

The following merit badges are some that the boys have been working on for several months. If you have questions, you can go to www.meritbadge.com and pull off the needed requirements for the boys. We have been working on several merit badges since last September and the boys should have been working on them at home.

PHYSICAL FITNESS

This is a three month requirement merit badge. We have been doing the measuring and testing during scouts, but each of the boys should have been participating in some sort of physical fitness program, either through what they do in PE at school or sports or on their own. The should have been writing it down on a calendar for at least three months.  They will also each require a physical from the doctor before they can get this merit badge. IF THEY ARE IN SPORTS AT SCHOOL, THE PHYSICAL THAT IS GIVEN CAN BE USED FOR THIS PORTION OF THE REQUIREMENT.

FAMILY LIFE

This is also a three month requirement merit badge. The Scouts should have been writing down their five chores that they are required to do for at least three months.  I tell them to put it on the calendar. These are chores such as feeding the dog or doing dishes or making their bed, etc. They should have been writing it down on a calendar.  For instance, if it was their job to do the dishes three times during the week, then they need to write it on the calendar so we know it was done.

They also need to do a family project for this requirement. This can be something they choose to better the family. For instance, some of them haul wood, or clean the garage or paint a bedroom. It is up to the Scout to have it the project discussed with the parent and decide what is appropriate.

PERSONAL MANAGEMENT

This is also a three month requirement merit badge. The Scouts should have been keeping track of any money they received and how it was spent or saved. This is also written on a calendar or paper so that they can show me the way they took care of their money.  If they get an allowance or money for food at school lunch, then they put it on the calendar and then say how they spend it. 

ASTRONOMY MERIT BADGE

Many of the boys are very close to this requirement. They needed to draw a picture of the moon and most of them have done so. Ask them what else they need to do.

FINGERPRINTING MERIT BADGE

Most of the boys should have been able to pass this off. We will be checking with them in the next week to see what else they need to do.  We worked on this badge several weeks and most of the boys should be able to get it.

PET MERIT BADGE

Several of the boys are working on the PET MERIT BADGE.  They also need to write down when they fed their animal on a calendar. If they have passed this off, please have them contact Natalie.

ADVANCEMENT TO THE NEXT RANK

We will be interviewing the boys and making sure their books have been signed so that we can prepare for the next Court of Honor.  More info on Court of Honor next week.

11 YEAR OLD SCOUTS

The 11 year old scouts meet at 7:00 pm each Tuesday evening at the church house. We have three groups that meet with us which include Montpelier LDS 3rd Ward, Montpelier LDS 5th Ward, and the Bennington LDS Ward.  The Dragons and Cobras are the two patrols that meet each week. If you have questions about activities, you can call Craig, Natalie, Matt, or Nick. This site will carry information for Merit Badges that we are working on and things that each of the Scouts or parents may need to know.

We give special thanks to the previous Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol leaders over the Dragons and Cobras. Because they have now turned twelve and moved on to the next Scout group, we have new leaders fulfilling those positions. Each of the boys will be given opportunities to have different positions in the Patrol and we will be giving out new assignments at the next Court of Honor.

CUB SCOUTS BEAR DEN

The Bear Den sponsored by the Montpelier LDS 3rd Ward and 5th Ward meets at the church house on Tuesday evenings at 5:00 pm.  This blog is to help keep parents informed about activities for the Pack and Bear Den.  If you have questions, please contact Natalie or Amy.