Wolf Newlsetter

Wolf Den Family Newsletter

October 2011

October Achievements

Be Sure These Are Recorded in Your Wolf Book

On October 3^rd during our den meeting, we walked a balance beam (A-1b) and discussed Achievement 3: Keep Your Body Healthy.  We made a health chart to fill out at home (A-3a), and discussed how to stop the spread of colds (A-3b) and what to do for a small cut on your finger (A-3c).  Peter was our Denner and led the Flag Salute (A-2b).  Jason brought us a yummy snack.

 On October 17^th during our den meeting, Asher was our Denner and led the Flag Salute (A-2b).  We discussed the meaning of the Pledge of Allegience (A-2a), and how to raise and lower a flag (A-2e).  Then we practiced folding flags properly (A-2g).  Seth brought a tasty snack to share.

Coming Up

Who does what, and when

 Our new regular den meeting schedule will be 4:15-5:30 on the first and second Mondays of the month, at least through February of 2012.

 Denners, please plan to arrive by 4:05 if possible to help set up.

Den Meetings:

November 7^th, 4:15-5:30 at the Scout Cabin
Bicycling if the weather and darkness cooperate.  Bring a bicycle, helmet, flashing light.
 Denner:   Seth
Snack:    Jimmy
November 14^th, 4:15-5:30 at the Grange
Denner:   TBA
Snack:    TBA

     Bicycle Belt Loop and Badge Achievements:

We will be earning our Bicycle Beltloop if the weather cooperates.  This will help the Wolves and Bears earn their badge as well.  During the first den meeting that is not raining we will meet at the Scout Cabin with bicycles and spend at least ½ hour riding together on Mill City’s streets and bike paths.  We will need to start right at 4:15 to finish before dark.  If we are unable to do this at a den meeting due to weather or darkness, we may schedule it for a Saturday.

Parents, please ride with your scout if you can, but if you can’t you may still send your boy on the ride!  Helmets are a must.  A flashing light on the bike or boy is also a good idea; I have a few to loan.  I also have extra adult bicycles to loan if you need one.  Please let me know as soon as possible if you need my help to find a bicycle or gear to use, or if you have any questions.

 What you might do at home in November

Work toward your badges

 Please bring your Wolf Book to all den meetings.  When you sign off an achievement or elective, mark the page (bookmark it, fold it, post-it note it, or whatever works) and show me so that we can be sure your progress gets recorded in my notebook.

 Report segments and awards earned to me by November 21^st in order to receive them during the November Pack Meeting.

 Work toward your Wolf Badge at home

Plan to finish by April 16^th.

·         Achievement 2: Your Flag

o   Prepare to lead a flag ceremony if you have not already (2b)

·         Achievement 4: Know Your Home and Community

o   Do home safety achievements 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d

·         Achievement 6: Start a Collection

o   Begin thinking about what you would like to collect.  We will share our collections in March. (6b)

·         Achievement 8: Cooking and Eating

o   Look for a good weather opportunity for an outdoor meal (8e)

·         Achievement 9: Be Safe At Home and On the Street

o   Do home safety achievements 9b and 9c

o   Practice street safety (9d)

 Work toward Arrow Points

Plan to finish by May 21^st.
For every 10 electives you complete, you earn one Arrow Point patch for your uniform. .  You can work on Arrow Points now, but they will be awarded only after your Wolf Badge has been earned.

·         Elective 16: Family Alert

o   Do emergency preparation electives 16a, 16b, and/or 16c

·         Elective 20: Sports

o   Flag football (20j), soccer (20k), basketball (20m)

 If you are working toward the World Conservation Award

Plan to finish by May 21^st.
 This is an award you can choose to earn on your own.  We will not be actively working toward this award in Den Meetings, but Wolf year is a good year to earn it.  The World Conservation Patch is a purple panda patch that our Pack allows to be worn on your uniform.  To earn it, you will choose two out of three electives and complete all parts: Birds, Plants, and/or Fishing.

·         Elective 13: Birds: Feed (13e) and identify birds (13a, 13d).  Clean out birdhouses (13f).

·         Elective 15: Plants: If you did not plant a garden over the summer, plan how to grow vegetables indoors this fall or winter (15c).  If you did not raise a flowerbed over the summer, start a fall frost resistant one now (15b).

·         Elective 19: Fishing: Learn rules and laws of fishing (19d, 19e).

 If you are working toward the Outdoor Activity Award

Plan to finish by May 21^st.

 This is an award that can be earned by any Wolf who attended scout camp this past summer.  You must complete Elective 23b and do four other qualifying outdoor activities with family, at school, in sports, or in scouts.

• Participate in a nature hike in your local area. This can be on an organized, marked trail, or just a hike to observe nature in your area.
• Participate in an outdoor activity such as a picnic or park fun day.
• Explain the buddy system and tell what to do if lost. Explain the importance of cooperation.
• Attend a pack overnighter. Be responsible by being prepared for the event.
• Complete an outdoor service project in your community.
• Complete a nature/conservation project in your area. This project should involve improving, beautifying, or supporting natural habitats. Discuss how this project helped you to respect nature.
• Earn the Summertime Pack Award.
• Participate in a nature observation activity. Describe or illustrate and display your observations at a den or pack meeting.
• Participate in an outdoor aquatic activity. This can be an organized swim meet or just a den or pack swim.
• Participate in an outdoor campfire program. Perform in a skit, sing a song, or take part in a ceremony.
• Participate in an outdoor sporting event.
• Participate in an outdoor Scout's Own or other worship service.
• Explore a local city, county, state, or national park. Discuss with your den how a good citizen obeys the park rules.

Find more information online; one page to use is: boyscouttrail.com/content/award/cub_scout_outdoor_activity-704.asp.

 Academics and Sports

Plan to finish by May 21^st.

     This program allows boys to earn belt loops or pins through a wide variety of activities.  The following areas are available:

Academics:			Sports:
Art	Language & Culture		Badminton	Kickball
Astronomy	Map & Compass		Baseball	Marbles
Chess	Mathematics		Basketball	Physical Fitness
Citizenship	Music		Bicycling	Roller Skating
Collecting	Nutrition		Bowling	Skateboarding
Communicating	Pet Care		Fishing	Snow Ski & Board
Computers	Photography		Flag Football	Soccer
Disabilities Awareness	Reading and Writing		Golf	Softball
Family Travel	Science		Gymnastics	Swimming
Geography	Video Games		Hiking	Table Tennis
Geology	Weather		Hockey	Tennis
Good Manners	Wildlife Conservation		Horseback Riding	Ultimate
Heritages			Ice Skating	Volleyball

 There are three basic requirements to earn each belt loop.  A scout must usually gain some basic knowledge of the area and do a related activity.  For sports belt loops, if you have been part of a sports team, you have earned the belt loop.

 There are five additional in-depth requirements to earn the pin, such as learning history, interviewing experts, completing a project, and gaining more skills.

 If you are interested in any of the belt loops and/or pins, you can ask me for the complete requirements of any, or look online; one place to find requirements is: boyscouttrail.com/cub-scouts/acad-sports.asp.

A=Achievement, E=Elective