Yesterday's Den Meeting

We had a great den meeting on Sunday. We dug in and got dirty planting a peach tree in the Arasin's backyard, talked about why trees are good and then learned about the planets in our solar system. Thanks to the Arasins for hosting and to Avery for coming up with the space elective and leading the interplanetary discussion.

A couple of announcements I wanted everybody to have.

1) Homework - While the weather is still good, work with your son to accomplish achievement 12c, 12d, or 12e. Just one is necessary, provided you're planning to participate in at least one camping trip this year.

2) Which brings me to Fall Family Camping. We're calling FFC our mid-October den meeting. If you're planning to go, please get your money into Rebecca Woody by Wednesday.

3) And since FFC is our next den meeting, we need a denner. Cole Reynolds will be that denner, and his assignment is to come up with a skit that we can perform for the pack, probably on Friday night.

4) Popcorn money is due Oct. 15. Make checks payable to Pack 797, and give them to me.

5) Finally, add this to the calendar. The Pack will do some semi-annual maintenance at Mt. Bethel Elem. Habitat on Nov. 8 in the afternoon. It meets a requirement for Bear, 6g. Look for additional details later.

Getting into the Swing of Things

We had a fine den meeting today. The boys showed off their newly acquired tennis skills. Thanks to Hammond for teaching the boys how to play tennis. That counted toward part of our Sports achievement.

Kudos to Christopher for kicking off the denner program by combining the four forces of flight with Simon Sez. And thanks to Jacob for sharing his experiences as a Cub Scout in Germany with the den.

The deadline for registering for Fall Family Camping is Oct. 3 - which means you need to have your money into Rebecca Woody before that. You will also need to have turned in your health form, just parts A-C. No doctor signature necessary.

Deadline for popcorn is Oct. 15, with money and prize selection turned into Ethan Milley. The delivery day is Nov. 7.

Our next den meeting is at the Arasin's house. We're going to start late - 4 p. - to avoid a conflict they have. Avery is also the denner, and the Arasins are responsible for snack.

Sunday's Den Meeting

Just a quick post to remind you of Sunday's den meeting and to alert you to a location change. Rather than the Reynolds house, we'll meet nearby at their community tennis courts at 3 pm.

From Woodlawn, enter the Hampton Woods subdivision next to Dickerson Middle School onto Chestnut Lake. Swim and Tennis parking is on the right, after the 5th stop sign.

From Fairfield, enter the neighborhood onto Hampton Woods Drive. Make your first right onto Chestnut Lake, and parking will be on the left.

Bring a tennis racket if you have one. Pack or Cub Scout T-shirts are the uniform.

Elective Hint

I learned this evening that selling popcorn also checks the box on a Bear elective - 21A. Be sure and check that one off on Scout Track this fall.

Great Groceries!

Thank you everybody for making the first meeting of the year a real success, particularly the willingness to take nine boys to Publix on short notice. The boys showed real ability when it comes to grocery shopping.

You son's homework assignment is to watch a televised sporting event with a parent. Please mark it in Scout Track when you've completed it.

Also in Scout Track, please double check your information to make sure its complete and accurate. It makes getting you information easier and helps us with the records we have to file with BSA.

Look for a seperate message from me with the schedule in it. It shows the dates as well as snack and denner responsiblities as well as the location. It also shows what we plan to cover at each meeting, but as today shows us plans will change. The second and third sheets (its in Excel) have the Bear requirements and achievements. What is most important to know is that we will cover 8 achievements in den meetings - #6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 23, 24. There will be some homework assignments. You need to do four achievements at home.

Next den meeting is Sunday, Sept. 13, at 3 p. We'll meet at the Reynolds' house, 4493 Ashburn Walk. Bring a tennis racket and be prepared to play. Christopher Euston is denner - which means he will prepare an elective for us to work on - and Euston will bring the snack.

Other key dates are Sept. 12 is the East Cobber Parade. If you'd like to march in it, meet the Pack at Mt. Bethel Elementary at 9:30 a.m.

Fall Family Camping is Oct. 16-18. The Space Derby is Oct. 24. Buy your Space Derby kit at the Scout Shop or www.scoutstuff.org.

Bike Hike on the Silver Comet Trail

On Sunday, we're taking a Bike Hike down the Silver Comet trail. We could ride all the way to Alabama, but we're not gonna do that. Instead, we're going to ride only a few miles - about 30 minutes west, take a break to do some den business, and then 30 minutes back to the cars.

Let's plan on meeting at the Floyd Road enterance to the trail. A map with directions from my house is here. There is a parking lot on the west side of Floyd Road, on the south side of the bike path. It's not the closest trail enterance, but I am told that it will be a lot less congested.

Be sure to bring a bike helmet and water. Boys should wear a Pack or Cub Scout t-shirt. I am responsible for snack this time out. I will select a random 3rd grader to lead the flag ceremony.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Plant a Tree?

Is anybody thinking about improving their home landscaping this fall by planting a tree? I have a group of willing young laborers who love to get dirty and can earn part of a Bear requirement by taking part. (You probably know them too.) Let me know and I'll put it on the schedule.