Den Update

Dear Den 7 Community:

Just a reminder that we will not have a den meeting this week; we will have a pack meeting Thursday, 23 March, at 6:30 PM at Davis School. The construction theme we have been working with in the Den will continue through the pack meeting, when we will construct model rockets.

8/10 of the den made it to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade last Saturday—I’m glad that we had such a good showing.

I am still planning on a den day at Camp Big Timber next Monday, 27 March,, from 1:00 – 4:00. Please confirm with me on Thursday if you or your son can make it. We will carry out a service project for the camp and have some fun in the wilds.

Looking ahead, I want to let you know that (having heard some rumors swirling about) my family and I will still be here this fall and beyond. I received an appointment to the faculty at Roosevelt University starting in the fall, so I will be able to return to higher education. Given that, I don’t want to predict what that will mean for my role as den leader next year—I hope to continue, but with the potential for evening classes and meetings and such--I’ll be looking for an “official” assistant den leader—or you can have the den leader title and I’ll be the assistant. Regardless of titles, I want the boys to continue to have a good experience in Cub Scouting.

Good luck to Rebecca and her walk this summer…

+++

I’ll publish a calendar for the rest of the spring and summer shortly, so we can get all of the den and pack’s activities on our schedules.

My best to all,

Ken

Weekly Update--Now through Spring Break

Dear Den 7 Community:

Next Meeting:
Tuesday, 14 March, 6:30 PM at Davis School. Please send a hammer again.

We also need a volunteer for a treat…

Pack Meeting
Thursday, 23 March, 6:30 PM (please note that this date has changed from 21 March, due to election day rescheduling)

The pack leadership will likely be looking for commitments for those who wish to attend Cub Scout Day Camp.

I’d ask you to think seriously about the resident camp program that was outlined on the flyer I sent home last week. The payment deadline (for the good rate) is early April.

Spring Break:
Monday, 27 March, 1:00 – 4:00 PM. I have made arrangements for our den to spend the afternoon at Camp Big Timber. We will carry out a conservation service project at camp, as well as have some fun in the out of doors.

I will need help with transportation on that day….if any of you were going to be home to watch your kids during spring break—just consider this a new and exciting opportunity.

We will meet at Davis School at 12:15, and depart by 12:30 for our program at Camp Big Timber. I will consult with the camp ranger in advance to see what sort of project he would like completed…and if we need any specialized materials (a shovel, rake, etc.).

Good luck to our Den’s Cubs who are racing in the district Pine Wood Derby today.

Sincerely,

Ken

Den Updates

Dear Den 7 Community:

Please respond by email to let me know you received this—we will be meeting in a different location this week.

This week:
--Our meeting will take place at the King’s house, 1401 South Seventh Street.
--We will be constructing bird houses, so please send your son to the meeting with a hammer. Please label your hammer so that it comes back to you.

Later this month:
--St. Patrick’s Parade: 18 March. Please look for information from the cubmaster/committee chairman regarding participation in the St. Charles St. Patrick’s day parade
--Cub Scout Leader Training: 18 March. If you would like to take on a more formal role with the den or whole pack, there is training available to help you learn the ropes. The next session is available from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for Cub Scout leaders. It includes a general overview of scouting, as well as specific training for various leader positions. I’ll be delivering the session for Cubmasters. Location: LDS Church, 0N429 Old Kirk Road, Geneva. Contact for questions or to confirm your participation: Bob Shine at rshine@ameritech.net
--Pack Meeting: 23 March (rescheduled from 21 March—there is an Election Day conflict with the 21st)
--Den Conservation Service Project at Camp Big Timber: 27 March (tentative). To celebrate Spring Break, we will carry out a conservation project at Camp Big Timber. More to come on this one….

April:
Payment deadline for Cub Scout Day Camp
Payment deadline for Cub Scout Resident Camp (Resident camp is an overnight camping experience)

May:
--Den Campout. 12-13 May. Blackwell Forest Preserve--http://www.dupageforest.com/PRESERVES/blackwell.html. The Den will camp from Friday-Saturday. Den camping requirements are one parent/one child….if you would like to have more of your family participate, they would be welcome to camp in the family camping area (very nice if you have a pop-up camper). Blackwell’s camping regulations suggest that as a youth organization—camping in the special youth organization area—we need to function as a youth organization, and not as a family camping experience.

July:
Cub Scout Day Camp and Cub Scout Resident Camp
Big deal #1: I would recommend that Den 7 participate in the local area’s Cub Scout Day Camp at Good Templar Park in Geneva. Chrissy Stubbs sent around a commitment form at the Blue and Gold Banquet, so please refer to that if you have a copy. The bottom line is that payments are due by early April to secure the best price. Camp Dates: July 24 - 28, 2006.

Big deal #2: I would recommend that Den 7 participate in the Milwaukee County Council’s overnight camping program for Cub Scouts on July 13-16, 2006, at their Scout Camp near Ocononowoc, WI. I have a handout that I will share at the den meeting on Tuesday. They have a terrific program (I’ve observed it in action twice as a camp inspector), and there are three key advantages over the Three Fires Council camping program: (1) it is a longer camping period, (2) the facilities are better, and (3) it is less expensive.

Payment for this experience is also due in early April.

Please mark your calendars for participation in any/all of the above experiences.

Best regards,

Ken

1 March Update

Dear Den 7 Community:

Thanks to Joy Rudnicki for organizing a lunch-making service project for the residents of Lazarus House. The scouts made 27 lunches, decorated the bags, and helped many families by their efforts. Thanks also to Bonnie, Collette, and Rebecca for their help in managing the fixin's and the scouts.

Next week's meeting will take place at an alternate site, as our meeting room has been booked by the PTA. Treats have already been secured by Trent and his family, so we are good to go.

Thanks to the efforts of Bonnie Kampen, we will have a Den campout on 12-13 May. Please mark your calendars for that Friday-Saturday. It should be a lot of fun, and a real highlight for the boys.

More soon--thanks for your support of the den and the scouting program.

Best,

Ken