Our Blue and Gold Banquet was just splendid! Great gathering, great food, and a wonderful fellowship of scouts and the entire Pack family. All of our scouts have earned their rank among many other recognitions. We awarded four scouts their Arrow of Light Award and bid farewell to three scouts who crossed-over into Boy Scouts. We will miss the three scouts who moved on, but it’s time for them to seek new challenges, learn new responsibilities, and become our next generation’s leaders.

While all of our scouts have earned their rank, the year is not over yet. There are many electives (and beads and arrowpoints) to be earned over the next few months before the scouts graduate to their next rank. The next few months are going to be really busy with all sorts of scouting activities. Dad n’ Lad Cake Bake, Pack Campout, and our Pack Graduation Ceremony are still to come.

Until next month,

- Ronnie Rhodes, Cubmaster Pack 418

Go Scouts!

Dad n’ Lad Cake Bake and Auction		Our March Pack Meeting (March 26, 2010) will be our Annual Dad n’ Lad Cake Bake and Auction event. This is a “hands down” fun event our scouts look forward to every year. Scouts get to design a cake and with Dad’s (or Grandpa, Uncle, etc) help bakes a cake and decorates it. Then, you get to bid on your favorite cake. What’s better than having cake and getting to eat it, too!
		The proceeds we raise during this event help to fund our summer programming like game nights and swim parties.
Pack Family Camping		This year’s Family Campout will be held at Lake Tawakoni State Park on the weekend of April 23-25, 2010. We will have a full weekend of fun planned for everyone. Scouts will work on some of their electives and build sailboats for our Annual Raingutter Regatta race on Saturday. There will be games, a Pack family cookout, and an exciting and fun campfire program.
		This year’s camping fee is $25 per family for the entire weekend if you sign-up and pay by the March Pack Meeting. After the March Pack Meeting, the fee increases to $35 and sign-ups for this event ends on April 17, so don’t miss out!
		Both tent and RV camping will be allowed at this event; however, only 12 RV sites will be available first come, first served at sign-up.
		If you just absolutely despise camping or have a conflict on Friday or Sunday and cannot camp with us, you are still welcome to join us for the day for just $7 for your entire family.
		Sign-up sheets will be available at the March Pack Meeting.
		Directions to Lake Tawakoni State Park
		Please note our camping and Saturday-only fees do NOT include the State Park’s daily access/usage fees. Lake Tawakoni’s access fees are $3 per day for each person 13 years of age and older and are due upon entering the park.
		Not sure what to bring? Click this link to view a camping checklist.
		What NOT to bring - radios, boom boxes, firearms, fireworks, sheath knives, axes, bow saws, hatchets, chain saws, and alcoholic beverages. (Essentially, anything that could be a safety concern for our kids, a nuisance to others, or a violation of State Park rules.)
Graduation Party		We will celebrate, not only your graduation from school, but your graduation to your next scout rank at the end of May! Stay tuned for more details about time and location for this party.
Summer Day Camp		Looking for a fun summertime activity? Needing a family “stay-cation” idea? Well, we have the deal for you!
		All Cub Scouting aged boys (entering 1st-5th grade this fall) are welcomed to enjoy this fun-filled day camp. There will be plenty of games, crafts, and activities, including BB and Archery ranges. There are also plenty of opportunities for the entire family to participate and help your scout and other scouts at day camp.
		This year’s District’s Summer Day Camp is June 7-10 at Bob Woodruff Park in Plano. There will be two sessions offered, one in the morning (8:30a-12:30p) and one in the evening (4:30p-8:30p).
		Registration for Summer Day Camp is now open. Register early (by March 21) to receive the early registration discount!
		If your scout (and family) is interested in joining us at Summer Day Camp, please contact Sonya at Sonya.Rhodes@Pack418.org for more information or to register.
		If you are new to scouting, take a few moments to browse our wonderful website to learn more about scouting. If you have any questions or are interested in joining Cub Scouts, just let the Cubmaster know at Cubmaster@Pack418.org.
Next Pack Meeting		Our next Pack Meeting is on Friday, March 26, 2010 starting promptly at 7:00pm at Groves Elementary.