Cubmaster Minute

Most of us have seen Canadian Geese heading north for spring. They fly in a V formation. When you see geese flying along in a V formation, you might consider that science has discovered why they fly that way:

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in V formation, the whole flock creates at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. Each goose in each position in the V has a responsibility to help all the others.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going faster and easier because they are traveling on the trust of one another.

When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power from the bird in front. It’s like riding the draft in NASCAR. If we had as much sense as a goose we would stay in formation with those who are headed in the same direction that we are.

When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back and another goose flies point. We need you all to cooperate and work together. It is your responsibility to help the others in your den and pack. It makes sense to take turns doing demanding jobs whether it’s with people or with geese flying north. No matter if you’re the head goose or one in formation, we’re all going for "True North" together.

Advice Found in my Inbox

This was in my inbox this morning...thought I would share. There is some good advice in these words.

ONE: Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO: Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE: Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR: When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

FIVE: When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.

SIX: Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN: Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT: Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have
much.

NINE: Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN: In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN: Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE: Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN: When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile, and ask, ‘Why do you want to know?'

FOURTEEN: Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN: Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN: When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN: Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN: Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN: When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY: Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice

TWENTY-ONE: Spend some time alone.

A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

POPCORN SALES UPDATE

All popcorn sales forms and money need to be turned in to Cheryl Farmer no later than SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13. You can turn these in to Cheryl on either day of the Scouting for Food event.

Scouting for Food

The annual Scouting for Food event will take place on two Saturdays, November 6 and 13. Bag drop off will take place on Saturday, November 6. We will start at 9:30 a.m., meeting at the gazebo in Worman’s Mill.

We will be covering the same area as last year in the Waterside, Worman’s Mill and Highlands neighborhoods. Pickup will be on Saturday, November 13. This event is held rain or shine.

Belt Loop and Pin Update

There are no limitations on the number of times a Scout can earn an Academic or Sports belt loop and pin. However due to budget limitations, the Pack Committee has decided that the Pack will only award a Scout a belt loop and pin the first time he earns it. Subsequent awards will be in the form of a certificate.

For example, if your Scout goes to day camp four years in a row, he will earn the Archery and BB belt loop and pin every year. The Pack will award him the actual belt loop and pin for these activities the first time he earns them. In subsequent years, the Pack will award him a certificate for these activities.

This is strictly a cost issue as belt loops and pins cost $1.89 each, while a certificate costs $0.12. For the September Pack Meeting, we spent nearly $200 on belt loops and pins alone!

Monthly Theme - Responsibility

The core value highlighted this month is: Responsibility: Fulfilling our duty to God, country, other people, and ourselves. Cub Scouts will understand that everyone is responsible for fire prevention, and learn about the importance of keeping their promises.

Responsibility:
Responsibility is fulfilling our duty to take care of ourselves and others.

Someone who is responsible will:
Be dependable; do what you say you will do.
Finish your homework.
Take care of chores at home.
Be helpful.
Accept the consequences for your actions.
Take care of your personal possessions.

Closing Thoughts

Forest Witcraft is credited with writing a little poem called A Hundred Years from Now

It goes like this:

A hundred Years from now,
It will not matter what my bank account was,
The sort of house I lived in,
Or the kind of car I drove.
But, the world may be different,
Because I was important in the life of a boy.

This is the driving force behind Scouting.

Since 1910 when scouting was started in the US, millions of boys from all walks of life have been introduced to scouting, by parents just like you. You’ve taken the first step in ensuring that your son will grow up the way you want him to by signing him up in Scouting, so I thank you, and even though he doesn’t know it yet, he thanks you.

Cubmaster Minute

I’m sure you’ve all seen the Olympic Circles – the symbol of the Olympic Games. Have you ever noticed how the circles intertwine?

There was purpose it that design. Although athletes come from many countries, some that disagree with each other politically – or may even be at war with one another – during the Olympic Games, the village housing the athletes is a place where people of different religious beliefs, different social status and different cultural traditions can eat and talk together. There are no walls to separate them from athletes from other countries. We need to provide that same kind of atmosphere for our scouts – so they can work together, play together and learn together – so they can work together as a team.

In other words, Cooperate!

Welcome Tigers

Tiger Leaders and Adult partners. I'm going to use this forum to help you all keep on track and know whats coming up, as well as provide some suggestions.

Tiger Cubs
Tigers earn their Bobcat first and use the Cub Scout motto.
Tigers wear the blue uniform.

Requirements for the Tiger Cub Totem
Learn the Cub Scout motto:
Learn the Cub Scout sign
Learn the Cub Scout salute

A Tiger Cub must finish Bobcat before beginning to earn his Tiger Cub rank. But hey, once he has learned the Cub Scout Motto, Sign and Salute, the Immediate Recognition Emblem is already earned, it's a done deal except for presentation.

So even if the Law of the Pack or the Promise take a bit longer, the Immediate Recognition Emblem requirements are in fact already done. Applying a bucket of common sense, and as we favor instant recognition in Cubs, I would say go ahead and do the Immediate Recognition Emblem at the latest the next pack meeting, even if Bobcat is not yet completed.

After earning his Bobcat Badge, the Tiger Cub must then complete one Den Activity, one Family Activity, and one Go See It Activity within each of the five achievement areas to earn the Tiger Cub rank. He works with his adult partner to do this. As he completes each of the 15 requirements, he receives the appropriate orange, white, or black bead at the next den meeting to add to his totem.

What is Tiger Cubs?

T - Time spent building a stronger relationship with a boy and his family

I - Introducing a boy and his family to Scouting.

G - Getting to know others and one's self better.

E - Entering into a group; being part of something special.

R - Reaching out to one another and getting hands on experiences.

S - Sharing and discovering new things and ideas.

This is what Tiger Cubs is all about!

Monthly Theme - Cooperation

The core value highlighted this month is:

Cooperation:
Working together with others toward a common goal. Cub Scouts and their families cooperate to make the first Pack Meeting a memorable occasion for all, including the new families and boys.