Hello, Scout Families!  I hope you had a memorable Memorial Day weekend, and that you’re enjoying the lovely serenading of our brood X cicadas! 

Summer’s coming quick.  Here’s a synopsis of what we have planned during the hot months:

End Of The Year Ceremonies

Make sure you have it in your calendar – the Rank Advancement Ceremony is on Sunday, June 13th.  This is when our Cub Scouts graduate to the next rank (diamond badges), and is the most important meeting of the year.  Attend this one if at all possible – it’s critical!  As we did last week, we’ll be outside and maintain social distancing by spreading out on the lawn “picnic-style.”  So bring a blanket!  As always, Cubs must be in full field uniform.  Cubs that are in full field uniform for the second meeting in a row will earn a special award.  This is the last meeting that full field uniforms are required until September. 

Summer Scouting

Last summer, we ran a full online program since everyone was stuck at home.  This year, we’ve decided on a come-when-you-want style program.  Instead of paying once for the whole program, you’ll just pay for the events you wish to attend.  The events will be very inexpensive: only to cover actual costs of the event plus one or two dollars extra to cover other pack expenses.  One adult will be required for each child in attendance (siblings excepted).

We don’t have costs quite yet, but I’m guessing there won’t be anything over $10 pp, save Camp Oest Cub Scout Summer Camp weekend (details below).  You don’t need to make any decisions now – but we will cancel any weekend that doesn’t have at least three Cub RSVPs within a couple of days of the event.  If you don’t own camping or fishing equipment, that’s not a problem whatsoever – the pack has a whole closet full.

Yes, absolutely!!!!  Family, siblings, friends, and families of friends are invited to all events!  You can even invite grandma and Uncle Pete!  The more the merrier.  If you have a friend who is thinking about joining Cubs, bringing them to a summertime event is a fantastic way for them to dip their toe in.

If your Cub attends at least one event each month in June, July and August, they will earn the Summertime Pack Award pin (yes, they’re different every year and are permanent (Cubs get to wear all earned Summertime pins on the uniform).  If 50% of any den attends at least once all three months, the den will also get a den award and a ribbon for their den flag.   

An activities uniform, also known as a “Class B,” is required for summer events.  What is this, you ask?  It’s just a pack tee-shirt.  Your Cub can wear the one from last year’s summer program or you can purchase one from us.  We still have some of last year’s tees left (Minecraft), and we’ll be offering a new design for 2021 as well – your choice.  The price for tees will be our cost plus a $5 donation to the pack (tax-deductible).  More on tees in a different email.

Here’s the summer schedule as it’s currently planned.  It’s subject to change.  All events will be Covid safe, given that Cubs are not yet able to be vaccinated.

• June 19 – End of Year Picnic and Fishing – location TBD (we usually do this at Lake Roland, but we feel it’s not a Covid safe location at the moment). This is part of the regular program – our last pack meeting until September. Den leaders will be contacting you to gauge whether food should be provided or BYO food (due to Covid).
• June 26 to 27 – Camping – location TBD.
• July 10  – Marshy Point Nature Center and Fishing – hiking some easy-rated, flat trails along the bay. BYO lunch, snacks and water will be provided.
• July 17  – Rocket Launch at Mt. Airy (NARHAMS) – building actual model rockets and launching them at the launch site.
• July 24  – Iron Birds Baseball – at Cal Ripkin Stadium in Aberdeen, MD. This is subject to change depending on the stadium’s Covid policies at that time.
• July 31 – Hiking at Rocks State Park – moderate trails through beautiful forest, rugged but appropriate for children. BYO lunch, snacks and water will be provided.
• August 7 – TBD – We’ll probably poll everyone to see what we do. Sky’s the limit (almost)!
• August 13 to 15 – Cub Scout Summer Camp at Broad Creek – at Camp Oest. Family camping, BB guns, archery, bonfire – includes food. VERY fun, very scout-y.
• August 21 – TBD – Most likely determined by another poll!
• August 28 – Hiking the Ruins of Patapsco Daniels Area – a light-to-medium trail along the Patapsco. Good for all ages. BYO lunch, snacks and water will be provided.

Outdoor Chair Chris will be announcing more information on each event as they develop.

Cub Scout Summer Camp

Cub Scout Summer Camp will run from August 13th through the 15th at Broadcreek Scout Reservation. It’s an amazing weekend-long program for the whole family. It includes camping, archery, BB gun lessons, slingshots, bonfires… and lots more. If you’ve attended a past Broadcreek family fun weekend, you get the idea. I can’t express enough how fun it is… it really is an amazing experience.  Eli and I will be there!

Fees:

• Register by June 15th: $190 (per child Cub Scout age and up)
• June 15 to July 20: $215
• After July 20: $240
• Adults 18 and older, and children under Cub Scout age: $70

If this is outside of your budget but you’d like to attend, please contact Committee Chair Dave at committeechair@homewoodscouting.org. Any such inquiries are strictly confidential.

Remember those Summertime pins I mentioned above?   Well, if your Cub attends at least one event in June and July, AND goes to Cub Scout Summer Camp, they will receive the Outdoor Activity Award patch in addition to the pin.  The patch is a permanent patch worn on the right pocket flap; the pins are worn on top of it.  It’s one of the rare pocket flap patches that can be earned by Cubs, and gives the Cub wearing it some clout when in pack meetings.

Annual Planning Meeting

The Pack Committee and Annual Program Planning Meeting will be on July 7th and is open to all. I strongly encourage everyone with a Cub to attend. This is where we decide our program plan for next year. It’ll probably be in person, but regardless there will be phone and video options. Committee Chair Dave will be sending out an email at a later date with more information.

See you on Sunday, June 13th, and until then, remember to keep your car windows closed unless you REALLY like cicadas!

Yours in Scouting,

Cubmaster Matt