September 16, 2008

The new Scout season is off to a great start. With school back in session, and our first Pack Meeting behind us, now's the time to really focus on the fun!

Welcome to all our new Scouts. We picked up several Tigers, Bears and even a new Webelos! We welcome you and look forward to even more new Scouts joining us soon!

Thank you to Paul Link to stepping up so quickly to help lead the new Tiger Den in all their fun!

Everyone should have a popcorn form - begin selling - it is a delicious way to fund your way through Scouting! We are asking each Scout to try to sell $400 of popcorn. Not only will this give you an excellent commission to draw on, but it will also help the Pack achieve new sales targets set for us!

See you soon,

~Mark

July 24, 2008

The Summer months are going quick. Please take time to enjoy the great weather, and family fun!

We are getting close to our annual Picnic and Fishing Derby. If you know someone interested in Scouting, please invite them to this, our family kick ball game or other event. Share the fun!

Be safe.

~Mark

June 3, 2008

The Summer months are off to a good start - school's out, and our Scouts have already been enjoying bowling and the parade! Please be sure to take advantage of all the Summer activities, as it is always fun for the entire family.

We already have a good deal of interest from potential new Scouts, so please keep spreading the word about all the fun we have.

Be safe.

~Mark

February 11, 2008
Thank you to all for an excellent Blue and Gold Banquet this year! All the hard work and planning really showed in the decorations, the delicious food, martial arts demonstration, and advancement ceremonies.

The Arrow of Light Ceremony and Cross-over were particularly enjoyable. Congratulations to those Scouts for earning the Arrow of Light, and to those crossing over to Boy Scouts.

A special thank you to the Blue and Gold Banquet Committee for all your hard work and dedication.

~Mark

January 7, 2008
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas or enjoyed other holidays with your family and friends. Here's wishing for much health and happiness in the new year.

Our Scouts are now entering a busy time: Pinewood Derby is this month, so we're all busy getting the cars ready for the big race. Come Saturday night 1/19 starting at 6:00 for an evening of friendship, setup and testing of the cars. The festivities get started with registration beginning at noon on Sunday! Race fans - are your READY?

Scout Sunday, rechartering and Blue & Gold fill our February. Please take time to check how your church celebrates Scout Sunday on 2/3. Get your uniform ready and wear it to church that day, and you'll already be ready for the Blue & Gold Banquet on Saturday 2/9!

~Mark

October 29, 2007
Helping others is a hallmark of any good Scouting program. Watching our Scouts give of themselves, as they and their families worked on the outdoor classroom at Level Green Elementary, showed our Scouts at their best.

Weeding, cleaning, sweeping, and taking care of the pond were steps necessary to enhance this area. I am proud of the efforts of everyone there. They seemed to have fun working together accomplishing the various tasks.

On top of all this, I don't even think they know they met some very important requirements.

Many thanks to all involved. Job well done!

~Mark

October 15, 2007
Thanks to all for making our October Pack Meeting, Down on the Farm, so enjoyable. Scouts and Scouters alike had fun finding their animal families, while the Den echo, Old McDonald and Scout Vespers made for a special occasion.

Welcome again to Don Graham and Joe Sopko for leading the new Tiger den into a world of fun and excitement.

Our service project at the end of October will give many of the boys an opportunity to help out at their school, all the while leading the pack toward our Quality Unit award.

~Mark

September 19, 2007
Our new season is in full swing, as we welcomed new and returning Scouts about the Cub Scout Express at Monday's Pack Meeting. The boys enjoyed identifying local rail road crossings and receiving their awards delivered by train.

Good luck to all new Scouts. As you step foot on the path of Scouting, new and exciting adventures await you and your families. We look forward to sharing with you and will "Do our Best" to help in any way we can.

~Mark

September 1, 2007
Many thanks to the ladies of summer, who coordinated the activities that created memories that will last a lifetime! Your efforts are greatly appreciated, as the smiles on your sons' faces have clearly shown you.

With back to school, September is the time everyone gets back into a routine. And so it goes with Scouting. Our regular pack meetings start up on September 17th, where we will welcome new Scouts into our family of fun. Our Show and Sell and our individual popcorn sales will also be in full force, and regular den meetings will resume.

Scouts: invite a friend to join, and share the fun, while earning a recruiter badge, and a neat prize. September 13th is the formal signup night, but any boy is welcome to join at any time!

~Mark

July 27, 2007
Our July summertime activities have come to a close with another successful, well attended event - family kickball. A lot of fun was had by the boys and parents alike. Many thanks to all involved in coordinating this enjoyable event.

By now most have had an opportunity to go camping, which is always an enjoyable highlight of the year.

Be certain to check the calendar and set aside some time to join us for Movies in the Park and our annual Fishing Derby/Picnic coming in August.

~Mark

June 25, 2007
We are now about half way through our Summertime Activities. The boys have had a great time so far with:

• The Bug Lady
• The Trafford Parade
• Kiski Junction Train Ride
• Flag Day Celebration
• District Day Camp ~ Shiver me Timbers!

Many thanks to all the Summer Time volunteers for your time and talents, and for taking the opportunity to directly share in your son's Scouting experience! He deserves to see his parents as "heroes" and appreciates your involvement and leadership in ensuring these are among the best years of his life!

Our annual Pirate Game, complete with our time on the field for color guard, and many other fun activities are still to come.

We already have a number of new Tigers signed up. If your son will be starting first grade, or any grade up to fifth this year, consider joining Pack 201 this Summer!

Keep up the great work, and even greater fun.

~Mark

April 16, 2007
Congratulations to all our Scouts who crossed over to their new ranks at the April Pack Meeting. Along with your Parents and Den Leaders, I'd like to express how proud we are of each and every one!

Thanks goes out to all involved with our with the April Pack Meeting. The boys really seemed to enjoy themselves and the weather related theme: from the weather report game, "Wetspers", the Indian Weather Forecast, and our weather-related closing - an excellent time was had by all.

Start planning for our Special May 7th Meeting, at 7:00pm. The Bug Lady will entertain all Scouts and siblings, while the Parents socialize and discuss the current and future state of the Pack. Every Scout in attendance will receive a special sapling to plant with their family.

~Mark

March 25, 2007
Thanks goes out to all involved with our annual Bake-Off and March Pack Meeting. The boys really seemed to enjoy themselves.

Scouting for Food hangers were distributed on Saturday March 24th. While we were able to get all the routes covered, additional Scout involvement for this important event can really show our community our recognition of the blessings we have, and the compassion we have toward others. Don't miss your opportunity next year to share an hour or two to show you care - circumstances can change quickly, and any one of us may find ourselves relying upon the generosity of others. Let's be a good example.

Start preparing for the April Cross-over by finalizing those achievements, and update your Den Leader on your son's progress.

~Mark

March 3, 2007
March is now upon us, as is our annual Bake-Off. Good luck to everyone. I am certain the Level Green Lions, Teachers and the entire Pack will enjoy all the wonderful creations. Remember to bring your recipe so that your baking can be entered and the recipe included in the Pack recipe book.

Did you know that each month Boys' Life contains a number of articles and activities that directly support specific achievements and electives for each rank? This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to spend some additional quality time with their son(s) enjoying Boys' Life together, and working toward specific goals.

See everyone at our delicious Pack Meeting on March 19th!

~Mark

February 10, 2007
Our 2007 Blue and Gold was a great success. A very sincere 'Thank You' to all those who volunteered their time planning, preparing, and ensuring the event went well. Each Den's flag, helped add to the Hawaiian/Survivor themed decorations. Excellent work by all!

Congratulations to the Webelos II boys who crossed over into Boy Scouting. Each accomplishment reminds us of what wonderful young men and good citizens they are becoming. We wish them great success on their road toward Eagle Scout!

Lastly: I greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve the boys as Cubmaster for their Pack. So many exciting and memorable times lay ahead of us, that I truely feel blessed to be able to play a part. Together with their parents and other Pack Leaders, I commit to ensuring the best possible experience for all our boys.

~ Mark