Mark your calendars for our 2010/2011 Pack Meetings.  All meetings are held in the gym at St. Joseph Catholic Community unless otherwise noted.

Please note:  The Pack has limited control over the dates the Church allows us to use the facilities.  With this in mind, all dates are subject to change.  We will communicate any changes to you as soon as they are known to us.

• Friday, September 24 at 7:00 PM – Kick Off for Cub Scouts and Parent’s Meeting
• Friday, October 29 at 7:00 PM – Halloween Party
• Sunday, November 21 at TBD (afternoon) – Native Americans
• Friday, December 17 at 7:00 PM – Holiday Movie Night
• Saturday, January 22 at 11:00 AM – Pinewood Derby
• Sunday, February 20 at TBD (afternoon) – Blue & Gold Banquet (Nights of the Round Table)
• Friday, March 25 at 7:00 PM – Arrow of Light and Bridging Ceremony for Webelos II Den
• Friday, April 29 at 7:00 PM – Disabilities Awareness
• Friday, June 3 at 6:00 PM – Annual Pack Picnic, Campfire, and Bridging Ceremony

Here’s something to think about while your air conditioner struggles to keep up with the hot temperatures outside – Klondike 2011 is right around the corner!

Klondike is Carroll District’s annual winter adventure, and Pack 883 will be participating again in this exciting activity!  This event is Cub Scouting at its best – with lots of hands on activities and events for your Cub Scout, and a really fun time out in the cold (and it is usually COLD)! 

Cub Scout activities for Tiger Cub through Webelos I Dens occur all day on Saturday.  Webelos II Dens are encouraged to camp and participate in the Boy Scout activities. 

See the flyer for more details:  Klondike 2011 – 08302010

I know what you are thinking  – “It’s hot outside, and this event is almost 4 months away.”  However, registration is due on or before the Pack Meeting in October, so get those registration forms and checks in the mail.

Popcorn Sale Packets were mailed at the end of August to all Cub Scouts. You may begin selling popcorn as soon as you receive your Popcorn Sale Packet!  If you need more order forms, please contact Tim and Kelly Thimmesch at popcorn883@verizon.net.

New Cub Scouts will receive their Popcorn Sale Packet in the mail.  If you son has joined the Pack, and he has not received a packet within about a week of joining the Pack, please email Marc Fischer at marc.fischer@transwestern.net.

Dear Pack 883,

It is that time of year again!  Pack 883 will be selling Camp Masters popcorn to support our Cub Scout program for the upcoming year.  Due to the wonderful response last year, we have decided to kick off the 2010 popcorn sale early this year.

Please review the attached packet for details regarding Pack 883’s biggest fundraiser.  Last year, we sold over $23,000 in popcorn to support pack activities.  This resulted in a commission to our pack of over $9,000.   We would love to exceed our sales in 2010.

With the exception of the order form, all of the materials you will receive in the mail are also duplicated here:  Popcorn Sale Packet – 08102010

Feel free to contact us at popcorn883@verizon.net or at the September Pack meeting if you have any questions.

Yours in Scouting,

Kelly and Tim Thimmesch

Pack 883

Popcorn Kernels

Star Spangled Camporee

Celebrate Scouting’s 100^th Anniversary!

October 1-3, 2010

Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland

 This year marks the 100^th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Baltimore Area Council is planning an exciting celebration to say “Happy Birthday!”

 There are two options:

•  Overnight family camping from Friday, October 1 through Sunday, October 3
• Day trip on Saturday, October 2 

Activities:   An exciting program is planned for Scouts and families.  As of today, the program includes:

•  American Flag Foundation Living Flag
• Opportunity to earn the historic “Splendid Service” medal
• Historic re-enactors
• Jet aircraft flyovers
• Advancement opportunities for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers
• Full access to Fort McHenry National Monument and Shrine
• Baltimore Area Council marching band
• Special VIP guests
• A visit from “Lord Baden Powell,” the founder of the Boy Scouts of America
• Special effects show (laser, lights, and fireworks) by Image Engineering on Saturday night

Cost:  Registration is $40.00 per person for Cub Scouts and any family members who are planning to attend.  There is no cost difference between camping/day trip registrations.  The cost includes a t-shirt , patch, and access to all activities on Saturday.  PLEASE NOTE:  There is no on-site registration on the day of the event nor is there individual registration – you must register with the Pack.  Registration and payment is due to Marc Fischer by 5:30 PM on August 15 – no exceptions.  There will not be any opportunity to add registrations after this date. 

Transportation:  There is very limited parking in the area of the Fort – Baltimore Area Council is providing free parking at Fort McHenry, but we expect this parking area to fill quite early.  A better plan might be to park off site and walk over to the Fort.  We will work out the logistical details as the date approaches – and as the Baltimore Area Council provides additional direction.  It is highly likely we will need to carpool from SJCC.  Scouts who are camping are being told the walk from the City parks where they will camp to Fort McHenry will be between 0.4 and 2 miles each way.  There is apparently no shuttle bus service.  All of this might change between now and the event, but I would plan on a full day of activities from morning until late night (after the laser show) – and a lot of walking.

Food:  There will be food vendors on site who will provide lunch and dinner (at an additional cost) for participants.  You can also bring your own meals (but keep in mind the note above about walking long distances).  Participants who elect to camp will work together to plan a menu and will coordinate food as a group.

Clothing:  Wear your “Class A” Cub Scout field uniform.  Since it will be early October, the weather could be anything from sweltering to freezing – and anything in between.  Plan accordingly.  It would be a good idea to bring a small backpack with extra clothing so you can manage the typical fluctuations in weather.  Again, it is likely to be a long walk back to the car, so Be Prepared.

Details:  As of today, many of the details are still being worked out.  Expect to receive more information as the date approaches.  Once we determine how many people from Pack 883 will be participating (and who is camping v. making this a day trip), we can plan accordingly.

 Here’s the registration form:  Centennial Camporee Registration – 07262010

Here’s the most recent Pack update:

Pack 883 – Weekly Update – 07262010