Hello Everyone, we are looking forward to a great year for Pack 161!
The time to join is now! This email contains info about joining our 2022-23 Cub Scout session, which runs parallel with the school year, from Sept 2022 through June 2023. Please read the whole thing.. This content applies to PACK 161 which cover Hindley and Tokeneke and other area private schools, but we'll forward your info to the leaders of other Darien packs if needed. Remember Cub Scouts welcomes ALL kids (boys AND girls) from Kindergarten through Fifth Grades. Join in any grade and you'll jump right in with your age group. We have activities all year, so join any time.
if you are new to Cub Scouts, this web site is a great resource to understanding how scouting works and the great benefits kids get from scouting. https://www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions at all.
Also please share this email with any and all of your friends who may be interested! There are several open houses and info nights for any new parents interested in learning more.
ACTION ITEMS 1. Step One: Submit Application (New Scouts Only) (Link) 2. Step Two: Pay dues ($175) 3. Step Three: Complete Medical Form (Link) 4. Step Four - Uniform and Handbooks
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES (I will be sending out a shared calendar shortly) - 9/24 10am-2pm- POPCORN show and sell at Rings end (We need volunteers to man the tables) - 9/25 1-3pm Townwide Cub Scout Open House Family Fun Day and Intro to Cubs at Weed Beach - GREAT FOR NEW FAMILIES INTERESTED IN JOINING - 9/29 6:30-7:30 First Pack Meeting Tokeneke School Cafeteria - 10/1 - 10/2 PACK 161 Campout at Hoyt Scout reservation (you do not need to stay overnight) I will likely not be able to attend so please let me know who will be attending. More Information to follow (but think hikes/campfires/dinner/smor'es/skits other activities) - DEN MEETINGS START IN OCTOBER - 10/2 - 10-2pm POPCORN show and sell at PALMERS (We need volunteers to man the tables) - 10/8 - 10-2pm POPCORN show and sell at Rings end (We need volunteers to man the tables) - 10/15 - CUB SCOUT Field Day - Hoyt reservation with Optional Sleepover (this is a district wide event and tons of fun for the kids) More info -https://www.ctyankee.org/district/powahay/powahay-cub-scout-field-day-oct-15/ - 10/15 - 10-2pm POPCORN show and sell at Rings end (We need volunteers to man the tables) - 10/27 Second PACK Meeting- tokeneke school cafeteria - 11/17 November PACK Meeting- tokeneke school cafeteria -12/22 DECEMBER PACK Meeting- tokeneke school cafeteria (or we may do carrolling this year TBD)
***ALSO We MAY do an overnight in November at the USS INTREPRID Aircraft Carrier in NYC as well. If this is of interest please let me know. Would be either 11/5, 11/12, 11/19 or 12/10. this would cost an additional $100 per scout.
************************************************************************* STEP ONE: SUBMIT APPLICATION ****New Scouts only**** All NEW Scouts must create an account and complete an application: LINK to application - https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/524-406.pdf
Please print out and complete application and bring to opening pack meeting or email to our new member coordinator Don Lin (donlin@gmail.com) Returning Scouts from last year do NOT require an application *************************************************************************** STEP TWO: PAY DUES - For the 2022-23 session, we are asking for $185 in dues. This is a fraction of what you’ll pay for a season of sports, and we’re making every effort to keep our costs down (A Scout is Thrifty). There are a handful of campouts where we’ll ask for incremental money to cover incremental costs, And for larger events hosted by third parties (like the Intrepid event) we pass through some of the actual costs per child. But the dues will cover all Pack and Den events, District and National fees, an optional subscription to Boys' Life, our Pinewood Derby, etc. We accept PAYPAL @ payments@darienpack161.org VENMO @ payments@darienpack161.org Checks made our to PACK 161 given to WIL LEE (our treasurer at first pack meeting)
FINANCIAL AID Financial aid is available for both dues and special events, from our charter organization, the Andrew Shaw Memorial Trust. Please contact me @ james.roth2001@gmail.com for a confidential financial aid form. ************************************************************************ STEP THREE: COMPLETE MEDICAL FORM (ATTACHED TO THIS EMAIL) We require **ALL** Scouts also complete an AB medical form at this link - this form does NOT require a doctor but does require a hard-copy updated each year Please return medical forms in person at pack meeting to Don Lin or email to donlin@gmail.com
*********************************************************************** STEP FOUR: UNIFORM AND HANDBOOK
We are working to get Scouts a Pack T-shirt, but they’ll also need a Class A uniform, which consists of a shirt, belt, hat, neckerchief, and neckerchief slide. This uniform shirt and belt typically lasts for several years, so buy them big. The sport shop typically carries the supplies, but there are dedicated scout stores in milford and Greenwich. ALSO, WE DO AN ANNUAL EXCHANGE WHERE WE ASK FAMILIES TO BRING OLD HATS SCARFS ETC to the first pack meeting to give to the younger scouts etc...
Scouts also require a handbook specific to their school year (Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, etc), available online or at the Sport Shop. We can also do an exchange for kids .
Cub Scouts is a family activity, so you’ll get plenty of time to enjoy our activities with your kid(s). But it’s also all volunteer. The rest of the leaders and I are pitching in our time toward a proven program that we believe in. We could use your help, as Den Leaders and other positions like Advancement, Membership, Assistant Cubmasters, and Committee Members, or for help around promoting the program, working on individual events, and one-off projects. If you are interested in helping as a leader, please discuss with us any time. Adult leaders require an Adult Application and Background Check
IF YOU WILL NO LONGER BE IN SCOUTING THIS YEAR< please let me know as well
As always please let me know if you have any questions Jimroth 646-234-4471 James.roth2001@gmail.com
This training is for all Committee members including Committee Chairs. Training will focus on how to run successful Pack Program. This will include information on changes in Advancement due to the new Cub Program.
This training fulfills the requirement to be a Trained Leader.
Hosted by the Wepawaug Valley District. All are welcome.
$10 registration fee. SPECIAL - PAY FOR 2 COMMITTEE MEMBERS, THE REST ARE FREE (Must be in same unit)
Reduced Fee $12 Youth & $12 Adult (Last year fee was $15/person).
Hosted by Pack 11 Stamford
Please join us as we team up once again with the Stamford Museum and Nature Center for a day of winter family fun with a “Cowabunga” salute to Cows. We have new programs, a simplified lunch and we reduced the price from last year making for an exciting “Cowabunga” event you don’t want to miss. 8 New Stations — both in and out doors:
Dairy DelightGet your Goat
Planetarium -- Solar System:
Catapult Launch I
Catapult II Build one to take home
Animals Around the World
Raging River Group Challenge!
The Scoop on Poop: Discover “Who Dung it?”
Also…We’re featuring a Cartoonist Contest and Workshop Belt Loop Station. NEW — just in... in addition to a patch, all Cub Scouts will receive a Drawstring Sports Pack — filled with Scouting tools and resources. To Sign-up: Go to www.ctyankee.org/ powahay/news and download the Leaders Guide. Get your registration in ASAP.
Time to order your scout's red vest (if you don't already have one)!
Though not part of the official cub scout uniform, the red vest is an important part of cub scouting! Known as the "brag vest," it's a place to display all those fun Pack Night and event patches your scout has been collecting. Scouts often wear these over their uniforms at ceremonies or at fun Pack wide events.
Feeling creative? Click here for instructions on how to make a vest:
