Den Baskets!

We're still looking for a couple of volunteers to help put together our den gift baskets that will be auctioned off at the Blue and Gold ceremony. To help make our volunteers' job easier, we would sure appreciate it if everybody would bring a small cash donation (suggested amount is $10.00 per Scout, but whatever you can do would be most appreciated) to tomorrow night's den meeting. Our volunteers will then be able to buy items to put together a "theme" basket. This might make it easier than having our volunteers request each family to purchase an item to match the basket's theme. Thank you so much for supporting our Scouts and our Pack!

Den Meeting Tomorrow Night, Bring Those Pinewood Derby Cars!

Tomorrow night we're combining Dens 11 and 13 for a Pinewood Derby Showcase and the whole family is invited! We'll have name cards to display next to each Scout's car. We'll also have oreo cookies and capri suns for the Scouts and their siblings. We'll also pass out some belt loops, some Pinewood Derby patches, and the boys progress toward rank beads. We're looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night!

There Are New Belt Loops To Earn!!!

Yes, there is now a Video Game Belt Loop. And several of our Scouts, including my two boys, have already earned it! My boys were so motivated by the Video Game belt loop that they went the extra mile to earn their video game pin as well. There are many new belt loops like Hiking, Skateboarding, Pet Care, Good Manners, Family Travel, Reading and Writing, and Hockey.

You can go to:

www.boyscouttrail.com/cub-scouts/acad-sports.asp

And click on the name of the belt loop to find out the requirements. In all, there are now 28 sport and 25 academic belt loops and pins your scout can earn. I'm sure we will do some of the new belt loops together as a Den: like Kickball.

Also, some of them require your Scout to make a poster and share it with the Den. We would love to make time for these types of presentations! Just e-mail or call us before the Den Meeting so we know to leave some time!

HAVE FUN!

Next Den Meeting: Pinewood Derby Showcase!!

We want your Scout to show off his Pinewood Derby car at the next Den Meeting (which is Monday, February 1st)! We are going to combine the Bear and Tiger dens and have a good ol' fashioned Pinewood Derby Showcase. We'd love for parents and siblings to attend and really "ooh" and "aah" over the boys cars. I've heard repeatedly that many parents and kids did not get to see all of the cars. This is your chance and your Scout's chance to show off his hard work!

We'll have some light refreshments for the Scouts and their siblings (sorry adults, we'll just have stuff for the kiddos).

We'll also have a combined awards ceremony during the Den Meeting where we will (1) give all the Scouts a Pinewood Derby patch and a special, individualized recognition for a job well done on their car; (2) give out belt loops and pins; and (3) hand out rank advancement beads.

The Pinewood Derby Arrives!

Wow! Every single one of our Tiger Scouts participated in the Pinewood Derby! The cars really showed off each boy's unique personality. We were so impressed with their creativity, their workmanship, and, perhaps most importantly, their sportsmanship during the race. I loved hearing the boys cheer each other on and playing so well with each other between heats. Congratulations, Tigers! You all won BIG at the Pinewood Derby!

Yay, Trent! The Force Was With You!

Trent's x-wing must have been using its hype-drive because it will receive a special ribbon for being the fastest car in the Den (again, boys can't win two awards) at an upcoming Den Meeting!

Way To Go Andrew!

Andrew's car won the award for being the fastest Tiger in the Pack!!

(If this confuses you, the Pack doesn't allow a boy to win more than one award)

Congratulations Brayden!!

Hooray Brayden! Your suh-weet looking race car finished 3rd in the entire Pack!

No Den Meeting on Monday! Next Den Meeting February 1st!

There is no Den Meeting this coming Monday.

The next Den Meeting will be on February 1st at 6:30pm at the church. If you have any Tiger requirements that need to be completed, we would strongly encourage you to complete them before this Den Meeting.

I will post Pinewood Derby pictures soon!

Blue and Gold Invites at Pinewood Derby!

I just learned that you will be able to pick up the invitations to the Blue and Gold ceremony tomorrow at the Pinewood Derby. The invites will be near the concession stand and they will be separated by Den and will have your Scout's name on it. If you have multiple Scouts, the invitations for all your Scouts will be with the oldest boy's name/den.

You may complete the invitation and pay for Blue and Gold tomorrow at the Derby. Scouts are free, but each adult is $8 and every additional child is $5.00. The ceremony will be catered by Famous Dave's BBQ. Exact change only, please; or a check made out to Pack 524. You may also mail the RSVP to Jim Malinski at the address in the invitation, or even drop it off in person.

RSVP's are due no later than February 12. Your Scout must have completed his Rank Requirements in order to RSVP. This should provide an incentive to wrap up those requirements!!!

Hope to see you at the Derby tomorrow and Blue and Gold in February!!!

3 On Our Side!!

The cub scouts from den 13 were able to watch news being made!! On Friday, January 22, the den took a tour of the 3TV News Station in Phoenix. All 14 of the awesome Tigers were able to make it--hooray!! And, they all had quite a treat! Our friendly tour guide, Blanca, started us in the Good Morning Arizona room where the kids were able to see how the morning news show was planned out minute-by-minute. Then, it was off to the board room, where the news producers meet and plan out what will and will not be making the news. We were able to see from a list on the board that today, 3TV has many, many reporters stationed all throughout the state--reporting on our wild, wintry weather from all angles! Then it was off to meet the coolest dudes of the news--the sports guys. Since sports reports were eliminated from tonight's newscast (due to big weather news), the sports guys were happy to hang out with our scouts and talk to them about their jobs and what it takes to become a sports reporter. A big thanks to Tim Ring, Sports Director and Anchor at 3 TV for taking the time to talk with our scouts!! After sports, it was time to hit the Forecast Center, where the smartest folks in the newsroom work. This is where the 3TV Meteorologist hang out. We learned that 3TV has only meteorologists to do their news reporting. Meteorologists are real scientists who went to college to study the weather. You must be a great science and math student to be a meteorologist!! These brainy reporters make all of their own models and graphics as well! We enjoyed watching Chief Meteorologist Royal Norman work, boy he was really busy tonight!! Finally we went upstairs to a viewing area to watch the news being made-live and in person! The lovely Beverly Kidd was behind the news desk, reporting the news with grace and style. And, she sipped on a Rockstar Energy Drink during commercial breaks-because she's a news-reading Rockstar herself! It was very interesting to see how much is involved in getting the news to our TV sets each night. Thanks 3TV!!

Pinewood Derby Last Minute Details

I saw some pretty cool looking Pinewood Derby cars at the Weigh-In tonight! I'm sure that everybody got this information from Scott, but I thought I would reiterate:

Dress warm. Bring money if you want to buy hot dogs from the Pack. As an official Scouting event, the technically proper attire is full uniforms. I'm sure they'll let you race even if you aren't in uniform, but I thought you'd like to know. There is no back-up "rain" location. Tumbleweed Park is it come rain or shine. But that should be fine as we're under a huge ramada.

We will have some activities if weather permits, otherwise the playground will have to occupy the Scouts (the playground is underneath an enormous ramada itself).

Channel 3 Tour is Tomorrow, Jan. 22 at 5pm!

The television station tour is tomorrow, Friday, January 22 at 5pm!

Tiger Scouts should wear their uniforms!!

The address is 5555 N. 7th Avenue, which is ON 7th AVENUE (not Street) between Missouri and Bethany Home Road. The tour will begin around 5pm and will last approx. 45 minutes.

There is plenty of parking in the lot in front of the station. There is no need to worry about meters or parking structures. Due to the large number of Tiger Scouts in our den, parents and siblings may be asked to wait in the lobby during the tour. The station's ideal tour number is 15 and we'll already exceed that between Scouts and Den Leaders. However, I've been assured the lobby is plenty big and everybody will be able to stay dry and warm while waiting for the tour to end.

STILL cameras are allowed on the tour.

Our contact at the station is Blanca Esparza-Pap. The telephone number for the station is 602-207-3331.

If you have questions, my cell phone number is 480-250-7149.

Pinewood Derby Weigh In Locations Announced

You Should Have Received an e-mail from our Cub Master Phillip Privett with the details concerning the Pinewood Derby Drop Off this Wednesday and Thursday. If you did not receive such an e-mail, please tell me and I will do my best to get you on Phillip's e-mail distribution list. Phillip's e-mail is pasted below:

DROP OFF INFO: Wednesday and Thursday

Please drop off your car for weigh-in this week. Cars must be weighed and dropped off Wed or Thursday prior to the race. Once you drop it off, we will hold the car until the race.

We have two opportunities for you to drop it off:

Option 1 is Wednesday, Jan 20 at Quail Haven Park (Next to San Tan Elementary School on Adams). We will be at the basket ball courts north the school from 6-8 PM

Option 2 is Thursday, Jan 21 at First Baptist Church Chandler (where we meet for Pack meetings.) We will be in the Foyer of the church from 6-8 PM.

We will have small scales to weigh in the cars. Please remember they should be no more than 5 oz. We will have small weights, tape, glue, etc to add any weight you need when we weigh it.

Once again, when you drop off your car, we will hold the car until the race to keep it safe.

PLEASE WATCH E-MAIL for updates to Wednesday’s location in case it changes based on the weather this week.

RACE DAY

Date: Saturday, January 23

Time: 1-5 PM

Location: Tumbleweed Park (corner of McQueen and Germann)

Under the Large Pavilion (the same location as last year’s Blue and Gold Banquet)

We will have a lot of things going on for the kids, but this location should help us keep things moving, allow the scouts a place to play when not racing, and provide plenty of space. There will be a group manning a refreshment stand, but you might want to bring drinks or other snacks if you want. Please watch for more info from the race committee this week!

Still No Word on the Weigh-In Location

Hello faithful parents! I still have not heard about where we are going to go for the Pinewood Derby weigh-in, but the weigh-in is this week! That means you need to finish up those cars so that you can drop them off either Wednesday or Thursday night (Jan. 20 or 21) between 6 and 8pm. I can't wait to see all of the Scout's creative paint jobs at the Derby next Saturday! I'll let you know where to go for the weigh in as soon as I hear about the location!

Have You RSVP'd For Channel 3 Tour?

Just a reminder that next Friday, January 22 at 5pm we are taking a tour of Channel 3 to complete one of the Go See It Requirements for the Scout's Tiger Rank!

If you haven't done so already, RSVP to Tim Keller at tkeller@ij.org.

Details at www.awesomeden13.blogspot.com. We hope to see you and your Scout there!

Scout's, Honor The Colors

The Scouts completed Requirement 2D tonight by practicing a flag ceremony. Den 13 will lead the Flag Ceremony later this year at the April Pack Meeting. And while the Scouts were waiting outside tonight, Den Leaders Jon and Earle talked a little bit about the Food Pyramid in order to wrap up Requirement 3D. Earle will (if he hasn't already) let you know which requirements you may sign off and which paw prints to color on page 163 of the Tiger Handbook.

Our Cutting Edge Event!

On Saturday, January 9 we answered the question: How much wood would Chuck chuck since only Chuck could chuck wood? The answer? A lot. Mr Canode deserves a big hand for giving up a Saturday afternoon to help our Scouts prepare for the Pinewood Derby. The Scouts were thrilled to have such cool designs. Next stop is the big race! Go Tigers!

3 Derby Updates: Any Volunteers?

I have 3 Pinewood Derby Updates:

(1) There will be a "weigh in" the evenings of January 20 (a Wednesday) and January 21 (a Thursday) between 6:00pm and 8:00pm each night. The location for this weigh-in is still to be determined. Here is what will happen: your Scout's car will be weighed and collected. You will not see your car again until race day. Scouts will be permitted to place their cars on the track for their races.

(2) Chuck Canode will bring a scale to Monday's Den Meeting if you would like to weigh your car. Simple weights can be purchased at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and the Scout Shop. These include weight you can screw in, drill a hole and stick in, and even peel and stick weights.

(3) And finally, the Pack is looking for volunteers to help out the day of the race. We're looking for score keepers, finish line judges, staging coordinators, and refreshments volunteers. We could also use some volunteers for the weigh-in. Can you help? Shoot me an e-mail at tkeller@ij.org if you can volunteer and I'll hook you up with Scott Bomberg who is chairing the Pinewood Derby Committee.

Bring Your Handbooks To Monday's Den Meeting!

Please BRING your Tiger Handbooks to the Den Meeting on Monday night! Invitations to the Blue and Gold ceremony will be going out this month. We want all of our Scouts to be invited to the ceremony to receive their Tiger Rank. We need to know where folks stand so that we know what we, as leaders, need to do to get every Scout across the finish line. We want no Scout left behind!

Please LET TIM KNOW (tkeller@ij.org) if your Scout plans to attend the Go See It to Channel 3 on Friday, Jan. 22 at 5pm. Additional info about the 3TV visit is on the blog at www.awesomeden13.blogspot.com.

Tiger Go See It: TV Station Tour: Fri., Jan. 22, 2010 at 5pm

It is time for another Go See It!

This time we'll be touring a television station! We'll be touring 3TV. This is a requirement to earn the Tiger Rank!

When: Friday, January 22 at 5pm

Station Address: 5555 N. 7^th Avenue, Phoenix. The station is on 7^th Avenue between Missouri and Bethany Home Road.

The tour will last for approximately 45 minutes.

Please RSVP to Tim Keller at tkeller@ij.org if you plan to attend.

We should have room to accommodate siblings if necessary, but we would really, really appreciate it if only the Tiger Scouts attended so as to best keep down our numbers and to be respectful to 3TV who is graciously giving us this tour. Thank you for helping us with that.

Also, before the Go See It we will send out phone numbers and contact info for Den Leaders and 3TV to everybody who RSVPs so that anybody running late can track us down easily.