Pack 34 Schedule, March to June

Hey Pack 34 parents,

A few things have changed regarding the pack calendar so please read this carefully and be sure these dates get on your family calendars.

Wed. March 29, 7-8 pm, Golf Clubhouse
Pack Meeting, This is the Arrow of Light ceremony for our departing second-year Webelos. We're having an ice cream party after so this will be a fun night.

Sunday, April 2, 9:45 to 1 pm, Angel Island clean up and bike ride.
To celebrate daylight savings and to do a good deed we are gathering at the Angel Island ferry in Tiburon and heading over to do some clean up work, after that we all bike around the island. (bring lunch, flathead screwdrivers, bikes and helmets).

Wed. April 26, 7 pm, Golf Clubhouse
Pack meeting, awards, patches and fun. Bring well-fed scouts in uniform.

Wed. May 10, 7 pm, Mill Valley Community Center field
Pack meeting, awards, patches and fun. Bring well-fed scouts in uniform.

Sat. May 20, Time and location TBD
Pack Overnight Camping trip. Normally we would be camping at Tamarancho but the road is out so we're looking for an alternate site. If you have any good campsite ideas within 1 hour's drive of Mill Valley please let me know ASAP.

Sat. May 27, 9 am, Presidio National Cemetery
In honor of Memorial Day we plant flags on the grave sites of veterans in the Presidio. This is one of the most significant events we do every year. Plus the scouts get a sweet patch.

Monday May 29, Time TBD, Old Mill School
We are marching in the Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade.

Friday June 2, 7 PM, Scott Valley Swim Club
Bridging ceremony for all scouts to the next level followed by a swim party.

I'll send out reminders prior to these events but please show up on time and in uniform to all of the events.

Yours in Scouting,
Will

What a Race!

Thanks to all of the volunteers for your help with the Pinewood Derby over the weekend. It was a great event with lots of enthusiasm from everyone.

I was really happy to see 100% participation from all the Bears and the Tigers. Way to go!

Big thanks to the Lundgren Family, Joe Hiti, Duncan and Cheryl Schmidt, Doug Gelbach, Tony Zanze, Stephanie Cannell, the Pack 1 crew and everyone else who helped make the 2006 Pinewood Derby a success.

I'll be sending out an updated calendar in a day or so. You should recycle the calendars that were distributed at the last pack meeting. There have been some changes. In the meantime parents and scouts should be two-thirds of the way through the requirements to bridge to the next level and earn their respecitve badges by June. If you are unclear about the requirements consult your respective book and contact your den leader.

Yours in Scouting,
Will

Cub Scout Day Camp

I know many families are starting to plan their summers and I want to make sure all Pack 34 Scouts set aside at least one week for day camp at Tamarancho in Fairfax.

The program is extremely well run with boy scouts as counselors. Scouts will earn tons of badges and belt loops, shoot bbs, archery, crafts and more.

The dates are:
6/19 - 6/23
7/24 - 7/28
8/8 - 8/12

Campers are transported via bus from Strawberry Safeway at around 8AM and they are dropped off around 5PM.

The forms for sign up are attached.

Thanks,
Will

Pinewood Derby schedule

Attention racers!

The Pinewood derby schedule is as follows:

Weigh-In: Saturday March 11, Scout Hall— 4:00-6:00 PM

Race: Sunday March 12, Scout Hall
Pack 34— 12:00-2:30 PM

Bring well-fed scouts in uniform to the race. Popcorn and water will be provided at the race.

For those who are new to pinewood derby or those who don't have commercial-grade lathes and laser-guided levels in your garage/workshop you might consider this Marin Council-sponsored event.

Below are the guidelines for Pinewood Derby Racers and Parents, To maximize fun for Scouts, Parents and Leaders alike during both Pinewood Weigh-In and the Pinewood Derby, please try to be sure your cars meet all the rules before Weigh-In. Rules came in the box with your car, please read them and remember:

Top Ten Tips for Pinewood Derby Cars:

1. Weight not over 5.0 oz. Best to get close (4.90 oz.) rather than over. The mailroom at work, US Post offices, meat departments at supermarkets and the package store near Baskin Robbins are all places where you can pre-weigh your car.
2. Length not over 7". This is overall tip-to tail, so nothing can be beyond this length.
3. Width not over 2 3/4". Again, an overall figure. Nothing wider.
4. Width between wheels not under 1 3/4". Nothing tighter...it won't fit over the track.
5. Bottom clearance between car and track not under 3/8"...careful, if you're adding weights to your car bottom.
6. All four wheels must contact the track, and turn freely. Check this on a horizontal flat surface, such as a smooth kitchen counter or cutting board.
7. Wheels must be unmodified, unpainted etc....you can remove any "burrs" left from molding, but basically, they should be close to as they came in the box. No extra holes, knife-edge profiles etc. If you lost a wheel, or an axle, the Scout Store in San Rafael has more.
8. Keep the nose blunt, not pointy (best to have a 1/2" surface or bigger).
9. Make it solid & dry...cars whose pieces are falling off, or still have wet paint/glue, may be disqualified despite meeting the other criteria.
10. No propulsion/power sources, magnets, no liquid lubricants of any kind.
11. It's better to get it right the first time than to have to hack your car under pressure, in Scout Hall, if it fails Weigh-In. This is especially true if someone is bringing your Scout's car to Weigh-In for you.

If you have any questions not covered by these rules, ask your Den Leader, who will find you the answer if they don't know themselves...and if in doubt, "Be Prepared"!

Please remember that Pinewood Derby is a parent and child activity. It's a great opportunity to teach scouts about tools, safety, aerodynamics, patience, fun and honor.

We will have prizes for the top 3 in each group, the most creative cars will receive recognition plus everyone will receive a participant patch.

Yours in Scouting,
Will