PROJECTS | cub-scout-pack-405

Scouting for Food

“Scouting For Food” is Mecklen-burg County Council’s community stewardship project aimed at addressing the problem of hunger in the community in which we live and work.

Scouting For Food is a project rooted in the very foundation of the Scouting movement. Through initiative and hard work, the Boy Scouts have developed a framework to help Loaves & Fishes food pantries feed needy local residents with emergency aid.

Loaves & Fishes is a Charlotte-based food pantry that collects and supplies food and groceries to people in crisis. It’s a non-profit organization working with volunteers and donations to end hunger in our community.

PINEWOOD DERBY

The pinewood derby is a racing event for Cub Scouts. Scouts, with the help of parents, build their own cars from wood, usually from kits containing a block of pine, plastic wheels and metal axles.

This has to be the most anticipated event in our pack, and most packs for that matter.

For us, "The Derby" is an overnight, boys-ONLY event. We gather at the church the Friday night before the event for weigh-in and drop-off. The boys then spend the night at the church under the supervision of male leaders and qualified parents*, the track is set up, and little to no sleep is had by all.

The next morning we have a pancake breakfast and commence the races. There is lots of syrup-fueled cheering, and screaming, and fun.

USS YORKTOWN TRIP

Under construction as BON HOMME RICHARD, this new Essex-class carrier was renamed YORKTOWN in honor of YORKTOWN (CV-5), sunk at the epic Battle of Midway (June 1942). Built in an amazing 16-½ months at Newport News, Virginia, YORKTOWN was commissioned on April 15, 1943, and participated significantly in the Pacific Offensive that began in late 1943 and ended with the defeat of Japan in 1945. YORKTOWN received the Presidential Unit Citation, and earned 11 battle stars for service in World War II. Much of the Academy Award-winning (1944) documentary "The Fighting Lady" was filmed on board YORKTOWN.

In the 1950's, Yorktown was modified with the addition of an angled deck to better operate jet aircraft in her role as an attack carrier (CVA). In 1958, YORKTOWN was designated an anti-submarine aircraft carrier (CVS), and would later earn 5 battle stars for service off Vietnam (1965-1968). The ship also recovered the Apollo 8 astronauts and capsule (December 1968). YORKTOWN was decommissioned in 1970 and placed in reserve; and in 1975, was towed from Bayonne, NJ to Charleston to become the centerpiece of Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum.

We visit the USS Yorktown every other year, and spend the night aboard the old aircraft carrier. Everyone attends with a parent. This is certainly a one-of-a-kind experience for the boys, and not one wasn't thirilled about this trip. Scavenger hunts, tours of the different boats, educational classes and more keep us busy all day and night.

We may add a trip over to the South Carolina Aquarium on the way home next time. Just in case action-packed isn't enough for you.

CUBOREE

This event happens every fall and spring. It takes place at one of the local scout campgrounds for an entire weekend.

The boys get to experience boating/canoeing, shooting bb guns, archery, crafts, climbing, zip lines, fishing, campfire cooking, games, and much more. This always brings the boys closer together as a group, and it helps boys in every den gain experience toward their achievements. If you've never camped this is a great place to start!

CAMP CARD SALES

This is an award-winning program that has proven successful in many different Boy Scout councils.

Camp cards are discount cards that offer discounts at several local retailers. Each Camp Card is sold for $5, with 50 percent going to the unit and 50 percent to the council. Units are encouraged to use these funds to ensure that every Scout can attend summer camp. The council's portion covers the cost of production, securing sponsors and promotional materials along with supporting camping and other operations for Scouting year-round.

Units can participate in the Camp Card program RISK FREE -- unsold Camp Cards can simply be returned to a council service center with no penalty.

Don't let this intimidate you! I'm am NOT a salesperson by any means, but these things sell themselves!

We sold them for the first time in 2014 and they were a fantastic source of funding for the pack! We will certainly participate in this program again!

Here is a link to the 2014 information guide to get an idea of the program.

PROJECTS & EVENTS

Raingutter Regatta

The raingutter regatta is a racing event for Cub Scouts in the Boy Scouts of America that is the sailboat equivalent of the pinewood derby. The sailboat kit consists of a seven-inch (178 mm) long balsa wood hull, a 6-1/2 inch mast, plasticsail, plastic rudder, and metal keel. Within the basic design rules, Scouts are free to paint and decorate their sailboats as they choose. Modifications for speed include the placement of the keel and rudder and the size, shape and location of the sail

The boats are raced in a standard rain gutter that is ten feet long, placed on a table or saw horses, and filled to the top with water. The boats are propelled by blowing on the sail, either directly or through a drinking straw; the boat cannot be touched with hands or the straw. The first boat to reach the end of the gutter is the winner. The overall winner is determined by anelimination system.

The boys look forward to this event every year as it helps us kick off scouts and the new school year.