Hello Pack 618!

This is the last call to register for Saturday's pack meeting.  If you don't register now, you can still join us, but you will have to pay for your own park pass ($6/vehicle). If you add your name to the list before FridayAM, we'll prepay for a pass and have it waiting at the park entrance.

Please register by clicking here.

We will be camping at the Javelina Group Campground at the Lake Pleasant Regional Park, which is in the Desert Tortoise Group Camp area along the southwest portion of the lake.  To get there, take I-17 north to the Carefree Highway (aka SR74).  Follow that to the west for about 30 miles to Castle Hot Springs Road.  (***Do NOT turn onto "Lake Pleasant Road" -- it will take you away from the lake!***).  Head north for about 3 miles on Castle Hot Springs Road to the Lake Pleasant Access Road, which is also the road to Scorpion Bay Marina.  Here's a map.

If you register, the ranger at the park gate should have a pass for you, and he or she will give you directions to the Javalina Group Campground. Here's a map of the park.  It should take about an hour from the Copper Canyon area. 

You can arrive any time after noon if you want to explore the park.  Please plan to arrive no later than 6:30 pm so we can start the meeting on time.

We do not have organized activities planned for this outing other than the meeting (which should last until about 8:30, so those of you driving home should be home before 10 pm). David Sandoval will be offering rides in his boat for those of you staying until Sunday morning.

Drive safe, everyone!  See you Saturday!

Hello Pack 618,

We need to finalize our reservations and insurance for the weekend, so if you are not already registered for Crossover, please do so as soon as possible. The link to register is here.

If you are not registered, we won't reserve a park pass for you, and you'll have to pay for your own. Every vehicle needs a park pass even if you are not camping overnight, so please do register if you are coming.

I expect the meeting to start around 6:30 pm and be over by about 8 pm. You are welcome to come out earlier in the day and enjoy the park and lake.  Plan an hour to drive there from the Copper Canyon area.  We are not providing meals, but the Webelos will be hosting refreshments after the meeting.

See you all on Saturday!

Hello Pack 618,

Please see the following information about the District Pinewood Derby on April 9.  Links to register can be found below.

Four Peaks District Pinewood Derby 2016   Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the LDS North Scottsdale Stake Center located at 6840 E. Gold Dust Ave., Scottsdale, AZ Who's Eligible? Any Cub Scout in Four Peaks District that would like to race. All are welcome! Registration: Register online (here) beginning in early 2016. Save $3 on registration prior to March 15, 2016! Early registration deadline is April 6, 2016 - register early before the ranks fill up! Registration Cost: Early registration (prior to March 15) is still only $5.00 per entrant. All registrations will include a recognition item for Cub Scout participants. On-site registration is $10.00. And we'll be offering the following additional fun activities: Open Class Racing for siblings, parents, Scout Leaders, friends, acquaintances, relatives, or anyone else... ...including categories for powered and "unconventional" cars - be creative! Practice track for testing and preparation "Brick Derby" race activity for the whole family - lots of fun! Refreshments, displays, and other great stuff! Schedule of Activities Rank Check-in Time Race Time Arrow of Light (Webelos 2) 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM 11:00 AM Webelos (1) 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM 11:45 AM Bear 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM 12:30 PM Wolf 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM 1:15 PM Tiger 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM 2:00 PM Open / Sibling 1:45 PM - 2:30 PM 2:45 PM District Championship 2:30 - 3:15 PM 3:30 PM Downloadable Schedule (PDF) Racers must check in on time - don't be late!! Awards: Trophies will be awarded to the top 4 fastest cars from each rank - and there will be trophies for the 4 fastest cars in the championship round. Trophies may also be awarded for the "coolest car" in each rank, too! Rules: All racers must abide by and all cars must conform to the 2016 Four Peaks District Pinewood Derby Rules. RULES WILL BE ENFORCED. Useful References: 2016 Four Peaks Pinewood Derby Rules (PDF) Sample 2016 Pack Pinewood Derby Rules (Word .doc) that can be used for Pack races within the Four Peaks District Useful guide on exposing axle tips for compliance with Four Peaks District rules Pinewood Derby "Plan Sheet" for car design (8 1/2" x 14" PDF) Questions? Contact: Richard Moeur, Co-Chair, (602) 909-8451, jusbobweaver@gmail.com Downloadable Event Flyer (PDF) Have Fun and Good Luck!! Start Date/Time: 4/9/2016 10:00:00 AM End Date/Time: 4/9/2016 5:00:00 PM Online Registration Accepted Until: 4/6/2016 11:55:00 PM To register: click here Contact Email: rcmoeur@aol.com Cost: $8.00 per Participant Activity Location: 6840 E. Gold Dust Ave, Scottsdale, AZ US Directions can be found at: Location Map

Hello Pack 618,

District Pinewood Derby is open to all interested racers, regardless of how they finished in our pack races.   It will be held on April 9 at the LDS church near 70th Street & Shea.  Click here for more information and registration.

Boys race against others in their same rank, and our pack typically does quite well in the District races.  If your car did well in our pack race, I would expect it to be competitive at District as well. But again, the races are open to anyoneregardless of how your car finished in our pack race, so if your son enjoyed the races, this is a good opportunity to see his car in action yet again.

District operates a little differently than our pack. They qualify cars right before the races, and they enforce the rules VERY strictly.  Note that you CAN make changes in your car between now and check-in, though, so if you do want to make adjustments before you race again, you are able to do so.

This is typically a very well-run event, and I would encourage your son to participate if you are able

Hello Pack 618,

If you have any unsold Camp Cards, these need to be returned to Blake Kite ASAP.  The pack will have to pay for any cards that are not returned by Friday. 

We would expect families who do return their cards by Friday to reimburse the pack for the out-of-pocket costs that this creates.  We have a number of boys who work hard to sell cards, and it is not fair to them if their proceeds are used to pay for cards that other folks lose or simply fail to return.

If you need to schedule a drop off, you can contact Blake at Blake.Kite@bannerhealth.com.

Thanks,

--brett

PS --> Thanks again to everyone who came out to Blue & Gold on Sunday!  Our pack raised just over $1000 from 49 awesome cakes!

Hello Pack 618!

I know many of you are busily working on your cakes, and I can't wait to see them!  Reminder to please be on time (3 pm), and to have all boys in full class A uniform for their rank advancements.

The Orange Tree Golf Resort is on 56th Streetjust north of Shea.  Here's a map.

Don't forget:

* Your son in full class A uniform

* Your cake

* Check or cash to the cake auction!  (Bid early and bid often!)

See you all soon!

--brett

Hello Pack 618!

Reminder that our Blue & Gold Banquet is this Sunday starting at 3 pm at the Orange Tree Golf Resort near 56th Street & Shea.  Here's a map. Please plan to arrive promptly at 3 pm.  All boys should be in full class A uniform so they are ready to receive their rank awards!

Blue & Gold is a party celebrating Cub Scouting, which started in February of 1920.  As part of the celebration, we ask every scout to make and decorate a cake, which we then auction off as a fund raiser for our pack.  

This is a great opportunity to show off the boys' creativity, and some of the cakes that boys have made in years past are truly amazing!   We've seen cakes decorated with army men, Star Wars, Legos, sports themes and countless other ideas.  It's also a primary source of revenue for our pack, so we greatly appreciate your participation!

Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday!

--brett

PS --> don't forget Scoutorama on Saturday at University of Phoenix Stadium!  Our pack is not doing a booth this year, but your boys will love attending, and it's a great way to knock out a bunch of electives.  Click here for more info!.

Pack 618:

I have fielded a couple of logistical questions in the last few days about the Crossover ceremony at Lake Pleasant.   Please help me spread the following supplemental information to your den families.

The ceremony will take place on April 2, 2016.  We will be camping at the Javelina Group Campground at the Lake Pleasant Regional Park, which is in the Desert Tortoise Group Camp area, along the SW portion of the lake.  While I anticipate mostly tent camping, the area is equipped for RV’s and pop-up campers, as well.  To the extent anyone brings an RV, please plan to accommodate our tent dwellers by leaving the generator off.  A map and driving directions will be circulated in advance of the event. 

Anyone camping or just coming out for the day needs to sign up on the Sign-Up Genius that Melissa Barker was kind enough to create and circulate.  If you sign up, there will be a voucher in your name at the guard gate when you enter the Lake Pleasant Regional Park.  If you do not sign up, there will be a $6/vehicle entry fee at the gate.  The actual Ceremony will begin right around sunset (actual time TBD), but everyone is welcome (encouraged) to come out earlier to set up camp and socialize before the event.  The Webelos 2 dens are “hosting” the event and have covered the cost of the campground.  Some form of celebratory treat (cake/smores/cupcakes) will be provided after the ceremony.  I believe that most of the Webelos 2s will be camping overnight on April 2nd.  I will be giving boat rides to those who stay over on the morning of April 3rd.  

We hope that many of you will join us in celebrating the award of the Arrow of Light to our Webelos 2s, and to give well-wishes to those who are making the journey into Boy Scouts.

David Sandoval

Hello Pack 618,

It's race day!  Racing is at Copper Canyon starting with Tigers at 11, Wolves at 11:45, Bears at 12:15, Webelos 1 at 1 pm and Webelos 2 at 1:30.  Finals should begin around 2 pm.

Racers should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your start time!  Races are scheduled by computer, and we are not able to insert latecomers after racing has started.  

Don't forget:

* Your son in class A uniform

* Your pit pass that you received at check in

* Check or cash for Blue & Gold Tickets (scouts are free, adults $20, kids $15)

* A full bottle of water (we will have the big jug for refills)

* Cash for lunch. We will have pizza slices, popcorn and other concessions available.

Here are a couple of rules to remember:

(1) Boys must be present to race.  If you are not able to be there, you can still give us your car, and we will race it during the breaks so you can know how fast it is. Everyone is eligible to race at the District Pinewood Derby in April.

(2) Please be on time.  Races are automatically scheduled using the software just before race time based upon the boys who are present.  If you show up after the races start, there is no way for us to insert you into the schedule.  All we can do is let you race by yourself after the scheduled races are finished.

(3) Each car will be raced three times, once on each lane of the track.  Winners will be selected based upon an average of all three runs, not the results of any one race.  

(4) Cars advancing to the finals including the top car from each rank, plus the next 11 fastest cars. So if a rank champion turns out to be the 17th fastest car overall, it will still bump #16 out of the finals.  This ensures that we have at least one car from each rank in the finals.

(5) We will re-run the race if there are any problems with the track or timing system, even if everybody saw who won.  We need to have accurate times for the software.

(6) If a car collides with another car or comes off the track and is unable to complete the race, we will re-run the race one time. If the car is unable to complete the race the second time, then the car is disqualified from further racing.  We do NOT re-run the race if a car is unstable ("chatters") but does not come off the track or collide with another car.  

(7) Decisions of race officials are final!

Hello Pack 618,

If you did not check in last night (and most of you didn't), you must check in on Friday to race on Saturday. Check in runs from 6-8 pm in the Rabasca Garage,17213 N. 43rd St. (here's a map). Bring your car lubed up and ready to race, let us check it, and then leave it with us to bring to the race on Saturday.

Uniforms are not required at check-in, but boys should be in full class A for Saturday's race.

Boys must be present to race on Saturday, but if they are unable to be at check-in on Friday, you can have someone else check in the car for you.

Let us know if you have any questions!

--brett

PS --> Saturday's race is at Copper Canyon, as in years past.  Tigers begin at 11 am, Finals should start at 2 pm