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

Hello again Pack 618!

This year's Blue & Gold Banquet will be on February 21st, 3 pm, at the Orange Tree Golf Resort.  It looks to be better than ever!  This is the event where your sons will receive their rank advancements, and it's a great event to invite grandparents, friends etc.  Please see the attached flier for more information.

We will have B&G tickets for sale at Pinewood Derby. There is no charge for scouts, adults are $20 and children are $15.  Please bring a check and we'll get you signed up!

Blue & Gold is a party to celebrate the birthday of Cub Scouting.  Every boy should plan to decorate and bring a cake that we will auction off as a fundraiser for our pack.  

Special thanks to Debbie Bagley and the Pack Volunteer Committee for planning what looks to be an outstanding event!

Hello again Pack 618,

Remember to check in your car at the Rabasca garage tonight or Friday.  We will keep the car until Saturday's race.

The scout must be present to race in our derby.  If you've made a car but can't be there on Saturday, bring it to check in -- we'll run the car during a break and let you know how it does. You can still race it in the District derby on April 9.

Here is the schedule for Saturday:

11 am:  Flags and Tiger racing

11:45:   Wolves

12:15:   Bears

1 pm:    Webelos 1

1:30:     Webelos 2

2 pm:    Finals

We will have pizza and snacks for sale, so come hungry!

We will also be selling tickets for February's Blue & Gold, which looks to be better than ever!

See you all there!

Hello Pack 618!

Reminder that Pinewood Derby Check-in starts TONIGHT between 6-8 pm in the Rabasca Garage,17213 N. 43rd St. (here's a map).  If you can't make it tonight, you can come on Friday, same location and time.   No uniforms required!

We will measure your car, check it over to make sure it conforms to the rules, and weigh it (no more than 5 ounces!).  We will keep the car until Saturday's race, so make sure the car is lubed up and ready to race when you check it in!

Hope to see lots of you tonight

Hello Pack 618,

Thanks to everyone who came out for car cutting this past weekend, and special thanks again to the Rabasca family for hosting!  I saw a lot of great looking cars being cut, and I know it's going to be a great race this year.

Check-in is Wednesday, January 20 and Friday, January 22 from 6-8 pm in the Rabasca garage (17213 N. 43rd Street).  Bring your car lubed up and READY TO RACE, get it inspected, and then leave the car with us to transport to the Derby.  We will give you a pit pass when your car is turned in.

We carefully inspect all cars to make sure that the cars will work on our track, and to keep the race as fair as possible.  If your car fails any of these requirements, it will not be allowed to race until it is fixed. The vast majority of you who are not trying to push the rules will be fine as long as you don't go over 5.0 ounces.  For the lunatics among us who feel the need to be more creative (we know who we are), please carefully review the full Official Pinewood Derby Rules for the Four Peaks District, which are also applicable to our race. Decisions of race officials are final!

Note that the point of the derby is to teach our kids sportsmanship and craftsmanship.  If you are working on the car without your son present, then you are defeating the purpose of the Derby.  If you are buying aftermarket parts, you are definitely defeating the purpose of the Derby; I consider the use of aftermarket parts to be cheating.  This is Pinewood Derby, not NASCAR.

• Weight must be 5.0 oz or less on our scale.  Any more and you will have to remove weight to race.
• Distance between the front and back axles must be between 4.25- 4.625”. If you use the pre-cut slots, you're fine.
• Wheels must be separated by at least 1.75“, or they won't fit over the track guide.  The car itself cannot be more than 2.75" wide, or you could collide with cars on other lanes. If you haven't substantially narrowed the wood block or deliberately bent your axles, you'll be fine.
• You must use official BSA wheels and axles that have been processed only by you.  The tread must be visible on the wheels and the overall wheel shape cannot be narrowed or otherwise altered. If you want to alter the wheels, make sure you comply with the District rules linked above.
• Car must be no more than 7" long. Don't attach weight or anything else to the front or back of the block, and you'll be fine.
• You must have 3/8" clearance below your car or it will drag on the track. Don't attach anything to the bottom of your car, and make sure any weight is flush with the bottom of the block. 
• Slots, grooves or other designs that allow any part of the car to extend in front of the starting gate will not be allowed.
• You can use powered lubricants (such as graphite), but not liquid lubricants (such as WD40).  Liquids leak out on our track, and they don't work anyhow.
• You must have no fewer than three wheels touching the track at all times. Floating cars are not allowed.
• Make sure all weights, decorations, etc. are firmly attached so they don't come loose. 

Any questions, please ask!

--brett

Hello Pack 618!

 

I hope you've all had a great start on your new year! 

As you know, this month's pack meeting is our Pinewood Derby. All scouts should have received a derby car kit at the December pack meeting -- if your scout doesn't have one, please contact your den leader. This Saturday, January 9, the Rabasca family will be hosting an open garage for car cutting and other work, from 9 AM to 4 PM. If you'd like to take advantage of power tools and expert advice please, bring your scout and your wood block anytime between 9 AM and 4 PM to the Rabasca residence:

 

17213 N. 43rd St.

Phoenix AZ, 85032

Click Here For Map

This is optional -- you can cut and build your car on your own, if you want to.  But if you are new to this or would like easy access to tools and expertise, I strongly recommend that you stop by at some point on Saturday. 

Please work with your scout ahead of time to have a plan in mind before you arrive in order to expedite the work. I will attach a template that you can print and use to draw out your car design.

Remember that car qualifications are Wednesday, January 20, and Friday, January 22(specific times to follow) -- all cars must be qualified at one of these two events in order to compete on Saturday the 23rd.

 

A big thank you to Andy Rabasca and his family for hosting this!

Attachments area

Preview attachment DerbyCarLayout.pdf

DerbyCarLayout.pdf