Hello Pack 618,

Reminder that flag placement at the National Cemetery is TOMORROW. It does get crowded and parking can be difficult, so please try to arrive no later than 6:30 AM. Our pack has been asked to do the flag ceremony at 7 AM again this year, and we will move out very quickly after that, so please don't be late.

Map and other information is below.

I hope to see many of you there.  To those that are travelling, please be safe and have an enjoyable weekend!

Hello Pack 618,

Every Memorial Day weekend our pack joins with hundreds of other volunteers to place American flags on our veterans' graves at the National Cemetery of Arizona.  It's a really great experience, and one of the most rewarding things that we do all year.

Please plan to assemble at the cemetery no later than 6:30am.   Please leave early to account for large crowds and limited parking in the cemetery. You might have to park on Pinnacle Peak Road and walk all the way into the cemetery (which will take 10-15 minutes), and parking will get worse as you get closer to 7 am.  The group moves out very quickly at 7 am and it will be hard to find us after that, so you won't want to be late.

Boys should be in full class A uniform, others should be in yellow shirts if you have them to help identify our group.  This event is open to the public, and the entire family is welcome and encouraged to attend.

The cemetery is on Pinnacle Peak Road just east of Cave Creek Road, here's a map.  Our pack assembles at the Boich family bench, which is on the south side of Legion of Honor Road just west of where Veteran's Memorial Drive ends.  It's right across the street from the cemetery office on the north side of the giant flagpole that you can see from the whole cemetery.   After a brief opening ceremony, the whole crowd fans out really quickly to place the flags; we usually head toward the west.  

Flag placement usually takes about an hour, and they have doughnuts for the kids afterward.  You should be finished no later than 8:30.

Hello Pack 618,

If you haven't already signed up for Camp R-C, there is still (a very short) time to do so.  Please see the information below.

A large group from our pack is attending Session 4 (Father's Day Weekend).  We have at least one other family attending Session 2.  You can sign up for any session that fits your schedule.

Please do register soon, though -- the camp does fill up, and there is no guaranty that you will have a spot if you don't register soon.

Hello family campers!  The following information is important, please read carefully!

SAFETY:  It is the parents responsibility to know the whereabouts of your child at all times, and to instruct your child in safe behavior in the forest.  THE FOREST IS VERY DENSE, AND KIDS HAVE GOTTEN LOST IN THE PAST.   It is terrifying for everyone when this happens, so please, PLEASE ensure that all scouts and siblings abide by the following rules:

            (1) Use the buddy system at all times.  Nobody should ever be out of camp alone.

            (2) Wear a whistle AT ALL TIMES.

            (3) If you get lost, JUST STOP, sit down, and blow the whistle.   Help will be on the way.  DO NOT TRY TO FIND YOUR WAY BACK OR YOU WILL MAKE IT WORSE!

            (4) If you hear a loud air horn, return to camp IMMEDIATELY!

            (5) ALL whistle blowing will be interpreted as a call for help.  If you do not need help, do not blow the whistle.  Adults, please promptly assist any child that is blowing a whistle.

I would strongly recommend dressing your kids in their yellow pack shirts on Saturday, and in bright clothing at all other times so you can see them in the forest.   Uniforms are not required for this trip.

Many of you received whistles and lanyards at fall camping.  If you have a whistle, please bring it.  We have a few extras, so if you need one, please contact Mark Blair as soon as you arrive.  ALL scouts and siblings must wear a whistle at all times, no exceptions!  (It's not a bad idea for adults, either...I carry one myself just in case.)

Weather this year is forecast to be slightly warmer than in years past.  Right now it looks like lows around 45 and highs in the 70s.  Please dress warmly, especially at night!   If your sleeping bag has Spongebob, Iron Man or Larry Fitzgerald on it, it may be an awesome bag but it will not keep you warm enough on this trip!

Be sure to check the forecast before you leave:  http://www.findlocalweather.com/pinpoint/us/az/woods+canyon+lake+recreation+area/current13059.html

Location: Woods Canyon Lake Group Area

·         GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
34.32861, -110.93917
34°19'43"N, 110°56'21"W

·         From Payson, Arizona, take Highway 260 northeast from Payson toward Heber. Turn left (west) onto Forest Road 300 and follow for 3 miles. Turn right at Woods CanyonLake Road and travel 0.75 miles to the campground on the right side of the road.  Watch out for BOTH photo radars in Star Valley unless you want to spend a Saturday in traffic school.

·         We have the campground reserved from Friday, May 1st through mid-day Sunday, May 3rd.  The Group Area holds up to 120 people and 30 vehicles.  I think there are 15 pull-ins with picnic tables and fire pits.  In the past we’ve doubled up and it works out fine.  The past two years the host has been Dwayne; tell him hi!

·         Water and Toilets: there’s at least one water tap and two well-maintained (depending on one’s perspective) pit toilets.

Fire Restrictions:

·         Fire Restrictions are at Stage 1.  This sounds ominous, but actually we can have fires in the campground in the designated fire rings per the Black Mesa ranger.  There’s typically been a sufficient amount of down wood to scavenge for a fire, but it doesn't hurt to bring a bundle or two if you have room. 

Activities:

·         Fishing: Once again we'll be having a fishing derby, and I have a bunch of tape measures to hand out.  NOTE:  Arizona fishing license laws changed dramatically in 2014.  Kids ten years and older now need a $5 Arizona Hunting and Fishing License if they want to catch fish.  It is very possible that AZGFD will be checking licenses at Woods Canyon Lake next weekend, so please do get a license for you and your kids if they are 10 or older.  You can buy licenses at Walmart, Big 5, etc. or  online here.  Trout are being stocked this weekend, and I'm told that fishers last week landed some nice big trout that were holdovers from last season.  Game on!

·         Hiking: The Woods Canyon Lake Trail is 3.9 miles around the lake.  Several years ago when the Webelos hiked it, there were nests of bald eagles.  As of now there isn’t a formal hike planned, but it’s a great trail if anyone wants to organize a hike.

·         Potluck Dinner: Saturday evening will be the traditional potluck dinner organized by Dona Whitney and the Volunteer Committee (see link below to sign up if you haven't already).

·         Campfire: We will hold our traditional campfire Saturday evening as well.  The campfire will consist of a flag retirement ceremony, skits, songs and smores. Please share any skit ideas, corny jokes, stories, riddles and other hidden talents with Andy LaRusche. 

Safety:

·         Water Safety: Probably a remote possibility of someone falling in the lake, but it’s a good opportunity to practice situational awareness especially with the younger siblings around water. 

·         Weather Safety: The forecast looks clear, but in the event of a thunderstorm, NOAA says that the safest place is in a vehicle due to the insulation.  Tents and picnic shelters don’t offer protection from lightning.

·         Hypothermia: It’s going to be cold, but not super cold which is prime time for hypothermia.   Dress in layers, bring mittens, ski hats and jackets. 

·         Fire Safety: What goes in the fire pit stays in the fire pit.  Keep a bucket of water and a shovel nearby to put any sparks that get away.  Make sure the fire is dead before you leave it (from Scoutermom.com Cub Scout fire safety rules).

Hello Pack 618,

Thanks to everyone who came out for graduation on Friday, and congratulations to all our boys for all of their hard work this year!

Reminder to please register for family camping if you haven't already (also register for dinner, see below).  We need to get final numbers for buying food and for our tour permit.  All the links are below....

Future information about family camping will be sent only to those who have signed up, so please sign up now if you haven't done so already

Reminder that the pack meeting is tonight!   Current forecast is for a nice afternoon, so I'm hopeful that everything will be dry by meeting time.

If you have a GPS device that your son can use, please bring it!   (Don't worry if you don't have one, boys can share and we should have plenty.)  I use my iPhone as a GPS (the standard compass app shows GPS coordinates), and I'm sure there are Android equivalents.  If you do let you son use a phone, though, please make sure he only uses it as a GPS and not as a game playing device

Hello Pack 618,

Reminder that our final pack meeting of the year is tomorrow (Friday) at Sereno Park at 6 pm.  Sereno Park is at 56th Street and Sweetwater.  Here's a map. We will be set up in the middle of the park near the playground, same place as last year.

We'll enjoy our annual visit from Friends of Scouting while the boys work on a GPS project, and then the boys will graduate to their new rank.  We will be outside, so please plan accordingly. The meeting is on unless you hear otherwise, but If the weather looks sketchy, please check your email before you go.  Right now it looks like there will be showers earlier in the day, but perfect weather by meeting time.

Things to bring:

(1) Your son in class A uniform

(2) Lawn chairs -- there is no seating in the park!

(3) Water in refillable containers.  Please fill the bottles before you arrive, we will provide a big jug for refills.

(4) Check or credit card for Friends of Scouting contribution

See you then!

Hello Pack 618,

Reminder that signup is now open for family camping.  If you are planning to go camping (even if you are just coming up for the day on Saturday), please click here and complete the sign up form.  It is important that everybody sign up in advance so we can apply for our tour permit from the council. 

ALSO, we have separate signups now available for Saturday dinner.  To sign up for the POTLUCK (and to tell us how many burgers or dogs you want for your family), please click here.


Additionally, we need volunteers to HELP Grill and SET UP for Saturday dinner.  If you are able to help us out, please click here.

Hello Webelos (and soon-to-be Webelos) leaders:

Below you will find information about Webelos weekend at Camp Raymond.  I've never been to this event before (and unfortunately I can't go this year), but I've heard good things about it and I can vouch that Camp Raymond is a great location in the cool pines west of Flagstaff.

I don't foresee doing this as a pack activity, but feel free to share this with your families in case there is interest.

Congratulations to Dennis Kite for winning 3rd Place in the Webelos 2 division, to David Carlson for winning 3rd place in the Webelos 1 division, and to Dominic Kite for winning 2nd place in the Tiger division!

Great job, guys!