Crofton Pack 731

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Reminder - Prince of Peace Service Project SATURDAY 8:30a

A reminder that this Saturday is a busy day! Along with Web II Bridging , we also have a Pack 731 Service Project to help our our sponsoring organization, Prince of Peace Church, with their spring cleanup. See the original posted notice on our website (www.croftonpack731.org) for details. 8:30am, bring shovels, gloves, wheelbarrows, and a helpful attitude.

See you there! Donuts? Hmmm....

Sunday, March 25, 2007

April Powwow Plan

Dear Pack 731 -

As you know, the April 13th Powwow will feature awards and recognition for our adult volunteers. Each den should already have its assignments (handed out in Feb). For those dens that did not have representation at the last den leader meeting (in March), I handed out certificate paper and certificate holders to help in creating the awards. I have lots of extras if you need them. You may pick them up at the April Den Leader meeting (April 11) or arrange to pick them up from me directly. Just email me at cubmaster@croftonpack731.org if you need any.

Also, if you are a Web II, remember that you and your families are invited back to the Pack one last time to join the festivities as VIPs and serve as the Masters of Ceremony for the evening. If you plan to attend (and you should), please RSVP to me by April 1. Thanks! If you have any questions, just call/email me.

It's going to be a really fun evening full of surprises, none of which I've planned. Come out and see!

Andy Musliner
Cubmaster aka Pack-Man
Pack 731

Web II Bridging Ceremony Saturday, March 31, 6p

Reminder: Pack 731 Webelos IIs are graduating from Cub Scouts and bridging to Boy Scouts on Saturday, March 31st, at 6:00 PM, at Camp Barrett inCrownsville. All Webelos scouts (I and II) are invited to participate in this special ceremony and campfire. Bleacher seating is limited around the fire ring, so families should bring folding chairs or blankets to sit on. Wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a flashlight. The Ceremony will go on, rain or shine. (In case of rain, we will meet under the picnic pavilion, instead of by the fire ring). The Pack has the entire campground reserved for the day, so Webelos Dens are welcome to come early and picnic and hike the very nice nature trail. Camp Barrett is located on Chesterfield Road near the AA County Fairgrounds (and Camp Tomahawk), off Crownsville Road.

Directions to Camp Barrett:

From Route 3 North:

Travel North on Route 3 through intersection with Route 175/Millersville Road.
After intersection get in Right lane and merge onto I-97 toward Annapolis.
Take first exit from I-97 onto Route 178 to Crownsville.
Turn Right at the 3rd Light onto Crownsville Road (Crownsville State Hospital is on right, you can only turn right).
Follow Crownsville Road for 1 1/2 miles, keeping the hospital to your right.
Turn Right onto Hawkins Lane (small blue sign for Elks Camp Barrett on corner with arrow).
Follow Hawkins Lane to the end (T-intersection of Chesterfield Road).
Camp Barrett Entrance gate is straight ahead, (be careful, there is limited sight to oncoming traffic both ways).

From Route 424 Davidsonville Road:

Travel South on Route 424 Davidsonville Road (toward Route 50) to traffic light at Staples Corner.
At light turn Left (East) on Route 450 Defense Highway toward Annapolis.
Turn Left at first traffic light onto Crownsville Road.
Follow Crownsville Road for about 1/2 mile and turn left onto Chesterfield Road (3rd street on left).
Follow Chesterfield Road for about 1-½ miles and at the Hillcrest turn left into the Main Gate of Elks Youth Camp Barrett (be careful as this T-Intersection has limited sight to oncoming traffic).

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Pack Communications

If you're reading this on our Pack website, croftonpack731.org, it was posted 1 second after I pressed the "publish" button on our blog. If, however, you're reading this from your email inbox, this email was sent to you up to six hours AFTER I pressed the "publish" button.

Therein lies one of the challenges we encountered on the Friday before our campout last weekend.

As you likely recall, it was raining, sleeting, and threatening to snow that evening. At 3:45p I was trying to (a) pack for the trip, (b) field numerous calls about the weather, and (c) get the message out to the Pack as to our approach given this unpredictable storm. It was a bit chaotic.

That afternoon I hastily posted two successive notices on our website stating what we were doing and making recommendations to everyone in the pack about whether or not to travel up to Broadcreek that evening, based on the most up-to-date information I had about the weather. Unfortunately, not everyone got the message in time to use the information (reference the first paragraph above), but fortunately, everyone used their own best judgment and all who decided to come camping eventually arrived, safe and sound.

So, a couple of lessons from this: (1) If you want to know the latest information in situations like this, go to the Pack website. It's the easiest and fastest way for the Pack leadership team to communicate with everyone who is interested in listening. (2) Blog entries on the website are delayed up to six hours when they get sent out as email. (3) The method for sending an email instantly to the entire pack should be understood by more than 1 person (it is now, but wasn't on Friday) . However, email is NOT the best form of communication for real-time issues such as Friday's weather, so don't count on it, and (4) When in doubt, use your head, which I'm pleased to report everyone did.

And now, for the weekend report:

I am extremely proud of the hearty Scouts and parents who ventured up to Broadcreek last weekend. It was an *exciting* ride up there, but well worth the effort. With excellent sledding and snowball snow, I don't think we could have asked for a better winter venue. Give yourselves a big hand! Did you notice that if we had been camping 5 miles farther south, there was no snow to sled on? Now that's good fortune.

I would also like to commend Den 10 for their ingenuity. Although they decided as a den to stay home instead of going to Broadcreek, they turned what could have been a very disappointing situation into an opportunity and made the entire weekend an at-home Cub Scout camping trip, with games, activities, sleepovers, and pre-bought camping food! Now that's brilliant.

With a lot of luck, we'll steer clear of any additional bad weather in the future, but if there is any doubt, please just check the website. We'll do our best to post notices up there to keep you apprised of any evolving situation.

Thank you all again for making this Pack the best.

Wocca-wocca-wocca,

Andy Musliner
Cubmaster aka Pack-Man
Pack 731

Monday, March 19, 2007

3/31 Service Project for Prince of Peace Church

To all Pack 731 Scouts:

We have been blessed with a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate how a Scout Gives Goodwill to our sponsoring organization, Prince of Peace Church: On Saturday, March 31st at 8:30am, the church is having its Spring Cleanup Day and the church has specifically asked for our help!

Apparently, they have a rather large mound of dirt/mulch that needs to be moved and spread in the woods behind the church. That's just the type of project that Pack 731 can handle quickly and easily. With many hands, we can get it done in no time flat.

So, no RSVP necessary, just show up between 8:30 and 9:00 and lend a hand or three. Families are welcome. If you have suitable tools, bring shovels, pitchforks, and wheelbarrows. Because it's the church's Cleanup Day, there will be more cleanup activities going on (e.g., trimming, picking up sticks, etc.), so I'm sure any help you can provide would be much appreciated.

Will there be donuts, you ask? You'll have to come to find out.

Even an hour of your Saturday morning will be a great help. Let's show our sponsoring organization how much Goodwill we can serve up!

Mark it on your calendar:

Saturday, March 31st.
8:30am
Prince of Peace Church (Crofton Parkway, across from the main Crofton entrance off Rt. 3)

Thank you in advance for your support

Andy Musliner
Cubmaster aka Pack-Man
Pack 731

Friday, March 16, 2007

Winter Camping - 4pm Friday Update!!

Seems the National Weather Service is watching the same thing I am...

Please read:

THE RAIN SNOW LINE IS GRADUALLY WORKING TO THE SOUTHEAST THROUGH THE REGION. SNOW AND SLEET IS CURRENTLY OCCURRING EVERYWHERE NORTH AND WEST OF A LINE FROM JUST NORTH OF BALTIMORE TO FREDERICK MARYLAND TO WASHINGTON- DULLES AIRPORT. THIS RAIN SNOW LINE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE SLOWLY SOUTHEAST THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING HOURS. THIS LINE IS EXPECTED TO REACH THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR INCLUDING METRO WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE AROUND 5 PM THIS EVENING.

SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED IN THE FAR NORTHWEST BALTIMORE AND WASHINGTON SUBURBS. AROUND 1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED IN A NARROW CORRIDOR BETWEEN BALTIMORE AND MANASSAS VIRGINIA. AROUND AN INCH OR LESS OF SNOW IS EXPECTED INSIDE THE CAPITAL BELTWAY AND ACROSS SOUTHERN MARYLAND.

THE SNOW WILL BE VERY HEAVY AND WET. DRIVING WILL BECOME DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY THE FURTHER NORTH AND WEST ONE TRAVELS FROM THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR.

ALL OF THE STEADY PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO END FROM WEST TO EAST DURING THE VERY LATE EVENING AND EARLY MORNING HOURS.

TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT ARE EXPECTED TO FALL BELOW FREEZING THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

IF YOU MUST TRAVEL THIS EVENING...BE AWARE THAT CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE THROUGHOUT THE EVENING HOURS. ALLOW PLENTY OF EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION AND POSTPONE ANY UNNECESSARY TRIPS.

Per the government's instructions: Driving to Broadcreek is likely considered in the "unnecessary" category. The weather should clear up in the wee hours, so if conditions are favorable, come up tomorrow morning. Again, I repeat: Be safe. Use your head.

I will give this message to anyone who shows up at CES at 5:30p to go up to Broadcreek.

I will be going up this evening, so I can take food if you need me to.

Winter Camping - Weather Update!

3:45p Friday.

Right now, the rain/ice line appears to be just north of Broadcreek. It will likely inch south as the evening gets colder. That means the last 25 miles of the trip to Broadcreek is likely to have a wintry mix of rain, snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Even here in Crofton we've had a little sleet so far. That's no fun to drive in, but traffic won't be going anywhere fast either, so it will be a slow trip no matter what.

Here is the Pack 731 plan:

Our Winter Camping trip is still on. We have people already on their way to Broadcreek so we will be opening up camp for the night. You are welcome to make your way up there with us, though I'm sure it will be a slog to get there. There will be a contingent meeting at CES at 5:30p to start the journey. When we get there, cabins will be awaiting (dryness!).

If you do not feel comfortable driving up in the wintry mix expected this evening, don't. Be safe, rather than sorry. You can join us tomorrow morning at the campsite. The Boy Scouts are leaving at 5:30am, as an example. If you are waiting until tomorrow and you are the one with the food for your cabin, PLEASE get the food to someone who is leaving tonight! Thanks.

Scouting...always an adventure.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Winter Camping - Don't Worry, but BE PREPARED

By now everyone is probably suitably worked up over the fact that we mis-scheduled the Winter Camping trip to occur just AFTER the 85 degree weather ended.

Don't worry, it will still be a great time...just a tad colder. It IS supposed to be Winter Camping.

So, to avoid confusion: we ARE going camping. The cabins are warm and dry. We'll be fine.

Seriously, Winter Camping at Broadcreek will be great fun, so long as you are prepared and you make sure your boy is too. Right now (10p Thursday), the weather forecast says:

Friday evening: wintery mix, followed by 1-3" of snow.
Saturday: cloudy, highs in the 30's, very windy, and lows in the 20's.
Sunday: cold and partly cloudy

To be suitably prepared, consider that we will be spending as much of our time on Saturday outdoors as possible. The windchill will be in the teens (or lower), and it won't be sunny. That means any snow that fell on Friday night will still be there all day Saturday.

Spending all day in single-digit windchills is not something our Maryland blood is used to, so we need to bundle up. Here are my personal recommendations to ensure you have a good time and stay healthy. You may very well have better ideas which I welcome you to share with your fellow Scouts.

You will need, and be thankful for:
1) Many warm layers of clothes. Layers are better than a single coat. I recommend at least 4 layers - undershirt, long sleeve/long underwear/turtleneck, sweatshirt/fleece, outer winter coat with a shell. Wool is a great under-layer. You will want a top layer that serves as a solid windbreaker.
2) Don't forget your legs. Long underwear! Snowpants (there may be snow even!) Best would be snow or nylon outerpants. Again, the windbreaker effect will be important.
3) Hat hat hat hat hat hat, and a hood if you have it.
4) Gloves, and multiple pairs. We don't have a dryer.
5) Two pairs of socks (at the same time). An inner thin nylon pair and an outer wool pair. If you don't have nylon socks, just go for a pair of wool sock. Wool socks are MUCH better than cotton. Wool will keep your feet warm. Cotton will make your feet cold.
6) Boots! It will be snowy or at least very muddy.
7) Extra shoes/boots. No matter how waterproof your boots are, they will get wet inside somehow. Bring at least one spare pair of shoes, preferably two.
8) Scarf
9) Chapstick or the like

All of the above should be applied to you AND your Scout, or a better combination if you have it.

It is critically important that you use common sense and apply your common sense to your Scout. Kids this age will not realize the potential dangers of cold weather, so it is incumbent upon you to help them learn common sense and enforce it. Camping is not a beauty content (for you or your Scout). Safety, health, and warmth count far more than anything else. Fight the battle with the coat, hat, and gloves. It's worth it. You'll be able to tell if you're on the right track if you don't hear any coughing at bedtime on Saturday evening. Good luck with that :)

A note or two on safety:
1) Please don't let the boys play on sheets of ice or with the water spigots outside the cabins. Need I explain?
2) Make sure your cabin has a first aid kit.
3) If the wind is particularly high, the campground will ban large fires and enforce strict fire safety rules to prevent forest fires. We MUST abide by those rules. We've done it before and everything worked out fine. We'll let you know if we are given such instructions.
4) Make sure you're drinking water to stay hydrated, even in the cold

So enough of the safety tips.

Now, for the fun part.

Where's there's snow, there's fun! Sleds? Snowballs? Angels?

Consider indoor games (non-electronic) that people can play. If it's really cold, people may want to spend freetime indoors. Give them something captivating to do.

We will Do Our Best to put on a fantastic program for the boys this weekend. Keep them warm and healthy, and they'll have a great time.

See you tomorrow!

Andy Musliner
Pack-Man, Pack 731

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Web II Bridging: Saturday, March 31 at 6:00pm

For Web II's, Bridging into Boy Scouts will be held Saturday, March 31st at 6:00p at the Elks Camp Barrett (1001 Chesterfield Rd, Annapolis, MD (410) 224-2945). All Web I's are also welcome to attend this ceremony as it will give you a great idea of what you have to look forward to next year.

The ceremony will include:

Achievement arrows for all the graduating Web IIs. These are VERY cool.
An Arrow of Light ceremony for Web IIs who have earned the AOL but did not receive it at the Blue & Gold in February.
Recognition of a few special awards.
Bridging to Boy Scouts.

A campfire will rage, weather permitting. If the weather is not cooperative, we will use the pavilion, so we're Bridging rain or shine.

More details to follow from our Assistant Cubmaster, Dave Peters, who is coordinating this event.

Please note the time of the event: 6:00p. (It was previously listed incorrectly on our website).

We have Camp Barrett rented out for the entire day, so you are welcome to come early and enjoy a picnic and/or the great hiking trails they have there (including one that has a rope to help get you up a steep hill).

If you have any questions, contact Dave Peters.

Winter Camping This Friday!

Just a friendly reminder to the 150+ Cub Scouts and family members coming camping with us this weekend: we are meeting at Crofton Elementary School at 5:30p, departing no later than 6:00p for Broadcreek. It's about a 1.5 hour drive.

Your den leader has directions, maps, cabin assignments, and rotation schedules, and if you don't have them already, you should have them shortly. Call your den leader if you have any questions.

The 10-day outlook is calling for mostly nice weather, so cross your fingers!

Many thanks to our Winter Camping chairs, Cindy Hare and Lisa Ossman, for getting everything set up. This is going to be great!

See you on Friday!

Andy Musliner
Cubmaster aka Pack-Man, Pack 731