Pack 33 Families

            Wow, another year is upon us and I am still recovering from the summer.  What a summer it was.   This up-coming year's theme is Scouting....a Most Excellent Journey.

Many of your boys went to the Hawaiian themed Etowah Day camp where I had the opportunity to be their range officer (the serious Cubmaster) and help them with their BB gun shooting.  Thanks to all of the leaders who helped make that camp a success.  Those that went also saw my impersonation of Donald Duck in a hula skirt (the not so serious Cubmaster).  I can tell you that it was lacking or least the size of my costume was.  I am told that there is evidence of this display, but I have yet to see it.  If the boys or any of you parents had nightmares I am truly sorry.  I have gotten much feedback from week and all of it has been great.   Mahalo (Thank you).

I also had the fortune to spend time with the Webelo I and IIs at the Webelo Adventure camp and what an adventure it was.  Our boys were without a doubt the loudest and most enthusiastic, which made me so proud.  Our Webelo I patrol may change its name to Perro Diablos (Demon Dogs). They surprised us with their language skills when they unexpectedly counted off in Spanish perfectly.  Nicely Done.  Also our Webelo boys have had the pleasure of coming up with a phrase for another pack.  As we were getting ready to leave and we were receiving our packets another pack 777 was called and the boys loudly and in unison yelled out "Jackpot!!!" to the amusement of all present.  I would love to say I initiated it, but they are creative on their own.  The Cubmaster from that pack has taken it to heart and expects that anytime I hear anyone say his pack number to yell out "Jackpot!!!"  Also if you get a chance ask Mr. Orton or Meyers Busch how they could tip a un-tip able row boat, I was there and still can't figure it out.

On July 31, we held our annual pool party at Sardis Swim and Racquet Club.  About 35 people came in spite of the overcast skies.  After about 30 minutes in the water, we had to get out of the pool due to thunderstorms!  Everyone stuck around for pizza, popsicles and just hanging out.  The weather never cleared up but we still had a good time being together.

On August 6, we had a small pack camping/hiking trip to Julian Price Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We arrived on Saturday and were grateful to get permission to setup our tents on the site early.  After setting up camp, we hiked the 5-mile Boone Fork Trail.  This is an awesome trail with rocks to climb, streams to cross, a waterfall and signs of beavers building their dam.  All agreed this was a great hike, even though the last mile or so was a little tough on our feet.  We were all grateful to cool our feet in the little stream at the end of the trail.  On Saturday night, Mr. Price demonstrated how to make a pizza in his Dutch oven.  We were all grateful to escape the heat of Charlotte for that cool mountain air.

Also I had the great fortune to attend the Wood Badge course, which is the ultimate in Adult Scouting training, with Alphonso Thompson.   I can tell you that it lived up to and exceeded my expectations.  One of the requirements of the course is a commitment from the attendees to take action to improve their home organization so I look forward to your support as we work to that and ask that you would thank Alphonso for his personal commitment and dedication to Pack 33.

As we look forward to the new scouting year there is so much planned for both the boys and the adults.  We met at the end of last year and laid out our plans for the up-coming year.  We already have camping scheduled Oct 21-23 at Camp Grimes with BBs, Archery and Canoes.  I will be attending Leave No Trace Trainer in early September so I will be working on that with some of the older boys on the camping trip.  We will also be developing a camping plan so you can see in advance what we will be scheduling during future camping trips.  Through the generosity of a Duke Energy Foundation Leadership Grant we will be able bring in a instructor for CPR and First Aid, as well as support the funding of additional Adult Training.  We also plan to implement a belt loop day once a month where we will work on different belt loops with the boys.

All this will not be able to occur without the help of volunteers.  Many of you have already committed much of your time to the success of Pack 33, and I thank you for your continued support.   We have identified many other opportunities that will help us reach the next level of performance to give the boys the ultimate experience in scouting many of which require less than 1hr/week of support.  As the boys will tell you many hands make light work.  I would ask that each and everyone lend a hand to make light work for us all.  Then we will all have a Most Excellent Journey.

                                                                                    Yours in Scouting

                                                                                    Andrew Garrett, Cubmaster Pack 33