Dear Pack 913 Families:

Several pack events remain between now and the end of the school year, plus please plan ahead for a few really fun events taking place this summer.  All details below and on the pack website at www.pack913.com.

Of particular note is the May pack meeting/cookout and optional family campout at Lake Fairfax this SATURDAY.  Registration is required for headcount and payment.  Details below.

SUMMARY – IN THIS ISSUE (details below):

MAY

1.       Sat 5/19 May Pack Meeting/Cookout/Optional Campout at Lake Fairfax – sign up now.

2.       Mon 5/28 Memorial Day Ceremony at Chestnut Grove Cemetery – Please Come Out

JUNE

3.       Sun June 3 5PM Scout Mass/Religious Medals Ceremony/Banquet – Please sign up now.

4.       Sat June 9 Relay for Life Fun Walk for Cancer Research at Herndon Middle School – Please Sign Up Now

5.       Summer Day Camp at Algonkian Park in Sterling Jun 25-29 – Sign Up Now

JULY/AUGUST

6.       Sun Jul 8 Free Tickets to Washington Nationals Game – Sign Up Now (Deadline June 1)

7.       Sat Aug 11 Minor League Nationals Game/Fireworks/Optional Campout in Outfield – Sign Up Now

8.       Summer Weekend Programs at Camp Snyder in Haymarket, VA – DON’T MISS OUT

Details and links to sign up:

MAY PACK EVENTS

1.       Pack Meeting/Cookout/Optional Campout Saturday 5/19 at Lake Fairfax – Our final pack meeting for this school year will be at Lake Fairfax, Area C-9 (top of the hill overlooking the lake).  6PM Dinner Bell, 7PM Pack Meeting.  Families wishing to camp out may do so (please provide your own camping supplies – tent, etc.).  Bears (3^rd graders) host – all shopping, cooking, etc.  Cost is $5 per person for the cookout, plus $5 per person for the campout.  Please bring a dessert to share and a few pieces of firewood.  Please sign up on www.pack913.com.  All Scouts Should come in their Class A uniforms.  We will be awarding all scouts their neckerchiefs for the 2012-2013 school year, advancing them to the next rank (except Webelos).  All scouts should come in uniform.  Please bring a dessert to share and some firewood for our campfire if you have access to some.

2.       Mon 5/28 10AM Memorial Day Ceremony at Chestnut Grove Cemetery – Please Come Out.   If you’re not heading out of town this Memorial Day, please consider participating in the annual Town of Herndon Memorial Day ceremony honoring our Military Veterans and those who fell while serving our country. This is a very humbling ceremony performed by the American Legion, and includes laying of a wreath on Herndon’s own tomb of the unknown soldier.  Come in full scout uniforms and send a message that Pack 913 cares about our war heroes, and send a message to our scouts to be grateful to those who served for our freedom.  No sign up necessary, just show up on Memorial Day at 10AM.

JUNE PACK EVENTS

3.       Sun June 3 5PM Scout Mass/Religious Medals Ceremony/Banquet – Please sign up now.  All of our Tiger, Bear and Wolf Scouts who participated in this year’s religious emblem program will be recognized at the Scout mass on Sunday June 3 at 5PM, followed by a reception catered by JJ Deli in the Parish Hall.  Please register to attend the reception, cost is $5 per person.  For planning purposes, we cannot accept payment at the door – all attendees must register in advance so we can order the proper amount of food.  Sign up on www.pack913.com.

4.       Sat June 9 Relay for Life Fun Walk for Cancer Research at Herndon Middle School – Please Sign Up Now.  Pack 913’s final service project for the year is to support the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at Herndon Middle School on Saturday, June 9.  It all starts at 1PM, but you can come any time and stay for as long as you’d like.  The relay runs all afternoon and through the night, finishing at 6AM on Sunday Morning.  The goal is to keep our team’s banner moving around the track continuously without interruption for the entire time (walking pace, or those who prefer are welcome to jog).  We will have food, drinks, and there will be loads of games, music, and activities for kids and families.  It’s a very moving event and sends a message that Pack 913 cares about those affected by Cancer, while sending a message to the kids that we can all be grateful for our health and those we love.  Sign up and/or make a donation at www.pack913.com.

5.       Summer Day Camp at Algonkian Park in Sterling Jun 25-29 – Sign Up Now.  All scouts are eligible to attend Powhatan District’s week-long day camp, June 25-29 at Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling Va.  All of the packs from our district (about 20) will be attending.  Scheduled activities each day include archery, crafts, pool/water park, and many opportunities to earn belt loops and rank advancement requirements.  Register at www.pack913.com.  Cost is $185 before May 18, $205 after May 18.

JULY & AUGUST PACK EVENTS

6.       Sun Jul 8 Free Tickets to Washington Nationals Game – Sign Up Now.  Pack 913 will be sponsoring Scout Day at the Washington Nationals Game vs. the Colorado Rockies on Sunday July 8 at 1:35PM.  The pack will provide one free ticket per scout, plus one free ticket for a parent.  Additional tickets may be purchased for $7.  Please sign up at www.pack913.com.  

7.       Sat Aug 11 Minor League Nationals Game/Fireworks/Optional Campout in Outfield – Sign Up Now.  Also this summer, we’ll be returning to Dale City in Prince William County for some minor league action.  This is a wonderful experience for scouts and the whole family.  See great baseball CLOSE UP, then watch a spectacular fireworks show after the game, run the bases, watch a baseball movie on the big screen and then pitch a tent and sleep on the soft, flat grass of the Outfield at the Stadium!  All scouts get a patch for their shadow boxes.  Tickets are just $10 (camping is optional, but no additional cost).  Sign up at www.pack913.com.  

8.       Summer Weekend Programs at Cub Scout Camp Snyder in Haymarket VA – STRONGLY recommended!!!! They do SUCH A GREAT JOB with the scouts there, the staff is SOOOO friendly and lively, all programs are scheduled for you, all meals are provided in the dining hall, just do this, trust me.  Archery, BB  Shooting, Pool/waterslides/water volley ball, boating, crafts, big dig, scavenger hunt, campfires, nature program…you won’t regret it.  Pick a weekend father/son or mother/son; pair up with another scout family, form a group with other scouts from your den; coordinate a den weekend together – whatever you do, just plan on doing this.  Tents are provided (on platforms), scouts tent with their own dads or moms, it’s just a great time.  Camp Snyder is only a half hour from here.  Cost is $160 per scout/$85 per adult by May 1.  Here’s the link for more info and to register:   http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink.asp?LinkKey=16570&orgkey=1933

Here are the weekend dates for Camp Snyder’s weekend parent/son overnight programs this summer. 

Friday at 12pm - Sunday at 4pm
Session 1: July 6-8
Session 2: July 20-22
Session 3: July 27-29
Session 4: August 3-5
Session 5: August 10-12 

9.       Wednesday, August 27, 7PM – MANDATORY Parent’s meeting.  When we return to school in late August, we will be holding a mandatory parent’s meeting in the parish hall.  We will be distributing the pack events calendar for the 2012-2013 school year, accepting registrations for returning scouts (except for our Kindergarten students who are joining us now), and distributing popcorn forms.  Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to invest in your son’s scouting journey by reading the important details outlined above.  All of these events are designed to build character, promote camaraderie and wholesome values.  I hope your scout is able to participate in many of these opportunities this spring and summer.

Yours in scouting,

Steve Toole
Cubmaster, Pack 913
steve@pack913.com
571-274-8718