Pack Meetings

Each month all the Dens in our pack come together at Mark Twain Elementary for a meeting.  Usually we have a special guest speaker ranging from magicians to the crowd favorite Peter Rushton and his Amazing Exotic Animals.  The only thing better than watching ten scouts lined up holding a 9 foot Bermese Python from head to tail is watching thier mothers do the same!  Our hats go off to the ladies that have done it with out even flinching.  Other activites at Pack Meetings include Science Night, where each Den demonstrates a scientific experiment and Rank Advancement Ceremonies.  Siblinings and anyone thinking about joining pack 966 are welcome to attend, and while you're there, pull one of the leaders aside and ask about getting signed up.  Check the Pack Calendar for times and dates.

Den Meetings

Den Meetings are the heart of the scouting experience.  It is in this small group made up of boys all same age that the scout spends most of thier time and with whom the scouts bond the most.  Den meetings are held once a month and cover topics relating to earning the badge that particular den is working toward.  Often times, Den Meetings are held is a classroom or workshop format and can involve arts and crafts, learning about astronomy, or having a local Meteorologist come in to do weather experiments.  Check Our Dens to see what each age group is up to, and then the Pack Calendar to catch up with them.

Go-See-It

The Go-See-It is just what it sounds like.  A Den will pick something of interest to go and see, usually relating to badge requirements.  Some of the places our Scouts have toured include: Columbus Fire Station No. 2, one of the busiest in the nation; Airports, Police Stations, Perkins Observatory, TV stations, Nationwide Arena, and the list goes on.  This is a great way for the Scouts to get out in the world and see how things really work, and what it takes to fly a plane or operate a ladder truck.  We can tell you from experience, that the parents enjoy it just as much as the Scouts!

Pinewood Derby

The Pinewood Derby will be held this year at Mark Twain Elementary School on Saturday, February 28 from 12-5PM. Registration is 12-1 and ALL SCOUTS must have their cars weighed and registered by 12:45PM to be eligible to race this day. Once a Den Race begins, no late cars will be allowed to compete. Pinewood Derby Build Day: Saturday, February 16 at TBA from 1-5PM. We will have many tools and build supplies to help, power tools, paint booth, Design Resource Center and anything you can share with the Pack. The Pinewood Derby will be held once a year and our next event will be in February 2009. Pinewood Derby Sibling Race: Immediately following the Pinewood Derby for the Scouts we will have a "Siblings" Race for all the other family members. Open to everyone to compete and win prizes.

Rain Gutter Regatta

Sometimes called the Pinwood Derby of the fall, this activity has all the build and race excitement of it's winter brother.  The regatta is ussualy held in early October while the weather is still warm giving us some nice time outdoors before it changes.  Scouts are given a kit to build and decorate their very own racing sail boat.  Rain Gutters glued to boards and filled with water provide the "track" and the scouts provide the wind, the old fashioned way.  Scouts blow thier boats to the end of the track in a number of races and at the end there is trophies and ice cream for everyone.  Look on the Pack Calendar for dates, times and location.

Blue and Gold Banquet

Blue and Gold Banquet is the finale of the Cub Scout path.  Each year in late March, the whole pack gathers for a formal buffet style dinner and awards banquet.  Rank advancements are awarded to the younger Scouts but for the 2nd year Webelos, this night is what they have been working towrds...  The Arrow of Light.  This ceremony is the official crossover from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.  Akela, the leader of all Cub Scouts, makes a special visit to guide the Scouts through The Arrow of Light and into the Boy Scout Troop they have selected.  This is the last time they will be a Cub Scout and for most, including the parents, a touching and moving occasion.  Check the Pack Calendar for more details.

Family Spring Camp Out

The annual family Spring Camp out is an over-night 3 day/2 night camping experience for the whole family.  Parents, siblings, cousins, neighbors, and anyone else you'd like to come are all welcome.

Usually held towards the end of May at one of the Simon Kenton Council camp grounds such as Camp Lazarus or Camp Falling Rock, the camp out starts on a Friday evening with no particular events planned.  This gives you and your family time to get acquainted with the camp ground or have individual Den Activities. 

Saturday afternoon organized pack activities begin including building bird feeders and model rockets, orienteering, flag football, kickball, water wars, and many others.  Saturday evening, the Tiger Cubs serve the Pack Dinner which is followed by Boy Scout Bingo!  The entrance fee for bingo is one toy to "trade".  Top prizes have included fishing poles, sleeping bags, and even 4 tickets to Fort Rapids Water Park!  After everyone playing Boy Scout Bingo has won a prize, the group sits down for an outdoor movie.  Just before" lights out" there is enough time to gather around the camp fire for marshmallows, smores, and remembering the day.

Sunday morning, there is another pack meal consisting of all the breakfast favorites. After breakfast, it's time to relax a little bit before packing up and heading out.

This highly anticipated event is a hit every year and attended by a large percentage of the pack.  We can't wait to see you there!

Rocket Day

Rocket is the last organized event for the summer prior to school starting. Rockets are passed out at the last Pack Meeting in May and blast off is the last week of June. Location: Alum Creek State Park - Below the Dam Picnic Area Date: TBA (Normally the last weekend of June) Time: 12 (noon) until about 3:30PM Many scouts bring one, two or even three rockets to rocket day. We will have all the equipment and engines you will need and all the instruction and supervision for the first timers.

4th of July Parade

Although Pack 966 doesn't do a great deal during the summer time due to the family vacation season, the annual Westerville Fouth of July Parade is the highlight.  Each year Pack 966 builds a float and our scouts line up up to march up State St. to show their support of America's Indepenance.  Wether they are riding on the float, thier bycicles, or marching, the scouts are always having a good time as they pass out candy to the lines of spectators.  This is one of our most visable events in the community and serves as a great recuiting tool for when school starts.  But don't wait until then, you can Join right now!

Day Camp

Cub Scout Day Camp ideally encourages participation of den and pack leaders to strengthen packs so their boys benefit and grow with a good outdoor experience. The Camp is an outdoor experience where Cub Scouts participate in individual and team sports, games, and crafts, explore nature and work on achievements, electives and badges. Boys have fun in the outdoors -- that’s Cub Scout Day Camp. The Cub Scout Day Camp program is designed to teach skills and develop attitudes that make a boy more self-reliant and more at home in the outdoors. He will have fun with a purpose. The purpose is to build character while providing a memorable experience in the life of a boy. Make sure your boys get Cub Scouting at its best by attending Cub Scout Day Camp. All Cub Scouts -- from the Tiger Cub to Webelos Scout -- are encouraged to attend. Day Camp is usually the first camping experience for a Scout. Boys attend Day Camp and return home each day. There is no overnight camping. Scouts participate in outdoor activities centered around a camping theme. Day Camp is a program of the Simon Kenton Council, Boy Scouts of America and is made available through each of the Council Districts. It meets the standards of the National Council, BSA and is inspected annually to assure you of a high quality, successful camping experience. Dates for Day Camp this year will be announced at a later date.  For more details or to volunteer, please contact the CubMaster.