Cub Scout Pack 409 - Meetings Summary

Pack Meeting 19-NOV-09 (Roger Wilco, Mr. Bell)

Meeting Summary: We learned that sound travels through the air in waves and how it can be transmitted using a string and plastic cups. Then we built a Telephone to transmit sound across a wire using electric current (just like Alexander Graham Bell). The telephone was made from some old speakers and some wire. Mrs. Brown brought in a "make your own cupcake" for treats and let us decorate them ourselves... YUM!.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Tiger Track Bead- Item 2
Wolf: Achievement 5d. and 5e., or Elective 3a. or 3e. or 5g.
Bear: Achievement 20c or 21a and 21b
Webelo: Craftsman Activity Pin- Item 4 (1 Non Wood Project)

Pack Meeting 05-NOV-09 (Mouse Boat)

Meeting Summary: Our pre-project was building and sailing origami paper boats that we folded from sheets of paper. After the opening ceremony, we learned about springs (compression, extension, and torsional) and how they can act like batteries to store energy. Our main project was building a mouse trap powered paddle wheeled boat. The boat was made from foam, wood, and a paddle wheel made from wood and some old CD's. We got to race them on a water racetrack.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Tiger Track Bead- Item 2
Wolf: Achievement 5d. and 5e., or Elective 3a. or 3e. or 5g.
Bear: Achievement 20c or 21a and 21b
Webelo: Craftsman Activity Pin- Item 4 (1 Non Wood Project)

Pack Meeting 22-OCT-09 (Halloween Spook-tacular)

Meeting Summary: We started the meeting by building a flapping bat. The bats wings moved up and down when you pulled a string. The main event was carving pumpkins. There were Jack-O-Lanterns, Ghosts, Headless Horsemen and Bats all carved (with Moms and Dads help) into some really nice pumpkins from Hilander Foods on Rural Street. We finished the evening by eating "Ghoul Hands" (Plastic food service gloves stuffed with popcorn with candy corn for finger tips.)

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Tiger Track Bead- Item 2
Wolf: Achievement 5d. and 5e., or Elective 3a. or 3e. or 5g.
Bear: Achievement 20c or 21a and 21b
Webelo: Craftsman Activity Pin- Item 4 (1 Non Wood Project)

Pack Meeting 17-OCT-09 (Rocket Launch)

Meeting Summary: On a grey October afternoon brave Cub Scouts strode out on the launch pad and gazed with steely determination towards the sky. They vowed to conquer the heavens in spite of the plunging temperatures, the howling winds and their mothers telling them they needed to bundle up... Up into the grey haze went the small crafts, licked in fire, to kiss the clouds. Briefly they touched the stratosphere, struggling, before accepting the Earth's gentle embrace.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Track Bead 17 and 22
Wolf: Electives 3e, 5g or 5h or 5i, 18f
Bear: Achievements 12d, 21f, Elective 1d
Webelo: Scientist Activity Pin- Item 8

Pack Meeting 24-SEP-09 (Progress Towards Ranks/Banner)

Meeting Summary: There was a special presentation in the gym on Thursday (where we usually meet), so we had our Pack Meeting in the library. We learned about levers and used them to make Buttons, punch holes, install eyelets and to press a Fleur-de-lis into a piece of plastic using a die set and an arbor press. We built our Progress Towards Ranks Badge and a Rank Banner that showed all the the Achievements we had to complete to be awarded our next rank.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Tiger Track Bead- Item 2
Wolf: Achievement 5d. and 5e., or Elective 3a. or 3e. or 10d.
Bear: Achievement 20c.
Webelo: Craftsman Activity Pin- Item 4 (1 Non Wood Project)

Camping Trip 20-AUG-09 (Rock-Cut State Park)

Meeting Summary: I was driving out to the camp ground in the pouring rain, thinking to myself.. I will probably be sitting in a tent, in the rain, all alone this weekend. To my surprise, every scout showed up! What troopers we have. Although it poured all through dinner (we had to cook hotdogs over the camp stoves) it stopped raining just in time for a night hike and smores around the campfire. In spite of the rain, we had a great time.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievements 2d and 5f and 5g, Track Bead 22 and 35
Wolf: Achievement 10e, Electives 18f, 23a, 23g
Bear: Achievements 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, Electives 25c, 25d
Webelo: Outdoorsman Activity Pin- Item 2, Item 3

Pack Meeting 21-MAY-09 (Blue and Gold)

Meeting Summary: At the end of the year we take a break from building things and reflect on all that we have done. We honor those who have come before us, pay tribute to those that have helped us, and award the achievements of the year past. After a hearty chicken dinner, with all the fixins', we watched a slide show of our activities. Everyone that earned awards were presented their badges. All the boys were received cardboard gliders and proceeded to run themselves ragged. It was a great year!

Photo Gallery

Pack Meeting 07-MAY-09 (Mother's Day Special)

Meeting Summary: Every year we time out from our building "boy stuff" to make something special for our Moms. This year we made some very fancy Mother's Day Cards. (Thank-you Mrs. Gates!) Then we broke up into teams and made a bouquet of flowers from tissue paper pipe cleaners, and construction paper. Next we used some magic goo and rubber gloves to etched a glass vase with a 2 part flower design. Happy Mother's Day!

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievement 2d, Tiger Track Bead- Item 2
Wolf: Elective 3a or Elective 3e, or Elective 9b
Bear: Achievement 18e
Webelo:

Pack Meeting 23-APR-09 (Benjamin's Kite)

Meeting Summary: Benjamin Franklin built a kite just like this one when he did his famous (and dangerous) lightning experiment. I'll bet he did not have to deal with nylon string though.... We lashed together 2 dowel rods and strung them with string. We mounted our kite papers and tied everything off. Everyone's fingers were numb from tying all those knots but we got the job done, and flew them (kind of) all around the parking lot. Although it looked like rain we saw no lightning.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievement 2D
Wolf: Elective 5c, Elective 12a, Elective 17a, Elective 17e
Bear: Elective 9a
Webelo:

Pack Meeting 09-APR-09 (Pantograph)

Meeting Summary: We started by building "Grocery Bag Jumpers" and floating them all around the school yard. After the opening ceremony, we got down to the business of building Pantographs. A pantograph is a machine that will reduce or enlarge drawings using a series of wooden bars fastened in a parallelogram shape. By changing the way the bars are positioned and the location of the pen/tracer different effects could be achieved.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievement 2D
Wolf: Achievement 5c, 5e or Elective 3e
Bear: Achievement 20c
Webelo: Craftsman Activity Pin- Item 2

Pack Meeting 26-MAR-09 (Scrap Booking)

Meeting Summary: It was "Spring Break" and Bloom School was closed, so Rick and Gail Edge stepped up and invited us to their house for a meeting. We made a ring toss game from lengths of rope, a board and a dowel rod. We spent the rest of the meeting assembling a Cub Scout Scrap Book. We pasted pictures, made cut paper borders learned how to use a glue machine and stuck stickers everywhere. We had a lot of fun and created a truly memorable keepsake.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievement 2D
Wolf: Achievement 10b or Elective 4c
Bear: Achievement 8c
Webelo: Artist Activity Pin- Item 3

Pack Meeting 12-MAR-09 (Cigar Box Guitar)

Meeting Summary: Sunglasses were required equipment for this way cool meeting. We started by building rhythm shakers from Easter eggs and rice and kept time to "Blues Classics" that were playing on the stereo. The main project was a "Cigar Box Guitar" that wasn't made from from a real cigar box but it had real strings and played real music. After we completed the guitars we had a giant "Jam Session" and rocked our way late into the night.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievement 2D, Tiger Track Bead- Item 7
Wolf: Achievement 5c, 5e or Elective 3e, Elective 11f
Bear: Achievement 20c or Elective 8a, 8c
Webelo: Craftsman Activity Pin- Item 2 or Item 4 (1 Non Wood Project)

Pack Meeting 26-FEB-09 (Pinewood Derby)

Meeting Summary: After a month and a half of working on our Pinewood Derby cars, race day was finally here. While the derby track was assembled and fine tuned, Mr. Edge helped the boys build "Clomper Stompers" from a length of rope and some coffee cans. Congratulations to Holden Kellog for being the "Pack Uber Champion" and Justin Gates for "Best Design" for the Guitar Car. Next stop... District Championship! Go get 'em scouts.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievement 2D
Wolf: Elective 7b
Bear: Achievement 21f
Webelo:

Pack Meeting 12-FEB-09 (Hammer Time)

Meeting Summary: This meeting was a field trip to Reg-Ellen Machine Tool to learn about automated manufacturing. We watch how a part go from the design computer the the machine that actually make the parts. Using 2 different Lathes and a Milling Machine, we built and assembled our very own Ball-Peen Hammer. We also got a chance to operate a 10 ton crane through an obstacle course. Thank you Mr. Goober and Mr. Brian for helping us out!

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievement 2d, Tiger Track Bead- Item 39
Wolf: Achievement 5d, 5e or Elective 3e, Elective 21a
Bear: Achievement 17f
Webelo:

Pack Meeting 22-JAN-09 (MODÈLE MÉCANIQUE)

Meeting Summary: MODÈLE MÉCANIQUE is French for Mechanical Model...That's what the project was for this meeting. We learned how inventors use models to prove that their inventions work. Using special jigs and fixtures, we were able to form wire into different shapes. We built linkages, a crankshaft an a hand. When you put it all together, the hand waved when you turned the crank. Some of the scouts were going to attach flags to the hands to make a flag waving robot.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievement 2d, Tiger Track Bead- Item 17
Wolf: Achievement 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e or Elective 3e
Bear: Achievement 20c, 21a
Webelo: Craftsman Activity Pin- Item 4 (1 Non Wood Project)

Pack Meeting 08-JAN-09 (Building Boxes)

Meeting Summary: We turned the gym into a wood working shop for this meeting. After a brief safety lesson on the proper use of the equipment, we broke up into teams and built a wooden storage box complete with a sliding door and a handle. We learned how to use a jig saw, a drill press an osolating drum sander and an air nailer. We made sure that everyone ended the meeting with the same number of fingers that they started with.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievement 2d
Wolf: Achievement 5a, 5c, 5e or Elective 3e
Bear: Achievement 20b
Webelo: Craftsman Activity Pin- Item 2 or Item 4 (1 Non Wood Project)

Pack Meeting 11-DEC-08 (Building Snowmen- Indoors)

Meeting Summary: We started the meeting by building paper snowflakes. After the opening ceremony, the boys were convinced that we were going to have to bring in snow from the parking lot so that we could start to build snowmen. After a snack, we competed in a game that was based on the "Amazing Race" TV show. We had to solve puzzles or do tasks to get clues that lead us to the grand prize... Pinewood Derby Kits.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievements 2d, 2f, Tiger Track Bead- Items 2, 35
Wolf: Elective 3a or Elective 3d or Elective 3e, Elective 4f
Bear: Elective 17d
Webelo: Craftsman Activity Pin- Item 4 (1 Non Wood Project)

Pack Meeting 20-NOV-08 (C.A.M.P. System)

Meeting Summary: Our pre-activity was making "Thankful Turkeys" and listing all of the things we are thankful for. Then we built a Cub- Scout Activated Multiple Projectile System. After completing the C.A.M.P. System we created a make-believe landscape with a river and hiding holes. A large scary monster that looked just like Cub Master Gates attacked, but was repelled thanks to a shower of foam earplugs delivered from the C.A.M.P. Systems.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievement 2d
Wolf: Achievement 5e or Elective 3e, Elective 4f
Bear: Achievement 20c
Webelo: Craftsman Activity Pin- Item 4 (1 Non Wood Project)

Pack Meeting 06-NOV-08 (Animation Examination)

Meeting Summary: This was the most ambitious meeting of the year.. maybe too ambitious. We started the meeting by assembling a flip book viewer and with a rocket ship blasting off. Then we broke up into two teams and created some stop action animation using paper cutouts and small toys. Then we filmed a mini movie called "Grand Prix" using the most animated characters that I know...... Cub Scouts. We packed way to much into a single meeting but we had fun.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievement 2d
Wolf: Achievement 5c, 5e
Bear:
Webelo:

Pack Meeting 23-OCT-08 (Carving Jack-O-Lanterns)

Meeting Summary: Everyone else makes construction paper pumpkins with pipe cleaner smiles or if your lucky you can decorate a real pumpkin with markers and glitter. Here at Pack 409, we do the real thing... hand carved with real candles... This meeting we carved traditional Jack-O-Lanterns for the Pack 409 Halloween Spook-tacular. Special thanks to Highlander Foods for the donation of the pumpkins and to James and Matt's Mom and Dad for running the meeting.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Tiger Track Bead- Item 2
Wolf: Achievement 5d. and 5e., or Elective 3a. or 3e. or 5g.
Bear: Achievement 20c or 21a and 21b
Webelo: Craftsman Activity Pin- Item 4 (1 Non Wood Project)

Pack Meeting 09-OCT-08 (Breaking Big Wind)

Meeting Summary: The first real meeting of the year started out with the guys making paper bag puppets as a fill in craft until everyone arrived. After the opening flag ceremony, we dove into our ambitious 2 part project. We built wooden Sailboats with aluminum rudders and a Bellows to "make wind". After a quick snack, we proceeded to the rain gutter race track to see how our projects performed. Puff, puff, puff, down the tracks the little boats flew..... Amazingly, not single drop of water was spilled all night. Welcome to Danny a new Tiger Cub.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Tiger Track Bead- Item 2
Wolf: Achievement 5d. and 5e., or Elective 3a. or 3e. or 5g.
Bear: Achievement 20c or 21a and 21b
Webelo: Craftsman Activity Pin- Item 4 (1 Non Wood Project)

Pack Meeting 25-SEP-08 (Pot-Luck/Awards/Arrowhead Badge)

Meeting Summary: This was the first meeting of the season and we started it off with a Pot-Luck dinner. We had hotdogs, hamburgers and a wide variety of side dishes and deserts. Everyone got caught up on their summertime activities. Awards were presented to all the Cubs that had earned them including "year pins". We built new "Progress Towards Ranks" badges and retired the badges we built from last year. We also welcomed Jacob as a new Bear Scout.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Tiger Track Bead- Item 2
Wolf: Achievement 5d. and 5e., or Elective 3a. or 3e. or 10d.
Bear: Achievement 20c.
Webelo: Craftsman Activity Pin- Item 4 (1 Non Wood Project)

Camping Trip 22-AUG-08 (Rock-Cut State Park)

Meeting Summary: We had an overnight camping trip at Rock Cut State Park. We set up camp near the lake and learned how to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together. We cooked hot dogs and later had smores. We stayed up waaaay to late, telling ghost stories around the campfire. The next morning we learned about reading a map and played a compass game. Later we set off on a treasure hunt that took us all around the park until we discovered the treasure. The plunder is ours! Arrgh! It rained a little but we still had lots of fun.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievements 2d and 5f and 5g, Track Bead 22 and 35
Wolf: Achievement 10e, Electives 18f, 23a, 23g
Bear: Achievements 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, Electives 25c, 25d
Webelo: Outdoorsman Activity Pin- Item 2, Item 3

Rocket Launch 16-JUN-08 (Summer Pack Activity)

Meeting Summary: We started the meeting with a potluck brunch, followed by a discussion of how rocket engines work. We watched Mr. Gates get soaked by a Mentos and Diet Coke rocket. After that we built and launched rockets built from paper and a film canister. These rockets were fueled with Alka-Seltzer and water. Finally the grand finally... the launching of the Estes Rockets that we built at home. All told we lost 3 rockets that day, with one stuck at the top of a tall tree. An AT&T service man tried to help us but it was just too high.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Track Bead 17 and 22
Wolf: Electives 3e, 5g or 5h or 5i, 18f
Bear: Achievements 12d, 21f, Elective 1d
Webelo: Scientist Activity Pin- Item 8

Pack Meeting 22-MAY-08 (Giant Robot Gripper Hands)

Meeting Summary: This build project was a mechanical gripper hand that was constructed with PVC piping, some metal strapping and a few rubber bands. We setup a production line with a parent supervising each manufacturing process. There was the "Handle Bending Station", the "Pop-Rivet Station", the "Solid Rivet Station" and the "Final Assembly Area". After snack, we set out to use our grippers and pick up trash from around the school. We could not believe all of the garbage! Wrappers, paper, boards, bike parts, and even a cell phone.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievement 1f or 5g, Track Bead 33
Wolf: Achievement 7d, Elective 3e
Bear: Achievement 6g, Elective 14c
Webelo: Craftsman Activity Pin- Item 4, Outdoorsman Activity Pin- Item 6

Pack Meeting 08-MAY-08 (Mothers Day Flowers)

Meeting Summary: We started the meeting with a treasure hunt. We searched the school grounds for hidden messages. Each message had two questions: one hard and one easy. We had to write down the answer and solve a code to unveil the final answer. After the hike we decorated pots by painting them with our own designs. We make a ladybug plant stake and planted petunias as a gift for mom. Thanks for all of the help Mrs. Gates!

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger: Achievement 5g, Track Beads 2, 35
Wolf: Electives 3a, 15c
Bear: Achievement 12b, Elective 9a
Webelo: Artist Activity Pin- Item 3

Next Meeting Handout

Pack Meeting 24-APR-08 (Trebuchet)

Meeting Summary: This was the most complicated builds of the year, but the final product was a blast. The Trebuchets were constructed from scrap lumber, a piece of metal conduit, and a couple of old window weights. A Trebuchet is like a catapult, except that it uses a sling to propel the projectile. We propelled our projectiles all over the gym. We set up a target with different sizes holes and tried to shoot for the holes. Ban and James actually hit the target. A trebuchet is not the most accurate weapon but it is a lot of fun.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger:
Wolf:
Bear:
Webelo:

District Pinewood Derby 12-APR-08

Meeting Summary: This years District Pinewood Derby was held at Pecatonica High School. Holden, driving the "Blue Flash" almost advanced to the speed finals but was snuffed out by mere inches. James's "Palm Tree Car" and Matt's "Clipper Ship" both advanced to the finals in the design competition. Congratulations guys! We all had fun but we have to admit, it would have been great to take home one of those big trophies. Next year for sure!

Pack Meeting 10-APR-08 (Boffing Swords)

Meeting Summary: In the meeting we were introduced to the sport of "Boffing". "Boffing" is a light touch weapon combat simulation. We started by building 2 swords from a piece of plastic pipe, a swim noodle, and a lot of duct tape. After a brief safety lesson and a demonstration of what was a "good strike", we proceeded to turn the gym into a scene straight out of the movies. On Guard! Everyone got into the act. Parents fought Scouts... Scouts fought Cub Masters... Cub Masters fought everyone.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger:
Wolf:
Bear:
Webelo:

Pack Meeting 20-MAR-08 (Pinewood Derby)

Meeting Summary: This was a special meeting... Not only because it was our Pinewood Derby but because it was held outdoors! Through a scheduling mix-up we were not able to use the gym, but lucky for us, Mr. Miller invited us over to his house. It worked out great! A big thanks to Mr. Miller for saving the day! Everyone had a good time even though is was the middle of March. Ethan's Grandma made us "Drivers Licenses" and after the race our cars were boxed up for the District Pinewood Derby in Pecatonica.

Pack Meeting 06-MAR-08 (The Hand of Fate)

Meeting Summary: This was an electrifying meeting. We leaned about electrical circuits by tracing the path that electricity travels by using our bodies as wires and light bulbs. We learned about electricity safety and built an electric buzzer game called "The Hand of Fate". Using a hand shaped jig we bent a wire in the shape of a hand, then wired the circuit like the blueprint showed. The object of the game is to trace the hand shape with a wand, being careful not to touch the hand. If you do... then BWAAAAAAA the buzzer goes off.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger:
Wolf:
Bear:
Webelo:

Pack Meeting 21-FEB-08 (Mouse Trap Car)

Meeting Summary: We brought in the heavy equipment for this meeting. Armed with a Drill Press, a Scroll Saw, and a Bench Mounted Belt Sander, we built the parts for a mouse trap powered car. Following the blueprints, we assembled frame, wheels, and attached the finger crunching motor. The cars raced across the gym floor. Zip zoom! Some of the scouts took the opportunity to use the power tools to "rough out" our Pinewood derby cars.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger:
Wolf:
Bear:
Webelo:

Pack Meeting 31-JAN-08 (Field Trip)

Meeting Summary: We started the meeting by creating our Progress Towards Ranks Badge. The official badge was recalled because of lead paint so we decided to build our own. The second half of the meeting was a field trip to Reg-Ellen Machine Tool, a local machine shop. We learned how they turn a drawing into a computer model and then download that information into a machine that would carve the part out of a piece of steel. We also got to operate a 10 ton overhead crane through an obstacle course.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger:
Wolf:
Bear:
Webelo:

Pack Meeting 10-JAN-08 (Cub Powered Go-Kart)

Meeting Summary: This meeting was all about building a vehicle that runs on one of the worlds most powerful and inexhaustible power source.... The Cub Scout. We broke into teams, followed the blueprints and built three Cub Powered Go-Karts. We created a race course inside the gym using traffic cones. Ready, Set Go! We took turns driving, pushing and racing....Then it got really interesting. The drivers were blind folded and the pusher had to tell the driver weather to turn right or left to navigate the course.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger:
Wolf:
Bear:
Webelo:

Pack Meeting 20-DEC-07 (Snowmen)

Meeting Summary: We started with a review of proper meeting etiquette including "call to attention", "standing the line" and how to approach the meeting leader when called upon. We then went on a hunt for secret messages that were hidden all around the school grounds. We followed a map and had to solve riddles to locate the clues. These clues were used to solve a code that spelled out a message. After a snack, we built clay snowmen.

Achievements/Electives:
Tiger:
Wolf:
Bear:
Webelo:

Cub Scout Pack 409 Meetings Summary