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No. 8  April/May 2001
    

Den Meeting Report: Our March meetings provided the scouts with a return to nature, preparing them for the advent of spring. At our first meeting, we learned about different types of birds that live in our area and the type of foods they prefer. Every scout received a handout that he may use to spot and identify birds. To help draw birds to your yard, we then used common household objects to build birdfeeders. Our orange juice carton feeder is still attracting birds (though it is getting a bit the worse for wear). Since Bluejays like sunflower seeds we filled the feeder with them and it worked! Two Blue jays appeared and roughly attacked the seeds, almost destroying our feeder! At our second meeting we visited Westmoreland Sanctuary for a special meeting. The scouts were treated to a lecture on reading animal tracks by Steve Ricker, a Westmoreland's director. We then prepared plaster molds of animal tracks. While the molds were drying we went on a short hike through the woods and spotted quite a few tracks which the director helped us identify. Every Scout who attended brought home the plaster animal track mold that he made!

Our April meeting focused on summer vacation and our craft consisted of a very useful leather luggage tag with the cub scout logo imprinted. The scouts may use this tag on his summer suitcase or backpack. Our second meeting was postponed to May since it fell on the same date as the Council's outdoor training for Webelos leaders. (That's us next year!) The training was well worth it and will be helpful as we help the scouts learn the skills they need to get their Webelos badges, Arrow Point Compuses and Arrow of Light awards, as they work to transition to Boy Scouts.

In May, we first practiced long and hard for our performance at that month's Pack Meeting. The scouts were enthusiastic about putting on some skits and run-ons as entertainment for the meeting. The did a great job and should be commended. At our next May meeting the scouts worked on the requirements for the Weather Belt Loop. First, we discussed the water cycle and each scout completed the first requirement by drawing and coloring a poster representing the cycle. We then completed the second requirement by viewing a local weather report on Newchannel 12. The scouts discussed the report, the weather map, and reliability of the weatherman's prognostication. Finally, each scout bulit a weather station consisting of a rain gauge, thermometer and weather vane. The stations were to be brought home and, to complete the requirements, a scout had to record the readings given to him by the station for seven days. Happily all those who attended have completed the requirements and will be receiving belt loops soon. Note to scouts who earned the weather beltloop: your school science books have a chapter on weather that will help you complete the requirements for a weather pin on your own, without any help from an adult. Try it. Our April-replacement meeting fell on the weekend of the WEBELOREE -- an overnight council event at Clear Lake open to Webelos and Bear scouts where council members teach the boys outdoor skills. All den 3 scouts were invited to attend. Den 3 was represented at the event, which was quite fun and educational. We camped right by the lake which made for an awsome sunrise! We also got to know some of the parents and scouts from other packs.

June Den Meetings: Our final meetings during the school year will be on the 10th and the 16th. On the 10th we will be visiting the Teatown Reservation in Ossining. We will leave from Daniel & Sonny's house at 2pm and return at approximately 4pm. More specific information will be forwarded by e-mail and/or backpack mail. The meeting will consist of a "tree recognition" hike (so wear hiking boots or old sneakers) and a visit to the wildlife exhibits. No charge other than the usual den dues. Permission slips and tree reconition information will be distributed before the 10th. Please return all permission slips as soon as possible. Our meeting on the 16th will be our second annual Den 3 Olympics. Information about time and place is tentative, but may be found on our Den Calendar.We will update and confirm this information by e-mail.

Pinewood Derby: Den 3's Nicolas was the Derby Winner! Congratulations to Nicolas for this great achievement and to all our scouts who "did their best!" Thanks also to all the parents who helped with set up, food, etc. etc. etc.....We couldn't do it for the boys without you.

GROWWWLLLL! Yes, that is a BEAR -- NO, FIVE Bears that you hear! Eric, Daniel, Timothy, Fred and Andrew completed their requirements for the Bear patch and were awarded their patches at our April pack meeting. I know the scouts (and parents) worked very hard and we are all proud of them. On to WEBELOS!

Arrow Point Electives! Until the scouts graduate from third grade, they may continue to earn elective credits towards arrow point that would be worn under the Bear patch on their uniforms. Most of the scouts have already earned one or more arrowpoints. They are on order and will be destributed as soon as received. See our Uniform Guide for details on uniform placement. Call or e-mail us if you would like more information on this part of the Bear program.