Toy Village

This Friday we are going to help bag the toys for the Toy Village toy drive.  We are going to meet at 11:30 (when school gets out) at either the collection point in front of the library.  I understand if you cannot make it, but if you can, it would be great.  I don't think it should take more than an hour at most.

If you still have your flyers and haven't passed them out, its not too late.  Also, if you have any toys or books (new or used) that you wish to donate, you can bring them to school any time through Friday.

Thanks.

Meeting - December 9th @ 3:30 at ISB School Nurse Office

Sorry for the late notice.  We will be meeting tomorrow from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the ISB school nurses office.  Ms. Chokesaen will be helping us to learn first aid as part of our Readyman badge.

Please lets meet in front of the nurses office at ISB.  I would like us to enter the office as a group.

This will be the last meeting of the year/semester.

Meeting - November 25th, 3:30 - 5:00 Rm 219

I apologize about the incorrect room number for last meeting.  Fortunately, the boys all found their way.

Our next meeting will be tomorrow, November 25th from 3:30 to 5:00 in room 219.  If the boys could bring shoes to run in, I think we are going to hit the track again for part of the meeting. 

February Campout

Below I am copying an email that Scoutmaster David Peters sent out about the February campout. The campout is usually one of the boys favorite events of the year.

If you haven't already responded to David about the campout, please do so as soon as possible. He needs to have the list of people who plan to attend before the December pack meeting.

Thanks.

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The Biggest Scouting Event of the Year!

Our Family Weekend Campout is set for February 19, 20 and 21.
Families have an option of a one night or two night trip.
The Campout this year will be at the Wild Lodge close to the southern entrance to Khao Yai. A 2 to 2 ½ hour trip. Buses will be provided as an option.

The Wild Lodge is part of the Wild Planet organization. http://www.thewildlodge.com/ Please share the web site with your son. The Lodge is primarily used by International Schools for youth camping. We will be tent camping but there are eight lodges available that accommodate up to 6 people each. They are not air-conditioned but in mid February the weather is cool in the mountains. We will have the Lodge to ourselves. The Pack has tents available for every family that needs one. You must supply your own sleeping bags or blankets.

For those family members wanting to join in the outdoor activities but not wanting to camp or stay in a lodge, the Grandview Resort is around the corner and is offering us special rates for rooms at 1,000 baht per night. You will be able to participate in all activities but slip off in the evening. The Pack reserves the right to determine which families will have first choice of lodges at Wild Lodge and will base this decision on perceived needs.
PLEASE FILL OUT THE ATTACHED SIGN UP FORM

The following itinerary is preliminary and subject to change.


Friday (for those staying two nights)
Depart 2:45 PM from ISB – Bus provided
Arrive 5 PM
Set up Camp
Dinner – (Webelos 2s will prepare their own meal)
Campfire

Saturday Morning
Breakfast
Games in the morning at the Lodge
For those staying one night
Depart Saturday 8:30 AM from ISB – Bus provided
Arrival 11AM
Set up Camp
Lunch
Group A (Tigers, Wolves and ½ Bears)
Hiking and Canoeing

Group B (1/2 Bears, Webelos 1 and Webelos 2)
Archery, High aerial ropes
Cook out dinner
Den Skits and entertainment
Campfire - marshmellows

Sunday
Breakfast
Group A (Tigers, Wolves and ½ Bears)
Archery, Aerial ropes and other activities
Group B (1/2 Bears, Webelos 1 and Webelos 2)
Mountain biking, canoeing
Lunch
Buses will Depart back to Bangkok by 1:30 PM
Arrival at ISB 4 PM

The attached registration form is to be completed and returned by 20 November. We will be taking deposits at the 2 December Pack meeting, Final payment will be made at the January Pack meeting.

Deposit
Per Scout – 1,000
Per individual on a Bus – 200 baht
Per room at Grand view or Wild Lodge – 500 baht

Final Costs
Meals per person per meal
Dinner 300 – Friday and Saturday night
Lunch 200 – Saturday and Sunday
Breakfast 150 – Saturday and Sunday

Camping
Per camper per night 200
Activities
Students 6 to 16 1,500
Optional Wild Lodge
Lodge/twin per night 2,150
Extra person max 6 - 300
Optional Grandview Resort rooms
Per room 1,000+baht a night
Optional Bus – 600 baht per person

Note : It is a Scout policy that Scouts may not sleep with any adult that is not their parent or legal guardian.

Webelos Badge

We have completed all of the requirements for the Webelos badge that we are doing in den.  There were two parts that must be completed with the family.  Those two are the Faith and Fitness achievements.

Our goal was to have all the boys earn the Webelos badge by the December meeting.  Could you please let me know if your son will have those two requirements complete by the December 2nd meeting?  I need to know soon, as I have to let Dieter know which awards that we need to order.

I believe that Johnny has already completed both requirements.  If that is not correct David, please let me know.  

Fitness Achievement Resources

There are a few brochures mentioned in the fitness achievement requirements.  I have found them online.

The safety notebook requirement references the How to Protect Your Children Against Child Abuse.  It can be found here:

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/46-014.pdf

The Take a Stand Against Drugs brochure can be found here.

http://www.cubpacks.org/ca/cs/152/Drug18pager.pdf

Bake Sale

I want to thank all the scouts and parents for helping with the bake sale this past Saturday.  The boys did a great job taking the baked goods out to sell.   I was impressed by their persistence.  Initially they were not able to sell anything, but they persisted and were successful.  We couldn't have done it, however, without Kip and Michelle who helped man the booth while the boys were out selling. 

I don't have the exact totals, but I think the bake sale raised around 12,000 baht for the scouts.  Great job!

Meeting - November 11th @ 3:30 P.M.

Our next den meeting will be on Wednesday, November 11th from 3:30 until 5:00 p.m at ISB in room ES 119. 

We will work on our citizenship badges and finish up on our athletic badges.  We will be running on the track, so please make sure you have shoes you can run in. 

Bake Sale - November 7th

I am sorry for the late notice, but the Cub Scouts are doing a fund raiser this Saturday for the Blue & Gold dinner in March.  We are having a bake sale at school (near the gyms).

Our Den is scheduled from 3:00 until 4:00 p.m.  I know this is very late notice, and some people will already have plans.  I'm asking anyone who can to bring baked goods.  Also if they boys are available to help work the booth. 

Could you please let me know if your son will be able to help and if you will be able to bring anything?

Pack Meeting - Wednesday - November 4th @ 6:00 P.M.

Just a reminder that we have a pack meeting tomorrow night at 6:00 P.M.  Our den is responsible for the skit.  I will bring print outs for the the boys.  If everyone could be there ten minutes early, we can look over it before the meeting it would be great. 

Trick Or Treat

I mentioned earlier that as as a community service project (which counts towards the Citizenship badge), that our den could participate in Unicef's program of collecting spare change while trick or treating.  It sounds like there is some interest in trick or treating as a group. 

If anyone would like to trick or treat together, we can meet at my house at 6:00 p.m. on October 31st.  We would probably go until about 8:30 or 9:00. 

I will go out with the boys, but if another parent could come along too, it would be a big help.  The boys often are a little excitable at Halloween, and that's before they start eating the candy. 

I am in the U.S. until late on October 30th, so if you can help chaperon or have any questions, just send me an email. 

10/14 Meeting & Others

Next Den 5 Meeting

Date:       October 14th
Time:       3:30 - 5:00
Place:      ISB / ES 219
Bring:       20 Baht Dues
Topic:       Complete Communication Badge
                  Scouts Do 3 Minute Presentation on Citizenship (Johnny Peters already completed)
                Complete Communication Academic Belt Loop               
                Work on Citizenship Belt Loop (2 of 3 requirements)

I forgot to get an assistant for this week.  If anyone would like to stop by and help, it would be appreciated.  If no one is available, it will not be a problem.

October 28th Meeting Canceled

I will be traveling in the U.S. from 10/15 - 10/29, so I will not be able to have the 10/28 meeting. 

Trick or Treat

As many of you are aware, October 31st is Halloween.  Trick or Treating is an American Halloween tradition where kids dress up in costumes and go house to house soliciting candy.  Each Halloween, children in Nichada go Trick or Treating.

In addition to collecting candy, this year the children can help less fortunate children by collecting money for Unicef in addition to collecting candy.  The details are here:

http://youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat/

This would be a great den community service project.  I am going to have Jacob do this.  If there is interest, the scouts can go trick or treating together, although they can participate in this project individually.

In addition to helping people, participating will count towards the Citizenship Belt Loop, which is required for the Citizenship Badge, which is required for the Webelos badge. 

Please let me know if people are interested in getting together to do this.  Although I will be out of the country, I should be accessible by email during most of my trip.

Meeting Schedule Through December

Below please find a list of our planned meeting dates through the end of the semester.

October 7th
October 14th
October 28th
November 11th
November 25th
December 9th

Details about the location and theme of each meeting will be provided at a future time.

Den 5 Meeting - October 7th @ 3:30 at Room 219

What:    Den 5 Webelos Meeting
Time:     3:30 - 4:30
Date:     Wednesday, October 7th
Place:    ISB, ES Room 219
Agenda: Will forward
 
Based on the responses, we will have a den meeting on Wednesday.  Since there is a pack meeting, however, we will limit the meeting to only one hour. 

I will send out an email in the next day or so with our agenda.
 

October 7th

Next week is our first pack meeting of they year at 6:00 at ISB.  I had planned on having a den meeting on that day as well, but I want to make sure if that will work for everyone.  I know its a lot of scouting for one day, but I think it could be fun. 

Does anyone have any objections or concerns about having a den meeting on the same day as the pack meeting?

Uniforms

I forgot to mention in my update that I distributed the Webelos uniforms at the meeting on Wednesday.  Allan and Adam left theirs on the bench, so I brought them back home with me.  I can either have Jacob bring them to school on Monday, or you can arrange to pick them up at the house.  I think Allan's bag also has his Webelos book. 

If there is any issue with the orders, please let me know and I can pass the information on. 

September 23rd Meeting Recap

Den 5 met today in ES Room 219. We reviewed some of the Webelos badge requirements together by playing a humorous trivia game.

Next we started on our citizenship achievements. We did not complete the Citizenship Badge requirement yet, as we will still need additional work at other meetings. Johnny spoke about citizenship, fulfilling one of the Communication badge requirements.

Finally, we started towards earning our Athletic badge. The Athletic badge takes some time, as it requires us to do some exercises and runs now, and then again in 30 days.

Here are some of the results from the boys efforts. I am not presenting this as one boy "winning". This is really about each boy improving as time goes on. The format is name/curlup(situps in 1 minute), pull ups, standing long jump (inches), quarter mile run, vertical jump (inches) 50 yard dash (seconds).

John 2, 1/2, 47", 2:47, 6", 10.9
Johnny P. 25, 1/2, 55.5", 1:59, 9", 10.2
Jacob 35, 1, 61", 1:49, 7", 9.5
Benjamin 19, 3/4, 52", 2:04, 7", 10.4
Allan 20, 1/4, 51", 2:47, 5", 9.9
Adam 25, 1/4, 47", 2:04, 6", 11.8

All the boys tried very hard, and definitely gave it their best.

Thanks to Michelle for assisting and bringing the snacks.

Sept 23rd Webelos Mtg - Rm 219 @ 3:30

Date: Wednesday, September 23rd
Time: 3:30 - 5:00 P.M.
Place:  ISB ES Room 219 (Ms. Bellone).  We will also go to the track and/or fields for part of the day.
Topics:  Work Towards Citizenship and Athletics Badges
What to Bring: 20 Baht Dues


Michelle, can you bring the snacks?

Webelos Books, Meeting & Citizenship

The Webelos books are in.  I believe that everyone has their except Allan and Adam.  I will have Jacob bring theirs to school on Monday. 

We will have a meeting on Wednesday at school.  I'll send the more details in a day or two.  We will do some work towards our Citizenship and Athletics badges, although we work on both more at a later meeting.

The Citizenship badge is required to earn the Webelos badge.  As the Cub Scouts are an American based organization, the material in the book has a definite American theme, talking about American leaders, flag and the national anthem.  As ISB is an international school, and many of the boys in the den have one or more parents from a country other than the U.S., I think it would be great that we include some of that in our citizenship activity.  To do that, however, I need a little help.

I would like each scout give a three minute talk about citizenship as it relates to their home country.  This would not only help towards the Citizenship badge, but also their Communications badge as well.  As this is short notice, I'll not expect all the scouts to be ready at this meeting.  If they are, they will be welcome to present.  If not, they can present at the next meeting.   

Den 5 Gets a Little Crazy

_MG_3814
Originally uploaded by eBv iMAGES

Den 5 Photos

_MG_3810
Originally uploaded by eBv iMAGES

The Den 5 Webelos

_MG_3795
Originally uploaded by eBv iMAGES

Photo From September 9th Meeting

_MG_3806
Originally uploaded by eBv iMAGES

September 9th Meeting Wrapup

Today we had our first meeting.  I would like to give a big asante (Swahili for thank you) to Allan's mother for helping us today. 

Below is a summary of the days activities:
 - Johnny Peters is the Denner for September
- Reviewed high level requirements for Webelos Badge
- Worked on our Webelos Badge Requirements 3, 5 and 7
- Completed Requirement 10 of our Communications Badge
- Completed the Requirements for our Handyman Badge

• Wash a Car
• Change a car tire
• Check the air pressure in car time and the oil level
• Change a light bulb
• Adjust a bicycle seat
• Make sure proper air pressure in a bike tire

- Last, of course, we had a snack. 

Congratulations to the boys on their accomplishment. 

Webelos Activity Badges

My goal this year is to target the following activity badges. 

Fitness *
Citizenship *
Handyman **
Athletic
Outdoorsman ***
Readyman
Communications
Scholar
Forester
Craftsman

We may add, subtract or change requirements as the year goes on depending on our progress, but I wanted to give you a notice of what we hope to accomplish.   

* Required for Webelos Badge
** Elective towards Webelos Badge
*** Will be required to attend the over night camp out.

Webelos Requirements Update

Webelos Badge Requirements

I want to follow up on the earlier post about the Webelos badge requirement.  The plan is for us to accomplish most requirements in the den meetings, but some of them are better suited for completion at home.  Below please find which we will accomplish in den, and which should be performed at home.

In the den:
2 - Be active Webelos for 3 months
3* - Learn Webelos Badge
4* - Learn Webelos Uniform
5 - Citizenship & Handyman Badge
6 - Flag Ceremony
7* - Learn about Boy Scouts

At home:
1 (parent guide)
5  ( Fitness achievement badge)
8 (Religion)

The first requirement specifically specifically involves direct parental involvement.  Most of the Fitness badge requirements involve a parent or adult family member, so it makes sense to do that at home.  The religious requirement is also much better suited for home achievement.

* Although we will work on these requirements (3, 4 and 7) during the meetings, scouts are encouraged to review the material at home so that we can spend den time on more "fun" activities.

September 9th Webelos Den 5 Meeting

Our first meeting will be on September 9th from 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at my home at 39/348 Nichada Villa.  We will be working on our Handyman activity badges. 

Your sons may want to bring a swimming suit, as we will be washing a car.  Also, please have them bring some older clothing, as we will be be getting dirty.  The activities will also include bike related handyman work, so the scouts should feel free to bring their bikes, although it is certainly not required.

Also, I would like to have each boy bring 20 baht per meeting in dues.  We will use the money towards a community service project.  I have an idea for it, but I need to do a little more follow up.  In any case, the Cub Scouts encourages that the boys earn the 20 baht by doing something around the house to earn it. 

Summary:
Time:  3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Date:  Wednesday, September 9th
Location: 39/348 Nichada Villa (compound before Casa)
Goals: Handyman Activity Badge requirements, 1 Requirement for Communications Badge
Bring:  20 baht, Old Clothes (strongly encouraged), Swim Suit(strongly encouraged), Bike (optional)

Webelos Web Site

Below is a web site with the virtual Webelos handbook.  It describes the requirements for the Webelos and activity badges.  It doesn't really replace the book, but its a nice online resource. 

http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/webelos.html

Assistant Leader Update

I want to thank everyone who has agreed to serve as an assistant on a per meeting basis.  I think this will work out fine, as the most important thing is to have someone else with the boys.  I have a few volunteers for the first meeting, so I chose the first who responded.  Don't worry, there will be other chances. 

September 9th    Shirley Ekay
September 23rd  Michelle Ong

There generally shouldn't be anything you need to do to prepare for the meeting, but in the odd case that you do, I'll send out notice in advance. 

Thanks again everyone!

Webelos Requirements

I know that everyone does not have their books yet, but I wanted to let everyone know what the requirements are for earning the Webelos badge.  We will cover much of these requirements in the meetings, but there are some family requirements.  I'll send some more details on what we will specifically cover in the meetings in the near future. 

The earliest any scout will be able to receive the Webelos badge is at the December meeting, as they are required to be an active member for three months.  My plan is to ensure that we meet all the "den" requirements well in advance of the December meeting.

Please also remember that it is not over after the scout earns the Webelos badge.  There are many activity badges that are available.  I will send out more details on which ones we plan on completing in our den meetings.  There may be some activities where we perform some of the requirements in the den, but a part might require some work at home.  
 

WEBELOS REQUIREMENTS

1. Have an adult member of your family read the Webelos Scout Parent Guide that comes with this book (Webelos Handbook, Pages 1-22) and sign here.
2. Be an active member of your Webelos den for 3 months (Active means having good attendance, paying den dues, working on den projects).
3. Know and explain the meaning of the Webelos badge.
4. Point out the three special parts of the Webelos Scout uniform. Tell when to wear the uniform and when not to wear it.
5. Earn the Fitness and Citizen activity badges and one other activity badge from a different activity badge group.
6. Plan and lead a flag ceremony in your den that includes the U.S. flag.
7. Show that you know and understand the requirements to be a Boy Scout.
   1. Demonstrate the Scout salute, Scout sign, and Scout handshake. Explain when you would use them.
   2. Explain the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan
   3. Explain and agree to follow the Outdoor Code.
8. Faith
   After completing the rest of requirement 8, do these (a, b, and c):
   1. Know: Tell what you have learned about faith.
   2. Commit: Tell how these faith experiences help you live your duty to God. Name one faith practice that you will continue to do in the future.
   3. Practice: After doing these requirements, tell what you have learned about your beliefs.

   And do one of these (d OR e):

   4. Earn the religious emblem of your faith*
   5. Do two of these:
      • Attend the mosque, church, synagogue, temple, or other religious organization of your choice, talk with your religious leader about your beliefs. Tell your family and your Webelos den leader what you learned.
      • Discuss with your family and Webelos den leader how your religious beliefs fit in with the Scout Oath and Scout Law, and what character-building traits your religious beliefs have in common with the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
      • With your religious leader, discuss and make a plan to do two things you think will help you draw nearer to God. Do these things for a month.
      • For at least a month, pray or meditate reverently each day as taught by your family, and by your church, temple, mosque, synagogue, or religious group.
      • Under the direction of your religious leader, do an act of service for someone else. Talk about your service with your family and Webelos den leader. Tell them how it made you feel.
      • List at least two ways you believe you have lived according to your religious beliefs.

Notes:

• If you earned your faith's religious emblem earlier in Cub Scouting, and your faith does not have a Webelos religious emblem, you must complete requirement 8e.
• Completion of requirement 8e does not qualify a youth to receive the religious emblem of his faith.
• Religious Emblems are listed in the Webelos Handbook, pages 68-69. (A list of the religious emblems available to Cub Scouts is available on the BSA website.  Click here to see them.)

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When a boy has completed all of these Webelos requirements, he has earned the right to wear the Webelos badge.

Bobcat Trail

The first badge that any scout earns, regardless of when they join is the Bobcat Badge.  A scout earns his Bobcat badge by completing the steps below.  The requirements really are pretty simple.  It is the Den and Pack leaderships hope that all new scouts complete the Bobcat trail in time for the scout to receive the Bobcat badge by the October meeting. 

I believe that we only have one boy, John, new to scouting.  I am going to ask my son Jacob, as well as any other Webelos to help John with this task.  We can review many of the steps at the first meeting, but part of requirement 1 and 8 must be completed at home with the family. 

If there are any questions about the requirements, or how we can support our new members, please feel free to send me an email at bvogel.public@gmail.com

THE BOBCAT TRACKS

To earn the Bobcat badge the boy must complete these eight tracks of Akela:

1. LEARN AND SAY THE CUB SCOUT PROMISE

   "I ____(name)____ promise to do my best
   To do my duty to God and my country,
   To help other people, and
   To obey the Law of the Pack."

   ... AND COMPLETE THE HONESTY CHARACTER CONNECTION.
   1. Know: Discuss these questions with your family. What is a promise? What does it mean to "keep your word?" What does honesty mean? What does it mean to "do your best?"
   2. Commit: Discuss these questions with your family. Why is a promise important? Why is it important for people to trust you when you give your word? When might it be difficult to keep your word? List examples.
   3. Practice: Discuss with family members why it is important to be trustworthy and honest and how can you do your best to be honest when you are doing the activities in Cub Scouting.

2. SAY THE LAW OF THE PACK. TELL WHAT IT MEANS.

   "The Cub Scout follows Akela.
   The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
   The pack helps the Cub Scout Grow.
   The Cub Scout gives goodwill. "

3. TELL WHAT "WEBELOS" MEANS.

   "WE'll BE LOyal Scouts"

4. SHOW THE CUB SCOUT SIGN. TELL WHAT IT MEANS.

5. SHOW THE CUB SCOUT HANDSHAKE. TELL WHAT IT MEANS.

6. SAY THE CUB SCOUT MOTTO. A MOTTO IS A RULE.

   The MOTTO is: "DO YOUR BEST. "

7. GIVE THE CUB SCOUT SALUTE. TELL WHAT IT MEANS.
   

8. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the parent's guide, "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse".

September Meetings

Based on the response that I received, I would like to have the meetings on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m.  The meetings for September will be as follows:

- September 9th at ISB (Room TBD)
- September 23rd at TBD

I may look to add a meeting on September 30th, but that is still up in the air. 

Over the next few days, I will be sending out more updates detailing not only what we will be doing for the first meeting, but throughout the year. 

Thanks for your support.  Remember, if you want to be an assistant leader, please let me know. 

Den 5 Webelos

I wanted to thank everyone for signing up for the Cub Scouts Webelos. This should be a fun and exciting year for the boys.

Webelos Dens
As many of you know, my name is Brian Vogel, and I am the Webelos 5 den leader. Jason Richardson is leading the Webelos den 3 this year.

Of course, the most important part of any den is the boys. The Den 5 roster includes the following boys:

-Allan Ekai
-Adam Letsch
-Benjamin Pang
-Johnny Peters
-John Gorman
-Jacob Vogel

Meetings
Den 5 will meet two or three times a month. We will generally meet at the school, at my home, or in some cases somewhere away from Nichada. I have some flexibility in meeting time, so I wanted to present some options to the group. If you could please indicate whether each option works or does not work.
Tuesdays @ 3:30 p.m.
Tuesdays @ 5:30 p.m.
Wednesdays @ 3:30 p.m.
Wednesdays @ 5:30 p.m.
Thursdays @ 3:30 p.m.

Assistant Den Leader Needed
We are also looking for an assistant Den Leader. I will plan and coordinate most of the activities, but it would really benefit the boys to have another adult at the meeting. The time commitment is probably only five or six hours a month. If you can be an assistant leader, please let me know which time slot works.

Books
The Webelos books are on order, and should be in soon.

Communication

My email address is bvogel.public@gmail.com and my mobile number is (084) 360-5321. I plan on using this blog as the primary means to communicate with everyone. I have it set up so that when I post to it, it automatically forwards an email to you. The only downside to that is that I don't think that you can just hit "reply" to it, you would need to either leave a comment on the blog or send me an email.

There will be more coming in the next few weeks. I don't plan on a meeting this coming week, but hopefully the following week.

Please let me know if you have any questions