Advancements and Awards « Cub Scout Pack 1776

1Dec/11

The New Internet Scout Patch Program

The U.S. Scouting Service Project is pleased to announce Version 2 of it's Internet Scout Patch Program. With the explosive growth of the Internet and the rise of Social Media, it was necessary to re-engineer the program to assure it remained relevant and useful. The new program focuses on fostering a dialog between parent/mentor and Scout that will help prepare Scouts to be aware and alert when using the Internet.

This is a difficult and challenging program. It will require both the mentor and the participants to work hard. But, it will be worth it! As we continue to become more dependent on the Internet in our daily lives, it is critically important that we develop an understanding of its dangers and how to be prepared, aware, and alert to avoid trouble.

Find out more on how to earn this patch here.

1Dec/11

Boys’ Life 2011 Reading Contest – Last Chance!

From Boys' Life website:

Write a one-page report titled “The Best Book I Read This Year” and enter it in the Boys’ Life 2011 “Say Yes to Reading!” contest.

The book can be fiction or nonfiction. But the report has to be in your own words — 500 words tops. Enter in one of these three age categories:

8 years old and younger
9 and 10 years old
11 years old and older

First-place winners in each age category will receive a $100 gift certificate good for any product in the Boy Scouts official retail catalog. Second-place winners will receive a $75 gift certificate, and third-place winners a $50 certificate.

Everyone who enters will get a free patch like the one on this page. (And, yes, the patch is a temporary insignia, so it can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform shirt, on the right pocket. Proudly display it there or anywhere!) In coming years, you’ll have the opportunity to earn different patches.

The contest is open to all Boys’ Life readers. Be sure to include your name, address, age and grade in school on the entry.

Send your report, along with a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope, to:

Boys’ Life Reading Contest
S306
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079

Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2011 and must include entry information and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Click here to read the winning essays in the 2010 contest.

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18Aug/11

SCOUTStrong PALA Challenge

Today, BSA launches the new SCOUTStrong Program to get youth more active and fit. SCOUTStrong was kicked off by announcing a collaboration with the President’s Challenge, the premier program of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN), resulting in a Scout-specific Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) challenge.

This challenge is open to everyone associated with BSA, including Scouts, parents, volunteers, and alumni. To earn the SCOUTStrong PALA Challenge Award, you are required to meet a daily activity goal of 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 minutes a day for kids under 18 for at least five days a week, for six out of eight weeks. Stick with the program and you’ll earn an award in less than two months!

After successfully completing the challenge, send a request to the Awards Chairs for the joint BSA/PALA SCOUTStrong PALA Challenge award patch. Find out more and sign up for the challenge here.

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25May/11

Awards and More

School will be out in a couple weeks. As you plan for summer, don't forget the upcoming Pack events. Scouts who participate in 3 summer Pack activities (one each in June, July, and August) will receive the National Summertime Award. The following activities are eligible.

Speaking of awards, check out this very cool video and read on for Scouting Magainze's coverage of the inspiring message and heroes behind it. Enjoy and badgetize!

16Mar/11

Emergency Preparedness

Newscasts on the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan have been horrifying to watch, yet they serve as reminders of the importance of being prepared. While we express our condolences to the victims and their families, we should not forget to get ourselves ready. Take this opportunity and work with your children on the Emergency Preparedness Award. This award is available to all cub scouts, boy scouts, as well as Scouters. Check out the requirement over here, and send award request to the Awards Chairs upon completion. Be Safe.

P.S. If you have a boy scout at home, this may be a good time to work on the Nuclear Science Merit Badge too.

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3Jan/11

Journey to Excellence

“Scouting’s Journey to Excellence” is the BSA’s new performance recognition program designed to encourage and reward success and measure the performance of units, districts, and councils. It is replacing the Centennial Quality Awards Program as a means of encouraging excellence in providing a quality program at all levels of the BSA. Information, forms, and recorded webinars can be found on BSA's website.

In order to accommodate volunteers and professional staff who were not able to attend one of the Journey to Excellence webinars in October or November, the Boy Scouts of America has expanded the schedule into the following dates and times:

Wednesday, January 26 at 5 p.m.
Wednesday, February 2 at 8 a.m.

15Dec/10

Share the Glory, Show your Pride

In two more weeks, 2010 will come to an end. It is a good time to look back and recap what we have achieved in a year, and I am very happy to share with you the good news that Pack 1776 has once again earned the National Summertime Pack Award and Centennial Quality Unit Award. This marked the fourth consecutive year of the Pack of receiving both of these awards!

I would like to congratulate Cubmaster Emeritus Ed and Committee Chair Emeritus Scott on this remarkable achievement and thank them for their tireless leadership and endless contribution to Scouting.

I would also like to express my gratitude to all the volunteers, parents and Scouts for their commitment and support throughout the years, even when we sometimes appeared disorganized and needed help at the last minute. Without any of you, we would not be where we are and achieved what we have.

To celebrate this monumental accomplishment, every Scout and registered leader of 2009-2010 is entitled to receiving the award patch depicted above. Submit a patch request to your den leader and show your pride by wearing it on the right sleeve of your class A uniform below the den numeral.

When we come back next year, there will be a completely new unit recognition program from BSA. Are you ready for the new challenges? Stay tuned.

14Dec/10

2010 Patches Deadline

As we approach the end of the year, it is time to get your requirements wrapped up. Only 2 more weeks to earn these patches!

A Year of Celebration - A special Centennial award for all Scouts, leaders, and alumni.

Say Yes to Reading - Write a book report and send it to Boys' Life by December 31st. Every participant receives a patch and the winners receive gift certificate to the Scout Shop.

2010 Museum Tour Patch - Visit 3 participating museums and earn the patch.

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7Dec/10

Geology Programs at Santa Clara Valley Gem and Mineral Show

Date: Friday-Sunday, April 15-17, 2011
Time: Friday 9am - 5pm; Saturday & Sunday 10am - 5pm
Location: Santa Clara County Fairground, 344 Tully Road, San Jose (map)

The 56th annual Gem and Mineral Show will be on April 15-17 at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in the Exposition Hall. Scouts receive all necessary elements to earn the Geology Belt Loop, Geology Academic Pin, and Webelos Geologist Pin (if you are a Webelos), worksheets to complete, a beginning rock collection, rock bag, and a show patch.

Information and sign-up forms are available for download at the website.

11Oct/10

Awards

Pack 1776 families,

Since the Kickoff event a month ago, we have been busy getting the awards earned by our Scouts over the summer and in the month of September. To date, we received orders of 71 belt loops, 14 sports pins, 11 summertime pack award pins, and over 10 award patches, strips, and ribbons. That is a total of 106 awards and we are sure there are more! That is nothing short of IMPRESSIVE!! Great job Scouts and parents! Find out more on what you can earn at the BSA website, keep up the good work, and keep the orders coming!

Cheers,
Ada & Stella
Awards Chairs