Pack57EHCT

Here's a really cool service project idea that we're doing at our December Pack Meeting. From http://www.courant.com iTowns section. East Hampton, CT Scouts Supporting Military Families Clubs & Organizations Submitted by East Hampton Pack 57, on 2009-12-15. In conjunction with Connecticut Operation Military Kids, East Hampton Cub Scout Pack 57 will be assembling "hero packs" at their holiday party and pack meeting on Dec. 21. Hero packs are knapsacks provided to children of deployed soldiers. The packs are filled with a variety of items intended to provide children with fun activities and ways to stay connected to their deployed parents. The packs the scouts are assembling will be given to children of the 700 Connecticut soldiers deployed in November to Iraq and Afghanistan. Information on Operation Military Kids programs can be found at www.operationmilitarykids.org.

Not quite a circumstance where no one is attending. 450+ Cubs in resident camp at Tadma last year over a 4 week "season" Plus about another 300 in day camp. This is one of the original 5 Cub Scout specific camps in the country. The push is to promote and get cubs to the camp. In fact CT Rivers Council just posted a Cub Camping video to YouTube - check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/user/CTRiversBSA

Please help support Camp Tadma in the CT Rivers Council by attending Camp this year. Check out the Video just posted to YouTube by the Connecticut Rivers Council. http://www.youtube.com/user/CTRiversBSA

All, I'm trying to get the word out - please help us save one of the oldest Cub Scout Camps in the Country. Read below, write letters to the CT Rivers Council: http://www.ctrivers.org, attend the 3 meetings this and next week, show your support for Cub Scout camping in CT! Thanks. Dave. The CT Rivers Council commissioned a consulting firm to develop a Long Range Plan (LRP) for the Councils camps. The LRP can be found at http://www.SaveTadma.org. This document sets in motion a plan to mothball Tadma, leading eventually to its closure. The decision to mothball the Camp could come as soon as after the 2010 Summer Camp Season. But, We Can Stop This Plan!! Tadma Needs more boys in camp every year to stay successful! Activities like holding Pack Campouts at Tadma help as do non-scout groups renting the camp for outings, meetings, and retreats. This is OUR CAMP we need to help make it successful by Going to Camp! WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? ATTEND SUMMER RESIDENT CAMP AT TADMA! ATTEND one or more of the 3 Town Hall Meetings Planned to Discuss the Long Range Camp Plan Norwich Town Meeting 7:00 PM November 17 St. Bernards H.S. 1593 Norwich-New London Turnpike Uncasville, CT 06382-1399 Hartford Town Meeting 7:00 PM November 19 CT Rivers Council Service Center 60 Darlin Street East Hartford, CT 06095 Waterbury Town Meeting 7:00 PM November 23 St. Marys Hospital 56 Franklin Street Waterbury, CT 06706 JOIN Friends of Mark Greer Scout Reservation This is the volunteer organization that maintains and improves the Camp. Fees are $20/year individual, $40/year Family - Membership fees and donations can be sent to the address listed below. DONATE Time and/or Money to help Maintain and Upgrade Tadma Camp Tadma Fall Clean-up and Work Day Saturday Nov 28, 2009 Dining Hall project- complete inside sheathing, insulation and walls Mark Greer Scout Reservation 166 Bishop Road, Bozrah, CT WHO? Scouts, Scouters, YOU and anyone who would like to help. Donations and membership fees can be sent to: Friends of Mark Greer Scout Reservation 15 Highview Terrace Middletown, CT 06457(This message has been edited by Pack57EHCT)

Wow, tons of replys - thanks all. Here's an update and replies to some of the points made. I'm actually the CM for the Pack, lost an active CC last year and while I have one, I'm functionally fulfilling the role. I deal w/ the IH, who's the church pastor. I've set up a meeting tomorrow night with the CO Rep to hopefully lighten the burden of the IH. We already do an annual cleanup of the church grounds before Easter. I've always invited the IH and CO Rep to our B&G Banquets. CO Rep never replies. IH showed one year out of three. Will try to think up a couple more service ideas. Good idea on publicizing - can see if IH and CO Rep would want to receive our monthly newsletter, though I think the IH fits the "Sponsor" label one of you mentioned and likely won't be interested. I'm hoping to get the CO Rep to be a bit more engaged after tomorrow's meeting. Lastly, Eagle92, that's a nightmare story, but glad it finally worked out for you! Makes me think that working it out w/ our CO Rep is the best way to go. Thanks all. Dave.

Thanks for the welcomes! Wingnut, good advice, thanks.

I've recently had a "run in" with my CO exec that takes our relationship from "benign neglect" to "organizational tolerance". In short, the CO doesn't like having to be burdened w/ signing paperwork for new leaders, will provide us meeting space, but I'm losing storage space, wants nothing to do with our program (this, I realize could be a good thing) and, basically isn't all that supportive of scouting in general. I'm curious, how many of you have good, constructive, and interactive relationships with your chartered organizations? Please let me know why they're good, ideas for what works, and ideas on how one may improve relationships between the unit and the CO. Thanks. Dave.

Hi all, I'm in my 3rd year as Cubmaster for Pack 57, East Hampton, CT. Just learned of this forum from Troop 57's Scoutmaster. Figured, I'd say hi and introduce myself. My name is Dave, I have one son in scouts. I was a scout on Long Island from Cubs to Boy Scouts (Troop 161, Shoreham, NY) through Life scout and age 18. As a scout, I had served in all leadership roles through JASM. When my son was old enough, we joined scouting and I quickly stepped into the CM role. It's been great! I find that have the ability to provide a great experience for our boys, I learn a lot (including tolerance of my own son!), and really enjoy watching our boys develop as they get ready for Boy Scouts. I expect to remain a Scouter in some capacity as we move on to Boy Scouts, but perhaps not as SM - boy this has been a lot of work! Anyway, thought I'd say hi to all. Dave.