October 2021 Newsletter
Calendar of Events
Be sure to check Scoutbook for the latest updates to our calendar and to RSVP for events!
October 2021
Oct 02 – Popcorn Storefront Sales
Oct 03 – Popcorn Storefront Sales
Oct 04 – Den Meetings @ Church
Oct 09 – Shooting Sports Event (*)
Oct 09-10 – Family Camping (*)
Oct 11 – Columbus Day – No Meetings
Oct 14 – District Roundtable Meeting
Oct 15 – Pack Committee Meeting
Oct 15-17 – Jamboree on the Air (*)
Oct 18 – Den Meetings @ Church
Oct 23 – US-34 Cleanup Project
Oct 25 – No Meetings
Oct 26 – Halloween Hike & Party @ Camp Kishwaukee
Oct 31 – 2022 Membership Fees Deadline
(*) denotes activities that require registration through the scoutingevent.com website
November 2021
Nov 01 – Den Meetings @ Church
Nov 06 – Popcorn Storefront Sales
Nov 07 – Popcorn Storefront Sales
Nov 08 – No Meetings
Nov 11 – District Roundtable Meeting
Nov 12 – Pack Committee Meeting
Nov 13 – TFC Training Academy @ Sycamore (*)
Nov 14 – Tree Trimming @ Brookfield Zoo
Nov 15 – Den Meetings @ Church
Nov 22 – Thanksgiving Break - No Meetings
Nov 29 – Space Derby @ Church
(*) denotes activities that require registration through the scoutingevent.com website
December 2021
Dec 06 – Den Meetings @ Church
Dec 09 – District Roundtable Meeting
Dec 11 – Service Project @ TBA
Dec 13 – Den Meetings @ Church
Dec 18 – Service Project @ TBA
Dec 27 – Winter Break - No Meetings
(*) denotes activities that require registration through the scoutingevent.com website
2022 Membership Fees Are Due!
We announced at the Fall Kick-Off Meeting that registration fees for 2022 will be $165.00 per Scout. Thank you to everyone who has already paid for their dues!
Your current balance is available to see in Scoutbook. Log in, select "My Dashboard", and select your child's profile. If there is a negative balance on the "Payments Log" line, that is the balance you current owe to the Pack. This balance already subtracts any funds your child has in their Scout Account.
If you still have a balance remaining, please remember that the deadline for payment is October 31, 2021. Please contact Mr. Crawley with any questions.
Parent Participation Greatly Appreciated
Our Scouting program is only as strong as the volunteers that support our Pack. We have many positions within the Pack that can fit with your skills and availability:
• Assistant Leaders: weekly commitment to a Den
• Committee Members: monthly commitment to the Pack
• Event Helpers: occasional support for activities
If you are interested in having a more formal role in the Pack, please contact Mr. Crawley.
Popcorn Storefront Sales
Storefront sales for popcorn continues at the Walmart Supercenter in Plano. There are still a few shifts available and should be reserved through the Trails End app.
• Saturday, October 2: 9am-4pm
• Sunday, October 3: 9am-4pm
• Saturday, November 6: 9am-4pm
• Sunday, November 7: 9am-4pm
Additionally, you can sell via online direct delivery to family members all over the country via the Trail's End website. Finally, we are offering wagon sales again this year - - if your Scout wants to go door-to-door, they can checkout inventory from the Pack. See Mr. Boerner for details!
Shooting Sports & Family Camping
Join us for two exciting events at Plowman’s Park in Big Rock, IL on October 9th. The day starts with an afternoon of shooting BB guns, archery, and slingshots. Then, those that are interested can tent camp overnight, where we will enjoy an outdoor movie experience complete with a concession stand. We are even looking into providing a short Star Hike (weather-permitting)!!!
This event is FREE to all Scouts (Lions are not eligible to participate in shooting sports), as it is funded from your Council Fee! Because this is a Potawatomi District event. There are separate registrations for the Shooting Sports activity and the campout due to limited range space. We encourage families to register for the afternoon Shooting Sports (2pm-4pm) and then register for the overnight tent camping (5pm-10am).
Scouts, BSA Troops will be on hand to help Scouts and families set up camp and offer Scouts the chance to learn new Scout Skills.
Space is limited and registration must be completed online at https://scoutingevent.com/127-PTShootingSports
Jamboree-on-the-Air / Jamboree-on-the-Internet
Jamboree-on-the-Air, or JOTA, is the largest Scouting event in the world. It is held annually the third full weekend in October. JOTA uses amateur radio to link Scouts and hams around the world, around the nation, and in your own community. This jamboree requires no travel, other than to a nearby amateur radio operator's ham shack. We are fortunate that Troop 71 hosts a JOTA session at Camp Kishwaukee, right here in Plano!
This event is free to all Webelos/AOL Scouts. This event will satisfy the Arrow of Light Building a Better World requirement. This is a very laid back event - - there is no “lights out” time. Being JOTA is a global event, time is relative - - we may be up at 3am, but the World Scout Office is just going to lunch! Outside of the Amateur Radio program this is purely a camping event for Scouts.
Registration information is available at:
https://scoutingevent.com/?OrgKey=BSA127&calendarID=325485
Halloween Party
It’s never too early to start planning for Halloween! We will have our Pack Halloween Party on Tuesday, October 26th at 7pm at Camp Kishwaukee. This is also Scouts BSA Troop 71's Haunted Hike event, so we will get to experience what the boys in the Troop have cooked-up for Halloween frights. We will have activities, snacks, and a costume competition for the Scouts to participate in!
Adult Training Academy
The Three Fires Council Training Academy is scheduled for November 13, 2021 at Sycamore High School in Sycamore, IL. This is a chance for leaders to gain additional resources for their dens and to complete position-specific training. It is also a great opportunity to network with other leaders!
Registration information is available at: https://scoutingevent.com/127-TrainingAcademy2021
Brookfield Zoo Tree Trimming
One of our annual traditions is to decorate a Christmas Tree at Brookfield Zoo. This tradition is quite fun for our Scouts, as they make decorations for the tree at a den meeting then we all gather at the zoo to put them on our tree. We will be trimming our tree on Sunday, November 14, 2021, beginning at 10:00am. All Scouts and their families should meet near the carousel upon your arrival. We will then move as a group to our tree (#190), which is located on the East Mall, to decorate. After we are done decorating, your family is free to enjoy the remainder of the day visiting the zoo animals!
If you have a current zoo membership: We ask that you use your membership for admission and parking for your family. Additional admission tickets ($10/each) and parking passes ($15/each) may be purchased through the Pack if needed.
If you do not have a current zoo membership: Please let Mr. Crawley know ASAP if you are attending and need admission and parking passes. The Pack has a limited supply available for registered Scouts and one parent to attend. Additional admission tickets ($10/each) and parking passes ($15/each) may be purchased through the Pack for any other family members that wish to join you.
Parking: Main (North) Parking Lot
Meet-up: Sunday, November 14, 2021, 10:00am at the Carousel
Tree Trimming: #190, East Mall (between Roosevelt Fountain and BZ Red Hots Restaurant)