Applications, Dues, & Candy

Hello Pack 722,

What a fabulous weekend we had for camping and spending time outdoors together.  We hope you all had a great time!  Some reminders to go through -

First, if you are a scout new to the Pack this year and have not either applied online or submitted a paper application already, please do so ASAP.  If we can get your scout's application into Council this week, they should be added to our roster and ScoutBook much quicker so we can start tracking their advancements and progress in scouting!  Attached is a PDF fillable application.  Please print it out, sign it, and scan it back in - they can be sent to the Pack email address.  Please note that we prefer to receive paper applications to submit.  Also note that if you did join the Pack via the online application at scouting.org, you are all set as far as dues are concerned.

Second, Pack Dues - $160 for the first scout, $150 for additional scouts in your family.  Financial assistance is available!  Please reach out to your den leader or to the Pack email address.  We want to make scouting available to everyone and will work with you to make sure the finance part is not a roadblock.  We are asking that dues be submitted no later than November 4th.  There are 2 ways to pay dues -

Pay by Check - Please make checks payable to "Pack 722"
Pay by Venmo - The account is @wakefieldcubscouts (this has changed from last year). Please put your scouts name in the memo.

Lastly, the Pack fundraiser continues with the hope that all scouts will sell a minimum of 2 boxes of candy.  Based on what we have heard, it seems sales are going well.  Let's keep it up through the end of October!  Money from candy sales is due on November 4th and can be submitted to your den leader.

Yours in Scouting,

Pack 722 Leadership

Fwd: Sudden Pond - Additional Details

Pack 722,

Here are some additional details for the camping trip plus a map of the camping area and where Dens should set up.

Water - There is no potable water at Sudden Pond.  The Pack will bring some gallon jugs of water and some of the scout leaders will bring large water containers, but generally speaking, please come prepared with enough water for your family.

Cooking and Eating - The Pack does not provide stoves nor plates, bowls, utensils nor cups.  Please bring what you need to cook and eat your meals.

Toilets - The Pack has arranged for there to be porta-potties on site.  There are no other toileting facilities nearby.

Pack Meeting - Class A uniforms are not required.  We do recommend a camp chair for sitting around the campfire.

As noted previously, please do not show up earlier than 5PM Friday if you plan on camping Friday evening.  Please also note that we do have the camping area at Sudden Pond until noon on Sunday at the very latest.  While most will clear camp on Sunday relatively early, there is the opportunity to stay a bit longer than most, though we also do ask you to coordinate your stay on Sunday with the Pack leaders.

Lastly, please find attached the map for this year's camping trip. Happy Camping!

Yours in Scouting,

Your Pack 722 Committee

Sudden Pond Camping Trip: Details

Hello Pack 722,

Our annual pack camping trip to Sudden Pond in Harold Parker State Forest returns this year on Friday, October 14 through Sunday, October 16.  We are excited to be back at Sudden Pond for this Pack 722 tradition and we are thrilled to have you all join us!

Here is a link for the location of the entrance to the Sudden Pond camping area: https://goo.gl/maps/FhnUMu2tf9gweNnW8  The gate at this location is generally closed but will be open for us and we will have the Pack banner up as well at the entrance. There is generally enough parking for everyone but it can get tight, so please keep the number of vehicles to a minimum; we ask there be no more than 1 vehicle per family.

Den activities will take place on Saturday along with our pack campfire/meeting on Saturday night, and potentially a den activity Sunday morning depending on your den - primarily the older Webelos and AOL scouts that may be working on cooking requirements. Scouts are not required to spend the entire weekend to participate in any of the den and/or pack activities, but we do ask that each scout planning to camp has a parent/guardian accompanying them.  Scouts and families can attend as much as their schedule allows, and siblings are welcome to attend as well.

Scouts and families can arrive as early as 5PM on Friday.and departure is after breakfast Sunday morning.  We ask that before setting up your tent upon arrival, please check in with a scout leader so that you can be directed to the area your den will be using for the weekend.  Camping gear is by family but if you do not have your own gear, please reach out as we may be able to find gear for you or at least direct you to wear it can be attained; stores such as REI have rental equipment available.

The Pack covers the permit costs for the site, provides porta-potties, and will also provide water for refilling water bottles.  Meals will be per family or per Den, with the Saturday evening meal no longer being a Pack wide potluck but rather a potluck at the Den level.

Below are some FAQs but if there are any questions or concerns you have that are not answered here, please reach out.

Yours in Scouting,

Pack 722 Leadership

FAQs -

Do we have to stay the entire time?  In short, no. Families are welcome to camp for all of the weekend, for just one evening, or to come for just part of the day on Saturday for den activities and/or the Pack meeting Saturday evening.

What is there to do at Sudden Pond?  Fishing, Hiking, Exploring! - but no Swimming!  Dens will generally plan a few activities on Saturday to work on scout skills and outdoor requirements, but there will be some free time for scouts and families to just relax and enjoy being outdoors.

What temperatures can we expect?  Some years have been hot and muggy while others have gotten chilly enough to warrant hats and gloves.  It is autumn in New England - a beautiful time to be outside but also a bit unpredictable weather-wise.  Please be sure to check the weather forecasts while packing and pack accordingly.

Do I need to be there while my scout is there?  Depends.  For any of the actual overnight portions, yes, we do ask a parent or guardian to be present for the camping part.  However, if your scout is attending during the day for a den activity, you can likely drop-off and pick-up when that activity is completed - consult your den leader to be sure.

Can scouts share a tent?  Younger scouts (Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears) may not share a tent and must stay in a tent with their parent/guardian.  Webelos and AOL scouts are permitted to share a tent, but it must be a scouts-only tent; no adult can be in that tent with them.

Can scouts bring a pocket knife? Only scouts with their Whittling Chip card or those that will be working on earning their Whittling Chip card (consult your Den Leader) can bring a pocket knife to the camping trip. The Whittling Chip card can only be earned by scouts working on their Bear rank or higher, so no Lion, Tiger, nor Wolf scout should have a knife.

What about meals? Generally speaking, families should plan to provide meals for themselves unless the den has planned a cooking activity or arranged a potluck for the den.  Meals at camp for the weekend are Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Sunday breakfast.

Pack Dues

This year's dues are $160/scout, and $150/for each additional scout. Of that amount, $75 is the national fee for the 2022 calendar year including insurance and $48 for the Adventure Card. For those of you who do not know what the benefits of the adventure card are, we suggest you visit this site https://experiencebasecamp.org/pages/adventure-card . The more you use the card, the greater value it is to you. The remaining $37 goes to covering advancements, ceremonies and most campsites.

 

There are times where a trip has a special activity, such as overnights. These fees are typically passed through to the families.

 

Please keep in mind, we never intend for a scout to not attend a trip due to financial hardship. If you need assistance, please reach out to either Cubmaster, Geoff Sheau, Treasurer, Mike Festa or Committee Chair, Brad Wagner, or Secretary, Jessica Belyea. We will keep this information confidential and do our best to accommodate your needs.

 

We are beginning our registration process for the next year and kindly ask that all dues are paid to your Den Leader by November 4th. Please let us know if you cannot make this deadline.

 

We will be accepting:

Pay by check - Please make checks payable to "Pack 722"
Pay by Venmo - The account is @wakefieldcubscouts (this has changed from last year). Please put your scouts name in the memo. 

Yours In Scouting,

Your Pack Committee