Welcome back, new Webelos Scouts! We're going to have a great year as we begin the trail to the Arrow of Light. There are twenty activity badges for Webelos to earn -- from Craftsman and Engineer to Aquanaut and Outdoorsman -- and each Scout can blaze his own trail. It's a great adventure and we're going to have a lot of fun! We've already had our first adventure as Webelos with a beautiful afternoon of kayaking on Spot Pond.

As a transition between Cubs and Boy Scouts, the Webelos program gives the boys more reponsibility and helps them develop a sense of leadership. Before you know it, we'll be ready for even more adventures as Boy Scouts.

Thanks to all our parents for their support!

Neil Williams and Jeff Crump Webelos 1 Den Leaders

The Webelos have had a very busy month of April and it will continue into May. On April 2nd the Webelos and Bears that are finishing up their Parvulei Dei medals met with Fr. Coughlin from Most Blessed Sacrament Church. The boys told father about their project and what they had learned through the process. Fr. questioned them on several bible stories that they had talked about in their projects and they rose to the occasion and answered most of his questions. GREAT JOB. At the same time the boys made banners symbolizing the many gifts that God has given to them. The banners will hang on the pews of the church when they receive their medals on Sunday, April 30th at the 9:00 a.m. Mass at Most Blessed Sacrament. All scouts and their families are welcome to join us.

Several of the Webelos & Bears also participated in the blessing of the blankets they made for Project Linus. This was another part of their community service project for their religious medal. Nicholas Sordello, Chris Powers, Noah Macdonald, Kevin Cajuda and Connor Shine represented Pack 722 at the blessing.

SWIMMING! On Tuesday, April 18th, the Webelos met at the Burbank YMCA for a fun night of swimming and water safety. Parents, Mary & Gerard Dailey were the official instructors. The scouts participating were, Joe Dailey, Noah Macdonald and Chris Powers. To complete their Aquanot Achievement Badge, they will meet in June for a day of rowing instruction on Lake Quannapowit.

Coming soon: Spring Webelos Woods – May 6th & 7th. This will be held at Camp Massasoit in Plymouth. The Boys will be working on several phases of their Outdoorsman Badge at this overnight. They will pitch their own tents, make a campfire and cook their own meals over the campfire. This should be a lot of fun for them and their parents that accompany them.

The Webelos Den has had a jam packed winter of 2006! They have completed their “Fitness” Activity Badge. While working on this badge, the boys discussed the bad effects of smoking, alcohol and drugs. We talked about peer influence and pressure and how the scout needs to make good choices when faced with these issues. The boys also kept a food chart of what they eat. When compared to the new food pyramid, we ALL needed to be eating more fruits and veggies!

The Webelos enjoyed Cub Scout Olympics on Super Bowl Sunday. The Webelos represented our Den in the opening Flag Ceremony. They participated in everything they could find the time to. Everyone loved OUR Pack entry of the “Tricycle Race” but they all ad a different favorite. Roping a “calf”, firehouse pull, basketball throw, sit ups and many more! We’ll be back in 2007 for more fun.

All of the Webelos scouts are working on their Religious medal. The Webelos scouts together with several Bear Scouts had to do a service project as part of their religious medal. They chose “Project Linus”, which collects blankets, quilts and afghans to give to children that have been traumatized or seriously ill both locally and nationwide. The boys collected money at a Sunday Mass from members of the parish and it was used to purchase polar fleece fabric. The scouts and the students and many members of the guild also donated fabric too. They became “blanketeers” working with the members of their parish Ladies’ Guild and the CCD school students in the 6th and 10th grades to make “no sew” throws. Thank you to the Scout Moms - Kelly, Lisa, Janis, Mary D., Bette Anne, Brenda and Anne that helped the evening of the project and also took some blankets home to finish. Over 100 blankets will be donated to “Project Linus” as a result of this collaborative effort. For more information on “Project Linus” go to www.projectlinus.com

Congratulations to all the Webelos on their Pinewood Derby Car entries. Great Job! Good luck to Kevin Cajuda who took 1st Place in the Webelos race and will have the opportunity to represent us at the District Finals on March 18th.