On Saturday, April 17, 2010 Pack 235 went to Sid Richardson Scout Ranch for the dual purpose of camping and to bid farewell to six Webelos from the Lizards Den who crossed over to Boy Scouts.

The weather started out fair and mild on Friday evening but around 9:30pm the clouds opened up and it began to rain…and rain…and rain some more.  Many of the parents could not remember attending a camping trip where so much rain had fallen.

But the Pack 235 Scouts were not deterred from having a good time!  While most of the adults figured out the best way to stay dry or rather, less wet, the boys alternated between exploring in the woods and standing by the campfire to dry out.

That afternoon under a still raining sky Pack 235 welcomed representatives from Troop 445 and Troop 5 to receive the Webelos who would be crossing over that day.

During the ceremony, Troop 445 Scoutmaster Elmer Jewell received Austin M. as he crossed over.   Troop 5 had a large contingent of scouts who accompanied Scoutmaster Greg Shugart all of whom help welcome the following new scouts into their troop:  James F., Hunter Y., Jade M., Jakob B., and Nick G.

In addition, the assistant den leader for the Lizards, Doug Miles, along with Tim Forrest and the rest of the Lizard parents were please to present a plaque as well as a framed photo of the boys to Lizard den leader David Britton.  This was done in appreciation of the commitment and dedication that David demonstrated in guiding the boys through their Cub Scout and Webelo years.

Here is a link to a slideshow with photos of that memorable day.

Congratulations to all to newly minted Boy Scouts.  Thank you for allowing Pack 235 to help prepare you for what we know will a bright future in Scouting.

Trail at Cedar Ridge Preserve

The March Hike is going to be on Sunday the 28th.   It will be at the Cedar Ridge Preserve in Dallas at 2:00pm.  [The address is 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway,  Dallas, TX 75249]

We will not have a hike in April because of the camping trip.

Bonus: All the kids who go to the campout will get credit for 2 miles.

Click here for map to Cedar Ridge Preserve

We look forward to seeing there!

If you’re looking for something to do Saturday, March 6, 2010, there is a  cub scout fishing tournament at lake Arlington from 12pm-2pm.  The cost is $5.00.  You don’t have to pre-register, just show up and fish.

You will need to bring your own fishing pole and bait.  All species count.  Weigh in as many fish as you want.   Registration is at the (Arkansas Lane) boat ramp.

Let’s have some fun!

Update: To view a flyer from Tejas District about the fishing tournament, click this link. (PDF)

The annual Blue and Gold Banquet for 2010 was held this past Saturday, February 22nd.  We had a great turn out of scouts, families and friends.  Troop 421 hosted Pack 235 at South Oaks Baptist Church and served us a delicious chicken dinner.

Blue and gold balloons and decorations adorned the church’s multipurpose facility.  Each table was decorated with den-crafted center pieces, and the 3-tier birthday cake with blue, gold and white frosting and the number “100″ cake topper proclaimed the special anniversary of the U.S. Boy Scouts.

Along two walls, tables were lined with a myriad of gift and entertainment packages that had been donated for a silent auction fundraiser.  The resulting amount from all of the auctioned items was over $2000.

The entertainment for the evening was provided by the irrepressibly fun and energetic James Wand and his  ”spy/magician” act.  Mr. Wand delighted the scouts and their families with his hilarious magic/spy-chase story antics.

The final event of the evening was the award ceremony where many of the scouts were presented awards by their den leaders for which they’d worked so hard.  Many of our adult leaders and volunteers were recognized for the time and effort they contribute to making sure our pack runs smoothly.

Thanks to everyone who turned out to this year’s Blue and Gold Banquet and made it a great success!

For  a slideshow of the evening’s festivities click here!

Our Hiking Club coordinator, Mr. Burt,  would like to invite everyone to come out for our monthly hike which will be held this month on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 10:00am at Veterans Park in Arlington.

It’s a great way to get your Saturday off to a good start!   Don’t forget that scouts can now use this monthly hike to work on their Cub Scout Hike Badge.  Also remember, that there is another great incentive to participate as well.  Once a scout reaches 50 miles hiked, he will receive a snazzy hiking staff similar to this one.

If you’re planning on coming out that Saturday you’ll need to:

1. Email Mr. Burt at burt.rodney [at] sbcglobal [dot] net
2. Bring $3.00

We look forward to hiking the trails of Veterans Park with you at 10:00am on Saturday, February 27th.  See you there!

On January 23rd, Pack 235 held its 2010 Pinewood Derby at Corey Elementary.  It was an exciting competition and a chance for the boys to partake in some good-natured competition.

There were more than 50 cars in all that signed up for the races.  The inventive designs of the cars showed what a creative group of scouts we have.  Some of the more memorable designs were a Curious George banana car, a Geico “googly-eyed” money car, a space rocket, a camouflaged army vehicle, as well as a car shaped like a wedge of cheese…complete with mouse/driver.

To see a slideshow of the event click on the picture above  or this link here.

Thanks again to all of the scouts who participated for your good sportsmanship and your excellent creativity.   Thanks to all of the parents and adults who helped set up the event and those who stayed afterward to help clean up.

Let’s do it again next year!

The Pinewood Derby was a great success this year.   Approximately 50 cars were entered and it was great fun cheering on the competitors.

Mr. Kinney videotaped the event and the edited version was featured on CBS TV Channel 11 on their “Through The Lens” feature in the 4 o’clock news.  Click on the link below to watch the video.

Thanks to all the contestants, the parents and families that showed up to cheer and to everyone who helped set up and take down the equipment and tables.

Link to Channel 11 News video about Pack 235 Pinewood Derby

UPDATE:  We will need a lot of adults’ help this Saturday at the Pinewood Derby.   We need people who can help:

If you can help out please email me at arlingtonpack235 [at] gmail [dot] com and I will let Mr. Kinney know.   Show up at Corey Elementary at 8:00 am  and help us get set up.  Your help will be most appreciated.

NOTE FOR DEN LEADERS AND PARENT:  We ask that you please patrol and police your kids.  There should not be any running around or horseplay inside the school.  Everyone should stay in the cafeteria,  no one playing in Hall of Fame hallway.   We can have fun and be excited and spirited about the Derby but it should be centered around the races.

Finally, please remember that you may only use dry graphite or powder lubes on the wheels of your cars, not spray lubricant which can damage the track.

Thanks and let’s have a great time in the spirit of competition!!

The 2010 Pack 235 Pinewood Derby Car Race will be held on Saturday, January 23rd at Corey Elementary.

Here is the schedule for the pinewood derby as well as a few of the rules.

Entry Fee is $2.00 per car.

Webelos check-in.....8:30-9:00
Webelos race.........9:00-10:00 (or until finished)
Bears check-in.......9:30-10:00
Bears race...........10:00-10:30 (or right after Webelos finish)
Wolf check-in........before 10:30
Wolf race............10:30-11:00 (or until finished)
Pack Championship....11:00 (or after all divisions are done)
Old Goats............right after Pack Championships

Pack 235′s hiking coordinator has announced our January pack hike will be a little different this month.   Our destination this month will be the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge.   This park on the NW side of Fort Worth is a beautiful 3,500 acre refuge for animals and indiginous plants.  It has  a number of very interersting trails, scenic pastures, as well as, educational exhibits.  In addition, there are herds of bison and white-tailed deer that roam the refuge.  The nature center also boasts a “town” of prairie dogs.  It’s a great place for an outdoor scout and family adventure.

The January Pack Hike is scheduled for Sunday, January 24th.  The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge is located at 9601 Fossil Ridge Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76135 which is approximately 40 minutes from Arlington.

Directions:  From Loop I-820, exit Hwy 199 (Jacksboro Highway) and go west 4 miles.  Exit Confederate Park Rd. to the right and stay on service road. At the stop sign, turn right into the Nature Center entrance.   Stop by the gate house to pay entrance fee and obtain a day pass and a trail map.

Admission into the park is $4 per adult and $2 per child and while the Nature Center is a bit farther that we are normally used to, the unique scenery and animals will make this short trip more than worth it.

We will meet at the nature center at 1:00pm sharp to begin our hike.

Note: If anyone is interested in meeting in Arlington at Corey Elementary at 12:00 noon and caravaning together to the Nature Center please fill out this short survey so we can coordinate this.

Survey regarding Caravaning to Fort Worth Nature Center.

Bowen Self Storage is located at 4255 S. Bowen Rd. in Arlington next door to Bobby V’s Restaurant and RaceTrack  gas station.

Each den will take turns monthly to help out in the cleaning of the property.  If  the den leader will call Mike before they go, he will meet you there and let you know what needs to be done.

Here is the schedule from November 2009 thru March 2010

November 2009 – COBRAS

December 2009 – DEN 2

January 2010 – LIZARDS

February 2010 – DEN 7

March 2010 – DEN 4