One of the things I learned in doing Baloo's Bugle is that I make mistakes.  For instance, Roy, a DC pointed out that in the "Passports to other Land" issue the game Palito Verde was listed as a game from France.  The game is not from France.  I should have known that, but didn't!  The game is from South America, purportedly from Columbia.  I apologize for any confusion this has caused within your dens.

Most den leaders, I believe, are always on the lookout for new ideas.  And sometimes these ideas come upon them in the most unusual way.  I, too, am always on the look out for new ideas.  Due to a change in our insurance we now go to Lenscrafters for our vision care.  Today I went to pick up my glasses.  While at our local Lenscrafters I read about a program they have called "The Gift of Sight."  This program is all about folks donating to Lenscrafters their old glasses, when they get new ones.  They recondition the glasses and give them to people who need them in poorer countries where eye care is an absolute luxury.  So, thinking, "This is a great program," I decided to share it with all the readers of Baloo's Bugle.  Many leaders are looking for charitable ideas to work into their den/pack programs which are fairly easy to manage.  You can go to their site at www.lenscrafters.com to find out more about their "Gift of Sight" program and then set up a time when your pack can organize a day and pick up site for folks in your community to donate their old glasses.  This is not an endorsement for Lenscrafter, just a plug for a worthwhile program that they work together with the Lion's Club.  Just go to http://www.lenscrafters.com/helping_1.html

National Capital Area Council

April is a great month to focus on Conservation! Earth Day is in April and this is your chance to help each Scout work toward the Cub Scout World Conservation Patch. April is also a great time to schedule service projects, like cleaning out flower beds and gardens, or helping neighbors by planting vegetable gardens.

Spring is also a time to look for new buds on trees and enjoy an array of blooming flowers and shrubs. Birds return and, like our Scouts, they start looking for signs of life in our forests, yards, and streams. Let's help our Scouts learn to appreciate this beauty so that, as they grow, they will help save it for use.