ü       Good Citizenship, Boys will become aware of community organizations that need volunteers, like themselves, to assist others.

ü       Friendly Service, Boys will spread happiness to those they serve and help by doing good turn projects.

The core value highlighted this month is:

ü       Faith, Cub Scouts will learn that the Master of all Scouts wants us to show our faith in Him by helping others.

Can you think of others??? Hint – look in your Cub Scout Program Helps.  It lists different ones!! All the items on both lists are applicable!!  You could probably list all twelve if you thought about it!!

COMMISSIONER’S CORNER

Chris and I are need of Pow Wow Books, especially in electronic format.  My books from last fall’s Pow Wow’s have run out.  And I only have two from January Pow Wows and one from March (which is actually a copy of one of my January Pow Wow books).  So, if you can get us copies, it would be great or Baloo’s Bugle may be pretty thin next month.  Thank you.  I can arrange swaps with my council’s Pow Wow book that will be issued in January 2004.  Just write – commissionerdave@comcast.net.

My Roundtable staff is all prepped for our western night in November.  It is Holiday Time at the Helping Hands Ranch.  We are going to have a western Christmas party.  Should be a great night.  When I read that description this summer before our Annual RT Planning Dinner, I thought it was crazy but now I see the big picture. 

My Pack will be doing our annual used toy and clothing drive for C.I.N.D.Y., Children In Need of Donations from You (They started with the acronym and worked back-wards).  We encourage all our Cub families to clean out their children’s rooms over the Thanksgiving Weekend.  Then they bring the toys and games and clothes they have out grown to the December pack Meeting.  We always get a big pile in the center of the room.  I am sure you, too, can find an organization or family to help. 

This will be happening right after the annual Scouting for Food Drive.  By working with our partner Troop we are able to cover all of both towns we serve.  This year we are putting out the bags one weekend and the troop is picking them up the following weekend.  Next year we should reverse.  We use the Webelos on whichever side needs the extra help, or they do both weekends!!  We get a big boost on this from Philadelphia’s ABC Affiliate, WPVI, Channel 6, providing backing and publicity for the drive.  Thank you. 

In the past we have done caroling and crafts at local Independent and Assisted Living Residences.  This will probably be a Valentine’s Day project this year.  Don’t miss the opportunity this month to bring that last line of the Law of the Pack to life!!

We use some funny words in Scouting and frequently new leaders get confused.  I just finished staffing a Wood Badge course and people were still trying to make Wood Badge one word.  It is always two words.  (as is the name of the most regal creature – the Bob White!!)

Another strange word is WEBELOS.  This is an acronym.  When I was a Cub (bad start) it meant Wolf, Bear, Lion, Scout.  Now it means WE’ll BE LOyal Scouts.  So, you see it must always be WEBELOS.  Your son is a WEBELOS Scout.  Never drop the S.  As the lady who trained me to be a RT Commissioner says, “If you drop the S, there is nothing to which to be loyal.”  WEBELOS is singular and plural. Also, there are two E’s and only one W in WEBELOS.  I often see it misspelled by dropping the second E and/or with a W between the O and the S.  Please don’t.

I hope you all enjoy this theme and have a great holiday season.  I tried to present a balanced sheet of holiday ceremonies and activities but my Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod background (enhanced by attending Valparaiso University) is probably evident. 

Next month is January’s Theme, “Home Alone.” I love starting my December RT with, “I hope you all had a great Holiday Season but aren’t you glad the holidays are over and we are back to normal!!”  I guess you have to be there.  It usually brings a big laugh.