Compasses

Here is a regular compass. It points to Magnetic North--near the North Pole (here is your tie-in to the theme). You have to learn how to use this to have it be useful. (This is a plug for some of the Cub Scout activities and awards.) If you put a magnet near it, the compass will point towards the magnet instead of towards North.

Here is a GPS receiver. It works by receiving radio transmissions from satellites then doing some calculations to figure out where you are and which way you are heading. It can also help you get to where you want to go, if you know exactly where that is (the latitude, longitude, and altitude). It doesn't work if your batteries run out, if you are in a place where the radio transmissions can't reach, etc.

There is another compass that we learn about in the Book of Mormon--the Liahona. It was given to Lehi to help him lead his people to the Promised Land--America. Alma the Younger explained to his son, Helaman, how the Liahona worked (Alma 37:38-42).

38 And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it ^aLiahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.

39 And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.

40 And it did work for them according to their ^afaith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day.

41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by ^asmall means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were ^bslothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;

42 Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did ^anot travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions.

He then explained how apply the idea of a compass pointing towards CHRIST to help us get back to Heaven (Alma 37:43-47)

43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a ^ashadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.

44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the ^aword of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.

45 And now I say, is there not a ^atype in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.

46 O my son, do not let us be ^aslothful because of the ^beasiness of the ^cway; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would ^dlook they might ^elive; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.

47 And now, my son, see that ye take ^acare of these sacred things, yea, see that ye ^blook to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell.

Let us "...look to God and live."

November Newsletter

Dear Parents

With the Pinewood Derby less than two weeks away, I thought that I needed to explain the timeline and the rules for the race so we all have a fun time.

The Pinewood Derby will be on December 1. On that day, the racetrack will be open from 6:00 PM to 6:40 PM. This is the time to test your Scout’s car and make any last minute adjustments. I will have some tools and some dry lubricant (powered graphite) for your use. You may bring and use your own tools, too. At 6:40 PM, the car registration will begin and the track will be closed. Your Scout will need to have his car weighed and measured to ensure that it is within specifications. (We will be following the specifications that came with the Pinewood Derby Kit. They are reprinted below.) At 7:00 PM, we will have our Opening Ceremony and start racing.

Specifications:

• Maximum width: 2 ¾ inches
• Maximum length: 7 inches
• Maximum weight: 5 ounces
• Width between wheels: 1 ¾ inches
• Bottom clearance between car and track: 3/8 inches.

We will be following the same procedures that we have followed in the past. A general outline of the procedures is attached. As we have done in the past, we will not be using a double elimination format. Each Scout will race six times in the first round. The top six cars will race another three times. The winner will be the car with the most accumulated points. (Three points will be given for a win, two points for second place and one point for third place.) This system works very well because by the middle of the first round, most Scouts have forgotten where they placed in the previous heats and are enjoying the races.

I ask that each family bring a snack or a treat to share with the Pack. It can be a bag of chips, popcorn, cookies, etc. I also encourage each family and Scout to invite a friend to help cheer him on. Families can also make cheering banners to encourage their Scouts.

I hope that the Pinewood Derby is a good experience for each Scout and a fun time for each family. If there are any questions, please contact me at 703.349.2119.

Thanks!

Bruce Brown, Cubmaster

October Pack meeting

Last night (26 October) was our Pack Meeting. It was great to have more boys and families there. I'll post pictures soon.

Fathers and Sons--Recap

It was COLD! It wasn't the coldest campout that I've been to, but... (If you want to hear about the coldest campout that I've had, ask me.)

We should thank Oliver Christensen for bringing the food, and Kristen for getting the food. Every time we asked, "Where is...?" We found it. Kristen thought of everything. :D

Jared Mason was the only Cub Scout to come.

Fathers and Sons

I'm declaring the Fathers and Sons campout a "Pack Overnight Campout". That means that you can pass off 3 or more requirements. Because the Church doesn't let Wolfs/Bears to go on overnighters (and limits the WEBELOS to one overnighter a year), these requirements are hard to get passed off. If I was thinking ahead even more, I could have arrainged for the Cub Scouts to do a little skit at the campfire. That would have been another requirements.

Wolf: 23 a and h (b, c, d can also be passed off)
Bear: 25 a, d, and e
WEBELOS: Outdoorsman 1, and 3 or 4.

Pictures from September's Pack Meeting

Here are some pictures from September's Pack Meeting. (Thanks to Sis. Brown)






Gathering activity--making masks.





















The Masons looking at some of Bro. Brown's awards.

















The Wolves and Bears receiving their belt loop awards.














Relay Race














Jefferson Landrith receiving his Bobcat.


















Post Pack Meeting basketball.

Pack Calendar

Well...since I'm a geek, I figured that I might as well blog about the Pack.

Here is the Pack's calendar. I'm working on this. There are only three meetings per month, so there is a lot of blank space in it. I should add the Den's (soon to be Dens') calendar to it too. All in good time.