All posts by Jim Remley

Alumni

Webelos Men Get Handy

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The Webelos II men spent their Sunday afternoon learning about automobile and bicycle maintenance and in the process made progress on their Handyman Activity Badge.   The boys had the opportunity to top off Mr. Remley’s motor oil, optimize his tire air pressure, and rotate all 4 of his tires.   When they were finished, they even washed the car and made it shiny.  They also learned how to make adjustments on their bikes, lubricate their chains and other moving parts, and check the tire air pressure.  The boys survived the three hour gauntlet and came out handymen. Mr. Remley’s car is feeling great and is looking forward to it’s commute tomorrow.  Great job Stealth Ninjas!

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Check out more pics of the day, and more Stealth Ninja adventures in the photo albums.

Pack

Scout Go-Karts Race to Victory

Race Course Cheered on by their families and friends, Pack 811 Scouts zoomed down the raceway at Golden Hill on a warm Saturday morning in July, powered only by determination and gravity.   The Go-Karts,  hand built by scouts and their parent pit crews, survived the rugged asphalt course and earned each of their drivers a place in the annals of pack race history.

The race would not have been possible without the efforts of the Event Coordinator, Mike Rivera, and the dozens of other volunteer pit crew members that put on the race.   Home Depot in Brea also played a critical role by not only sponsoring the race – covering nearly half of the Go Kart costs — but also providing team members to cheer the racers on.

Design Trophy  Twelve teams competed for design awards.  The teams of “Home Depot“, “L.A. Speed“, “Flaming Ninjas“, “Cool Whips“, “Mindcraftia“, “Team Mind Craft“, “Little Rascals“, “Spookaboos“, “Golden Bears“, “The Fast 5“, “Green Lantern Corps“, and “Team Camo” each won a coveted Pack 811 Racing Helmet Trophy for their members.   The fastest of the racers also brought home metals to display on their chests.  In 1st place: Noah G.,  2nd place: Justin R., and 3rd Place: Issac C.

As usual, Pack 811 Scouts demonstrated exemplary team work, courage and sportsmanship.  This first ever pack Go-Kart race was just another event designed for “fun with a purpose”.   Thank you parents and crew members – and great job racers!

Check out more photos of the event in our Photo Albums.

Race Karts Home Depot Cheer Leaders

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pack

Time to Sign Up for Day Camp!

Summer is just around the corner, and we all know that the highlight of the Cub Scout summer is Day Camp.  This year’s camp will be July 22nd through July 26th at Firestone Scout Reservation.   How important is it for all Scouts to attend Day Camp?  In the past few years, most dens have been able to complete between 25% – 45% of their rank advancement within this week.  Those scouts who do not attend camp can spend the rest of the year trying to catch up with the rest of the den.

The camp is run 100% by volunteers.  We will need parents to help with the dens and activities at camp.  While we do need a few to help the entire week, it is also helpful to work just a couple of days.  We need to maintain a ratio of 1 adult per 4 kids all week long.  The cost of the camp has not increased in three years, and it remains the best deal around for a full week-long camp:

$95 – If the scout sold at least 1 Scout-o-Rama ticket book, AND medical form and payment are turned in by May 5th.

$130 – If forms and payment are received after May 5th or no Scout-o-Rama ticket book is sold..

One shirt is included in the above pricing.  Add $10 per extra shirt if desired. Payment can be turned in at the April pack meeting or mailed to Jim.  Siblings are again welcome to attend sibling camp when their parent is at camp for only $5 a day, or $20 for the entire week.

Council is no longer using registration forms, so all the registration this year is all done via the website.  A separate registration must be submitted for each youth and adult attending.  To register, please click HERE .

The only form that must be completed and turned in is the medical form.  Click HERE to complete, print out, and sign this form (one each for every youth and adult attendee). This should be turned in with your payment.

This is an event that every scout should attend.  If it is not possible to attend, however, please still RSVP on the registration form.

 

Pack

Let’s Go Fishing!

fishing2Once again, our pack has been invited by the Izaak Walton League to attend their annual fishing seminar and camp-out at Irvine Lake.  For those that have not attended, this is a short, overnight camping trip on a Friday evening, with a fishing seminar early the next morning.  Scouts will learn the basics about fishing and the environment, provided bait, and then set loose to fish.  They are almost guaranteed to catch a fish as they stock the area the night before the event.  No fishing experience is needed.  The cost of the event is only $5 per person.  Only scouts may fish, and adult partners may assist. Here are the details:

Schedule

Friday, March 22:
Campers can arrive any time after 3PM. [At the gate, mention you are with the Ikes Fishing Seminar for Scouts]
Bring your own Picnic Dinners
Informal campfire that evening
Leader Cracker Barrel

Saturday, March 23:
Bring your own quick  breakfast at 6:00AM
Fishing from 6:30AM – 12:30PM at the Lagoon.
Lunch (provided) at 12:30
Depart after lunch

Note that fishing in the Lagoon (which will be stocked the day before) is for scouts ONLY. Adults can fish in the lake for a daily fee of $22, (or help your own son for free).  Volunteers from the Ikes will provide some tackle (bait, hooks, etc) if needed.  They will also show the scouts how to cast, and assist with tying fishing knots.

What to bring for camping:

Tent (the smaller the tent, the warmer you will be.  Expect overnight temps in the mid 40’s).
Ground cloth/tarp for under tent.
Sleeping bags / blanket /pillow
Chairs
Warm clothing (but remember this is just one night).
Flashlights / lanterns if available
Toiletries (including a small towel)
Picnic Dinner for Friday night
Quick breakfast for Saturday morning. (ie Danish/donuts and juice.)
Frisbee / other entertainment for Friday afternoon
Firewood will be provided.

What to bring for fishing:

Class B Shirt
Fishing pole with line
Sunblock and hat
Handi-wipes
Tackle (hooks, weight, pliers, etc if available)
Bucket (and other gear if available)
Sunblock and hat
Handi-wipes

What NOT to bring:

Electronic games
Radios
Bikes
Alcohol
Too much stuff! (this is a quick overnighter).

How to get there:

57 Fwy South to 91 Fwy East to 55 Fwy South
Exit Chapman, head East. Chapman turns into Santiago Canyon Road.
About 8-10 miles from Fwy to Irvine Lake.

Signup

Please signup by Sunday, March 10.  Remember – only scouts and adults on this trip; no siblings.  Signup here:

> SIGNUPS <

Note, if you do not have any fishing equipment, you can purchase a very inexpensive but effective rod and reel at either Big 5 or Fisherman’s Access on Imperial Hwy.  Please feel free to contact me if any questions.  This should be another fun outing!

Pages

Bear Scout Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Tour

Attention Bear Scouts!

The Bear Den will be visiting the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena on Monday, April 8th.  This is a very unique opportunity to see behind the scenes at a primary NASA location.  Scout families are also welcomed. Please note the following requirements:

  • All US citizens 18 years of age or older visiting JPL MUST present official, government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, before being allowed entry.
  • Federal security requirements insist that you provide this office with a roster ONE MONTH before the tour. We require the full name and country of citizenship for all adults, and full name for those under the age of 18. Anyone not on our approved roster will not be allowed on to the facility. *Note: Substituting roster names the day of the tour is not allowed*
  • All non-US citizens (Foreign Nationals) 18 years of age or older MUST present either a passport or resident visa (green card) before being allowed entry. Individuals without the appropriate identification will NOT be admitted to the facility.
  • The tour includes considerable walking and stair climbing. Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather. Wheelchairs can be accommodated with prior notice. Cameras are allowed on the tour. *Note: All tours are conducted in English*

If you are interested in attending, please contact Carm Villanueva as soon as possible at rncarm.villa@gmail.com.

Pack

Scouts Zoom to Victory at Pinewood Derby

5-race-11  Another exciting Pinewood Derby was conducted last Sunday, with over 50 scouts vying for the coveted first place race trophy and various design ribbons. Our brand new shiny track was used for the first time, purchased in part thanks to the generosity of the Brea Rotary Club.

As the pit crew learned to master the new track and timing software, all in attendance watched closely as their favorite car raced down the 49 feet of track at the “equivalent” of 300+ miles per hour.

Once again, we had some very creative designs inspired by some clever boys. The winners for each category, as voted on by those who attended, are:

Best Paint Job:
Jacob W., Joshua W., Mitchel D.
Best Scouting Theme:
Ben W., Braden H., Aiden H.
Fastest Looking:
Mitchell D., Vincent P., Joshua W.
Most Origional:
Grant E., Ben W., Noah G.
Best Use of Stickers:
Noah G., Ian R., Jacob W..
Scariest Looking:
Kai D., Justin R., David A.
Most Patriotic:
Matthew B., Collin H., Dylan Diego V.		 Most Hilarious:
Trent E., Jeffrey M., Braden H.
Tastiest Food:
Matthew D., Braden H., Christopher S.
Best Sports Theme:
Dante T., Jacob B., Matthew R.
Most Creative Shape:
Trent E., Dean K., Ben W.
Most Futuristic:
Jonathan L., Joshua W., Jacob W.
Best Truck:
Jacob G., Arther N., Dylan Diego V.,
Best Name:
Evan P., Ben W., Jeffrey M.

The Race Medal Winners from each den are:

Tigers: (1st place) Adam C. (2nd place) Justin R. (3rd place) Christopher S.
Wolves: (1st place) Ian R. (2nd place) Collin H. (3rd place) Matthew B.
Bears: (1st place) Carlo V. (2nd place) Connor R. (3rd place) Trent E.
Webelos I: (1st place) Matthew R. (2nd place) Jacob B. (3rd place) Sam W.
Webelos II: (1st place) Nicholas L. (2nd place) Stephen G. (3rd place) Grant E.

Kate L. took first place in Sibling Race, and Peter Gambino took first place and bragging rites for the next year for winning the “young at heart” race.

A close finals round with some of the 8 fastest cars determined the Pack Champions:

0-2013cars First Place: Ian R. with his car “Minecraftopia”
Second Place: Jacob B. with his car “The Stealth Mobile”
Third Place: Collin H. with his car “Midnight Patriot “

Of course, this fun event could not have taken place without the dedicated volunteer pit crew led by Event Chair Warren Biederstadt. This crew took care of the hundreds of details required for such an event, including activites such as assembling, decorating, procuring, cooking, operating, printing, recording, calculating, announcing, cleaning, and inspiring. This crew included:

Warren Biederstadt, Paul Hinz, Amy Hinz, Peter Gambino, John DiMario, Mari Remley, Dean Gialamas, Matt Sikes, Brad Halderman, Shawn Jamison, Jo Rivera, Scott Wemple, Jeff McEntee, John Koos, Jim Remley, and Christian Lising. Of course, this list does not include the many other parents who jumped in to help whenever they saw a need.

Our great volunteers is what makes our pack so great! Check out some photos from the event in the Albums. If you have some pictures from the event that you can share, please upload them for all to enjoy.

Congratulations Scouts, and thank you parents!

Pack

Invitation to Blue and Gold

You are Coordually Invited…

…to our Blue and Gold Banquet on Sunday, February 17, 2013, at 4:00pm in the St. Angela Hall.  This is a special night for our pack as it marks the 83rd anniversary of Cub Scouting.  It is particularly memorable for our boys as many of them will be awarded their new rank, and the Webelos II will be transitioning into Boy Scouts.

Because of the limited space in the hall, this invitation is limited to scouts and their immediate families only (parent/guardians and siblings).  Please send us your RSVP through this

> LINK <

no later than Friday, February 8th.

Please note the date previously on our calendar was incorrect. We are looking forward to another fun celebration with our entire pack family.  The leaders will have a special presentation you will not want to miss!

Alumni

The Stealth Ninjas Camp in December

The Stealth Ninjas braved the cold and rain at Oso Lake this past weekend. The 10 brave Webelos attended the Great Outdoors Webelos Camp out, and earned their Forester, Geologist, Naturalist, and Outdoorsman Activity Badges. The boys prepared their own foil dinners and sticky buns over hot coals for their main meal, and enjoyed plenty of bacon for breakfast. Dad’s were able to see just a glimpse in the future as they saw their boys practice some self-sufficiency Boy Scout style. A great time was had by all. A few photos can be found in the albums.

Alumni

The Stealth Ninjas Prepare for Advent

The Webelos Den completed an achievement for their Craftsman badge last weekend, and celebrated the first Sunday of Advent by creating advent wreaths for their own family tables.
The boys learned about type of saws and their usage.  The Scouts cut precise wood components using nothing more than a stick of wood, a mitre box, a hand saw, and a whole lot of muscle. The boys then assembled the pieces to create a wooden wreath. Some choose to stain their wreath, and others choose a natural wood. All Scouts will use their creation to help prepare their hearts for the coming of Jesus this season.

Pack

Winter Camp Sign Ups

Hi Pack Campers –

As discussed at the pack meeting, we are now taking sign-ups for our Winter Family Camp trip on January 5th and 6th.  We will be staying in group cabins at Camp Pollock – a scout facility in the San Bernardino Mountains near Lake Arrowhead.  We will be leaving Saturday morning and returning Sunday afternoon.  The camp provides the lodging, and four meals for $55 per person.  They also have sleds / disks for our use.  You would only need to bring a sleeping bag and a change of warm clothes.  The cabins do have small kitchens if you would like to bring snacks.

The camp requires non-refundable payment in advance to make the reservation.  The pack will make the advance payment this week if you commit to attending via our signup form here:

SIGN UP FORM

This should be a fun, easy trip for all, and a chance for our boys to visit the snow (hopefully) this winter.  We encourage carpooling when possible.  All drivers should plan on carrying snow chains.  Payment can be mailed or dropped off to me at my house, by December 2nd.

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Pack 811 Sailors Fill their Sails


Pack 811 scouts blew their handcrafted sailboats down a treacherous rain gutter last weekend, showing off their colorful crafts and their great sportsmanship.  All of the boats were decked out in a variety of themes, from the patriotic to the downright strange.  Pictures of the event can be found in our Photo Albums.

Ten scouts brought home ribbons for having their boats voted the best in the following categories by their peers: Best Maritime Theme, Most Colorful, Best Scout Theme, Most Patriotic, and Most Creative Design.

After a fierce series of races, the fastest sailors came away with metals:

Den Champions:

Tiger Den: Isaac C. (1st. Place), Damian C. (2nd Place), Billy J. (3rd Place)

Wolf Den: Ian R. (1st Place), Nicolas B. (2nd Place), Aiden H. (3rd Place)

Bear Den: Diego B. (1st Place), Ian M. (2nd Place)

Webelos I Den: Matthew R. (1st Place),  Chad H. (2nd Place),  Jacob B. (3rd Place)

Webelos II Den: Jacob Williams (1st Place).

Pack Champions:

1st Place: Chad H.

2nd Place: Matthew R.

3rd Place: Ian R.

A great job was done by all scouts!  A special thanks goes to Roxana Borne, Sharon McBenttez, Mike Rivera, Brad Halderman, and Peter Gambino for helping put together another fun event for our boys.

Pack

Join us at the Bicycle Rodeo!

Our next summer Pack event is the Bicycle Rodeo, coming up soon on Saturday, June 23 at 10:00 am in the St. Angela School parking lot.  This event is open to scouts and their families, so siblings are welcome to participate as well.   Be sure to bring your bike and your helmet! The Bicycle skills events will take place from 10:00 to 12:30, immediately followed by a potluck lunch. Events will include:

  • Drag race
  • Slalom Race
  • Figure 8
  • Snail Race
  • Balance Beam
  • Newspaper Throw

Training wheels and even scooters are welcomed.  Please RSVP as soon as possible and sign up to bring something to share for the potluck lunch.  Please contact Scott Wemple if any questions.

>> RSVP and Sign-up Here! <<

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Bring a Friend to our Ice Cream Social

Do you have a classmate, team mate, or friend that might be interested in joining Cub Scouts?  Invite them to our Ice Cream Social this Sunday and show them the fun we have.  Boys who bring a friend that joins the pack will receive a “Recruiter” patch. Click on the image to the right to view and print a flyer that you can hand out at your next sport practice or bring it to school to give to your friends.

If you can make it this Sunday, please be sure to wear your full Class A uniform.  Parents can help answer questions from new parents, and scouts can help demonstrate sling shots and air rockets.

Oh .. and don’t forget – we will be serving ice cream!  Hope to see you there.

Pack

Day Camp Sign-up is On!

Greetings Pack 811 Families,

Summer Day Camp Sign Ups are now on-line.  Because so many of our boys had a great time last year and were able to complete the majority of their rank, once again we will camp with the Portolo District at Firestone Scout Camp.  Summer camp is the highlight of a Cub Scout’s summer – providing 5 full days of fun and opportunities for rank advancement.  As usual, we will need to provide adult volunteers in the ratio of 1:4 for each of the 5 days.

Please Sign Up Now!

You will need to register on our site HERE. On the same page you can download the registration forms for your scout(s) and yourself.

On the registration forms, be sure to “Portola 7/23-27′, and the rank your scout will be in the summer time (which is one rank higher than he is currently).  DO NOT CHECK which days you will be volunteering — you will record this information on our on-line sign up form. Please also record your shirt size no matter how many days you are volunteering. Please submit these forms with payment to Amy Hinz on or before May 4th.

The payment amount should be:

$95 – If your family sold at least one book of Scout O Rama tickets, AND forms and payment are turned in by May 4th. That’s less than $20 a day for the most fun your son will have this summer.

$115 – If forms and payment are received by the 4th, and the you did not purchase or sell a Scout O Rama book.

$130 – If forms and payment are received after May 9.

One shirt is included in the above pricing.  Add $10 per extra shirt if desired. Checks should be made out to “Pack 811”.

Be sure to jump on the opportunity as soon as possible.  Please contact Amy Hinz with any questions.

Yours in Scouting,

Jim Remley

Pack

Pack 811 Earns Gold

Pack 811 has been awarded the Gold Level Journey of Excellence award for 2011.  This award is only awarded to packs which achieve excellence in a variety of areas, including fully trained leadership, service projects, outdoor activities, financial and activity planning, and at least 1 pack and 2 den events each month.

This is another tribute to the great community of families that make up Pack 811.  The pack’s flag will add another ribbon, and each scout attending the Pack meeting this Sunday will receive a patch to wear on their right uniform sleeve. Congratulations Pack 811!