Event Info 2023-2024
UPCOMING ADVENTURES AND MEETINGS
Covered Wagon Derby and Camping Trip
Friday April 26 to Sunday April 28
Camp Workcoeman: 169 Camp Workcoeman Rd, New Hartford, Connecticut 06057
Register at https://scoutingevent.com/066-78374#
DO NOT register your Scout. We will register them so the Pack can pay.
Two nights of tent camping: If you’re not up for camping 2 nights you can come for one or just drive up early Saturday and stay for the day.
On Saturday: Scout Covered Wagon Derby “Wild West” adventure, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Campfire event
Friday evening check in is 6pm. Please have dinner beforehand as none will be provided.
Sunday checkout is 9am: The Pack will work together to make a breakfast.
Schedule and further details: Covered Wagon Derby 2024.pdf
Your actions:
You must let us know if you and your Scout will be attending by Thursday April 18.
DO NOT register your Scout. We will register them so the Pack can pay.
At least one Scout parent/guardian will have to register also by Thursday April 18. Any other family members that want to come need to register by the Tuesday April 23. Cost for the full weekend is $15/adult or non-scout child. If coming just for the events on Saturday, cost is $10/adult or non-scout child. Register at https://scoutingevent.com/066-78374#
Non-Scout children won't be able to participate in the derby activities unfortunately, but there are activities afterward they can participate in: Snakes & Other Reptiles Presentation, Covered Wagon Derby Parade. Fishing, Sports, Gaga Ball, Den Time
You will need to provide your own camping equipment: Tent, sleeping bag, etc. Please ask if you need advice on purchasing camping equipment. If that is not within your means, let us know as soon as possible if you need help to find some to borrow.
FAQ
Our campsite is Seton (Map). It is about 750ft from the parking lot, so it's about a 5 minute easy walk. Still a wagon is good to use to bring supplies back and forth. You can drive vehicles to the campsite to unload but they have to be out of the campsite by Friday 6pm. There is often platforms for tents but not everyone may get one.
There is running drinkable water at the campsite and a shower across from it. I would count on only cold water.
Cell reception is poor. The parking lot has the better coverage although the dining hall seemed ok last time too. Text messages seem to work better. If you need to find the Pack and cell reception is no good, certain Camp Staff have radios they can use to figure out where certain groups are. So you can ask them if needed.
There are latrines, some even flush. Bring toilet paper. There are sinks with cold water but bring soap in case they run out.
Family Packing List (Think about what will keep your Scout warm and somewhat comfortable_
Tent
Filled Water Bottle* (You'll need to provide your own drinks for the weekend but there is drinkable water faucets throughout the camp.)
Toilet Paper*
Jacket / Coat
Rain Gear
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Hand sanitizer, soap, and hand towel
Snacks (for animal control and safety food must be stored in cars overnight - not in tents)
Flashlight / Lantern
Sleeping Bag & Pillow
Sleeping pad (as well as providing cushioning these help insulate your from the cold ground)
Class A Field Uniform (For Saturday Dinner and Campfire)
Layers of shirts to manage weather changes during the day (Scout shirts need not be worn during the day.)
Sweatshirt
Change of clothes, socks and underwear
Long clothes to sleep in
Winter hat and gloves (it will be cold Friday night / Saturday morning)
Blankets in addition to sleeping bag
Extra pairs of socks (you may need to double up socks for overnight warmth or if they get wet)
Light / String backpack for Scout to carry water bottle, toilet paper, soap, and other necessities in
Necessary medications
Hiking boots (If you don't have boots definitely bring an extra pair of shoes in case your shoes get wet.)
Wild West themed clothes for the Derby (if you'd like)
Schedule
Friday
6:00-8:00pm: Check-In Begins at Chapel (Turn in Medical Forms)
Scouts and parents move to their campsite after checking in
8:00pm: Cracker barrel for Staff and Leaders
Specific Program Schedules will be distributed here
Units strongly encouraged to plan a program for their Scouts during site time Campfire, Prepare Skits, Practice Skills for Covered Wagon etc.
9:30pm: Taps
Saturday (see further details about activities)
Those ‘Full Weekend Participants’ coming on Saturday are asked to check-in on Saturday morning at 7:30am, so they may enjoy breakfast starting at 8:00am.
Check-In for all ‘Day / Derby Only Participants’ will run from 8:00-8:45am.
Trading Post Hours– Most of the day on Saturday
9:00am: Opening Ceremonies–Parade Ground
9:15-10:00am: Station #1
10:15-11:00am: Station #2
11:15am-12:00pm: Station #3
12:15-1:15pm: Lunch and Trading Post
1:15-2:00pm: Station #4
2:15-3:00pm: Station #5
3:15pm: Snakes & Other Reptiles Presentation–Parade Ground
4:00-4:15pm: Covered Wagon Derby Parade
4:15-5:30pm: Open Camp Activities–Fishing, Sports, Gaga Ball, Den Time
5:45pm: Closing Ceremony
6:00pm: Dinner
7:00pm: Campwide Campfir (Each pack encouraged to do a song/skit/cheer)
8:00pm: Closing Ceremonies
9:30pm: Taps
Sunday
7:00am: Reveille,
Sunday Breakfast - Pack will make and enjoy a simple breakfast while we pack up to go
9:00am: Campsite Checkout, Depart Camp
Soap Box Derby
The Wethersfield Pack 85 is organizing a Soap Box Derby Race.
Scouts build a soap box car that they can sit in and race it down a hill. See photos below of the cars and the kits. Also see adults racing in Soap Box Derby cars.
Car Kit Cost about $30 - they won't know the final kit price until they know how many kits are needed.
Race Registration Cost $15
Please keep in mind this is an activity that is solely done by the Scout and his family, not the Pack. Parents will be responsible for building, transporting, and storing cars. I'm told you need some screw drivers and wrenches to assembly the kits.
Use this link to sign up directly with Pack 85 Signup Form - sign up by Monday April 1.
The signup form also includes tasks you can volunteer for. This is a fundraiser for Pack 85 so some of the tasks involve those activities.
Signup Date & Car requirement Date: Monday April 1st
Cut Date (day wood gets cut for new cars): Tentative Saturday April 13th - Pack 85 is looking for help on cut day if you are good with a saw and a drill
Car Pick Up Date: Tentative Sunday April 14th
Practice date: Wednesday May 1st, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Rain Practice date: Thursday May 2nd, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Soapbox date: Saturday May 4th, 6am-6pm
Rain Soapbox date: Saturday May 11th, 6am-6pm
Race Day
Registration closes 15 minutes before race times.
Race Start Times - 9am Lions, 10am Tigers, 11am, Wolves, 12pm Bears, 1pm Webelos 1, 2pm Webelos 2, 3pm Alumni
PREVIOUS ADVENTURES AND MEETINGS
March 6 & 7 Den Meetings
- Wheel Installation
o Bring your Pinewood Derby Cars to the den meetings next week.
o You’ll take a few minutes to hammer on the wheels using the nail axles.
o The Pack will collect them at the Den meeting to process them for the Pinewood Derby
March 9, Sat – Polar Cubs Adventure – 9am to 3pm
- Camp Mattatuck: 221 Mt Tobe Rd. Plymouth, CT 06782, USA
- Cost: $35/Scout $10/adult (Note: Unlike the Cub Scout Blizzard, siblings can’t participate in the Scout activities.)
- Info and Registration: https://scoutingevent.com/066-75629# (I’m told you can register up until the day of but please register before that, so we know who to expect and know to meet up with you.)
Calling all Polar Cubs for this exciting new adventure. Each month this winter we will be offering awesome activities for Cubs and friends!
Will run from 9am-3pm and lunch will be provided.
Indoor activities will be available to warm up but please dress for the weather.
For check in, please bring a Health Form parts A-B.
March 13 & 14 Den Meetings
March 16, Sat - Maple Syrup Festival - 10am to 3pm. - SOLD OUT 😢
- Camp J.N. Webster 231 Ashford Center Rd. Ashford, Connecticut 06278
- A Full Pancake Brunch will be Served! See how maple syrup is produced and enjoy the activities and displays.
- Cost: $12 per participant (Open to the Public)
- Info and Registration: https://scoutingevent.com/066-75386# (Registration closes 3/16.)
- https://scoutingevent.com/Download/066121280/OR/2024_Maple_Day_JNW.pdf
March 16, Sat: Hike - 1-3pm
AW Stanley Park, 2159 Stanley St, New Britain, CT 06053
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/connecticut/aw-stanley-park-loop
The trail is ~1.5 miles. It’s partly paved. There has been a lot of rain recently so many trails at various locations are muddy with slippery inclines, so playing it a bit safe on this one.
Time: 1pm
Please meet at the parking lot off of Stanley St. We’ll review safe Scouting and start off around 1:10pm.
Please make sure to bring water and good hiking boots as there will still be mud and possibly some downed trees to climb over.
6 Essentials are always good to bring: Water, Snack, Whistle, First Aid Kit, Flashlight, Sun/Weather protection
March 21, Thurs – Pack Meeting – First Responders and Military Service Members
- We’ll have a fire truck there, fire fighters, EMTs, the police, and military service members and veterans.
- These are heroes of community and country. We want to understand what they do, learn how they do it, and celebrate and thank them.
March 23, Sat – Pinewood Derby
- Important – Scouts will put wheels on their cars at their den meeting on March 6 or 7. All Cub Scouts are to ensure their race cars are turned into their Den Leaders at these meetings. Race cars will be stored in preparation for the race on the 23rd.
- Help Needed: Help needed during the races for side games to keep scouts engaged. Available parents, please email the Pack to setup and help.
- Race Start Times
o 09:00 AM, Division A Race: Lions and Tigers.
o 10:00 AM, Division B Race: Wolves, Bears, Webelos, AOL
o 11:00 AM, Pack Leader Race: Championship, top three racers from each Division.
- All Scout races end by 12 PM. Pizza lunch to be served starting at 12 PM during the Open Race.
- 12:00 PM, Open Race: For any person to compete in, adults included.
- 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, Girl Scout Races
March 30, Sat – Fishing Adventure 12 – 2pm
- Location: Dividend Pond 8 Old Forge Rd, Rocky Hill, CT 06067
- Scouts and family adventure to develop fishing skills.
- The Bear Den Scouts will be working on completing their A Bear Goes Fishing adventure requirement, part of which involves them fishing for an hour, so they will have priority with fishing poles.
- Important: Scouts do not need a fishing license, but anyone 16 or older who will be fishing will need a license: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing/General-Information/Fisheries-Licenses-and-Permits
- Help Needed: Please let us know ASAP if you are interested in going and if you have a fishing pole and equipment for yourself and any that others could borrow. This helps us know how much fishing equipment we should try to have available.
April 20, Saturday 9-11am (any amount of time is appreciated): :
Fundraiser help needed to sort and redeem bottles in Middletown. More hands will make quicker work.
Location: MT Bottle Return 373 E Main St, Middletown, CT 06457
There is a mountain of bottles and cans to sort through, so please let us know if you can make it.
April 20, Saturday - Campfire Event - 6pm - 8pm
Location: VFW in Rocky Hill 3272 Main St, Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Dinner cooked on a campfire, Stories, Skits, Dessert
Please let us know if you will be coming for dinner and dessert so we have enough supplies