Category Archives: Activities

Pack 197 – Summer Camp Options

Category : Activities , Camping , Featured , News

Hi Cub Scout Parents,

As summer approaches, I wanted to let you know about the two summer camp options available to your Scouts: Day Camp and Resident Camp.


☀️ DAY CAMP

Open to all Cub Scouts, Day Camp is a great way for Scouts to experience the fun of camp without having to spend the night away from home. Your Scout will participate in a variety of activities like archery, BB-guns, field sports, nature, arts and crafts. Day Camp will be held from July 10-14 at Camp Lazarus.

Learn more: https://scoutingevent.com/441-2023_Polaris_DayCamp_Lazarus
Cost: $100 per youth (until March 31), $15 per adult

Important Info & Registration:

1. We ask that every parent who sends a Scout to day camp volunteer for at least one day. You will be able to register yourself and choose your availability during the online registration process.
2. Scouts entering 1st grade (current Lion Scouts) MUST have a trusted adult in attendance with them at camp at all times.
3. When registering, be sure to select your Scout’s next year rank. (i.e. if they are currently a Tiger, choose Wolf)
4. After completing the registration form (https://scoutingevent.com/441-64814-163375), please forward your confirmation email to me (jhohman@gmail.com). I will keep an updated roster of who is attending camp from our Pack.



🏕 RESIDENT CAMP

Resident Camp is open to current Bear and Webelos Scouts. Resident Camp is a 3-night, 4-day camping experience where Scouts will participate in a variety of outdoor activities, such as fishing, creeking, campfires, and tons more! Resident Camp will be held from July 30 – August 2 at Cub World Adventure Camp (part of Camp Friedlander, located near Cincinnati).

Learn more: https://danbeard.org/webelos-camp/

Cost: $285 per youth, $100 per adult (until April 30)

Important Info & Registration:

1. We prefer that each Scout has a parent or guardian present, however, adult attendance is not required. (Adults must complete the online Youth Protection Training prior to arrival at camp.)
2. When completing your online registration (https://mycouncil.danbeard.org/Event/12860), choose the option to register as an individual. When asked for your Home Unit, select “Simon Kenton Council” and enter unit number 3197. When asked for your Sleeping Accommodation, choose “No Preference” to camp with our group.
3. After completing the registration form, please forward your confirmation email to me (jhohman@gmail.com). I will keep an updated roster of who is going.
4. Resident camp requires parts A, B, and C of the BSA Medical Forms for each participant (including adults), which does require a pre-camp physical exam.



Both Day Camp and Resident Camp offer opportunities for Scouts to develop new skills, make new friends, and create lasting memories. They’re also a great opportunity to get a head start on earning next year’s rank badge! We encourage you to consider both options and discuss with your Scout which camp experience(s) would be the best fit for them.

If you have any questions regarding either camp option, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Yours in Scouting,
Joe Hohman
Cubmaster
Pack 197

2023 – Pinewood Derby FLOW

Car Building Clinic -–

January 21, 2023:  9am – 12pm Dircksen Basement

Come have your car designed and cut by experts near the field! Chat about race strategies and tactics, all needed to ensure a amazing time for the Scouts!

Don’t forget to bring your car kits!

(300 E College Ave, Westerville, OH 43081)

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B45A9AE2CABF58-pinewood

What an amazing turnout, and success! Thanks to all the leaders!


— Pre-Race & Race Day –-

(pre-race) February 3th, 2023

Car Check-In/Registration – February 3th, 2023: 5pm – 7pm

To avoid long lines on race day, we will be checking in cars early – on Friday Febrary 3rd between 5pm – 7pm at Heritage.

(Race Day) February 4th, 2023

RACE DAY FOOD: PreOrder here!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxnsBe-mxhFIgOmMXUNWupPvwiJaLg5Acu7gU_Rl8hhYnrHg/viewform

When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm

  • Outlaw race and design voting 10am – 11:30am

Where: Room 230 at the Heritage Christian church

Car Registration number will be used during anonymous voting for the best design and computer tracking for race results. Car must display registration number on the front.

We need your help!
Please help us make this year’s Pinewood Derby a success!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B45A9AE2CABF58-202223

Race Rules
Please note that the axles, wheels, and car body must be made from the standard BSA kit provided to scouts. Also, your car must weigh 5.0 ounces or less. See the pack website for the full list of rules.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. See you Saturday!

Yours in Scouting,
Joe Hohman & The 2023 PWD Team



(8/30/22) is LAUNCH DAY! WELCOME BACK!

Hi Pack 197,

2019 prior Launch Day

Next Tuesday (8/30) is LAUNCH DAY – and I hope you’re ready to BLAST into the Scouting year! Please join us outside at Heritage (in the East parking lot area) from 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM. We’ll plan to start promptly at 6:30 PM, so please be sure to arrive a little early so you don’t miss out on any of the fun!

While the Scouts are building their rockets, I’m planning to hold a brief parent meeting where Jacob Dircksen (our new Committee Chair) and I will talk through some details for the year.

SUPPLIES & SET-UP HELPERS

We need some supplies to complete our rocket builds (duct tape, craft supplies, etc.) as well as some people to help set-up at 6:00 PM. Please sign-up here if you’re able to help.

PLEASE BRING

• An empty 2-Liter soda bottle for each Scout in your family.
• Folding Chairs
• Drinking Water
• Field Uniform (Class A)

RAINGUTTER REGATTA

Please save the date for the Raingutter Regatta on September 17th (2-5 PM)! If you’d like to purchase a sailboat kit online, you can pick it up at the pack meeting.

Please let me know if you have any questions. I’m looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday!

Yours in Scouting,
Joe Hohman
Cubmaster
Pack 197


Blue and Gold Celebration

Category : News , Pack Activities

When: May 15th 5:30-8pm

Where: Westerville Community Center – Maple Rooms

Details

This is our Blue & Gold Celebration to recognize our Scouts for completing their rank awards and other accomplishments during the 2021-22 Scout year!

We are hosting the event in the Maple Room at the Westerville Community Center. Tickets will be available for purchase to bring the whole family, including extended family. Dinner is being catered by City Barbeque and there will be entertainment by Juggler, Matt Jergens. It’s going to be spectacular!


Fees (pay here)

adults: $13

youth (5-12): $9 pp

toddlers (2-4): $3 pp 


2022 – Cold Toes campout – SUCCESS

Tags :

Category : Activities , Camping , News

When: April 9th, 2:00pm – April 10th, 10:00am

Where: Camp Otter Run – 7647 Co Rd 144, East Liberty, OH 43319

To help offset the cost of this event, fee is $10 per camper by 4/4/2022.

If you have a popcorn discount code for your Scout, you can enter it in the coupon code box. Pay online here. (Registration is closed – contact cubmaster@westervillepack197.org if you need assistance)


DETAILS

The Pack 197 annual Cold Toes campout will be here before you know it! Please email Sarah O’Bryan or your Den Leader if you have questions.

Note: The event agenda is subject to change.

Saturday
2:00-3:00 Campers and families arrive and set up camp
3:00-3:15 Flag ceremony
3:15-4:15 Conservation project/tree planting
4:15-5:30 Den Activities/Skit planning
5:30-7:00 Dinner/Free time for scouts
7:00-8:00 Campfire/Skits/Songs
8:00-10:00 Cracker-barrel
10:00 lights out

Sunday
7:30-10:00 Breakfast and teardown
9:00am – Optional non-denominational service

Your Den Leaders may have activities planned in order to help all of our Scouts reach their goal of completing rank by Blue and Gold.


Please make sure the Pack has a copy of the BSA medical forms, both parts A & B. Both adults and Scouts need to have these forms to attend camp. 

Recommended Gear
Medications
Toothbrush, toothpaste
Flashlight with extra batteries
Lightweight hiking boots or hiking shoes
Tall hiking socks
Pack hat

Lip balm
Sunscreen
Folding chair
Reusable plate, silverware and cup (mess kit)
Shovel, if you have one
Gardening gloves, optional

Layers of clothes for weather
Rain jacket or sturdy poncho
Warm jacket or vest
Long pants
Long-sleeve shirt
Scout t-shirt for hot weather
Thermal underwear

Sleeping
Soft cap (hoodie might be OK)
Sleeping bag, rated 20 degrees colder than lowest forecasted temperature
Sleeping pad or an air mattress, with battery pump
Water bottle
Day pack/small backpack (for scouts going on a hike)
Tent
Rain fly for tent (unless it’s built-in)
Full set of tent stakes
Tarp or tent footprint
Battery pump instead of AC powered.

Optional
Gloves
Hiking stick
Pocket knife (scouts must have Whittling Chip with them and follow its rules).

Note:
Scouts should not bring or play on any portable video games or other electronic devices.
Otter Run parking lot is small and we will need to park cars in such a way that some will not be able to move until everyone leaves. Please contact Sarah if you need to leave early before the event.


July 2022 – Day Camp (early bird price ends Mar 31)

Tags :

Category : Activities , Camping , News

Hello Pack 197!
Registration is open for Cub Scout Day Camp. The early bird deadline to save an extra $20 per Scout ends on March 31, and must be paid in full by that date.

We are in Polaris District which is the week of July 11-15.

Here is a link to sign up: https://scoutingevent.com/441-2022_Polaris_DC

Day Camp is run with volunteers. Please take a look at your schedule and consider registering yourself as an “adult participant.” We can work out a schedule among the dens to share adult supervision for the kids – at least 2 adult leaders per den each day. If you are registering an incoming Tiger/1st, you must have an adult with your Scout every day.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Yours in Scouting,
Sarah O’Bryan
Cubmaster


2022 – Pinewood Derby FLOW

Race Day Schedule 

Saturday February 5th

***IMPORTANT: Car Check-In/Registration Is Now ON SATURDAY***
Due to the high likelihood of bad weather tomorrow, we are proactively moving the race check-in to Saturday morning at 10:00 AM. We’d recommend arriving as close to 10 AM as possible to make sure we have enough time to get everyone registered.

Race Day Volunteers Needed!
We still have some volunteer positions open for race day. Please take a moment to see what’s available and sign-up to help!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4cada72da1fa7-20221

Race Day Schedule
10:00 AM – Car Registration
11:00 AM – Design Voting, Concessions Open
12:00 PM – Racing Begins
2:00 PM – Awards & Clean-Up

Live Streaming
We plan to stream the race on Zoom for any family members who can’t attend in person. You can share the link and passcode below to give others access the live stream:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j…F1Z05VUT09
Meeting ID: 871 5467 3317
Passcode: pack197

Race Rules
Please note that the axles, wheels, and car body must be made from the standard BSA kit provided to scouts. Also, your car must weigh 5.0 ounces or less. See the pack website for the full list of rules.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. See you Saturday!

Yours in Scouting,
Joe Hohman & The 2022 PWD Team


Family Hike this Saturday 9/18 @10am! == SUCCESS!

Category : Activities , News

Hello Pack 197 Families!

It’s here! Our first family hike of the new Scouting year!

WHERE: Gertrude Lawrence Woods Nature Preserve

4856 Red Bank Rd, Galena, OH 43021

WHEN: Saturday Sept 18th @ 10:00 am

Once a month, we have a hike (or other fun activity) to allow your whole family to enjoy Scouting together. It’s meant to be a casual and fun social opportunity for our community to get to know each other better.
This month we have a gem that’s “hidden in plain sight!” It’s not far from our immediate area, but isn’t well known. It’s a beautiful trail that’s not as well traveled as some of our Metro Parks.
Our plan is to hike about 1.2 miles.

Some things to keep in mind for Saturday:
1) We do have to cross Red Bank Rd to access the preserve. Park at the Twin Bridges boat ramp and escort your Scouts to the entrance.
2) This trail definitely has some rocks and some areas with water nearby. Be sure to wear shoes that you are comfortable with getting a little wet or dirty.
3) Pants or long socks are recommended if you are sensitive to poison ivy. It’s not necessarily on the trail currently, but it is nearby in some areas.


Pack 197 Fall Campout 10/2 weekend = AMAZING!!!

Category : Activities , Camping , News

Pack 197 Fall Campout Details

Who is invited?
The fall campout is for Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts and their families. Lion Cub Scouts may attend if they are siblings.

When is the camp out?
Saturday, Oct. 2 at 2:00 p.m.
through
Sunday, Oct. 3 at 10:00 a.m.

*Optional (Webelos/AoLs only): Friday, Oct. 1 at 6:00 p.m. for an additional fee

What is the cost?
$10 per person for Sat-Sun
Includes: Saturday Dinner, Evening S’mores, Sunday Breakfast & Camp Fees

$15 per person for Fri-Sun (Webelos/AoL only)
Includes: Friday Cracker Barrel, Saturday Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Evening S’mores, Sunday Breakfast & Camp Fees

*Please let Sarah O’Bryan know of any allergies or health concerns.

Pay & Register online:
Saturday-Sunday
Friday-Sunday
Reservation closes EOD Monday, Sept. 27.

Where are we camping?
Camp Falling Rock
12637 Houdeshell Dr.
St. Louisville, Ohio 43071
Click Here for Directions

What do we bring?
1. BSA Health Form A/B for ALL Participants (Scouts, Parent/Guardians, Siblings) is REQUIRED. I will have some copies available at the Den meeting on Monday at Heritage if you do not have access to a printer and we do not have one on file.

2. Camping Gear – For more details on what to pack, please visit the pack website here.

Our Arrow of Light Scouts will be sharing some camping tips and demonstrations at our Pack meeting on Monday, Sept. 27. For questions, please reply to this email or reach out to Sarah O’Bryan at 913.226.8596. I hope you can join us for this fun event!

Yours in Scouting,
Sarah O’Bryan
Cubmaster, Pack 197