2003 News

  June 2003

Summer Day Camp

The Summer Day Camp was held at Lewis Elementary School again this year.  Akela Jay and our Pack were responsible for running the camp.  The theme this year was magic.  The morning activities included archery and bb-gun marksmanship which everyone enjoyed.  We had a lot of rain in the afternoons, but fortunately the afternoon activities were held indoors.  These activities included art and craft activities, rain gutter regatta boat racing and learning magic tricks.  Akela Jay and his staff did another excellent job and everyone had a great time at camp.  Click here to view pictures of our Summer Camp.

  July 2003

4th of July Parade

The Pack participated in the Temple Terrace 4th of July Parade.  The weather was pleasant and everyone enjoyed throwing beads to the eager crowd.  There was a large crowd and the parade was well received.  Click here to view pictures of the parade.

  September 2003

September Pack Meeting

The September 15th Pack meeting was a fun-filled meeting.  Akela Jay announced that our Pack had once again earned the Quality Unit Award for 2003.  The Quality Unit ribbon was attached to our Pack flag and patches will be provided to each scout.  Akela Jay also presented Webelos Scout Devin Stallings with the honor of caring for the Webelos staff.  He will take care of the staff and bring it to all scouting activities during the next month.  Finally, Devin will add a new feather to the staff before returning it.  The pack played the animal noise/birthday game with the parents as an ice breaker.  The scouts also played a relay game involving dressing and undressing in adult clothing.  Click here to view pictures of our September Pack meeting.

  October 2003

October Pack Meeting

The October 15th Pack meeting was a busy meeting with many awards being presented.  Akela Jay distributed the Quality Unit award patch for 2003 to each scout.  Tiger Cubs received their achievement beads and totems.  Several scouts received the recruiter patch for recruiting a new scout to the Pack.  Dana Keller and Kevin Spring received their Light of Christ religious award medal.  Bear Den members demonstrated how to fold the American flag.  Two scouts were recognized for their athletic achievements.  The Pack also celebrated the birthdays for Steven Van Meter and Akela Jay with cakes.  The highlight of the evening was a carved pumpkin contest and the mummy wrap game.  Everyone had a fun time and the scouts did a great job on their pumpkins.  Click here to view pictures of our October Pack meeting.

If you need help determining where a patch goes on the Cub Scout uniform check out the Virtual Cub Scout Manual for everything you'll ever need to know, plus some.

The Haunted Woods

On October 24th the Pack went to the Hillsborough River State Park to brave the Haunted Woods.  Many scouts made it through the woods with their eyes open, but many didn't.  It was really scary but no one was caught by the chain saw ghoul.  Fortunately, it was too dark to take any pictures of scared scouts.

  November 2003

Gulf Ridge Council Camporee

Although we didn't camp out, several scouts went to the Council Camporee for the day on Saturday November 15.  The event was held at the Sun 'N Fun in Lakeland.  There were several interesting activities in addition to the museum with airplanes and exhibits.  We also saw a motor cycle, which looked like an airplane, refueling at a gas station.  Check it out!  Click here to view pictures of the Council Camporee.

November Pack Meeting

The highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the Bobcat badge to the new scouts.  The following Cub Scouts received their Bobcat badge.

Click here to view the pictures of the award ceremony.

• The Tiger Cubs received achievement beads for their efforts.

• Webelos scouts made posters designed to discourage drug and cigarette use.

If you need help determining where a patch goes on the Cub Scout uniform, check out the Virtual Cub Scout Manual for everything you'll ever need to know, plus some.

The pack did an enthusiastic rendition of the our version of Singing in the Rain with special effects.  The special activity for the night was our famous turkey bowl.  Everyone had a fun time knocking down the pins with the frozen turkeys which were then raffled off to end the meeting.  Click here to view the pictures of the Turkey Bowl.

  December 2003

Hillsborough River State Park Campout

The first over-night campout was held at Hillsborough River State Park the first week-end in December.  The weather was cool again this year with the first cold front of the season, but things warmed up nicely on Saturday in time for the Founders Day Derby.  The race involved running or walking the length of the park's 2.4 mile loop.  Prizes and food were provided for nearly everyone.  Pack 182 had many winners.  There were also some really cool antique cars on display.  The remainder of the day was spent on a hike and preparing for the evening camp fire which was an event to remember.  We sang songs and played games around a fire that kept us all warm, thanks to Akela Darren.  Click here to view the pictures of our campout.

December Pack Meeting

The December 17th Pack meeting was a very festive and exciting meeting.  Before Santa arrived a number of awards were presented.  Akela Mike Manka was recognized for receiving the Tacachale District Cub Scouter of the Year award for all his work with Pack 182 and the Tacachale District.  He is our Charter Representative and a member of the Pack Committee.  He also serves as the Tiger Cub Den Leader.  Akela Mike Van Meter received his Webelos Den Leader knot.  He also serves on the Pack committee.  The Tiger Cubs then received their achievement beads for the past month from Akela Mike Manka and various Webelos received their achievement pins for Athlete, Scientist and Fitness from Akela Mike Van Meter.  Click here to view these pictures.

The highlight of the meeting was the appearance of none other than Santa Claus.  He distributed Pinewood Derby Car kits to all the scouts present and other gifts to siblings.  Click here to view these pictures.

After Santa left the scouts then proceeded to have a contest to see who could make the best Santa out of their favorite parent using shaving cream.  The results were spectacular with many bearded Santas.  All the scouts had a fun time decorating their Santa with copious amounts of shaving cream.  Click here to view these pictures.

Christmas Caroling

On December 22nd several scouts and their parents and siblings gathered at Akela Jay's home to sing Christmas carols to his elderly neighbor who has ALS.  She was very appreciative of our singing and it really lifted her spirits.  Hot chocolate and cookies were served after the singing was completed.

2004 News

  January 2004

January Pack Meeting

The January 21st Pack meeting was a very informative and exciting meeting.  We had an excellent presentation on self-defense from a local Tai Kwon Do school.  The Tiger Cubs then received their achievement beads for the past month from Akela Mike Manka and various Webelos received their achievement pins for Athlete, Scientist and Fitness from Akela Mike Van Meter.  Click here to view pictures from the meeting.

  February 2004

Starkey Park Campout

The Pack held its first campout of the new year.  We went to J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park near New Port Richey.  The weather threatened rain, but we managed to take a hike and collect some leaves before it started to rain.  Unfortunately, it didn't let up until later that evening.  The camp fire was a washout, but we stayed dry in our cabins until morning.  Hopefully, next year we'll have better luck with the weather.  Click here to view pictures from the campout.

Pinewood Derby

The Pack Pinewood Derby was held on February 20th at the Parish Center.  There was a rousing crowd and a lot of fast race cars.  The fastest three cars in each category and all the show winners were eligible to participate in the District Pinewood Derby. Click here to view pictures of the Pinewood Derby.

  March 2004

March Pack Meeting

The Pack meeting was held on St. Patrick's Day March 17 at the Parish Center.  Devin Stallings received his Arrow of Light award in a moving ceremony.  He will be crossing over to become a Boy Scout shortly.  We wish Devin well and will miss him.  The Tiger Cubs received numerous beads for their efforts over the past two months.  We played some games with dubious Irish connections.  Everyone had a lot of fun.  Click here to view pictures from the pack meeting.

Click here to view the pictures of the award ceremony.

  April 2004

Crystal River Campout

The Pack held its second campout of the new year.  We went to the Chassahowitzka County Park near Homosassa Springs in Citrus County.  Three families camped out and a fourth joined them for the activities on Saturday.  The weather was pleasant during the week-end.  We visited an active archeological site at the Crystal River State Park in Crystal River in the morning.  We had lunch in Crystal River and then headed for the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Refuge.  The wildlife refuge was really neat with a lot of different animals including manatees, a Florida panther, a hippopotamus and various birds found in Florida.  We had a nice camp fire where we roasted marshmallows and made smores.  The camp ground was crowded with a large Boy Scout troop next to us with their canoes.  Next time we go there we are definitely going fishing.  Click here to view pictures from the campout.