Come join us for a fun evening in the outdoors and stay the night if you can at Brundage Park Preserve on Carrell Road here in Randolph. Activities include fishing, dinner, a campfire with smores and skits along with an optional overnight stay. Feel free to tell friends and prospective scouts.
Interested In Scouting - Race A Sailboat?
Want to see what Cub Scouts is all about? Come to our October 17th Pack Meeting and jump into our Raingutter Regatta. We’ll provide the boat, you just need to show up and be ready to have some fun. Email nick@carusofam.com for more details.
In Case You Missed It....
Saturday, September 17th at 3:00 PM - Annual Open House and Campout
Once again the event will be held at Brundage Park Preserve on Carrell Road here in Randolph. Come join us for a fun evening in the outdoors and stay the night if you can. Activities include fishing, dinner, a campfire with smores and skits along with an optional overnight stay. Feel free to tell friends and prospective scouts.
The Future of Scouting....
Our Scouting program will resume in the fall as we continue to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic. We are currently developing ideas to make the Scouting program available to interested boys, despite the hybrid schedule of Shongum School. If you are new to scouting and interested in joining our pack, please feel free to email me (nick@carusofam.com).
Cub Scout Pack 53 (Shongum) Open House
Date: Saturday, September 22
Location: Brundage Park Preserve on Carrell Road
Time: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join us at the Cub Scout Pack 53 Annual Open House - for scouts, families, and Shongum boys ages 5 – 10 interested in scouting. See what scouting is all about with fishing, field activities, and a camp fire with smores and skits. If you have any friends interested in scouting, please invite them and their families along as all boys are welcome. For more information, contact Cubmaster Nick Caruso (nick@carusofam.com) or visit our website – www.pack53rtnj.org.
Join the Fun! Join Cub Scouting!
Cub Scouting wants you! Now is the time to join the fun and excitement of America’s foremost youth program for boys—Cub Scouting.
Designed for boys, ages 5 to 10, Cub Scouting combines outdoor activities, sports, academics, and more in a fun and exciting program that helps families teach ideals such as honesty, good citizenship, and respect.
Some of our activities include:
Pinewood Derby Racing
Family Hikes
Overnight Campouts And Fishing
Police and Fire Department Visits
Community Cleanups
For more info, email Cubmaster Nick Caruso
Looking forward to Pinewood Derby and Blue & Gold Banquet 2018
Pinewood Derby 2018
Registration: March 2nd @ 7-8:30pm at Shongum APR/Cafe
Race Day: March 3rd at Shongum APR/Cafe
Doors/Snack Bar Opening: 5:30pm (please do not arrive prior to 5:30)
Race Start Time: 6:00pm
Awards Ceremony: Immediately Following Race & Score Tallying
Awards: Overall Pack & Every Den
- Best Looking
- Most Creative
- Speed - 1st Place
- Speed - 2nd Place
- Speed - 3rd Place
Blue & Gold Banquet 2018
Date: Sunday, April 15th
Time: 4:00 - 7:00pm (dinner & dessert)
Place: Shongum APR/Cafe
Registration & Cost: TBD
November Meeting
What a great meeting we had in November. Talking about what we are thankful for and being able to give to those less fortunate. Thank you all for participating in the card creation for our soldiers across the seas. I will be turning these into Patriots Path Council this week, so they can be sent.
Thank you also for making the families we chose for the "Adopt A Family" Program for holiday gifts. All of the gift tags were chosen, so we can make some families less fortunate than ourselves happy this holiday season. Remember to turn in your gifts with tags attached at our Pack meeting on December 11. Contact Meredith Curley for additional information, if you have any questions.
Just a few things to remember, come 2018, we will need to start thinking about replacing some of our Committee Members as we will be graduating with our Cub Scouts at the Blue Gold Dinner. We will also need someone to take the lead on running this event. You have many, many hands that take leads on decorating, food, etc., however we need someone to over see it, as Lisa Padewski's son is on of the Cubs who will be moving up to Boy Scouts.
Thank you all and enjoy your holiday season!
Keep on Scouting,
Christina Creighton, Cub Master
WELCOME BACK - Let's start with a Campfire Event 2017
We will be holding our first event of the year starting with a Pack 53 2nd Annual Campfire, Skits & S'mores Introductory Night. Come visit us if you want to join or just see what we are all about.
We will be meeting at Brundage Park Preserve at 3:00-5:00pm. We will start with Flag Ceremony, learn how to build a campfire (safely, the way Cub Scouts always do!). Each group will put on some fun (and funny, sometimes hilarious) skits and end the evening loading up on yummy s'mores! Bring a blanket or chair to sit around, enjoy a fun and friendly event.
Contact the Cub Master if you would like to join us:
Christina Creighton at cjgcreighton@yahoo.com
Welcome Back to School & Scouting - Pack 53
Dear Pack 53 Scouts & Families, Welcome Back to School and therefore, back to scouting! I am very excited to say that I will be your Pack 53 Cubmaster this year. I am looking forward to working with all of the terrific Den Leaders and Committee Members who make up our Pack, as well and your families and your sons! Deborah Krog, who has been an integral part of Pack 53, will remain an active member of our pack as our Committee Chairperson and in helping me get acclimated to my new role! So feel free to contact either of us via email with any questions. In the attached document, you will find pertinent information to get our 2016-2017 Scouting Season off with a booming start. Most importantly, please note our Campfire dinner, s'mores & skits on Saturday, September 24 and first Pack Meeting of the school year on Monday, September 26. We hope to see you at both activities. Look out for a "signupgenius.com" email coming from me for sign-up for the campfire evening. Thank you! Keep On Scouting! Christina CreightonCubmaster, Pack 53Phone: 973-296-7848 E-mail: cjgcreighton@yahoo.com
Shongum School Scavenger Hunt
Shongum School Scavenger Hunt - Thursday, September 1st - 5:00-6:30pm Drop by our Cub Scouts Table to learn more about Cub Scouts and get a prize!
* New * Lions Program for kindergarten boys. Its a fun introduction to Cub Scouts. With a few light meetings and lots of fun activities. Its perfect for Kindergarten boys! Its also a great way to meet other Cub families.Stop by our table to get on our mailing list!
There will be a introduction meeting for Lions on Monday, September 26th at 6:30 in the Shongum Cafeteria as well. For more information on Lions or any Cub Programs, please drop us a note anytime! Lisa Padewski at littlerubes@yahoo.com
Brundage Campout Sign Ups
Please be sure to drop off your form and payment to the Ellermeyers' home at 12 Elaine Court. Also, be sure to check SignupGenius to see how you can help!!
Blue and Gold Dinner this Saturday!!
We are looking forward to seeing The Pack members and their families at the Blue and Gold this Saturday at 5:00!! Don't forget the Guys Only Cake Contest!! It is sure to be a wonderful evening of Scouting with dinner, skits, awards and, of course, dessert!!
Deborah 973-895-2855
Upcoming Dates!
Hi Everyone,
Please mark the following dates on your calendars:
Monday, February 15 - Pack Committee Meeting @7:00 pm at the Krog's house - 15 Willow Drive. All adults are welcome to attend even if you are not on an official committee.
Monday, February 22 - Regular Pack meeting - 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 27-Snow Tubing-Contact Lee Emdur@ lemdur@yahoo.com-bring money to 2/22 meeting-$25 per person
Saturday, March 12 - Pinewood Derby - Weigh in starts at 1:30 - Racing will begin about 3:00. Concluding by 4:30-5:00
Saturday, March 19 - BALOO Training - 9:00 -4:30. Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation. We have 3 people trained currently, but would love to have more adults trained. We are unable to go camping unless we have a BALOO trained person attend the campout. The Pack pays for you to go and for the book. You also get your first camp out fee waived by the pack.
Sunday, March 20 Maple Syrup Demonstration and Pancake making. $3 per person at Mt. Allamuchy Scout reservation
Saturday, April 16 - Blue and Gold Dinner at Shongum School starting at 5:00 - Price TBD, more information will follow.
More info regarding the Pinewood Derby specifications will follow. We are using an outside vendor this year, so there are a few different rules. Please be sure to adhere to them. Also, we will need volunteers for the Pinewood Derby and the Blue and Gold Dinner as well as other events. Signupgenius.com emails will go out soon as well.
Please be sure to put these on your calendars.
New Tiger's Dream...
So great to see the Tigers are ready for Scouting!!!
Two upcoming events
We have two upcoming outings to share with you -- one is SNOW TUBING and the other is the BOWL-A-THON.
SNOW TUBING Pack 53 is going snow tubing at Shawnee Mountain! The date is Saturday, February 27th from 11am-1pm. The cost is $25 per person and it's open to the entire family! We will have a sign-up sheet at the next Pack Meeting on January 25th to see how many people are interested in going. We will look to get final counts and checks by February 19th. Check out the Shawnee website for more information.
BOWL-A-THONBowl-A-Thon - Sunday, February 7th. Start times are: 9:15, 11:30 and 1:45. We are going to try to get the 11:30 time slot, but it is most popular and goes quickly!!! The cost is $13 per person and siblings and parents are welcome to participate as well. Bowl-A-Thon Flyer Click on the flyer for more information.
For the Bowl-A-Thon, please email Lee Emdur by Tuesday, January 19th to sign up! And please bring your checks to the Pack Meeting on January 25th.
Pinewood Derby Date Change!
Please mark your calendar for March 12 as our date for the Pinewood Derby!!! Bring cars to Shongum's Cafeteria for weigh in starting at 1:30. Racing will begin at 3:00!! If you haven't received your car yet, they are located at 15 Willow Drive. Be sure to sign your name that you received your car. Siblings are welcome to participate in the family race. Cars for non-scouts are $4.
October Updates
Please let me know if you are interested in attending the Great Pumpkin Hunt!! We still have space. Sunday @2:30 $4 per person. RSVP to Deborah Krog via email.
Good Deeds for Good Food: Don't forget to reward your scout with a canned good for doing a good deed. I made a list for the boys to do when they are looking for something! Bring the cans they earn to the November meeting. The wolves will then take them to the Interfaith Food Pantry for people who need them for the holiday season.
Holiday Gift Giving: At the November meeting, Meredith Curley will have our Giving Tree for you to choose a star for someone in need. The star will have their wishes for the holidays. Last year we were able to help so many people!! We hope to have another successful season and make others' holidays special!
Don't forget!! If you have not turned in your dues, you can pay online.
Have a great weekend!!
What we do
Our Cub Pack currently consists of 42 scouts grades 1st through 4th. Six of our 5th grade scouts moved up to Boy Scouts this past April. The boys are divided by grades into dens. Starting in first grade and moving up are Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts. Depending on the number of boys in each grade, it is possible to have more than one den. Dens meet approximately one time per month for a meeting and occasionally for a “go see it” which is like a field trip. We also have one pack meeting per month. The pack meetings are generally the 3rd Monday depending on the school calendar.
What do we do at meetings?
We do a lot of things!!! At den meetings, scouts do a variety of things: learn about citizenship, flag skills, build models, recognize plants and trees, take care of the environment, and so much more! At pack meetings, we do monthly recognition for the scouts who have achieved new ranks and earned belt loops, perform skits and chants, play games, do crafts for veterans or seniors, run food drives and collect items for our soldiers overseas!
What other type of activities are there?
There are community clean-up days and other service projects, hiking, knot tying, nature days, singing for the seniors, skits and songs, fly fishing demonstrations, The Pinewood Derby, Raingutter Regatta, go to museums and sporting events, overnight campouts or campins and more!
What is your role as a parent?
Your primary role is to support your son by attending meetings, work with him at home, reinforce the messages and principles of scouting. Scouting is a volunteer led organization. Parents run pack & den meetings, popcorn sales, coordinate outings, help out with activities and administration (membership, treasurer, website, public relations, popcorn sales). Each den is led by a parent or parents. Volunteering is a great way to ensure your son and other boys have a great scouting experience!
What is the cost?
Last year’s dues were $80. That includes national registration, insurance coverage, a t-shirt for first year scouts, a pinewood derby car, a regatta boat, advancement badges and pins and miscellaneous items throughout the year. Selling popcorn is our main fundraiser and any money we receive from popcorn sales offsets some pack costs. We will try to keep the fees close to last year. Selling popcorn helps offset your dues!
When do I sign up?
You can sign up today! Just fill out the scouting application for your son, pay your fees. Your son will be able to participate in our summer activites: hike in July and minor league baseball game on August 20 – Scouts in uniform will be able to go on the field for the opening ceremony. You are welcome to come even if you do not sign up, but only scouts in Class A uniforms are allowed on the field. If you are uncertain about joining, our first pack meeting of the year will be announced in the fall. It usually takes place the end of September. A flyer will come home via school handouts. Also, be sure we have your contact information, and we will include you on the email list.
Questions?
Contact one of the Cubmaster: Deborah Krog at debkrog@gmail.com (973)895-2855 or Membership Chairs Meredith Curley at curleycrew@verizon.net 973-607-1403 or Crystal Gumann at cgsurface@optonline.net for more information.
Upcoming Meetings
Here is a list of our upcoming meetings and events:
Saturday, May 30-Sunday, May 31 - Brundage Preserve Campout. Please refer to the calendar for additional information and sign up forms.
Sunday, May 31 - 7:00 p.m - Committee Meeting - everyone is welcome!! If you would like to become more involved with scouts, help at pack meetings, den meetings or any other events or tasks or just want to have a say, please come. The meeting will be about 1 1/4 hours long. I know it is an odd date, but it was the first that worked for most. Hope you can make it.15 Willow Drive.
Monday, June 8 - Rain Gutter Regatta and Last Pack Meeting of the Year. I have been informed this is a conflict with baseball All Star tryouts, but we don't really have another day that works. I would like enrolled scouts to be there for a 7:00 start. The meeting says 6:45 but that is so new/prospective scouts can come at that time, ask questions, get handouts, etc. This may be held outside, but not sure. We will have a flag ceremony, advancement and the regatta. The boats are on my porch if you need one.
We are looking into a minor league baseball game and will keep you posted. Also, if you are interested in the Liberty Science Camp In on Saturday, October 3- October 4, please let me know. Click here for more information.