By Michael Erpelding
The pack had a successful school night for scouting membership drive, adding seven new cub scouts. In October we had one more family join scouting adding one more cub scout.
Scout meetings
To better serve the needs of scouting families, the meeting format was changed this year. To help avoid sports conflicts pack meetings were moved to Mondays. To help get younger cub scouts to bed earlier, den meetings are now on the secound Monday of the month from 6-7:30 p.m. at the latest; while the whole pack meeting is on the third Monday of the month also from 6-7:30 p.m. These meetings are held at Kimball Elementary except when scheduling conflicts arise. To eliminate the boring business part of the meeting; there is now a separate pack leadership/ parent meeting to plan activities on the third Sunday of the month at the Kimball Rod and Gun Club from 6-7 p.m.
The pack, with the help of the troop, helped bus tables at the Kimball Lions Fish Fry on Friday, Oct. 5.
Highway 55 clean-up and first time trap experience as a young troop
Saturday, Sept. 22, the troop picked up trash along Minn. Highway 55 for the Adopt A Highway program. After finishing the cleanup, the troop headed to the Kimball Rod and Gun Club to shoot trap for our first time as a young troop. With a break to cook supper, each scout managed to shoot two complete lines of trap (50 clays total). We wrapped up the evening with a campfire before camping for the night. The troop prepared breakfast in the morning before going home.
The District Fall Trap Event
“Thank you” to everyone who volunteered to help staff the event, Kimball Rod and Gun Club for letting us host this event here in Kimball, the four families that participated, and Generations Ballroom for catering the event. “Thank you” to the generous donors to the silent auction. Because of the silent auction this event only lost $58.47. An enjoyable time was had by all. The Staff and guests totaled 14 people.
Beading ceremony
Sunday Oct. 21, three members of my Wood Badge Bear Patrol family and our course director Tom O’Mara joined me with the pack and the troop at the Kimball Rod and Gun Club for a court of honor for the scouts and my beading ceremony. To save time and simplify our Pack and Troop family’s schedules (several are in both or have a son that’s a Webelo this year) it was decided to combine the two awards ceremonies with the beading ceremony. This would also give both the pack and troop the opportunity to learn about Wood Badge. Cub scouts were presented with belt loops or adventure pins they earned. Boy scouts were presented with merit badges they earned at many points this summer. Mitchell Just was officially appointed Senior Patrol Leader of the troop.
Northern Sea Life Aquarium bring a friend recruitment event
Saturday, Sept. 29, both the pack and troop participated in Northern Sea Life Aquarium bring a friend recruitment event. This was a free event paid for by the council’s Innovation Fund. A total of 35 scouts, new recruits, and family members attended this event. Special “thank you” to Hendricks Bus Service, Tammy Konz, Kimball Community Ed, and bus driver David Waltzing for making it possible to take a bus to this event at the Mall of America. Kimball was one of the groups with the largest number of people that participated in this once in a lifetime event.
Tour of Kimball Fire Department
Tuesday, Nov. 20, the pack toured the Kimball Fire Department. Rose Borman and Luke Truenow showed the scouts all the equipment and gear and explained what everything was used for. Rose and Luke also talked the scouts through several different fire and home safety and first aid scenarios. Everyone had a wonderful time. The pack presented the Kimball Fire Department with some Hometown Heroes popcorn donations. Matt Serbus was kind enough to volunteer to deliver some Hometown Heroes popcorn to the Kimball Police Department.
“Thank you” to everyone who supported the pack popcorn sale fundraiser. Profits from this fundraiser will be sending the cub scouts to Polar Cubs Winter Day Camp in February and a weekend camp out at Camp Stearns over the weekend of May 4.
Upcoming events
“The Bear” third grade den will be hosting the Pack Carnival 6 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 10, in the Experience Room at Kimball Elementary.
The troop will be attending a special Scout Night presentation of the “A Minnesota Nutcracker” in Burnsville, Minn. Saturday, Dec. 8.
The troop is currently selling Christmas trees at Gohmann’s Foods. Scouts will be selling trees 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, Dec. 16. Trees can also be purchased during the week by paying inside at Gohmann’s.
Attention: Knights of Columbus has free walkers, canes, and wheelchairs. Thanks to the generosity of Sterling Park Nursing Home in Waite Park; St Damien council received 14 used wheel chairs, four wheeled walker/chairs, one traditional walker, and several canes to be donated to members of our community free of charge.
Please contact Nick Brandt at (320) 398-7791 if you would like to receive any of these.