Cubs/Webelos:

  • Tonight it was decided that the “youth protection” video will not be viewed by the boys. However, please go over “How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse” found in the front of your child’s handbook.
  • Next week will mark the start of the “new year” for the boys- new leaders, new ranks. Please have your son dressed in uniform and ready with handbook.

Boy Scouts: We have a couple of needs to bring to your attention:

  • a few boys would like to advance in rank by completing their last requirement with a camp out this Friday, July 31. We need 1 male (dad) to help. Tonight the boys planned the camp out, and some are anxious to pass this requirement.  If you think you can help please email James Carpenter ( james.carpenter@yahoo.com) asap.
  • please rsvp if your scout can come Friday to the camp out. Email James james.carpenter@yahoo.com . We are meeting at the church at 6pm on 7/31/09. The boys will be camping out on the church grounds.
  • We also have a need for a male scoutmaster assistant. Please contact James if you would be willing to serve in this important role.
  • We have planned the following tentatively: board review 8/4/09, and Honor Court 8/11/09.



Cubs/Weblos:

  • the “new year” will start 8/4/09. Please have your son in appropriate uniform: shirt, pack #131patch, council patch, scouting emblem, neckerchief, neckerchief slide, hat, belt and book. If your son a 1st grader then he will be in the “Tiger cubs”, 3rd graders: “Bear cubs”, 4th/5th - “Weblos”. The BSA store is located at 1331 E 5th St 903-597-7201.
  • John Daniel would like to invite all parents to a preview of a video concerning youth protection. He will show this next Tuesday, 7/28/09.
  • The boys will get their badges on Honor Court, tentatively planned for 8/11/09.

Boy Scouts:

We have planned the following tentatively: campout (details to follow) 7/31/09, board review 8/4/09, and Honor Court 8/11/09.



All: The Court of Honor date needed to be changed to August 11. Please mark your calendars to attend this special event.

Boy Scouts: There will be a tentative camp out at the Greenwells, July 17-18th. This camp out will be vital to those who need to pass some rank requirements. Ask Don if your scout is one of them.

Cubs: Will also be awarded on the Court of Honor, August 11th.

Looking ahead:

  • Boy Scout Fall Merit Badge workshop will be Sept. 18-20 at Camp Tyler.
  • Cubs will have “mom and me” camp out Oct. 3-4
  • Popcorn sales will begin Oct. 17 with a “Blitz Day”… details to follow.



Dear Cub Scout Parents,

Thank you all for attending the organizational meeting that took place on June 30.  Scoutmaster Don Smith discussed the genesis of Troop 131 in March of 1999 and the changes and challenges that have been experienced throughout the years.  He also discussed his vision for the future which was partially realized last year with the creation of Cub Scout Pack 131.  Clint Staples told us that when the pack was started last year, he was expecting to have two or three boys attending.  It is obvious from the growth that the pack experienced last year that there is a want and a need for a Cub Scout Pack where spiritual character development is the primary objective.

Our pack’s future looks bright going into the future:

  • We will have two new Tiger Cubs starting.
  • We will have a number of Bear Cubs.
  • We will also have three boys who will begin working on their Webelo rank.

The pack’s leadership will be changing this year.  Clint Staples, who served previously as our Den Leader, will be working with the Boy Scouts, and Matt Broadfield, who served as Cubmaster, has decided not to renew his commitment.  Daniel Carroll has volunteered to serve as Webelo Den Leader.  The other positions remain currently unfilled, however I would like to nominate the following dads to serve in the following roles:

  • Bears Den Leader–Todd Buchanan
  • Bears Assistant Den Leader–Kevin Young
  • Cubmaster–John Daniel
  • Committee Members–Matt Broadfield, and Kirk Beason
For a detailed description of pack organization and descriptions of these positions, click here.  All dads (and moms) who are going to serve and who would like to serve need to begin training which is available online by visiting www.scouting.org and clicking on the “My Scouting” tab.  After creating an account, click on the “Training” tab, and you may begin taking the courses.  We all need to take the Basic Training courses listed in the “General Training” section.  The position specific training is available in the Cub Scout section of the page.
We also discussed several outings and field trips that would be beneficial for our scouts, as well as the family campout(s).
We are currently exploring the possibility of tracking our Cubs’ advancement using an online tool available from www.scouting.org, which will make it much easier to keep track of their progress.
We will recognize our boys’ achievements over the past year on July 21st at the Honor Court.  If your Cub has earned additional belt loops, arrow points, or other awards, please let Clint Staples or myself know.
I look forward to working alongside each of you, and the continued opportunity to teach the finest young men I have ever met.  If you have any questions, comments, observations, or problems please let me know.  I may be reached at home 903-581-1665, or by cell 903-283-7742, or by email.
God bless you all,
John Daniel
P.S.  Please remember to fill out the Family Talent Survey and return it to me as soon as possible.