Summer Camp is the coolest thing Pack 631 does -- our Photo Site has lots of Photos from Past Summer Camps.  This year's program will have one Webelos Week (Monday, June 25 - Saturday, June 30) where only current Webelos I and Bear Scouts (who become Webelos at the end of the School year) can attend -- and Guthrie (Gus) Buehler, currently a Webelos I Scout, is interested in attending during that June 25-30 session -- and then five sessions where everyone in the Pack can attend (current Tigers through Webelos I Scouts): Session #1 is July 1-4, #2 is July 8-11, #3 is July 11-14, #4 is July 15-18, and #5 is July 18-21.  See the Cub Scout Resident Camp Pages on the Atlana Area Council Website for more details.  If you want to go, add a comment below, and note which Session you'd like to attend (or could attend): Webelos Week (June 25 - 30) or sign up for the Webelos Week Monday, June 25 - Saturday, June 30 (click "attending"), or Cub/Webelos Session #1 through #5.  If you can organize, add a note below too or contact Cubmaster Shawn Smith or the Pack Trainer for tips.  Feel free also to email veterans from last year at webelos_camp@atlanta631.mypack.us, who can tell you about how they liked the program.

Pack 631 has reserved the Group Camp at Indian Springs State Park, just down I-75, near Jackson for April 27-29.  See the Group Camp pictures in this Photo Gallery.  Here is the State Park Map (we're at Group Camp McIntosh).  This is a great venue with lots of opportunities for activities.  Sign up now!

The Atlanta Area Council has announced a new fundraising program for units called Camp Cards, intended to help Scouts pay for Summer Camp opportunities like Summer Cub Adventure Camp (click here for the sharp new flyer), and other camping opportunites (click on that link, because you'll find out about a LOT of new camping options, like the 2013 Council Encampment for ALL units, a LOT of new Cub Scout Adventures, including one night "Fun with Son" June 23-24.  Camp Cards are simple "discount cards" for various retailers in Atlanta, sold for $5.  Discounts include Publix ($5 off $50 purchase -- one-time use), Waffle House (free beverage with meal purchase -- multiple use!), Sports Authority ($10 off $50 purchase -- multiple use!), Meineke (10% off automotive services and 5% off tires and batteries), White Water Express ($10 off an activity or buy one get one free activity!).  Each card is worth many times the $5 they sell for:  one Publix trip covers the cost, and more year-round discounts offered on the back make the sale of this card "the biggest no-brainer in the history of earth”.  Units get 50% commission.  So, Unlike Popcorn, no issue about "extra inventory": You simply return any unsold cards by May 17, 2012 along with payment for all sold cards.  See the Camp Card web page for more details.  From John Smith:

Pinewood Derby Daze approach, with Set Up and Initial Pack Derbies on Friday, February 24, and the remaining Pack Derbies, plus a full District Derby, on Saturday, February 25.   Details are evolving in the District Pinewood Derby Page (which has the current draft plan, the updated 2012 version of the rules, and descriptions of the jobs that make this a super fun but mad crazy day), but they are essentially similar to last year (see the photos here), only better, and with different people stepping in to help.  Please sign up to participate, and to help, in the Saturday, February 25 calendar entry -- among the jobs that Pack 631 will take on is the Concession Stand, which has a great team (Karen Corbin, Sabrina Snowden, Dominque Hammond, etc.) but the Concession team needs an overall volunteer coordinator/scheduler!  Yes, there will be several hundred Cub Scouts, from maybe a dozen or so Cub Scout Packs, and Pack 631 is the "host" Pack again as something we can do to give back to, and join with, the community and so many other parents who want to have their kids enjoy the fun and challenges of the Scouting program.  Many other jobs are available too . . . see the District Pinewood Derby Page.

Don't let the name fool you: "Scouter's Academy" is a great, focused, select-your-own program for ANY PARENT with a modicum of involvement with their Scout child.  Not just for Den and Pack Leaders (but THE BEST training for them), you can learn about Places to Go, Camping and outdoor skills for when you are looked up to by your Son as a Camping Leader, or just focus on that one job you're helping with for the unit (e.g., fun things to do, places to go, advancement, events, camping, awards banquets, Derbies, etc.).  The training is "all electives" and registration is here: you pick the 4 or 5 courses you want, on just what you have curiosity about. 

One of the mad new upgrades noted in the South Fulton District Pinewood Derby Page is an "Adults Only" Derby Race, to be run on Thursday, January 19, at Woodward's Middle School Cafeteria.  This is also an opportunity to meet others in the Pack and District who might be helping out with Derby Daze, so that you can see how a Derby can be run and be fun.  If you're going to attend, or attend and race, or have a question, please contact the District Derby Commissioner, Bert Bender (so he knows how many might attend).  Cubmaster Shawn Smith has already signed up!  Bring a car, any car, and race it (or come and watch).