There is an upcoming BALOO training on May 5th. BALOO – Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation – is for adults who will be accompanying the Scouts on camping trips and outdoor events. Each Pack is required to have one or more Baloo trained leaders accompany them for all Pack scouting events. The cost of the training is $25 and registration is required in advance. Event is scheduled to run from about 8:45am to 4:30pm. To register you can fax the application (Registration Form) to 973-765-9143 attn: Debbie.

Why “BALOO” training?

If you ask a boy why he wants to be a Cub Scout, nine times out of ten he will answer “to go camping”. That’s why BALOO training is offered, so boys, along with an adult partner, can participate in a successful overnight camping experience.

A pack camp out is a great way for families to have fun and build confidence in outdoor skills. This kind of camping is not the rugged high adventure outing geared toward older Boy Scouts. It is what you might call “soft camping”, where families can simply drive up to a campsite and pitch a tent within a few feet of their vehicle’s rear bumper. The emphasis is on family fun activities that don’t require a lot of advanced outdoor skills.

How do you get started?

This one day session will give your pack’s outdoor activity leader the tools to conduct a safe and successful overnight camping experience.

AFTER COMPLETING BALOO TRAINING YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

Apply the six steps of planning to planning a pack campout
Understand the camping equipment needs of an individual and a group of Cub Scouts.
Demonstrate the proper ingredients of a successful campfire program.
Describe applicable safety standards for fire, water, and weather considerations.
Explain how the outdoor program runs progressively through different age levels of Scouting.
Demonstrate a knowledge of foil cooking practices.
Understand the focus of Cub Scout level outdoor cooking.
Describe health, safety and sanitation procedures for outdoor activities.
Organize and lead different types of nature hikes with confidence.
Demonstrate and supervise the lighting and operation of different styles of camp stoves and lanterns.
Describe the advantages of using stoves over campfire style cooking.
Have fun on a campout.
And much MORE

Pack T-Shirts are $12.99. You can see the design here… Money for orders will be due at the May 7th meeting along with Beach Jam money.

This month we will be having our regular 1st Monday meeting on May 7th at the Rec. Center. For our 3rd Thursday meeting instead of meeting at St. Theresa’s we are going to be meeting at the Liberty Hall Museum, on Morris Avenue in Union. The museum will be hosting the Moving Wall, a half-scale replica of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Moving Wall, like the actual Memorial, serves as a solemn reminder of the more than 58,000 lives that were lost during Vietnam, 1560 from New Jersey, 149 from Union County. As anyone who has visited the actual Wall in Washington will attest, it is one of the most powerful and moving memorials that has ever been created. A visit to the Moving Wall at Liberty House will provide an opportunity to teach Scouts about a difficult but very important time in our country’s history. The Wall will be in Union May 17 until May 21, open 24 hours a day, with no attendance charge.