Cubmaster’s Notes

October was a busy but exciting month for the pack. We started the month with our annual Scout Skills Day, where once again, cold and wet weather threw a wrench in our plans. Thanks to our leaders and families, we were able to make some quick adjustments before the meeting, and the scouts were able to work on their skills and decorate some pumpkins for our Halloween party.

Later in the month, four Cub Scouts and three adults, joined by 17 scouts and leaders from Troop 29, drove out to Pulpit Rock on Hawk Mountain in Kempton for an astronomy campout with the Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society (LVAAS). The views from the overlook and through the lenses of the telescopes were stunning, to say the least. During the trip, we were able to get close looks at Saturn, the Moon, the Sun, and some deep-sky objects. The Cub Scouts also got to work on their cooking skills with the troop and go on a hike.  Here are a few pictures that capture the essence of an awesome experience! 

In the November 2025 newsletter, I wrote a little bit about the need to find balance and take time for yourself as we’re in the midst of the busy scouting season that overlaps with all of the other extracurricular activities. I want to revisit and reiterate that sentiment again this year.

While we love to see all of our scouts at every Pack-related event, we understand that this time of year can be physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting for a variety of reasons. I encourage all of you, as parents, guardians, leaders, and pillars of support, to make time and space for yourself and your families. Disconnect from the world. Watch a movie, play a game, get outside onto the trails, or do anything else that allows you and your family to be present with one another!

October Den Activities

In October, we held our annual Scout Skills Day, which is a pack meeting where all of the dens work on various skills. This year, we simplified things a little bit. Instead of having several stations, all of the dens worked together on their Personal Fitness adventure.  

We also had one additional den meeting this month where each of the dens worked on some of their respective adventures.

Tigers / Wolves

The Tigers and Wolves worked on Running With The Pack. They learned some exercises, played some outdoor games and sensory activities, and did relaxation through breathing and stretching.

Bears

The Bears also worked on their Bear Habitat adventure this month at Gollub Park. They learned about the Six Essentials, discussed the necessary preparations and etiquette while on the trail, and then went on a one-mile hike

Webelos

The Webelos worked on their Webelo Walkabout adventure at Jacobsburg Park, where they also practiced their Six Essentials, learned about Leave No Trace, and went on a two-mile hike

AOLs

The AOLs worked on their campfire safety, firebuilding, and campfire cooking skills. They prepared the firepit area, explained the steps to build a fire and demonstrated the different ways to start a fire. After we got the fire hot, they made pizzadillas for themselves and the Wolves!

November Pack Updates

Scouting For Food

The 2026 Scouting for Food campaign is underway, and it’s one of my personal favorite events of the year. This is a national effort orchestrated by Scouting America, and it affords our pack an opportunity to give back to our community in a real and material way. 

This year, we will be distributing door hangers (flyers) on two separate days (11/7, 11/8) and collecting food from the community on Saturday, 11/14. Many of you have already signed up, but if you haven’t and are available to help on any of those four dates, please use the Sign-Up Genius link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4CAAAB2DA1FD0-67199841-scouting#/

I would also encourage you to tell your friends and families about Scouting for Food. If you aren’t able to participate in the canvassing or food collection, you can ask your friends, families, and neighbors if they have any food that they would like to donate! 

If you have any questions about Scouting for Food, you can contact our Scouting for Food chair, Emmet O’Hanlon at emmetjohn@gmail.com.

Scout Night at the Phantoms Game

Join Pack 29 and other scouts from around the Lehigh Valley on 11/21 for Scout Night with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. This is one of my favorite events of the year, and the kids always have a blast, so if you are available, I highly suggest going!

The deadline to RSVP and submit payment for tickets is Wednesday, 10/14. Here is a link to the Sign-Up Genius page. Please contact Al Raccuia  if you have any questions. His contact info is on Sign-Up Genius.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4CAAAB2DA1FD0-66259790-phantoms

Fundraising

Popcorn Sales

All popcorn orders will be available for pick-up at our November pack meeting on 11/22. Please reach out to our Fundraising chair, Jen Scheig (sjmznschleig@gmail.com), if you have any questions about your order.

Meat Sticks

We recently collected the order forms for our fall Meat Stick fundraiser, but we continue this fundraiser year-round, so if you didn’t get a chance to sell any during our Fall campaign, or if you just want to sell more, reach out to Jen Schleig for a PDF of the order form. These are a great “bang for your buck” fundraiser and can help you accrue some money into your scout’s account with little effort.

In addition to the order forms, we are planning some Show & Sell dates for December and/or January. Scouts who participate in these events will receive 40% of sales and donations from their shift into their scout account. 

2027 Pack Dues Collection

Every year, all Cub Scout packs, Scout troops, and any other unit that is part of Scouting America is required to re-charter for the next year. This is also the time of year when Pack 29 collects our annual dues. 

This year, we will be collecting the 2027 Pack 29 dues at the November pack meeting on 11/22. Dues for 2027 are $50 per scout. If you aren’t able to attend the pack meeting, or if you have any questions about the pack dues, please contact our Committee chair, Jen Schleig.

Upcoming Events

Scouting for Food, 11/7, 11/8, 11/14, – Forks Township

Attire: Class B

• This is our annual community food drive, where our pack collects non-perishable food items from families in Forks Township and delivers them to the Salvation Army.
• We’ll distribute door hangers (flyers) on two separate dates; 11/7 and 11/8. Families will be paired up and assigned routes to canvas with door hangers.
• Food collection will take place on Saturday, 11/14. Families will drive through the canvassed neighborhoods and collect food that has been left out for us to collect. We’ll sort and weigh that food, then take it to the Salvation Army in Easton.
• Here is a link to the Sign-Up Genius page. 
• This activity fulfills some of the requirements for your scout’s Community Service adventure!

Sunday, 11/8/2026, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM – Committee Meeting, Virtual

• The primary agenda item will be to plan our November Pack Meeting
• A formal agenda and meeting link will be sent out ahead of the meeting.
• Note that this meeting was originally scheduled for 11/15, but we moved it due to a schedule conflict

Saturday, 11/21/2026, 7:00 PM – Scout Night w/ Lehigh Valley Phantoms

• This is our annual night out at PPL Stadium to see the LV Phantoms take on the Hershey Bears.
• After the first intermission, the scouts will have an opportunity to do a lap around the rink
• Registration has closed for this event.

Sunday, 11/22/2026, 4:00 PM-6:00 PM – November Pack Meeting, Bushkill Park

• Pack 29 is going roller skating! Our November Pack meeting will be held at the Bushkill Park skating rink. This is a great time to relax and have some fun.
• We’ll be collecting 2027 pack dues and handing out popcorn and meat stick orders.
• We’ll have popcorn and meatstick orders available for pickup as well.

Sunday, 12/6/2026, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM – Committee Meeting, Virtual

• The primary agenda item will be to plan our annual Holiday Pack meeting
• A formal agenda and meeting link will be sent out ahead of the meeting.