Spring Popcorn Sales
February 27 - April 5
Has your family run out of scout popcorn? Do you know someone who needs more popcorn? Would you like to earn money for camp or pack activities? Then think about participating in the Spring Popcorn Sales!

This is an optional fundraising event held in addition to the pack fundraiser later this spring. Spring popcorn sales begin February 27. Please keep the popcorn sales fair by not selling early! Orders are due back to Anna-Marie at the April 5 pack meeting. The popcorn will arrive around April 23 with more information on when to pick up your order coming later.

Scouts who participate will help earn money for their activity fund and the pack. Scouts can use their activity funds to help pay for pack and council camping events. In addition to earning money for your activity fund, scouts who sell $500 or more in popcorn will receive a coupon for a free admission to Valleyfair with the purchase of a regular priced ticket.

Contact Anna-Marie if you are planning to sell popcorn, or need more information.

Friends of Scouting
Each year Northern Star Council enlists our help in conducting their annual Friends of Scouting Campaign. Through your support, many boys and girls within our council are given opportunities to grow in all aspects scouting. The funds are also used to assist in annual operational budgets, year round activities and camp maintenance.

Information on Pack 104’s goal for the 2009/2010 campaign was provided at the December pack meeting. If you were unable to attend, please contact your den leader for your pledge card. Contributions are tax deductible. If you have an employer that offers matching corporate contributions, please indicate that on your pledge card.

All pledge cards must be returned with or without a contribution. Please turn your cards into Thor Anderson ASAP.

2010 District Pinewood Derby Race
Saturday, April 3, 2010, at Falcon Ridge Middle School
2010 Pack Race Results
Thank you to all the families who braved the ice to attend the pack Pinewood Derby on January 23. Congratulations to those who advanced to the district race.

Spring Fundraiser
To be held in April
We are looking for a parent volunteer to help coordinate the Spring Fundraising event. Please contact Anna-Marie for more information or to volunteer.

Scouting for Food and Spring Service Project
To be held in April
We are looking for a parent volunteer to coordinate this year's Scouting for Food and church cleanup. Please contact Anna-Marie for more information or to volunteer.

Chief Black Dog District Leader Recognition Dinner
Saturday, May 8, 2010, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
Chief Black Dog will be holding the annual Leader Recognition Dinner on May 10. Check-in begins at 6:00 with dinner at 6:30. The cost to attend is $10 for adults and $6 for youth. Registration for the dinner is due by May 3, 2010. We appreciate all the hard work and dedication of our pack volunteers and encourage you to attend the dinner! Please consider nominating a volunteer, like your den leader, for special recognition at the dinner. Award nominations are due by April 8, 2010 to the council. Information on submitting an award is included on each nomination form.

Distinguished Leader Nomination Form

Outstanding Leader Nomination Form

Spark Plug Nomination Form

Star Camp
Saturday, May 22, 2010, old Arden Hills Army Ammunition Deposit site
The Council is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the BSA with a super event for Scouts of all ages, called Star Camp. We are planning for 20,000 Scouts and adults to attend this once in your lifetime celebration. Think of a combined Ripley Rendezvous and Webelos Experience at the same place and time.
To volunteer and for more info on StarCamp see: www.nsbsa.org/ActivitiesCivicService/Local/StarCamp.aspx. 

Religious Emblems
The Religious Emblems Programs are programs created by various religious groups for their children and youth. Boy Scouts of America recognizes these programs and allows the awards to be worn on the scout uniform, but all Religious Emblems Programs are created by the religious groups themselves. Once a scout earns a religious emblem for their faith, he can wear a blue and silver Religious Emblem Square Knot on their Scout shirt above the left pocket. These can be obtained at the Scout Shop with a certificate of completion awarded when the classes are finished. This is one of the 2 awards your son can earn as a Cub Scout and wear on his Scout uniform both as a Boy Scout and also as an adult leader later in life.

God and Country (Protestant)
Cub Scouts can earn the God and Me (grades 1-3) and God and Family (grades 4-5) emblems.

Catholic Religious Emblems
Cub Scouts can earn the Light of Christ (grades 1 -2) and the Parvuli Dei (grades 3-5). Catholic Religious Emblems programs are administered locally by the St. Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting (ACCS).

Jewish Religious Emblems
Families who would like more information about the Jewish Religious Emblems program are encouraged to visit the National Jewish Committee on Scouting website.

Scout Days with Minnesota Professional Sport Teams
Cheer on your favorite Minnesota teams! Local sports teams have made special pricing and program packages available for Scouting groups. Check out ticket information for the U of M Gopher Men's Hockey, Minnesota Wild, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Training Opportunities
If you have questions about what training is needed for your position, please contact our pack trainer, Bryan Rieffer.

Online training, and course information is available at the following website:  https://myscouting.scouting.org/

Centennial Patch Program
Scouting's 100th Anniversary Celebration begins Sept. 1, 2009. Participants will earn recognition through their dedication to five of Scouting core values: leadership, character, community service, achievement and the outdoors.  Participants will then be able to earn special ribbons to display on their 100th anniversary commemorative patch.  These can be earned by youth members, adult leaders, and even Scouting alumni.