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Cub Scout Pack 566
(Saratoga/Cupertino, California)
 
ScoutLander Contact Our Pack Member Login
http://pack566.ScoutLander.com

  
 

Cub Scout Pack 566: Saratoga/Cupertino/San Jose,CA


Easy Return = pack566.org

8/22/23  Our meetings have started up Aug 22/24 and continue each week (we break when Cupertino Schools break). Sign up NOW!


From the PeachJar Flyer also at pack566.org/flyer
Oops, I did not mean to lie or confuse...

OK, we follows the dates listed.

This will be on:
Tuesday Aug 24
Thursday Aug 25
Wednesday, Aug 30
Thursday. Sep 7
Your Choice: The 4 sessions are mostly the same, mostly varying by questions. Decide to choose one on a normal meeting night (Tues Grades 4-5, Thur K-3). Kids will join the their age group or if you choose a different night we will provide an kid activity to the side. Your kids can stay with your or join the age group or activity. Of course you can skip all of them and simply communicate with Mr. L to hear about the program and answer your questions. See contact info at bottom.


Bringing Excellence in Scouting to youth and families for over 50 years.  

has been rated TOP QUALITY LEVEL of Cub Scouting.


Serving Saratoga, Cupertino, and neighboring San Jose, Sunnyvale & Los Gatos

Our program draws folks to us. Our secret is getting out.

Schools Include:  Almost all 18 CUSD Elementary (Cupertino Schools), Sacred Heart, Argonaut, Saratoga, De Vargus, Country Lane, CAVA, Los Altos Christian, Van Meter, Challenger Strawbery Pack, Home Schooled and more. 



Please start by downloading our 2 page flyer explaining our Pack Program



Pack 566 Costs Detailed   (updated each month as fees are prorated - We do NO Fundraising to save you countless hours)

  Sign up Now! 

(click Join-Us in left margin)

Boys and Girls K-5

Cub Scouts is an amazing opportunity for Children K-5.  Give your kids this fun adventure and head start in life.  Cub Scouts is only about one hour a week during the school year and one/two monthly events on a weekend (could be 2 hours to overnight).  We provide a safe environment and no bully/tease environment for your kids to make new friends.  Cubs learn about the outdoors, take field trips, develop leadership, explore science, health, crafts, and citizenship.  Scouts respects everyone.  Scouts allow you to keep a second set of friends all the way to college (or beyond).  It is inexpensive both in money and time.  It is not a baby sitting service and a parent must help out to make the program work.

Consider signing our guest book to have us keep in contact

Guest Book"

Older 11-18 year olds welcome in Troop 566. Click here to visit Troop 566 Website.

Ready to Sign Up? - click Join Us in Left Margin


What are some unique things to Pack 566:

We have 5 cubmobiles, sibling neckerchiefs, Free trial Semi Truck, Awesome weekly program during the school year.  We do NO fundraising.
Our dens our coed by grade.  We wear a pack T-shirt and neckerchief vs the full uniform (saves you $130-$180).  Pack camping and also
participate in council (area cub camping) and events.   Monthly weekend events.  We keep religion and politics in the home. Our quality draws
members from all over Cupertino, Saratoga, and surrounding towns.

Here are two of our 5 Cubmobiles.  Here
these first graders are racing around the
quarter mile track being pushed by their
peers.  These first grade Tigers don't
even need the T-handle inserted.  We 
have some pack wide racing coming soon.

Pack 566's uniform policy
is to wear our Blue Pack
T-Shirt with the color
coded to grade level
neckerchief.  We made
our own custom "Sibling"
neckerchiefs so they feel
more in the group and
this also helps to make
sure everyone is in the
right place.

So every prospect and all our cubs receives 22 inch long Peterbuilt 
semi-truck models.  Why ?   Well we got 72 of them donated to us.
These are display models and not toys but Kids can put their name
on the Trailer or other decorations and then display their own trucking
company.

Pack 566 upcoming public calendar events

If you have not completely signed up you should check with us first (see join page help).
Just one hour a week and 1-2 optional monthly events.

Ask as not all are shown here.


Near instant gratification by calling/texting 408-676-9847 for INFO.


 Date  Event  Location

Sep 1-3  Council: Family Camping 12 miles from Saratoga (up and over mountain)
Oct 7  New Cubs go Fishing with free Pole
Vasona Park
 Oct 14-15  Pack Family Camping 12 miles from Saratoga (up and over mountain)
 Oct 27-28  Council: BooFest Camping cub&parent  12 miles form Saratoga (up and over mountain)
tbd  Pack Cubmobile Racing    

During the School Year (Aug 22 to End of May)

 Date  Event  Location
 7pm Thursday, 2nd Thursday of Each Month
 Pack Meeting K-5 Menlo Church Saratoga 
 7pm Tuesdays, except when in week of Pack Meeting  Webelos 2 Den Meetings, 5th grade  Ask * (see below)
 7pm Thursdays, except when in week of Pack Meeting  Webelos 1 Den Meetings, 4th grade  Ask * (see below)
 7pm Thursdays, except when in week of Pack Meeting  Lions Den Meetings, Kindergarten   Ask * (see below)
 7pm Thursdays, except when in week of Pack Meeting  Tigers Den Meetings, 1st grade  Ask * (see below)
 7pm Thursdays, except when in week of Pack Meeting  Wolves Den Meetings, 2nd grade  Ask * (see below)
 7pm Tuesdays, except when in week of Pack Meeting
 Bears Den Meetings, 3rd grade  Ask * (see below)

*Now to Sep 14th:  Kevin Moran Park Saratoga (Far left end next to Tennis Ct.)

* Sep 19- Dec 31st Menlo Church Saratoga (across Saratoga High)

*  We skip CUSD  2023-2024 School Year holiday weeks (Nov 20-24, Dec 22-Jan 7, Feb 19-23, Apr 15-19)

Recent Events

You could have been there!  Join now!


Pack Blue Cubmobile Down and Back Racing, May 2023

Cub Scout Pack 566 is one of the only Packs in the bay area to have a fleet of Cubmobiles (A 5ft car that cubs drive).  These can be fitted with T-Handles 
for pushing or removed for down hill racing.

Families begin to gather before the race.

This is a down and back race to
familiar cubs with our cubmoblies.
Tiger being pushed by
Tiger and Lion and on
the way back.
Three tigers.  Tigercentric you say? 
Turns out our Tigers sent me photos as
I forgot to ask for them.
An older sister helps a tiger push another
tiger.

Over the summer, and again in the fall we
plan on more racing.... join now!




Pack Blue and Gold Dinner, March 2023

Pack 566's Blue and Gold dinner celebrates some scouting birthdays:
USA Scouting 1910
Cub Scouting 1930
Pack 566 1972.
We recognize recent advancements, our parent volunteers, major year rank awards and to be entertained by our cubs.

Every family brings 
some part of dinner.
We get to enjoy a 
powerful menu to
choose a yummy meal.
Families eat together and get to know
each other better.

Plenty of room left for you to join.
Each grade (Den) is called up and each
cub is recognized for completing recent
advancement tasks.

Show here are are Tiger Den (1st  grade).
The cubs are excited to get their
awards and are eager to brag with 
their peers.

Show here are WOLF Den (2nd grade).


Our BEARS (3rd grade) tell "Bear" Jokes...
What do you call a one legged Gummy Bear.....Delicious!
Our Web II's demonstrate their recently learned
synchronized swimming skills in the pack 566 pool.

As each grade earns the rank for the year they
receive the mark of the pack (face painted).
Our Webelos II's (5th graders) earn the
Arrow of Light, Cub Scout's highest rank
and the only badge that they can wear
on their uniform in Scouting in our 566
older youth Troops.




Web II Den (5th grade) Field Trips March 2023

Our Webelos II Den after completing their Arrow of Light award (Cub Scouts highest rank) decided to do some local field trips.  Den members plan and sponsor a bike trip, a hike, a museum, visit a nursery, and more... Our dens have 2-deep leadership with both a registered male and female adult volunteer leader in attendance allowing them the freedom to hold their own meetings.

Sumerwinds Nursery
staff lead a tour full
of useful information
and trivia.
Everyone is excited to get a plant and
the race is on to go home and plant it.

San Jose Museum of Art tour. Even becoming cultured is a Scout
thing.






Web I Den (4th grade) Hike Feb 2023

Our Webelos I (4th grade) Den after completing their WEBELOS ward decided to do a local field trips.  They could not agree on Saturday or Sunday so they did two hikes. Our dens have 2-deep leadership with both a registered male and female adult volunteer leader in attendance allowing them the freedom to hold their own meetings.

A well planned
hike begins
with a map!
Every hiker should
learn some map and
compass skills.
A rare glimpse of going
down hill.  It seems
most Scouting hikes are
always and only up hill.
Another important skill we teach is to 
stop along the hike and turn around as
you  might miss a powerful view.


The reward at the top is generally a view of the world.

Hey! I can see my house from here...



Pack 566 Carnival, February 2023

Pack 566's Puts on a Carnival for its members each year.  Each Den (grade level) creates at least one event as well as the Pack having a few classic events.  Each
guest is given a scorecard to make sure they get to participate at each event.   Everyone completes and they gets to choose several prizes from our extensive prize table.  

This banner created by a
sibling for our Carnival 2023.
A young sibling gets coached on our 
Pack 566 Riffle range.  Six shots at
choice of target, spinners, or ducks.

Pack Box Hockey is
a classic event.
Our Tigers made a ball toss game.


Our Tigers also made 2 PLINKO games. The WOLVES
(2nd grade)
made a Ball Toss.

Pack Archery event in foreground. Two cubs on tilting circles try to joust
their opponent off theirs.  Other events
in background.



Pack Camping Trip June 4-5th, 2022

Pack 566 had it spring camping trip (Fall camping in October). 54 brave members stayed overnight in family tents, some for the first time camping with their kids. Come join us next time! Each family was just tasked with bringing a family tent and sleeping bags and optionally pads. The Pack provided rental and purchase options for those who had no gear. No one has gone hungry yet on our trips including our vegetarian members. Our cubs are heavily involved with the preparation of the meals. Our meals our deep and wide and their is something for everyone

At this camp cubs helped move group gear from the parking lot to the kitchen. Then they helped their family set up their tent. After lunch the cubs and parents embarked on a two and a quarter mile hike. After the hike a one hour battle of squirt guns broke out to help everyone cool down. Cubs were instructed to seek out any parent not participating until everyone was (yes parents were issued squirters too).

Our Leader Mr. L gave parents lessons on how to make a pineapple upside down cake then broke the cubs into 5 groups to have cubs make the cakes. Each cake used one and a half cake mixes producing 8 servings each with their own pineapple ring with a rec cherry in the middle. These premium serving were 3 inches tall. All but 4 serving were consumed.

The cubs began chopping the many ingredients for our tin-foil stew dinners. Soon most of the parents were also involved in chopping or prepping dinner. One parent charcoal team prepared charcoal for 5 Dutch ovens (Pineapple Upside Down Cakes). Another parent team prepared a bed of charcoal 3ft by 8ft for the cooking of our 54 dinners. A bit too much charcoal was used and the center was 3 charcoal deep. This was problematic as it was too hot to extra t or cook our dinners in the enter delaying our meal. Parents and cubs also set up the rest of dinners including our salad bar, rolls, an drink bar. We did not finish dishes to 9pm when we started our campfire. We foolishly thought the cubs would not make it though a full campfire and did not light wood we brought. We were so wrong as we could hardly stop them at 10pm and everyone was sad we did not have coals to make smores (we will do it on a weeknight at the park soon).

We always have 10 gallons of hot water for dishwashing and 5 gallons of hot drink water ( for hot choc, tea, or coffee). Our breakfast started with a dozen pounds of thick bacon (3 slices each for our carnivorous members) as well as both meat and vegetarian sausage all cooked on our 16x38 inch griddle. This griddle was also used for melted cheese and other hot sandwiches for both lunches.

After breakfast we lost some of our families which made it harder to pack camp up. Our cubs investigated ant hills and were tasked for finding the one ant named Bob. Turns out ants are very secretive and none of them would even speak about Bob. With everyone left we packed up camp except for lunch items. Again hot sandwiches were the favorite. Haha, 2 families were busy packing and were late to lunch who insisted on reheating the griddle. Still packing the griddle last just make us 10 minutes late from our 1pm target departure (camp limit).



Mr. L are leader takes all the
group gear and food for the
trip.  Since are primary
method of cooking is
charcoal we must also have
a cook on stove backup in
case of CA Red Flag.

We can bring the trailer and cars as
close as the baracade.   Who put the
camp kitchen at the far end of this
field and up the hill.  Luckily Mr. L
brought his garden wagon to help
move gear.

Well as Cubs and Parents
set up their family tents
the younger sibling
start to explore the great
outdoors.

After lunch a 2.25 
mile hike through the
area.

We cool down after the hike with yet
another epic squirt battle.  Everyone
is armed and dangerous and involved.
This goes on for almost an hour and
constant reloading.

Who put the water faucet
so far away?  Parents
carry up to 6 5-gallon+
pots.  Hey the one on
the left is not one of those.

Mrs. L teaches safe chopping one by one
and rotates through all cubs. So much
chopping for our individual stew dinners
and ommlette ingredients for breakfast.

We begin to fill the table with the 
chopped ingredients. Soon packs this
table and overflows to next.

New Best Friends are
often formed at camp.

Join now and share
our FUN!!!

Pack Mini-Carnival, Thursday April 14th, 10th, 2022

Pack 566 decided to shorten are pack meeting and start early to have room for the Pack 566 Mini-Carnival. Each Cub barely had time to complete the 10 events in one hour before the meeting started.
BOX HOCKEY: 
Four Cubs at a time played box hockey
using a real hockey puck.
DUCK SHOOT:
Well with our 6 shot rubber band riffles 6 of those
36 rubber ducks never had a chance.

Most of our Event Monitors were members from
Troop 566 (our older scouting program Boys and
Girls 11-18), on loan for the event.
JOUSTING:
Two cubs face off.  Last one still on their trusty steed
wins.  Careful those steeds are fiesty!

BEAN BAG TOSS:  (in background)
SHOOTING GALERY: (in background 4 Rifles, 2 pistols and plenty of targets).
ARCHERY: 
Cubs try their
skill to shoot
arrows at a target.
We need a photographer!  We get so involved with our cubs having
fun we forget to take pictures.

NOT SHOWN:
*** GOLF,  FISHING,  BASKETBALL, GUESSING GAME

Trip to Angel Island, Sunday April 10th, 2022

Pack 566 took a trip to Angel Island. This included a Ferry Ride from Tiberon to the Island, a Tram tour of the island and personal family time to explore the island before returning on one of the ferrys back to Tiberon.  Are younger cubs may return in 3 years and are older cubs
will return with Troop 566 (our older program for biking and backpacking) in a couple of years.  One visit is rarely enough.
At 9:30 am we meet at the Tiburon
docks to catch the 10am Ferry.  Just
north of the Golden Gate we have a
fine view of the north end.
Of course all the cubs want to be on the top
deck to see all they can.  Takes 12 minutes
to reach the nearby Angel Island.
Pack 566 nearly fills the the 2 coach Tram with just
a few scared non 566's who relocated to the first 2
rows behind the driver.
Angel Island is a mile-ish across but 6
miles to go around.  Our Tram takes
an hour stopping here and there.
After stopping at Camp Reynold we stop At Battery Ledyard the Tram takes a stop. We jump
out to take in the view go to the edge to look down to see Battery Ledyard (next photo).



Just the foundation is left.   From here these two 5 inch guns defended the
bay from possible attack (never fired upon an enemy) from 1905-1915.
As we continue we get a view of Alcatraz
in the middle of the bay.
On the Right we see what's left of the Fort
McDowell Barracks. Along the road (no
photo) the Admin and Officer quarters are
in tack.
At the immigration station most of the families bail out to take the $5
dollar tour and catch a later tram or hike back on foot.  The rest
complete the tram and most head off to the visitor center near docks.
An older cub and their family has already done the Tram in a previous visit and hike
to the tippy top of Angel Island mount Livermore (hey, no where near the city of Livermore).
They take the shortcut and hike the bypass climbing several hundred stairs...wow!  They have
a bag lunch while taking in the view.

Blue and Gold Awards and our 5th Graders bridging to Troop 566, Sunday Mar 6th, 2022
Pack 566 Skipped our Feb Pack meeting as Covid Omicron was spiking. We combined it with are March Pack Meeting and moved to a weekend so we could have a 2 hour meeting.  Our February is usually a Potluck dinner but we settled for cake for less Covid risk.  Blue and Gold celebrates the completion of the annual Cub Scout Rank which keeps us quite busy Sep to Jan (we do electives the rest of the time).  All cubs completed their annual rank, even though who joined this year.  It was a race and everyone finished, procrastinators and all.

Our March Pack meeting is where are Webelos II Cubs (Fifth Graders) graduate (bridge) from Cub Scouting and move to Troop 566 are older program with
boys and girls from 11 to 18 (overlapped with our high adventure crew from 14 to 21).  Our fifth graders get an early entrance into Scouting in our
Troop 566 so they can get a few months of week-end camping so the feel going to the several week-long camps Troop 566 offers over the summer.

Overall 192 advancement awards were give out for Jan and Feb of 2022 to our 31 cubs.

Our LIONs (K grade receive awards). Our TIGERS (1st grade) up for awards.
Our loan BEAR (3rd grade)
gets here awards and hope
some more 3rd graders join.
Our Webelos One's (4th graders)
up for their awards.
Our graduating (to Troop 566) Webelos
were happily sitting on an invisible bench
until someone confessed they moved it. 
This 4th grader won our
Pinewood Derby in her
first year in the Pack.
One of our 7 Webelos II'
s who earned their Arrow
of Light award.
So all the cubs who finished this years
rank advanced for their year received a
mark from the pack.


Castle Rock Hike, Jan 30th, 2022

We go down the checklist and get the
talk.
We hike through the nearby forest. Plenty of Big Rocks to go through. Or boulders to climb on. Always important to stop and
check all are accounted for.


Pinewood Derby Race, Sunday Jan 16th, 2022
Pack 566 Covid19 Protocols:  Everyone 5 and over is fully vaccinated, Temp check, washing hands, masks, socially distanced , and being outside.  

Pack 566 January Pack Meeting is our annual Pinewood Derby.
We hold the race outside to protect everyone, just like all our weekly meetings this school year.
Those as risk stay home why the brave race everyone's cars.
Each car races 6 times, twice in each of our 3 lanes.
Competition is fierce, and races amount leaders are only separated by a hundred of a second. 
Lucky are track timer is computerized and accurate to 1/10000 of a second.
Our kids build their own cars (not their dads or parents - See our clinic below).
The race takes about 2 hours to complete including Siblings and a couple of parents in grudge match.
Top is 2 parents and Siblings.
Bottom is Wolves (Grade 3)
Top is Webelos IIs (grade 5).
Bot is Tigers(Grade 1) and Lions (K).
Top is Webelos I and Bears (Grades 3-4)
Bottom is Lions (K)
The families gather as the race time
approaches.  The track is 40 feet long.
A view from the
other end.
3 Cubs wait at the Finish Line for
their cars to cross.
The 3 fastest racers will compete
in the Polaris District races
(Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Saratoga).

Pack Meeting Thursday, Dec 9th, 2021
Pack 566 Covid19 Protocols:  Every guest 12 and over is fully vaccinated, Temp check, washing hands, masks, socially distanced , and being outside.  

Pack 566 has a Pack Meeting once a month, usually on the 2nd Thursday of the month where all K-5 families attend.
Cubs preformed skits and received awards for progress in their learning achieved in the last month.
Then a song leader with guitar led the pack in non religious Christmas Caroling.
The raffle price was a $40 Black Diamond 325 Lumen Headlight. 
Everyone was warmed to dress warmly as it was a cold night.
So much fun no one seemed to notice it was just 44 degrees out.
Two of our Webelos One's Cubs tell about their recent
adventure of hiking 3.7 miles of the Russian Ridge (Mountain
top behind Mt. View).   They also share their knowledge of
the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace principals.
Its just 44 degrees out but no one is complaining.  We
suggested warm coats and beanies as we were in a cold
snap.   Here are song leader plays the guitar and leads
everyone in song.  Songbook were viewed by cellphones 
from our pack site to save trees used in printed copies.

Pinewood Derby Clinic, Sunday Dec 5th, 2021
Pack 566 Covid19 Protocols:  Every guest 12 and over is fully vaccinated, Temp check, washing hands, masks, socially distanced , and being outside.  

Pack 566  held a outdoor clinic to help cubs build their 7 inch Pinewood Derby Racecars from a block of wood.
We spread out arrival of each family every 15 minutes for Covid although it take 90-120 minutes to build.
The younger cubs use a routed bottom block modified by the Pack for easy weighting as the pack makes
every car weight 5.000 oz for maximum speed.  Older cubs design in special weighs to do the same by
building the weights into their design.
So we dragged part of a volunteer's woodshop into his front yard.
Stations are set up for routing, design, sawing, appendages, sanding, and of course our paint shop.
Our cubs cars are built by our cubs and NOT their parents as they learn woodworking.
Over 50 cars were built for cubs, their siblings, and even a couple of parents.
Wheels and weights will be added before the race after the paint dries.
 Since 1953 Cub Scouts have
been turning wooden blocks
into a 7" race car and then
racing them amount their
peers.
The race is powered by gravity and the
heavier car goes faster.  There is a 5oz
limit.  Pack 566 routes the bottom of
the car to create an unseen pocket to
hold weights to easily adjust to 5.00oz.
The next station
is the design 
station.  Car 
shapes are glued
to side of blocks.
A woodworking expert explains how to
use a coping saw to obtain the desired
shape using the lines now on the side
of the car.
 A parent then guides
their cub cut their
desired shape.
Cubs is K-5 but in our
Pack we allow younger
siblings to make and
race their own car.
Even though one family arrives every 15 minutes 
much time is spent getting the car into the desired
shape.   Sometimes a do-over or fix is required.
A cold snap has the
morning temps in the
40s and after lunch we
have temps in the 50s.
Hot Chocolate helps.
 Next time is spent at the sanding station to smooth
out the saw lines.  
We have 18 color
choices available.
Our paint booth. A paint guide helps 
our cubs get the color
choices they want.
Masking tape helps
with multiple colors.
A cub completes
her car with a
chosen rainbow
paint job. Details
with paint pens.


Our Webelos 1 (4th grade) Den Takes a Hike Saturday Dec 4th, 2021
Dens (a grade level) meet every week except for pack meeting weeks or holiday weeks during the school year.
After learning more hiking skills each years are cubs plan and then take a hike.  
Those families that can't make the weekend event reschedule their own hike.

I

Scouting For Food - Food Pickup Nov 13, 2021
Pack 566 participates in the National Boy Scouts of America "Scouting for Food" Drive.
This weekend our cubs split up the 1470 houses in the Pack 566 Area
(In the triangle between HW85 and Saratoga Ave Bordered by Prospect AVE).
On the first weekend are Cub Scouts place door hanger notices on houses in our community
Today we revisit all of our houses and collect the food.
4 of our Parents sent on a sweep run and found we only missed 8 bags of food on the primary pass.
By the end of the we had
1127 lbs of food collected.
Scouting For Food - Hangers on Door knobs. Nov 6, 2021

Pack 566 Covid19 Protocols:  Every guest 12 and over is fully vaccinated, Temp check, washing hands, masks, socially distanced , and being outside.  
Pack 566 participates in the National Boy Scouts of America "Scouting for Food" Drive.
This has been going on for over 50 years.
This helps fill the local food banks just in time for the holiday season.
On the first weekend are Cub Scouts place door hanger notices on houses in our community
The local BSA chapter manages a google map with all scouting unites having a unique local area so there is no
double effort or missed houses.
26 of our 29 Cubs helped out today placing hangers on 1470 homes assigned to Pack 566.


Scouting for Food is a service project to aid our community.  This food drive helps to fill the local Food Banks in time for the Holiday Season. Pack 566 has volunteered to distribute door hangers to 1470 houses in our neighborhood. Then week later we go back and look for Food set out for collections for the hungry in our local area.


  Our leaders has prepared detailed maps and address lists by squinting at Google Maps for days.   So our K-5 year Cub Scouts hang a door hanger announcement
on each houses doorknob.
Each family gets
a peaceful walk
though our local
neighborhood.
Pack 566 is a family affair.  Even
though this particular task is a family
thing they decided to take the 1yr old.

Wonder how heavy this 1yr old was
after 74 houses?
Two of our Pre-K
siblings tag along with
their older brother.

hmmm... Nice Shirts!
Race you to the last
house on our route.

I wonder where mom
went...slo-poke!
I finished with one. Yes
each had 1 spare tag.

Now I have a souvenir!
One if by land!
Two if by sea!
uh, ...
Three if by bike!
Bike to each house. Sprint to door and
back.  Younger sibling is backup.

We gotta go fast as we are doing our
route and a friends route who could
not make it.  Scouts are Helpful!
Only one left. 

Guess I am done!
Wahoo!
Did 74 houses in 2 hrs,
3.4 miles, and 8962
steps.   Later that day
mom confesses my
back hurts and I am
laying on my bed now
but glad I did it!
I was too busy during
the day.  I did mine
at night.

October Den Meeting Side Show, Oct 19, 21, 28, 2021
Pack 566 Covid19 Protocols:  Every guest 12 and over is fully vaccinated, Temp check, washing hands, masks, socially distanced , and being outside.  
Pack 566 adds extra content to the cub scout base program provided by National.
With lots of pack leader experience we can bring a taste of camping skills to even our young cubs.
Showing interesting stuff they can do when they are older hooks them on camping and the outdoors.
Although the conversation is targeted to the cubs the adults are absorbing information as well
Older Scouts and cubs come back to help out the younger Dens. We repeat several times until all Dens share in the fun.
So the meeting comes to order at 7pm (don't be
late).  Were outside in a park This is our 2nd
grade WOLF Den and a couple of Cubs who 
missed their meeting doing the same activity.
So as a group we lite the
charcoal.  One of our 5th
grade cubs did this 2 days
ago with his den.  He came
back to help and finished
lighting the last of it.


 Cubs and Adults learn the
history and usefulness of
charcoal and the brands
and types.
We learn about Pillsbury Pop N Fresh products 
and show the cubs how to "Pop" the canisters
to release the dough.
One popped the container is opened by the cubs and
the dough is separated into individual pieces and then
placed into the bottom of our Dutch Ovens.
Every cubs shares in the
fun of placing dough into
our Ovens.


With 2nd grade the parents are given the task to
move the charcoal pieces.  Direction are move 12
pieces into a checkboard pattern to create a 12
inch circle.  So how did team A vs Team B do?
Dutch ovens theory is shared with Cubs and
adults as we wait for our rolls to bake.
Our Cinnamon rolls
turn out great.  Just
need to cut and add
some icing.


All Cubs and adults
are excited to bite into our
fresh baked tasty snack
created by our Cubs.


Shoreline Bike Ride, Oct 17th, 2021
Pack 566 Covid19 Protocols:  Every guest 12 and over is fully vaccinated, Temp check, washing hands, masks, socially distanced , and being outside.  

Pack 566 has a couple of GO and DOs each month. Here we take a group bike ride along the shores of the bay.
The ride avoids the danger of cars and hills for the most part.
What do you mean the hills were made of decades of household garbage?
We get to see lots of ducks, pelicans, and these large noisy CESSNA birds.
Only damages of the day day was a broken bike helmet and 2 Band-aids when a parent loading accident occurred.
As we wait for all to arrive one of our trained
leaders (all of Pack 566 Leaders have taken
BSA training for their role) cubs learn bike 
rules and guidelines.


Our leaders are so good they can even gets
ducks in a row.


This was are starting photo to make sure we had everybody at
the end.   Funny we actually had more as several families were
late and caught up to us by the end.
Ok its follow the leader.  

Uh where are the rest of them?
Apparently one took the low road. Then more followed.

Well, all roads north lead to Rome and the Palo
Alto Airport...
Plenty of Ducks and birds along the bay.


Time to check if we have
everyone.  


Plenty of Pelicans.   We say some dip their heads
under water and grab a snack as they swim
along the surface.
As we moved north, we began to see more of these 
large noisy birds.
Our Trail sweep and his helper made
sure nobody fell behind.
This event patch created by a
sibling to one of our Cubs.

Pack Meeting Oct 14th, 2021
Pack 566 Covid19 Protocols:  Every guest 12 and over is fully vaccinated, Temp check, washing hands, masks, socially distanced , and being outside.  

Pack 566 has a Pack Meeting once a month, usually on the 2nd Thursday of the month where all K-5 families attend.
Our October Meeting is Halloween Themed.
Cubs had the choice of coming in costume. If the did they got an extra raffle ticket and some Treats.
Our Cubs decorated 14 Pumpkins which we later raffled off. The grand Raffle prize was a Skelton Wolf who howled at the moon whenever someone passed by
So much fun for a one hour meeting this one ran over and nobody seemed to notice.
Our pack meeting has all K-5 cubs who are joined by their family.

One by ones the grades come up and receive awards and recognition for
their accomplishments over the last month. 

Being October cubs came in Halloween costume for an extra raffle ticket
and some Treats. 
A view from one side of the audience where 
family members watch the show.

Many family members joined their cubs to get
a custom patch for the last months Kite Flying 
and Mini Golf events.


Cubs come up
and paint 14
pumpkins which
we raffled off.
This cub always wanted a
dog.  Instead he won the
raffle and received a Wolf,
albeit a little on the thin
side.  Don't worry mom 
dad he will stopped howling
when the battery runs out.

Pack Miniature Golf, Oct 4th, 2021

Pack 566 Covid19 Protocols:  Every guest 12 and over is fully vaccinated, Temp check, washing hands, masks, socially distanced , and being outside.  

Pack 566 Mini Golf is just one of many of our optional GO and DO"s..
We did this on a Monday night to save 43% off the normal price.
We had a 90 minute window to start each family (covid).
Everyone worked the start time backwards so our cubs could be home before bedtime as it was a school night..
We beat the crowds that came later that night so had no pressure play.
Family show up and
one by one and we
take temp, wash
hands and get our 
Club and ball.
As golfers often wear
weird attire we ask
cubs for a funny
pose instead.
 Concentration seems like
the proper thing to do.

FOUR!
Proper follow through
should will aid in a
low score count.
Then the trick is not
take your eye off the
ball as it seems to 
go in all kinds of
different directions.
There seems to be a
"catch" in every hole.

This one you must
time your shot so the
swinging pendulum is
out of the way as your
ball approaches the hole.
 Soon the Cubs are
Pro's an take on an 
"easy" hole right in
the middle.
Whoa, this Volcano
hole seems to be a
difficult one after
all.
2 families meet up at
a difficult hole and
wait for the group
playing this hole to
complete.  
Stroke 21, 22, 23...
Many of the holes are nicely
themed for Halloween.

Good Job Golfland!
Cub Scouts often explore
our local area.

Hey does this count for an
international trip?
Hey whos that creepy guy?

Luckily every parent in our
Pack takes 76 mins of
online learning about youth
protection.

 Pack Kite Day, Sep 19th, 2021

Pack 566 Covid19 Protocols:  Every guest 12 and over is fully vaccinated, Temp check, washing hands, masks, socially distanced , and being outside.  

Pack 566 Kite Day is just one of many of our optional weekend "GO and DO"s..
Pack 566 knowledge is decades long and we have the best kites, best kite place, and know how to picky windy days.
The wind is a tricky business but we followed the wind each day at or time at this site for 3 weeks prior.
Every one of our Cubs quickly got their kite assembled and into the air in just a few minutes. A few even brought their own.
So it all starts at check in where are Cubs receive a free kite with
1 of 6 designs.  Easy assembly on the assembly/repair table to
the right.  Note the red first aid kit, box of snacks since over the
lunch time window, and bottled water in the shade under the 
table is available.  And in the back you see temp gun and sink.
These Pack 566 kites
carefully selected are
easy to get aloft.
Simply let out 10 feet
of string.
The our kites sail into the sky. .Now its just a matter of holding on
and tweaking the string for tricks.
Soon and entire row of kites, then
another, and another.

Careful, not to close or you could
risk a tangle.
The cub in the lower right is handing on to his
own kite he brought with him.  A two tailed kite
high in the sky.
Soon the sky is full of Pack 566 Kites.  Far more than can fit in a 
single cell photo.

>
Kite flying is a wonderful way to 
spend an hour or two with your child
discussing all kinds of things and
making that life long bond.
Thanks for organizing!
We had a lot of fun!

Was lovely, indeed.
Kids had a lot of fun.
Benjy had such a lot of fun flying
a kite for the first time. He was
extremely happy when he learned
he could keep it! Thanks for
organizing.
My family is the first arriving and the
last leaving. It tells you how much fun
we had! Two hours just flew...

Pack 566 Den Meetings  (Broken into groups by school year)

Pack 566 Covid19 Protocols:  Every guest 12 and over is fully vaccinated, Temp check, washing hands, masks, socially distanced , and being outside.  

Pack 566 has  Den Meetings (grouped by school grade) in the weeks the Pack does not meet as a whole.
We work off a handbook supplied by the National Cub Scout Program part of Boy Scouts of America.
K-3 work out of a different handbook each year, while grades 4-5 work on on handbook for 2 years.
Our Den Meetings start at 7pm while
it is still light out.  Perfect time to
get in some play in the park before
it gets too dark.
 Here the lions learn the skill of the week. 
Rewarded with a sticker of achievement and
recognition at the next Pack Meeting.

You can see other Den's in the background.
Each Den learns age appropriate things to make
them a better adult.  Of course is all disguised as Fun.
Here our Kindergarten Lions add their name and paw
print to an introduction poster.
Our Wolf Den is learning about the 
magic of the Cub Scout Sign (Wolf
Ears).  Once a leader puts up the
Sign, all other are frozen and can't
even fidget, not to mention speechless.
Pack 566 Tigers are eager to learn
new things.  Our Dens use the 
National BSA Cub Scout handbook
as a basis for learning.
Even well into the meeting the
Tigers interest is kept

Our Pack lighting keeps the table 
bright as darkness comes.
Our 4th grade
Webelos 1s learn 
first aid.  Cubs learn
they can save their
own parents.
Pack 566 has their own
power station to power
the lights for Den and Pack
Meetings.

Pack 566 Pack Meeting (2nd Thursday of the Month) Entire group meets.

Pack 566 Covid19 Protocols: Every guest 12 and over fully vaccinated, Temp check, washing hands, masks, socially distanced family groups, and being outside.  

Pack 566 has a Pack Meeting to recognize what are Cubs have been doing in the last month and recognize their progress in achievements.
We try to have all our cubs come up and speak before the group as this is a great way to gain public speaking skills required for 
management and leadership roles as an adult.  Are Cubs are gaining self confidence as they earn their different requirements and 
then get applause at the pack meeting for doing so.
Pack 566 takes Covid very seriously. Every guest 12 and over is fully vaccinated, in masks, and distanced by family clusters and small spaced out groups.
Notice the foot powered sink in the 
lower right corner to wash our hands
with soap.  Kids 9 and under are not
suppose to use hand sanitizer.
As it gets dark we try out our first
attempt of stage lights. Already
working on version 2.   Note the Cub
standing on the stool is talking to the
group.
At first some new cubs are a bit shy. 
Here we have a new cub helped by his
parent.  The cub whispers the answers
to his parent and the parent acts as a
megaphone to the group.
Pack 566 is the only pack giving
out custom patches for their
events. Here 40 folks receive
their patch for the back of their
shirt for going on the hike last
weekend.

Pack 566 Hike in local forest, Sep 4th, 2021

Covid19  Protocols: Temp check, washing hands, masks, socially distanced family groups, and being outside.  

Pack 566 completed a hike in the forest just miles from our homes. The pack was assisted by leaders from our older scout Boy and Girls Troops Units.
The pack introduced new families to trail etiquette. Our nature expert Nancy, the Scoutmaster of Troop 566 Girl Troop explained the nature we saw.
At the half way point the pack provided trail mix to refuel our young cub scouts. Being a warm day at a clearing in the trail cubs were given water
squirt guns to have a  friendly battle with the rare case of all sides were happy with the outcome.

Wait!  Wait!  I found a bug!
Come check this out! 
Eeeeww!!!  Isn't this great!
What do you mean the trail goes over this tree
stump?  Yep, just follow me....
Such a warm day to take a hike. 
Lucky there is plenty of shade.
Wow, we got loaded squirt guns!
Socially distanced by families.
Not exactly a single file line.
At least it is a wide trail.

You would think a herd of wild cub scouts would
drive off all wildlife along the trail.  However,
the local animals are use to it.
There is at least one who beats to a different
drummer.
With Social Distancing we are going to need a
longer log and wide angle lens.  Take a break and
refuel with Pack 566 Trail Mix and plenty of water.

A parent from Troop 566 in
the red shirt brings up the
rear.  Also carries first aid,
gorp for all, water guns for
all and the important papers.

Parents get to be a kid again in Pack 566.
Come join us and be young again!

Pack 566 hiking is NOT getting from Point A to B.
Its about exploring and looking at nature.

An easy hike for cubs and
parents.  Don't worry about
being spread out, the front,
middle, and end have walkie
talkies.
      King of the Stump! Cub Scout 1: ITS ALL ARROUND ME!! 
ITS ALL ARROUND ME!!!
Cub Scout 2:  What is?  What is?
Cub Scout 1:   ...TREES!
 

Pre Covid Events best show what is coming.


    Pack 566 Pinewood Derby Trials Jan 24th 2019
    Each year Pack 566 holds a Pinewood Derby. This is a race of cub-built 7-inch wooden race cars.
Here at the trials we help install wheels and make the cars maximum weight of 5.000 ounces.
Then Cubs race them and tweak for maximum performance.
So our Pinewood Derby Chairman works with
all the King's Horses and All of the King's Men to "
remember how all the electronics go together.
A view of our Pinewood
Track. Professionally made
by craftsman.
Cubs wait in line to race their.
cars at the trails. This helps
to tweak for speed.
At end of Trials cars are in the pits and ready for
tomorrow's big race


Pack 566 Pinewood Derby Clinic Dec 2019

Each year Pack 566 holds a Pinewood Derby. This is a race of cub-built 7-inch wooden race cars.
As many families do not have wood tools, expertise, or supplies our Pack sponsors a drop in clinic.

Adults first route out the bottom
of each car and drill better axle
holes with power tools.
Next cubs are shown ideas
for design and they choose.
Then begins the sawing and sanding.
So much sanding...
The cubs chose from a dozen colors of paint.
Cubs are given tips on spray painting.
Cubs then paint their cars.

Pack 566 Visit to Alcatraz Prison Nov 2019


Over 70 of us meet and take the Ferry to
Alcatraz Island and Prison. A wonderful day!
Not much room in a
an Alcatraz cell.
Once on the island we break into small
groups and explore the prison and island.

Pack 566 Raingutter Regatta Nov 2019


Cubs shape, assemble, paint and decorate their boat.
The fleet is in!
Cubs Huff and Puffing propel the boats.
Some choose to use a straw to focus their breaths.
Here are our winners for each grade level.
Tigers, Lions, Bears, Webelos Ones, Webelos Twos

Pack 566 Family Camping Trip at San Luis Reservoir Sep 2019

We borrow gear from.
our older scout unit Troop 566.
We usually cook as a group.
It takes lots of gear.
Our 5th grade scouts attempt.
to set up their tents on their own.
This spring they will be joining our
older Scouts Boy and Girl Troops 566.
Mr. L is often caught being knotty.
Cubs learn several knots to last a lifetime.
Our cubs learn knots in a fun way with
stories, trivia, and knot safety.

Making Peach Cobblers.
We teach parents how to
and then to small groups
of cubs.
The final product.
6 Cobblers made each .
with 3 quarts of peaches.
Add some whip cream.
We teach our cubs cooking skills. Skill like
shopping for brands, taste testing, knife safety
and use, food safety, prep, cooking, being ready .
at one time, staying clean and doing the dishes.

All our cubs perform skits in front of all.
This teaches public speaking and confidence.
This leads to future leaders.

Everyone enjoys some campfire songs. With CA
fire danger we elected not to have a fire.
We had strong wind and cold temps and hot
chocolate and warm peach cobblers were hits.
We always find time to teach outdoor skills.
BSA helps make us safe, skilled, and
environmentally friendly in the great outdoors.


Our 5th grade Webelos Twos are cooking French
Toast. It hard to keep the large griddle full at all
times. We use warming ovens to keep the food
warm until all is ready for all 75 of us to eat.
Our 4th grade Webelos Ones
are cooking bacon. Even
our vegetarian cubs want
to take a turn.
On he way home we stop at the Visitor Center.
Here we learn they let water during the day
to make electricity and pump it back at night.
This picture is an impeller for one of the 14
combo generator/pumps.

WOW! PACK 566 is an official EARLY ADOPTER of FAMILY CUB SCOUTING (Boys and Girls welcome!!!)

Cub Scouts has always been a family affair. In pack 566 of old many sisters have participated in the program, less the formal awards. Siblings have their own racing division in the Cub Scout Derbies (Pinewood, Raingutter). BSA has taken another step forward in opening membership. We applaud this as the program is wonderful and can easily serve all youth. Although the initial design is for separate female dens we can easily see coed dens. Pack 566 is an official EARLY ADOPTER of FAMILY CUB SCOUTING and now accept all youth in mixed boy/girl dens.


What is Cub Scouting?

Cub Scouts is part of Boy Scouts of America, one of the largest youth organizations in the United States.  
Cub Scouts now serves boys and girls from kindergarten through fifth grade* Pack 566 is an official FAMILY CUB PACK so both Boys and Girls are welcome to share the fun equally.
* Note that the Cub Scout grade level is such that you advance the day after school gets out (early June) to the next grade level.
On Oct 11th, 2017 BSA announced that girls will be invited to join the Scouting adventure starting with Cub Scouts and advancing through all the way to Eagle Scout*.
Older siblings can join Troop or Crew 566. the Scouting Troop program serving boys (girls in Feb 2019) aged 11 to 18. The Crew serves boys and girls aged 14 to 21. Unlike other youth activities lasting just a few months each year, participation in Scouting can be ongoing through adulthood providing experiences, friends, and fun.

LIONS - The  Kindergarten Program

Pack 566 was a charter member of the Lion Kindergarten program. Now after 6 years it is now mainstream Cub Scouts.. Pack 566 is proud to offer the Lion program to Saratoga / Cupertino/West San Jose and surrounding area families. Kindergarten is an exciting time for both youth and parents. Boys move from home centered activities into the public world. Mom and Dad meet many more families in the neighborhood and expand their participation in the community. LION and Cub Scouting can help with this transition providing a safe, consistent, and fun environment outside of school. Boys and parents participate together in the program. Unlike most other activities, participation in Scouting can continue through to adulthood. The LION program takes only a few hours each month and has very reasonable costs.  Click on the "More Lion Info" link under the Lion in the left margin for more information.

What do Cub Scouts Do?

Cub Scouts have fun with other kids! We play sports, build things like race cars, space rockets, tool boxes, and miniature catapults. We play games and have contests. We perform skits, sing songs, and tell jokes. We explore our community by taking field trips to local places. We perform service in our community. We go on overnight trips that the general public does not have access to do like staying overnight on a submarine or an air craft carrier. We have summer day camps and weekend camping trips. We have fun all year long for many years. Check out links in the left margin.

Where do our members live?

Our Pack
Our Pack's core area is spread in the triangle formed by HW280, Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road (aka DeAnza) and Saratoga Ave and surrounding areas. 

Why parents should have their children join Pack 566!

It will be great fun and a positive experience. Den and Pack activities are something to look forward to providing a happy place outside of the pressures of school. Cub Scouts will give your children a head start in life. They will have a core group of local friends with whom they can participate in terrific activities in a safe and supervised environment. They will keep these friends for many years to come. Their social skills will improve and they will learn to be a team player as well as a team leader. Their exposure to foods, cultures, ideas, and more will widen. Respect will be given and received. Your children will be introduced to much more of life as the experience of the group usually exceeds that of an individual parent's knowledge, comfort base, or time commitment allows. Cub Scouts can serve as the "village" that will contribute to your children's growth.

Why Parents should be involved!

There are no paid positions in a Cub Scout Pack. We are all volunteers, mostly serving our own children at the same time. Parents benefit from the adult social experience as you meet many other local parents. Be young again as you work with children. Use your specific knowledge and life experience to teach children in an informal setting. Make the Pack and the community as a whole better with your involvement as others do the same for your children.

Use the menu on the left to learn more about Pack 566 


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