Overview of Events

The focus of Pack 130 activities

• Being outdoors

  • Camping trips

  • Day hikes

  • Bike rally

• Fun and rewarding events

  • The amazing Pinewood Derby

  • Blue and Gold Dinner

  • Outings to sporting events

• Learning skills

  • Tying knots

  • Map reading

  • Crafting, building, and mechanical skills

  • First Aid

  • Pocketknife use and safety

  • Science, technology, engineering, and math

• Stewardship of the Environment

  • Service Projects at local parks

  • Environmental awareness and education

• Community involvement

  • Community service

  • Fundraising for a chosen charity

…and more!

Meetings

Children are a part of a den, a small group of boys and/or girls, in the same grade level that meet regularly. The dens meet about once per month usually on the weekend (scouts and their parents in the den will decide what works best for the den).  All dens make up a pack. Once a month, the dens, with their families, meet together at the pack meeting, where cubs show off the new skills they have learned during the month and are recognized for the badges they have earned. Pack 130 meetings are held on Fridays at 7:00pm (location will be Cabane des Bucherons in Versoix for the next few months). There are also a number of special events (see below).  We follow the same schedule as the school year (so September to June) and do not meet over the summer. 

Our Pack’s family-friendly event schedule

• Recruitment Day (early September)

• Camping (September for older scouts & June for all)

• Hikes (Fall & Spring)

• Pinewood Derby (November)

• Hockey or Basketball Night (Winter)

• Snowshoeing (February)

• Bike Rally (Spring)

• Blue and Gold Dinner (Spring)

Event details

Meetings

Den meetings

A group of Cub Scouts is called a den. The group gathers at a Den meeting about once a month for games, activities and projects geared toward completing the requirements needed to earn badges. The meeting is under the supervision of the den leader and one other adult (either a Co-Leader, Assistant Den Leader or a parent volunteer) and normally lasts about an hour.  Individual den leaders will plan the meetings and other activities for the den. Dates, times and locations are determined by each den.  Since most dens are composed of children attending various schools, they tend to meet on weekends (often on Sundays since all errands must be done on Saturdays!).

Pack Meetings

A group of dens is called a Pack. Once a month all the dens gather for the pack meeting – an evening of games, awards and activities centered on a monthly theme. This meeting also serves as a showcase for den activities. An adult family member must accompany the Scout. Siblings may attend and should be under the guidance/supervision of a parent. The pack meeting is under the leadership of the Cubmaster and normally lasts about an hour. The meeting location will be Cabane des Bucherons in Versoix for the next few meetings.  Here is a general overview of the agenda:

6:50-7:00 pm Gathering

Cub Scouts lay out mats for dens & seating for parents (if indoors)

Place flag stands at “front”

7:00pm Opening Flag Ceremony

Cubmaster (CM): Welcome to everyone, scouts and parents and siblings

Open Ceremony with Crossing of Colours and Recitation of Boy Scout Oath, etc. (each den responsible at least once per year)

CM: Introduction of Guest Speaker (if necessary)

CM: What did Dens do at the last Den Meeting?

7:10pm Program (any combination of the following)

Activities: e.g. show your Pack what you’ve learned, Scout advancement, uniform inspection, achievement & event awards/pins/badges, etc.

7:50pm Closing

Announcements, Upcoming Events, Next Pack Meeting

Closing Flag Ceremony (same den)

8:00pm After the Meeting

Clean up!

Committee meetings

Our committee meets on a monthly basis and handles the administrative side of managing the pack such as scout enrollment, Den Leader training, kit and badges, finances, event planning, liaison with the Transatlantic Council and the BSA, etc.  They also include den leaders. Meetings for 2020-21 are expected to be virtual. Parents are encouraged to attend but please let us know in advance so we can share the agenda with you in advance.

Hikes

Pack 130 organizes two hikes per year and we always go hiking during the two weekend camping trips. See the pack calendar for specific dates, times and locations.  Attendance at all hiking events is completely optional.  We have numerous options around here to enjoy mountain trails and go to places in Chamonix, the Jura, etc.

Benefits

• Scouts from different dens can get to know each other better, even if they are in different grade levels.

• Scouts look forward to earning their patches and hiking stick.

• Hiking and camping are big parts of scouting at older levels, and regular hikes as Cub Scouts help build experience to prepare for those programs.

How We Hike (a.k.a. the “Rules”)

• Safety first! 

• All scouts of Pack 130 are invited to the Pack hikes.

• Stay on the designated trails at all times.

• Parents who choose to bring siblings along will be responsible for their safety and for making sure that they keep up with the other hikers.  Please only bring siblings who will be able to keep pace with the scouts.

• Parents MUST attend (no drop-off/pick-up option).

• At least two adult leaders, Hike Leaders, from the pack must be in attendance on all hikes.

• Leave No Trace principles will be followed at all times.

• Be respectful of others using the nature trails and give way to bikers, horse riders and runners who may be using the trails.

Equipment – Clothing (Scouts and Leaders)

Warm Weather Hikes:

• Caps

• Long Pants (recommended – light colored are best)

• Comfortable shoes (gym or hiking) and socks are required to avoid blisters and/or sprains (avoid sandals, crocs, flip flops, etc.)  If it has rained in the days before a hike, we may encounter mud on the trail – shoes and pants may get a little muddy.

Cold Weather Hikes:

• Warm hat

• Fleece pants (inner layer) + wind/water proof pants (outer layer)

• T-shirt/long johns (inner layer) + fleece jacket +wind jacket (outer layers)

• Weatherproof boots

• Warm socks

• Neck covering (scarf/hood)

• Gloves/mittens

• Winter coat

Equipment – Gear (Scouts)

Please supply the following prior to arriving at the hiking event:

• Backpack

• Sunscreen

• Bug Repellent

• Rain Gear /  Ponchos recommended (if rainfall is expected)

• Container of water for the hike

• Snack

• Whistle

• Compass (optional)

• Binoculars (optional)

Equipment – Gear (Hike Leaders)

• First Aid Kit

• Cell Phone

• Whistle

• Compass

Camping

The Outdoor Code

As a Scout, I will do my best to Be clean in my outdoor manners, Be careful with fire, Be considerate in the outdoors, and Be conservation minded.

Camping equipment

You should bring a tent, sleeping bags and rain gear.  Plan to dress in layers, as weather in Switzerland can be very changeable. Don’t forget toiletries and towels as there are usually washing facilities. Don’t forget a daypack and camera. Look at the equipment list below.  You should plan to bring equipment for any cooking you plan to do (camping stove or portable/disposable BBQ).  Don’t forget to bring eating and cooking utensils, plates and cups if necessary.  There are often no tables so a portable table would be useful and or picnic blankets.

Camping Equipment Full List:

Obviously you don’t need everything on this list, but it might prompt some thoughts.  Your car can be parked right next to your tent so hauling once you get there should not be a problem, you can live out of your car. Items with an asterisk (*) are part of the recommended minimum.

• Tent (w/waterproof ground cover)*

• Sleeping pad/air mattress and/or sleeping bag*

• Folding table/chairs Comfortable walking shoes or boots*

• Change of clothes (layers recommended)*

• Cub scout handbook!*

• Flashlight (torch) with extra batteries and/or camp lantern and fuel*

• Camp stove and fuel or portable BBQ (you may want to organize sharing)

• Matches/lighter

• Pocket knife

• Canteen or water bottles,

• ice chest for food storage* (hint: freeze some of your water bottles to keep the ice chest cold longer)

• Sun cream and insect repellent*

• First aid kit*

• Utensils, pots, pans, etc. Dish soap, sponge and towel for cleaning up anything you use.

• Napkins*

• Plastic bags/garbage bags*

• Plates, cups, utensils  (or easier, eat finger foods and drink from bottles)

• Personal toiletries*

• Soap and Towels for showers

• Camera, film, binoculars Sports equipment, including bicycles

• Food and beverages for all meals, snacks for hikes

• A sense of adventure, humor and mind set for possibility of rain.*

Please do not bring electronic games or stereo systems.  Pack 130 is a device-free Pack.

Pinewood Derby

The Pinewood Derby is an annual event and it is the most popular event for many scouts and is probably the best known scouting event among non-scouts. Pack 130 holds this event in November.

Overview

The scout is given a block of wood made of pine with two notches for wheels, four plastic wheels and four nails. The finished car must use all nine pieces, must not exceed a certain weight, must not exceed a certain length and must fit on the track used by that particular scout pack. The parent or grandparent often spends substantial time “helping” the child design, carve, paint, add weights, and tune the final car. Judging often goes to the best looking car, but sometimes is awarded to a car that looks like it was assembled by an elementary school child.

Other than the previous basic design rules, the scout is able to carve and decorate the car as s/he chooses. Many scouts also add weights to the final design to bring the car to the maximum allowable weight. Cars typically vary from unfinished blocks to whimsical objects, to accurate replicas of actual cars. The fastest cars tend to resemble low doorstops, with weight at the rear. Graphite is usually the only lubricant allowed, while it often helps to polish the provided nails.

The track usually has six lanes and slopes down to the ground as the cars are powered by gravity. The race is run in heats, giving every car the chance to run on each lane.

Preparing for the race

Please read this section and the car specifications carefully BEFORE your cub scout starts to build the car.

We want to encourage the children to do as much of the work on the cars themselves as they can safely manage. Clearly some of our younger Scouts will need more help than the older children!

No adult and/or sibling races due to the size of Pack 130.

Registration

Come EARLY to register, as it will close promptly at 12:30. If changes must be made to the car to comply with the specifications, your children will be happy to have the sufficient time.

Registration 10:45 to 12:30

10:45 – 11:15…..…Webelos

11:15 – 11:30………Bears

11:30 – 11:45……….Wolves

11:45 – 12:00………Tigers

12:00 – 12:30………Open

BBQ 12:00 to 1:30

Races start 13:00

Cleanup starts once the races are over.

Staging area

After final inspection and registration of each car, cars will be moved to a staging area off limits to all participants. Cars will be kept in this staging area between races.

Jumping the track

During the course of a race, if a car jumps the track due to a misalignment of the track and NOT due to a design flaw in the car AND provided that the car was in either first, second or third place of the heat at the time it occurred the heat will be restarted. The restart is left to the judgment of the Race Judge. If a car jumps the track due to a design flaw in the car or because of the loss of a loose part or else does so while in fourth or higher position during the heat regardless of the reason, the heat will continue without a restart and the car that jumped the track will be recorded to have finished in the final position. If the car in question interferes with any other car in the race, and the Race Judge thinks it fit, the race will be restarted. The Race Judges’ decision will be final in this matter at all times.

Awards

Awards will be given to the winners (1st 2nd 3rd) by Rank, Den and Pack and for design. Each Cub Scout will receive a certificate award.

Decisions by Derby Officials on race day are final and cannot be appealed.

Pinewood Derby Car Specifications

Pinewood Derby Car Dimensions

• The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.

• The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches.

• The lateral distance between the wheels must be at least 1 ¾” (44 mm).

• There is no restriction on the wheel base length up to the 7″ (177 mm) total length of the car.

• The car must have 3/8” clearance underneath the body so it does not rub on the track.

• The kit is set up with these dimensions. These rules are to discourage any major modifications to the block of wood you start with.

Derby Car Weight

• The car weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces or 142 grams. 

• The official race scale that is used at car check-in shall be considered final.

• The cars will be weighed and measured before the races begin. Leave some room for adding the last weight to your car at the event. There will be time to do this.

Wood, Wheels and Axles

• Cars are to be built only from the Official BSA Pinewood Derby kit, using the body, wheels, and axles provided in the kits. Detailing such as Steering Wheel, Driver, Decals, Painting, Interior Details are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width and weight specifications.

• All four wheels and axles MUST be used on the car (three, two or one wheeled cars will not be entered into the race).

• Official BSA wheels must be used. The wheels surface may not be cut, beveled, or rounded where it meets the track. You may remove the seams and imperfections from the wheels.

• The axles may be polished and lubricated. Axles may be lubricated with powdered graphite only. 

Car Modifications Not Allowed

• Wheel bearings, washers, covers, movable weights and bushings are strictly prohibited.

• The car shall not ride on any type of spring or suspension system.

• The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting, launch, or drive mechanisms.

• No loose materials of any kind are allowed on or inside the car. Any car losing an accessory such as a decorative item will be allowed to continue the race without the item attached. Any car losing a wheel will be allowed to be repaired, but then must be re-inspected.

• Please don’t be tempted to buy any special items available online. Many of them are for adult races not associated with scouting and may disqualify your child’s car. 

Other Rules

• Cars are to be built new for each year’s derby. Cars raced in previous years are not eligible to be raced.

• Once a car passes inspection and is entered into the race, only race committee members can touch it. We want a fair race. We will do whatever is possible to get your child’s car into the race.

• Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before it will be allowed to compete. These rules apply to all cub scouts worldwide. 

• The Inspection Committee has the responsibility to disqualify those cars that do not meet these specifications.

A little bit of history…

Cubmaster Don Murphy organized the first Pinewood Derby, which was raced on May 15, 1953 in Manhattan Beach, California, by Pack 280C. Murphy’s son was too young to participate in the popular Soap Box Derby races, so he came up with the idea of racing miniature wood cars. The cars had the same gravity-powered concept as the full-size Soap Box Derby cars, but were much smaller and easier to build.

In the 1980s, the design of the block was changed from including a cutout consistent with a 1940’s style front-engined Indy 500 car to a solid block, and the tires were changed from narrow, hard plastic to wider “slicks”. Blocks can be whittled with a hand knife, but this is dangerous for young boys. It is usually better for a trained adult to use a band saw or Dremel carving tool for major shaping. Decals can be bought at scout shops. The original style is based on open wheel cars, however, fender or body kits are available, or wheels can simply be placed outboard of the body.

Ski weekend

Ski weekend is usually scheduled in January or February. 

Cost

The fee per person is usually around 300 CHF. This includes the cost of accommodation and meals. It does not cover ski lessons.

Getting there

Kandersteg International Scout Centre, Wagetiweg 7

Kandersteg, 3718 Switzerland

Accommodation

The Centre provides dormitory-style rooms. Sleeping arrangements will be set up by den rather than by family.

Meals

Cafeteria-style dining will be provided by the Centre and is included in the cost.

Activities

• Igloo making

• Skiing

  • For ski lessons for your children (and/or yourself), please contact the Centre directly to make arrangements. Reservations are strongly recommended. You will need to pay an additional fee for lessons, which is to be paid directly to the Centre.

Bike Rally

The Pack Bike Rally is a fundraiser where the children ride laps around a path in the Versoix woods to raise money for the Pack Charity.  The scouts secure sponsors who pledge a certain amount of money per lap.

It’s a rally, and not a race. You can ride as many or as few laps of the course as you wish. We will count the number of laps each person completes.

Pack Bike Rally 2024

Saturday, 25 May 2024, 9:00-11:00 (Rain or shine!)

Registration (free) via Doodle or at the rally, from 9:00-9:15. 

Program:

• Registration 9:00-9:15

• Group start 9:15

• Finish 10:30

• Refreshments

• Leaving site 11:00.

Where?

Bois de Versoix, GPS Coordinates: N 46.29095, E 6.12615  

🔹  See Pep's route map PDF here

Meet at the start/finish of the rally loop, which is at the end of the Route de Rosière and the Route de Pont de Bossy.

See route map for starting point and triangular rally route.

The forest roads are mostly hard-packed dirt/gravel with one leg of the triangle in asphalt.

The route is 3.2 kilometers. There are no cars, but maybe horses and pedestrians. Horses may leave “traces”!

To get there:

By car. From Bossy take the Route de Rosière and follow signs to depart. About 1 kilometer.  Limited parking along forest road before departure meeting place.

By bus. Line 52 stops at Bossy. From Bossy cycle/walk on the Route de Rosière until it ends in the Bois de

By foot/bike from Versoix. Approximately 1 kilometer. There will be signs at intersections to direct you to start.

Who?

Cub scouts and their families are welcome to ride or walk the course.

Why?

We scouts have a requirement to support a charity every year. This year again we will make a donation to the BioParc, a zoo in Bellevue, Switzerland. See website at www.bioparc-geneve.ch

How to donate ?

Cubs can gather pledges or simply make a donation, either at the Rally or afterwards, to the treasurer. Your choice – no requirements.

Preparations - "Be Prepared!"

Bikes

Make sure they are working well beforehand.

• • • • •  Tires inflated

        •  Brakes working well

        •  Seat height adjusted?

        •  Light or reflectors optional

        •  Water bottle on bike or in jersey pocket

Clothing

• Dress warmly – you can always take off clothing, but you can’t put it on if you don’t have it. The course is shaded and may be windy. Rain/wind jacket according to conditions.

  •  Helmets required for all bikers. 

•  Make sure your pant legs are tight or wear ankle straps to keep from getting caught in the chain wheel.

•  Gloves strongly recommended to prevent injuring palms in case of a fall.

•  Reflective vests improve visibility

•  Sunglasses or clear lenses depending on sunshine. (Also protects eyes from insects, etc.)

•  Sunscreen.

Please also bring

• A healthy snack snack to share (choose your favorite fruit).

• Your own water bottles to reduce waste (we will provide water).

• Pack t-shirt for the children (There may be some in stock, please place any orders through your den leader well in advance).

• Sponsor sheet (children should turn in the money raised to their den leader within 2 weeks after end of event)

What else to know?

No bathrooms: Plan accordingly. Do bears …. in the woods?!

Refreshments: We will have water and some refreshments for afterwards. You are welcome to contribute.

Note: Our rally is authorized by the Service du paysage et des forêts, Répubique et Canton de Genève with these conditions:

•  Les participants doivent rester impérativement sur les Chemins fondés existants en forêt

•  La circulation de vélo en forêt hors des chemins fondés est interdite

•  Tout marquage durable (exemple peinture) sur les arbres et les infrastructures est interdit

•  Remis en état et nettoyage des cheminements et leurs abords de tout déchet, en particulier du balisage.

The children usually finish their laps by 10:30am, and snacks (families bring snacks to share) and prizes will be given out.

We then clean–up and remove everything from the course – Leave No Trace

Children will have to inform their sponsors how many laps they accomplished and collect the money, which they should give to their den leader along with the fundraising form.

Safety messages for everyone:

• The route is wide and paved for all but the last leg, which is wide and lightly gravelled, hard dirt. Do not turn off onto a wood-chip path or narrow dirt path. Again, we will have signs and parents at each intersection to ensure everyone follows the right route.

• If someone is injured: let one of the adults know. We will have at least one rider with a walkie-talkie connection to the start. (The mobile phone network is weak.) We will also have a first aid kit.

• If you get lost: stay calm and stay where you are.

• If you get too tired to complete a lap: ride to the next intersection and let the adult there know or wait for someone to pass you and let them know.

• If you need to stop: please move your bike and yourself to the side of the path.

• Pass with care.

• Horses have the right of way, please give them plenty of space.

• Keep decorations safe.

• Make sure you stay well hydrated throughout the rally.

The rally will only be cancelled if the weather is really bad, in which case we'll send an email via Scoutbook. 

Questions ? Contact Pep via WhatsApp via +336 03 911 433. I may not have WhatsApp connection in the Bois de Versoix.

Blue & Gold Dinner

The Blue & Gold Dinner is an annual event for the whole family to celebrate Cub scouting and is normally attended by 150-200 people. See the calendar of activities for date, time and location. It is organized by the Bear den(s) and consists of:

• Generally a canadian buffet / “”Potluck”” salad and dessert organized by your den

• Den songs, dances, skits to celebrate the diversity of Pack130

• Awards, great raffle and tombola prizes!

Each year we choose a theme that each den is to use to create a short skit or song to perform in front of the audience, to use for deciding how to decorate their tables, and to prepare their cake if they participate in the cake competition.

Preparing for the dinner

Skit / Song

Each den should prepare a skit or song around the theme that should last AT MOST 3 minutes.  The smaller dens can combine with others if you want but we will let you work that out amongst yourselves. If you want to put your skit to music you can send us a digital copy of the music in advance and we will burn them all onto on CD to facilitate the technical logistics.  As soon as you have chosen a “moment”, please let us know.  We try to keep it to only one den per moment.  So, get your selections in early because the themes are assigned on a first come / first serve basis.

Tombola / Raffle

Every den is asked to solicit prizes and small items for us to use in our raffle and tombola with the proceeds going towards our charity.  In addition to these donations we also ask each den to prepare a gift basket along a theme (movie, games, books, etc) to give away as a prize too.

Raffle tickets are only sold at the event itself and not in advance.

Finally, any small donations to use as tombola prizes are appreciated.  Corporate gifts (mugs, hats, etc) and small unwrapped items suitable (and interesting) for boys of Cub Scout-age are perfect for the tombola.  Big donations would go toward the raffle.

We collect all of the raffle and tombola prizes the week before the banquet so please do not wait until the last minute to start asking!

Food

Each den will be on their own for providing food and drinks.  Some dens go all out with their food preparations and others just have finger foods.  It’s your choice.  Paper goods (e.g., paper plates and plastic cups) are also your responsibility.

Cake competition

Scouts can prepare a cake, preferably without too much parental help, following the theme chosen for the dinner. All participating scouts will receive a “cake decorating” patch for their vests.  After the winners are selected, we will distribute the baked goods as dessert after dinner.