Our Virtual Campfire: All the fun, without the smoky smell in your clothes

Just because we can’t go camping together, doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy one of everyone’s favorite Scouting pastime: the evening campfire.

On Saturday, April 18 at 6:30pm, we’ll come together via Zoom to enjoy a program of jokes, songs, skits, and fun… just like a real campfire. Check Scout Track, or ask your Den Leader, if you need the Zoom link.

To help us plan the evening’s fun, parents: please fill out the form below with your Scout’s contribution to the program by Friday, April 17.

Need help finding great ideas? Try looking through resources like these for jokes, skits, songs, and more.

Cancelled: Spring 2020 Camping Trip

⚠️ Following the guidance of the CDC and the actions of Austin ISD, we—sadly—will not be camping as planned. Regarding registration payments, there are two options:

1. We will automatically carry your payment forward as a credit for the Fall campout. No action required.

2. If you would prefer a refund, please fill out this form.

We will consider alternative outdoor plans, if possible, for the Spring and communicate as soon as possible.

MAR. 28-29, INKS LAKE STATE PARK

We will NOT camp overnight on Saturday, March 28 to Sunday, March 29 at Inks Lake State Park, about one hour northwest of Austin. Activities begin at 2pm on Saturday, so please arrive at least an hour earlier to set up your tent site.

There will be a few reserved camping sites available for those who want to arrive on Friday and camp an extra night. This is completely optional, and you are responsible for your own food on Friday night/Saturday morning. Contact Kathy if you would like to reserve one of these spots.

BEFORE YOU GO

☑️ All adults who attend an overnight trip must have completed the latest Youth Protection Training. Pack leaders should have already completed this, and other adults may have completed YPT before our Fall Overnight Trip, but if you haven’t completed training since February 2018, it is required.

☑️ All attendees—adults and scouts—need to have a Scout BSA Medical Form completed/updated. Click here to download the form as a PDF. It can be filled out in Adobe Acrobat or by hand. A physical copy must be delivered to Kathy at the campout (or before).

☑️ Reserve your spot: register by paying your tent and grub fee online.

AGENDA

Saturday

12noon-1pm Arrival and campsite setup
2pm Opening Ceremony
Afternoon: Den Activities
6pm Dinner
7pm Campfire Prep / Practice Den Skits
8pm Campfire

Sunday

8am Breakfast
9am Scouts Own Service
9:30am Cleanup, strike camp, and departure

GOOD TO KNOW

Camp sites: The Pack has already made the campsite reservations. There are restroom facilities in the park. A maximum of two vehicles may occupy a site. Click here for the Trail Map.

We estimate that we are slightly over capacity for camp sites. Please plan on bringing just one vehicle (each site can have two vehicles parked) and keep in mind that we need to have two tents at every site, minimum.

Meals will be provided for Saturday Dinner and Sunday breakfast. The Bear and Tiger dens are leading meals for this trip.

Coffee will be provided for adults (and anyone is welcome to learn how to help brew).

Arrival: Our opening ceremony is at 2pm. We recommend arriving at least an hour head of that to claim a site and set up your tent. There will be some opportunity later in the afternoon to continue to settle in, but it’s far better to get your tent pitched well before 2pm.

What to bring

Class A uniform (Cub Scout uniform shirt, neckerchief, and hat) for Opening / Closing Ceremonies
Class B uniform (Pack t-shirt) for the rest of the weekend

A tent! Need to borrow a tent? Contact your Den Leader.

A reusable cup, mug, water bottle, and/or canteen.

A camp chair.

A fishing pole (*optional)
Note that this is a State Park and so you do not need a fishing license to fish from a pier or the shore. Inks Lake has their own Fishing tip sheet.

Click here for a complete packing list (including what not to bring!)

NEW! What not to bring

Bikes, scooter, rollerblades, roller skates, skateboards, or similar.

 

Inks Lake State Park

3630 Park Road 4 West
Burnet, TX 78611

(512) 793-2223

Latitude: 30.737356
Longitude: -98.369007

Scout Sunday

Our chartering organization, Covenant United Methodist Church, has invited all Pack 421 scouts and their families to attend their Scout Sunday celebration on March 1.

There are two services: 9am or 11:15am with each service lasting about 1 hour.

Scout who attend should wear their class A uniforms, and may choose to volunteer to greet people at the doors. There will also be a chance to participate in a service project in-between services.

This is not a mandatory event. Families from all faiths are welcome to attend, and could be a great way for some Scouts to experience a different faith tradition.

It’s a great chance to open a conversation about an important part of the Scout Law: A Scout is Reverent.

2020 Pinewood Derby

Scouts are encouraged to use their own creativity and engineering ideas as they customize wooden cars for either speed, looks, or both! As you go you’ll just need to stay within the Pack’s rules, to avoid disappointment at check-in or on race day. Click here for our Pack’s Pinewood Derby Rules.

BUILD

We will host one build night in conjunction with our Pack Meeting on Monday, January 20. This makes the entire build process go more quickly , since not everyone has the right tools in their own home. Ask your Den Leader if your Den will also have a separate build night.

We will only do two things at the Pack Meeting:

1. cut the basic outline/shape of the car

2. drill holes for the car's standard nail axles

To prepare for the Pack meeting:

1. Bring your Pinewood Derby kit to the Pack Meeting
   If you didn't receive one yet, we will have more on hand.

2. Have your scout sketch the profile of their car's shape on the side of the car. You can print a template for your Scout to start sketching ideas before they mark the wood block. Pencil is highly encouraged.

3. Write their name and den on the bottom of the wood block.

We will not be sanding, attaching wheels, adding weights, painting, or any other build activities at the Pack Meeting. There's another 10 days after the Pack Meeting for further independent assembly and finishing touches.

For more ideas and a rabbit hole of information regarding Pinewood Derby, click here.

WEIGH-IN: FRIDAY NIGHT

Weigh-in for all cars begins on Friday evening, January 31 between 6-7:30pm at Davis Elementary’s Cafeteria.

Don’t wait until Saturday morning to get your car weighed in, as adjustments can take a little time. This also make for a smoother Saturday morning, and our event will start and end sooner if we have everyone weighed-in on Friday night.

At weigh in, leaders will:

• check the vehicle’s weight (remember, it cannot exceed 5.00 oz)

• check for any other rules violations

• ask for the car’s name (make sure your Scouts think about this before Friday!)

RACE DAY: SATURDAY

The Pinewood Derby race begins at 9am on Saturday, February 1 and we should be finished by 12noon. Dress: Class A uniforms.

1. Each Scout’s car will race against their own Den in a series of heats. Each car will race multiple times, in different lanes, to determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for each Den.

2. The top 3 cars from each den will race in the Pack-level heats to determine overall placement as the Pack’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fastest cars.

3. Siblings & Outlaw Races: All siblings are welcome to bring their car and we will race them as their own “den.” The same applies with any parent or Scout which has created an “outlaw” car (one that doesn’t abide by the rules).

AWARDS

In addition to 1st-3rd Place awards for each Den and the overall Pack, we will have creative awards for the following:

• Most Patriotic Car

• Most Original Car

• Best Camouflaged Car

• Best Antique Car

• Car of the Future

• Judge's Favorite Car

• Most Creative Car

• Best Craftsmanship Car

• Top Movie or TV Themed Car

• Outstanding Use of Decals

• Best Lego Car

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ABOUT PINEWOOD DERBY

An annual tradition, Cub Scouts work together with their parent or adult mentor to build their own custom race car! They begin by choosing a car design, then carve it out, and detail it with paint, decals, and other accessories to compete in their pack's own Pinewood Derby. It's s a wonderful learning experience centered on teamwork, ingenuity, and sportsmanship—all for the thrill of the race and a lifetime of great memories.

Fall 2019 Overnight Trip: A Night Under the Sea

Nov. 9-10, Moody Gardens

Last updated on Nov. 6

We will spend the night in the Moody Garden Aquarium and discover a world much different from our own! Discover ocean habitats, creatures that live within them, and relationships they share during our night expedition. The evening includes a variety of activities with an animal encounter and a tour of the Aquarium Pyramid.

Reservations are now closed. Contact your Den Leader if you have last-minute changes.
$50 per attendee.

All Scouts—including Lions—are now eligible to attend! We contacted Moody Gardens, and they agreed to update their policy to fit the Scouting ages. They also have expanded our group size to 150 people. We ask that Scouts and only one parent per family sign up until the October 21 Pack Meeting. After that date, all siblings (ages 5-13) may sign up, along with a 2nd parent (if you wish).

Required Forms.
Please complete and return all forms to Candace.

Youth Protection Training is required of all attending adults. Forward your completion certificate. It may take a few hours to be sent to your email address upon completion.

Annual BSA Medical Release Forms are required for all Scouts attending. Click here to download.

• Check-in will be at 6:15pm on Saturday, November 9. The program begin promptly at 6:30pm

• Meet at “Aquarium Ticketing” Click here for a map

• You are responsible for carrying your own gear – be sure to pack light!

• We will sleep indoors—pack a sleeping pad, air mattress, or cot, sleeping bag, and pillow. See Moody Garden’s recommended packing list below.

• A late night snack and continental breakfast will be provided.

Scroll down for the agenda and packing list.

 

Moody Gardens

One Hope Boulevard
Galveston, TX 77554

(409) 744-4673

Plan accordingly: From Austin, this is a minimum 3.5 hour drive, with tolls.

What to Pack

To make the most of the night, please plan to bring the following:

• Sleeping bag & pillow

• Comfy clothes & shoes (you can bring a change of clothes

  for sleeping)

• Basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hand towel, etc.)

• Class B uniform (t-shirt)

• Air mattress or cot (optional)

• Eye mask (optional)

• A positive attitude & a sense of adventure!

What to Leave at Home

• Items of value (laptop, tablets, etc)

• Selfie sticks

• Alcohol

Agenda

Timing is approximate—except for check-in. Don’t be late!

6:15 pm – 6:30 pm – Group Arrival & Check-in—Meet at “Aquarium Ticketing” Click here for a map
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Guided Tour
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Habitat Presentation
9:00 pm – 9:45 pm – Pizza Snack (consists of 2 slices of pizza and a can of Sierra Mist per person)
9:45 pm – 10:45 pm – Late Night Tour (optional)
10:45 pm – 11:30 pm – Themed Games and Activities (optional)
11:30 pm – 12:00 am – Prepare for Bed

12:00 am – Lights Out

7:00 am – 7:45 am – Wake-up Call & Breakfast (small donuts, breakfast breads, fruit, juice, coffee)
7:45 am – 8:00 am – Group Check-out & Departure

We are welcome to re-enter the pyramid at 10:00 am

Questions?

Email Bill

Fall 2019 Camping Trip

OCT. 12-13, PACE BEND PARK

We will camp overnight on Saturday, October 12 to Sunday, October 13 at Pace Bend Park, about one hour west of Austin. Activities begin at 2pm on Saturday, so please arrive at least an hour earlier to set up your tent site.

There will be a few reserved camping sites available for those who want to arrive on Friday and camp an extra night. This is completely optional, and you are responsible for your own food on Friday night/Saturday morning. Contact Kathy if you would like to reserve one of these spots.

BEFORE YOU GO

[ ] All adults who attend an overnight trip must have completed the latest Youth Protection Training. Pack leaders should have already completed this, and other adults may have completed YPT before our Fall Overnight Trip, but if you haven’t completed training since February 2018, it is required.

[ ] All attendees—adults and scouts—need to have a Scout BSA Medical Form completed/updated. Click here to download the form as a PDF. It can be filled out in Adobe Acrobat or by hand. A physical copy must be delivered to Kathy at the campout (or before).

[ ] Reserve your spot: pay your grub fee online by October 3. We are currently at capacity. Everyone is still welcome to attend Saturday afternoon’s activities, dinner, and campfire but we cannot accept any more tents.

AGENDA

Saturday

12noon-1pm Arrival and campsite setup
2pm Opening Ceremony
Afternoon: Den Activities
6pm Dinner
7pm Campfire Prep / Practice Den Skits
8pm Campfire

Sunday

8am Breakfast
9am Scouts Own Service
9:30am Cleanup, strike camp, and departure

GOOD TO KNOW

Camp sites: The Pack has already made the campsite reservations. We have sites 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12-18, and 20 reserved. There are restroom facilities in the park. A maximum of two vehicles may occupy a site. Click here for the Trail Map which also notes the location of the campground.

We estimate that we are slightly over capacity for camp sites. Please plan on bringing just one vehicle (each site can have two vehicles parked) and keep in mind that we need to have two tents at every site, minimum.

Meals will be provided for Saturday Dinner and Sunday breakfast. The Arrow of Light den is leading meals for this trip.

Coffee will be provided for adults (and anyone is welcome to learn how to help brew).

Arrival: Our opening ceremony is at 2pm. We recommend arriving at least an hour head of that to claim a site and set up your tent. There will be some opportunity later in the afternoon to continue to settle in, but it’s far better to get your tent pitched well before 2pm.

What to bring

Class A uniform (Cub Scout uniform shirt, neckerchief, and hat) for Opening / Closing Ceremonies
Class B uniform (Pack t-shirt) for the rest of the weekend

A tent! Need to borrow a tent? Contact your Den Leader.

A reusable cup, mug, water bottle, and/or canteen.

A camp chair.

A fishing pole (*optional)
Note: State parks allow fishing without a license.

Click here for a complete packing list (including what not to bring!)

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Bastrop State Park
100 Park Road 1A
Bastrop, TX 78602

(512) 321-2101

Latitude: 30.110149
Longitude: -97.286864

Summer 2019 Events

Our Pack will host three activities: one in each Summer month. Each event has its own pricing and sign up form. See the links below. As with all of our events, siblings are welcome (unless the event has specific age limitations).

Participating in one activity each month qualifies your Scout for the National Summertime Pack Award.

Scouts should wear their Class B uniforms (Pack 421 t-shirt)—if they have one—to ensure it’s easy to identify the group.

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indoor Rock Climbing at Austin Bouldering Project

Sunday, June 9, 4-6pm
Scout climbers are free
$12 per climber fee for siblings
$14 per climber fee for adults

Click here to RSVP
Questions? Contact Bill

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UT Tower Tour

Saturday, July 20, 4pm
Scouts are free
$6 per additional person

Click here to RSVP
Questions? Contact George

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Inner Space Cavern Tour in Georgetown, TX

Saturday, August 17, 1pm
Scouts are free
$16 per Adult / $9 for Siblings

Click here to RSVP
Questions? Contact Khaled

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Summer Camps

As a reminder, there are several types of Council or District-hosted Summer Camps your Scouts can attend. Click here for the 2019 Summer Camp details

Spring 2019 Camping Trip

Mar. 30-31, Buescher State Park

We will camp overnight on Saturday, March 30 to Sunday, March 31 at Buescher State Park, about one hour east of Austin. Activities begin at 2pm on Saturday, so please arrive at least an hour earlier to set up your tent site.

There will be a few reserved camping sites available for those who want to arrive on Friday and camp an extra night. This is completely optional, and you are responsible for your own food on Friday night/Saturday morning. Contact Kathy if you would like to reserve one of these spots.

BEFORE YOU GO

[ ] All adults who attend an overnight trip must have completed the latest Youth Protection Training. Pack leaders should have already completed this, and other adults may have completed YPT before our Fall Overnight Trip, but if you haven’t completed training since February 2018, it is required.

[ ] All attendees—adults and scouts—need to have a Scout BSA Medical Form completed/updated. Click here to download the form as a PDF. It can be filled out in Adobe Acrobat or by hand. A physical copy must be delivered to Kathy at the campout (or before).

[ ] Reserve your spot: pay for your tent site and grub fee online. You can also pay in person at the event, but it’s a lot easier for us to plan if you pay ahead of time. Everyone who wants to attend should be able to attend. Siblings and family members are welcome.

Agenda

Saturday
9am-12pm Learn to Fish
*Optional activity offered by TX State Parks
12 - 1:30pm Arrival/Tent Set up
*Campsites TBA
2pm Colors
3 - 4pm Pack Activity Bear Den Carnival
4 - 5:30pm Den Activity
6pm Dinner
7pm Campfire Prep / Practice Den Skits
8pm Campfire

Sunday
8am Breakfast
9am Sunday Service
10am Cleanup, strike camp, and departure

Good to Know

The Pack has already made the campsite reservations. We have sites 41 - 46 and 51 - 60 in the Lakeview Camping Area reserved. There are restroom facilities in the park, including showers. Link to camping site map.

If we exceed 2 cars and/or 8 people per campsite, we will be charged an extra fee. This is fine, if we have to do this for capacity reasons, but please only exceed the car/people limit if we have used every available campsite already.

We will have use of a pavilion and it will have electricity.

Meals will be provided by the Bear (dinner) and Tiger (breakfast) dens.
If you have dietary restrictions, please contact Bill Tiernan.

Coffee will be provided for adults (and anyone is welcome to learn how to help brew).

Some dens may do a hike on Saturday as a den activity. Check with your den leader. Click here for a Buescher State Park Trails Map

What to Bring

Class A uniform (Cub Scout uniform shirt, neckerchief, and hat) for Opening / Closing Ceremonies
Class B uniform (Pack t-shirt) for the rest of the weekend

A tent! (Need to borrow a tent? Contact your Den Leader or email: cubmaster@pack421austin.org)

A reusable cup, mug, water bottle, and/or canteen.

A camp chair.

A fishing pole! (*optional) You can fish in TX State Parks without a license and the park happens to be hosting a free “Learn to Fish” event on the Saturday morning before our activities begin.

Click here for a complete packing list (including what not to bring!)

 

Buescher State Park
100 Park Road 1E 
Smithville, TX 78957

Latitude: 30.039098
Longitude: -97.158295

2019 Blue & Gold Banquet

Our annual Blue & Gold Banquet will take place on Monday, February 25, from 6:30-8pm, at Davis Elementary School.

Parents and family members are welcome as we also celebrate BSA’s birthday, our volunteer leaders, and we’ll feature our Arrow of Light Den. They will receive the highest rank in Cub Scouts and will “cross over” to different Scout Troops in Austin.

Dinner and dessert will be provided.

We will also showcase the past year’s activities and Scouts in a photo slideshow. To upload photos of your Scout from the past year, please click here.

2019 Pinewood Derby

Scouts are encouraged to use their own creativity and engineering ideas as they customize wooden cars for either speed, looks, or both! As you go you’ll just need to stay within the Pack’s rules, to avoid disappointment at check-in or on race day. Click here for our Pack’s Pinewood Derby Rules.

RUN OF SHOW

Each Den will have scheduled “Build Nights” at an adult volunteer’s garage. This makes the entire build process go more quickly , since not everyone has the right tools in their own home. Ask your Den Leader for your Den’s scheduled time and details.

Check-in for all cars begins on Friday evening, January 25 between 6-9pm.

The Pinewood Derby race begins at 8am on Saturday, January 26 and we should be finished by 12noon.

ABOUT PINEWOOD DERBY

An annual tradition, Cub Scouts work together with their parent or adult mentor to build their own custom race car! They begin by choosing a car design, then carve it out, and detail it with paint, decals, and other accessories to compete in their pack's own Pinewood Derby. It's s a wonderful learning experience centered on teamwork, ingenuity, and sportsmanship—all for the thrill of the race and a lifetime of great memories.