CUB SCOUTS: Tigers, Wolves, Bears, and Webelos. This is not a line from a book and movie about wicked witches and Munchkins. It describes the levels a boy passes through as he advances in Cub Scouts.
Cub Scout Pack 446 is affiliated with Congregation AABJ&D. The Cub Scouts meet approximately two Sunday mornings a month for about an hour during the school year to participate in fun and educational activities to satisfy advancement requirements. If your son is interested in joining the Cub Scouts, please contact Bruce Bukiet, Reuben Ehrlich, George Greenfield, or Stuart Rosenblum.
2009-2010 Activities
On Sunday, October 18, 2009, the Pack welcomed its existing scouts and new prospective scouts with a visit to Turtle Back Zoo. At the zoo, Dr. Jeremy Goodman, a veterinarian, the Director of the zoo, and a member of the
shul, took the scouts on a behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo’s veterinary hospital. At the hospital, the scouts learned how the cages of dangerous animals are cleaned (the animals are coaxed with food into an adjourning cage), learned how animals are weighed (on a large scale built into the floor), learned how shots are administered (some animals are trained to present their bottoms for shots while others are given shots with jab sticks), saw how dangerous animals are tranquilized (from a distance with darts), saw operating and x-ray rooms, saw the x-rays of several animals, including a snake (it took several x-ray sheets), and had their heart rate and oxygen level measured using a meter that attaches to any part of the body. In addition, Gideon Fox tried out a squeeze cage (a small cage with a movable wall so that the inhabitant can be restrained sufficiently to prevent its movement to allow the administration of injections).
[Link to zoo pictures]
On Sunday, November 1, 2009, Dr. Moshe Roth, an optometrist and a member of the shul, made a presentation to the Cub Scouts about the eyes. The scouts learned the difference between seeing and vision (seeing is what the eyes do; vision sifts out “interferences”). This was illustrated by viewing a chart that read:
I like Paris in in the spring |
While several participants noticed the word “in” on both the second and third lines, many did not (their brains filtered out the extra “in”). The Cub Scouts also learned that each eye presents a different picture to the brain. When the picture from each eye is combined, they allow one to see depth. Based upon this presentation, the Cub Scouts learned that there is definitely more to the eye than what meets the eye.
[Link to eyes pictures]
On Sunday, November 15, 2009, Officer Jason Padilla, a bicycle patrol officer with the West Orange Police Department, made a bicycle safety presentation to the Cub Scouts. Officer Padilla, who patrols14-16 miles a day on his bicycle (weather-permitting), talked about his bicycle (a Cannondale mountain bike), his equipment, and his special training. While the law requires that bicyclers under the age of 17 years wear a helmet, he recommended that it be replaced if one is involved in an accident (the foam part of a helmet is made for one-time use). He also recommended that the Cub Scouts perform a pre-bicycling ABC safety check (check the air, brakes, and chain). In addition, bicycles must have a horn and bicyclers must ride in the direction of traffic near the curb, use hand signals, and stop at red traffic signals and stop signs. If bicycling at night, the bicycle should have a light and the bicyclist should wear reflective clothing.
[Link to bicycle safety pictures]
On November 22, 2009, the Cub Scouts received gardening instruction from Debbie Druce and planted decorative cabbages (donated by Pleasantdale Nursery) and daffodil bulbs in the Children's Flower Garden in Verona Park.
[Link to gardening activity pictures]
The National Jewish Committee on Scouting developed the Maccabee (1st through 3rd grade scouts) and Aleph (3rd grade through 5th grade scouts) Emblems to help Cub Scouts who are Jewish learn more about Judaism. On December 6, after each Cub Scout talked to the group about a symbol of Judaism that they brought in to share, Joel Singerman lead them through a number of activities and exercises covering Jewish names, holidays, terms, symbols and objects, community helpers, the Torah, prayer, religious holidays, bible heroes, famous American Jews, the synagogue, the Jewish home, and the land of Israel. In addition, the Cub Scouts had to research two topics at home. The emblems (depicted to the left and right), which are worn over the left pocket of the Cub Scouts’ uniform, will be presented to the Cub Scouts that earned them at a ceremony in the future.
Fire has its good side (cooking, light, and shalom byas) and it has its bad side (it is dangerous). On January 3, 2010, Stuart Rosenblum discussed fire safety and how to make a campfire. He started out by handing out and discussing a brochure created by the New York City Fire Department entitled “Fire Safety for Jewish Observances” (see http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/pdf/events/2009/120409b2.pdf). According to the New York City Fire Department, 50 percent of all apartment fires and one-quarter of the fires in private homes start in the kitchen. The number of fires (the dangerous kind) in Jewish households increases on Friday nights, Chanukah, and before Pesach (bedikas chometz and burning chometz). The Cub Scouts learned about what to do if their clothing catches fire (stop, drop, and roll). They also learned that if there is a fire in one’s home, they should not hide; they should try to get out of the house. They learned that they should feel doors before opening them and try to find another way out if the door is hot. The scouts also learned how to construct a box campfire and a teepee campfire (placing sticks in the shape of a box or teepee, respectively, so that sufficient oxygen can support the fire; see the picture, above).
[Link to fire safety pictures]
On January 10, 2010, under the direction of Avi Laub, who brought his electric saw and his cutting skills, the Cub Scouts designed and prepared Pinewood Derby race cars, which are crafted from a small block of pine (if General Motors had used the Cub Scouts’ designs, it is possible that they would have never had to declare bankruptcy). The scouts subsequently painted, added wheels, and decorated their cars.
On March 14, 2009 and March 21, 2009, Boy Scout Troop 118 and Cub Scout Packs 118 and 446, in conjunction with volunteers from the community, conducted their annual "Scouting for Food" food drive to benefit the Bobrow Kosher Food Pantry at Oheb Shalom Congregation. The Bobrow Kosher Food Pantry is the only kosher food pantry in Northern and Central New Jersey. It provides supplemental food packages for approximately 160 needy families once a month. Mike Schatzberg (Scoutmaster, Boy Scout Troop 118), Lisa Vernon (Cubmaster, Cub Scout Pack 118), and Doni Israeli and Danny Amster (Cong. AABJ&D) organized and coordinated this effort and approximately 30 volunteers assisted in distributing and collecting approximately 500 bags (contributed by Kings Super Markets, Inc.) throughout West Orange, unpacking the bags, sorting the contents, and packaging approximately 5,000 pounds of food that filled 200 boxes.
Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. On Sunday, April 18, the Cub Scouts got a head start on Earth Day by helping clear out streams in Eagle Rock Reservation. Working with Jim Christiano from the Eagle Rock Conservancy, the Cub Scouts headed into the heart of the reservation with garbage bags and rakes. In addition to cleaning up all of the garbage they could find, the boys worked to clear leaves, fallen trees, and other debris from the many winding streams in the park. If the streams are not able to flow freely, they will overflow their banks during rain storms and wash out the hiking trails. The boys had a great time and our guide from the Conservancy noted that the Cub Scouts did a huge favor for everyone who wants to explore Eagle Rock Reservation.
[Link to Earth Day 1 and Earth Day 2 pictures]
2008-2009 Activities
On Sunday, October 5, 2008, the Pack welcomed its existing scouts and new prospective scouts with a hike in Tulip Springs, located in South Mountain Reservation. Matt Greenwood led the hike. Not only was it scenic, but the boys were able to see Turtle Back Rock, which looks like the back of a turtle's shell.
On Sunday, October 19, 2008, the boys had a Sukkah hop. They met in the AABJ&D sukkah and learned about trail marking, measurement, maps, and compasses from Joel (“Never Stop to Ask Directions”) Singerman. They even learned how to use an analog watch as a compass. They then used these skills to find threesukkahs stocked with goodies.
On Sunday, November 16, 2008, the Cub Scouts went to Essex County Airport. The boys first toured a small luxury plane. Then, Jonathan Kaplan showed then the weather computer that pilots use to check the weather before taking off in their planes and he explained the flight paths around the airport. Then, under Jonathan's supervision, the boys were able to raise and lower wing flaps and turn the rudder from the cockpit of a small plane (you can try this at home, the engine was off).
On Mothers' Day, the Cub Scouts received gardening instruction from Debbie Druce and planted flowers in the Children's Flower Garden in Verona Park (they also brought home flowers for Mom). As a followup to that activity, on Sunday, November 23, 2008, on a very cold day that kept even some of the heartiest scouts at home, under Debbie's direction, our wilted flowers from the spring were removed and bulbs that will, hopefully, yield flowers in the spring, were planted.
On Sunday, December 7, 2008, under the direction of George Greenfield and with the assistance of Matt Greenwood, Reuben Ehrlich, and Stuart Rosenblum, the Cub Scouts learned to tie some basic knots. Stuart demonstrated his rope-climbing equipment and taught rope rescue skills. The boys then participated in rope and knot-tying activities and games. In a ceremony following the knot fair, the boys that were scouts last year received advancement badges. The National Jewish Committee on Scouting developed the Maccabee Emblem to help Cub Scouts who are Jewish learn more about Judaism. Manny Ehrlich, Menachem Singerman, and Yitzy Zwickler completed the requirements for this award and received their Maccabee Emblems at this time. Max Dickman, who was not present, also earned the award.
When one needs help with a medical emergency, they call “911.” Typically, the West Orange First Aid Squad will respond. In response to a non-emergency call from Yosef Peikes in late December 2008, on Sunday, January 4, 2009, the Pack learned what the West Orange First Aid Squad does and they demonstrated how to use a number of pieces of their equipment. If you had peeked into the Youth Lounge on that day, you would have seen a scout with a bandage on his head, an arm in a sling, or one strapped to a gurney (disclaimer: no scouts were injured during this activity). One of the favorites was a gurney chair that uses tank-like treads to move injured parties down stairs. The highlight was a tour of the Squad's ambulance which was parked in the shul parking lot. Not only did they show the scouts how to use some of their equipment, but they demonstrated the full range of lights, sirens and horns.
[Link to first aid pictures]
Following a break for Yeshiva week, beginning on Sunday, February 1, 2009, the scouts assembled rubber band-powered space derby rockets from a kit. The effort required gluing two halves of the rocket together; sanding down the surface to make the rocket more streamlined; and installing a propeller, fins, and a hanger (during the competition, the rockets are propelled along a horizontal fishing line). Finally, the scouts painted and decorated their rockets.
On Sunday, February 8, 2009, Pack 446 competed against Cub Scout Pack 118 with their rockets. We had two winners from the pack--Sefi Greenwood won among the Tigers and JJ Rosenblum won among the Wolves. Leo Chaiet of Pack 118 won among the Bears and Uri Meltzer of Pack 118 won among the Webelos and overall.
George Greenfield and Stanley Mittelman (Pack 446) and Mike Chaiet, Mike Schatzberg, and Lisa Vernon (Pack 446) set up and ran the space derby and Bruce Bukiet (Pack 446) used his math skills to organize the various heats and to keep score.
[Link to space derby pictures]
What happens if one combines acetic acid and sodium bicarbonate? During the science activity on Sunday, February 22, 2009 conducted by Joel Singerman, the Cub Scouts learned that when these two compounds (more commonly known as vinegar and baking soda) are mixed, fizzing occurs (the fizzing is the generation of carbon dioxide). The Cub Scouts observed that if these compounds are placed in a soda bottle and a balloon is placed over the mouth of the bottle, as the carbon dioxide is released, the balloon expands. The Cub Scouts also learned how electricity is made (rotating wires around a magnet); how to make an electromagnet (a nail wrapped in wire and connected to a battery); how to make a flashlight with a bulb, paperclip, and a battery; how to make an aerodynamic paper airplane; how levers work; how to create small sparks of light inside a fluorescent light bulb using static electricity from a balloon (the static electricity was created by rubbing the balloon on Menachem Singerman's hair); and perception and illusions (what appears to be an empty cereal box can actually contain cereal).
On March 15, 2009 and March 22, 2009, Boy Scout Troop 118 and Cub Scout Packs 118 and 446, in conjunction with volunteers from Cong. AABJ&D, conducted their annual "Scouting for Food" food drive to benefit the Bobrow Kosher Food Pantry at Oheb Shalom Congregation. The Bobrow Kosher Food Pantry is the only kosher food pantry in Northern and Central New Jersey. It provides supplemental food packages for approximately 160 needy families once a month. Mike Schatzberg (Scoutmaster, Boy Scout Troop 118), Lisa Vernon (Cubmaster, Cub Scout Pack 118), and Doni Israeli and Danny Amster (Cong. AABJ&D) organized and coordinated this effort and 110 volunteers assisted in distributing and collecting bags throughout West Orange, unpacking the bags, sorting the contents, and packaging approximately 3,000 pounds of food that filled 115 boxes.
Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. On Sunday, April 26, 2009, in honor of Earth Day, the Cub Scouts collapsed numerous cardboard boxes left over from asimcha at the shul so that the boxes can be recycled. Then they visited Verona Park for a hike and to observe nature in action, in particular, the flowers that have bloomed from the bulbs that the Cub Scouts planted last fall.
If getting rained on, walking through a campsite at night without a flashlight, and swatting away mosquitoes does not sound like a great Shabbos to you, you obviously were not able to join the Cub Scouts at the 2009 New Jersey Kinus camping trip from May 15-17, 2009. Cub Scouts Max (and Katie) Dickman, Manny Ehrlich, Gideon Fox, and Mathew Plotsker, along with Jewish scouts from all over New Jersey brought their dads to this year's camping trip. The scouts put up an eruv around the entire camp, a cabin by the lake made a great shul, and there was so much wonderful food. During the day, the scouts had a chance to work on several activity awards, such as sports, map reading, drama, nature, and hiking. After Shabbos, there was a terrific melava malka with musicians, magicians, and skits. Before leaving the camp on Sunday, the Cub Scouts even got to go fishing. They all had a great time together celebrating Shabbos in Hashem's great outdoors.
[Link to Cub Scout Kinus 2009 pictures]
On June 28, 2009, the Cub Scouts and their families participated in an end-of-season cookout in the Bukiet’s backyard. During the cookout, advancement badges were presented as follows: JJ Rosenblum received a Tiger badge; Avery Cantor, Manny Ehrlich, and Daniel Peikes received Wolf badges; and Menachem Singerman received a Webelos I badge. Prospective Cub Scouts Ethan Cantor and Eli Novick and their families were in attendance, as well. Also advancing in rank, but not present at the cookout, were Sefi Greenwood, Josh Katz, and David Reiss (Tigers); Max Dickman, Gideon Fox, Mathew Plotsker, and Yogi Sragow (Wolves); Dov Greenwood, Sammy Zughaft and Yitzy Zwickler (Webelos I); and Jonathan Zughaft (Webelos II).
[Link to picnic 2009 pictures]
