We are starting 2008/2009 in great shape!

Pack 130 is run by the parents and our robust registration this year suggests that we are doing a great job of supporting our community. We have over 50 families participating in the Pack, with 65 boys from 15 different schools spread out across the La Cote side of Lake Geneva. We are the largest group associated with the Boys Scouts of America in Continental Europe.

The Committee of Pack 130 currently has 22 members. This is a fantastic group of people, even though not everyone can run a den or do one of the important committee jobs, the Committee wants to make the experience of being in cubs the best it can be for all of our boys. So – will you help?

I know you are already supporting your den. But we want more male participation in our pack meetings- from the fathers of our boys. So, gentlemen, please ask yourself: what will I do that will improve the experience for the boys of Pack 130?

Can you play the guitar?
Why not perform a 5 minute concert for us… Did you do acting at college?
Why not perform a 2 minute sketch with some other den dads… ?
Any good at IT? Going on the radio? Talking to people in schools about Cubs?
Got any ideas for next year’s charity?
Want to help raise money for Charity by running a marathon?
Are you in the military – can you organise a marine drill sergeant for some square bashing?
Are you a black belt at Karate? Could you give a talk/demonstration about unarmed combat?
Do you work at the airport or CERN and could arrange a visit for the Pack?
Do you think we should go snow shoeing or sledging or bicycling and can you arrange it?
Can you show the boys something, teach them something, show a film about something?
Do you know about fitness training, yoga, can you do a two minute session on something active?
Line dancing perhaps?

Come on guys! Take a leaf out of Den 4’s book – a den led and run entirely by…. men.

Pack 130 needs your help. We want suggestions/ideas/contributions of fun things to do to make this a more memorable experience for all of our boys. So please help by telling me what you will do of interest, or even just how to improve what we do already. Complete the sentence below and give it to your den leader or send me your ideas by email. I would really like to hear from you.

Thanks. Adam Hartley, Hartley@standfastcapital.com. Chairman, Pack 130 Geneva.

I/We can make the Pack more enjoyable for our boys by……
Contact details:

The Boys Scouts of Geneva in Switzerland have chosen to support Help-for-Hope in 2008. A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU, BOY SCOUTS!!

The Boy Scouts aim at raising USD 10’000 to complete the ‘Hands-on Unit’ project at the Center for Disabled Children(CDI) in Quito-Ecuador. This specialized learning center is part of the Hospital "Un Canto a La Vida" structure and attends to the needs of 80 mental and physical handicapped children from economically poor families.

 During 6 hours a day, 11 months of the year the children with Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Autism, Brain Paralysis and Mentally handicapped have the chance to be stimulated in their development. The center already offers different kinds of therapy treatments for these children. For example, physical, language, musical hydro and hippo therapies plus spiritual and psychological guidance. The ‘Hands-on Unit’ project will enhance the center by providing additional variety of tools and equipment for the use of the children. More specifically, the project will benefit 30 children in the (CDI) to boost up their motricity levels in order for them to become more autonomous and learn work force skills that will help them towards a more autonomous future.

The total cost of this project is of USD 14,000 from which USD 10’000 will be raised by the Boys Scouts Geneva, and the remaining USD 4’000 by the Hospital ‘Un Canto a la Vida’.

REGISTRATION will be at 1.30pm on Saturday 6th September 2008, with the Sports day from 2.30 to 4.30. at
Signal de Bougy sports ground. This is open to all existing and new 6 to 11 year old boys who wish to participate in the scouts in the year 2008/2009. More information about this can be found in the registrations page.

Many thanks to everyone who made the pack camping such a success. Despite a rainy Friday night Saturday turned into a pleasant day with the good weather continuing into Sunday.

A measure of it’s success and the commitment of everyone to come despite what seemed inclement weather saw over 100 cubs and their families at the campsite on Saturday and a wide range of activities happened throughout the day. A hike down to the gorge saw us getting stuck at a mountain of snow however we found a way around and clambering down some vertical stairs to the base of the waterfall at the end of the valley.

The evening barbecue and campfire saw  the dens performing skits and singing songs and on Sunday there was a very active sports hour with  4 teams playing  beanbag frenzy, some football and  and a quick game of tug of war.

Photos will be published on the scout photosite and if you have any photos you’d like to contribute please send them to the webmaster.

If Anyone is interested the official photo’s from the Blue and Gold evening on Friday can be found in the Packs photo album (click on this link) . BSA rules mean we have to password protect this site so if you wish to access it please send a mail to the webmaster@genevascouts.com with the name of your den and son and I’ll send you an invitation to access the site which will also provide you with a password to view the pictures. Our thanks to Craig Lissner who has taken these wonderful photographs.

With regards to the funds raised for Asskam, the evening raised CHF1825 in the Raffle and Tombola and a further CHF575 in other donations. Den 1 contibuted a further CHF 500 from the escalade race.

Just a final reminder of the Blue & Gold Banquet this coming Friday, March 7 from 1645 until 2100. The banquet will be held at the Salle des Fêtes

in Divonne-les-Bains, FRANCE (so don’t forget your passports!!).

We have some great raffle prizes this year topped off by 3 tickets to a Manchester United football game of your choice!! Tickets this year will

be sold in pairs (2 for 5 CHF) at the door. Here is a list of the bigger raffle prizes but we have more than 30 prizes to give away and will have a

tombola at the start of the banquet as well. Remember that all raffle proceeds benefit Asskam, our Pack’s charity for 2008.

Our annual trip to Kandersteg is on the 1st to 3rd February. Full details on this years trip can be found in the next meeting page. Directions are in the kandersteg page as well as links to the KISC website.

What is happening right now at KISC! Open Livecam.
Click here for the long range forecast for Kandersteg

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The KISC 2008 brochure can be downloaded here.

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For anyone interested 2008 is the 85th Year of KISC. there is a new Award to celebrate the 85 Years of Kandersteg International
Scout Centre and the centre is offering a chance to achieve the ‘85 Years of KISC Award’ to everyone staying at the centre at any time during 2008.
Complete any 8 of the requirements below.
1. Take part in a Hike over 1923 metres.
2. Collect at least 85 points from the ‘History of KISC Quiz’.
3. Find out where BP Hill is and visit it.
4. Contribute a photo, letter or scarf to the Time Capsule.
5. Sign our 2008 Guest book.
6. Take part in 3 Self Guided Eco Adventure Activities.
7. Find out what the WOSM Badge represents.
8. Take part in the Centre’s Discovery Trail or the KISC Photo Challenge.
9. Take part in the World Scouting Workshop
10. Take part in a game, campfire or International Evening.
11. Learn how to greet 5 Staff in their native language.
12. Teach someone from another country, a song, skit or tradition from your country.