Gentlemen, Start Your Engines. Those were the words spoken as Cub Scout Pack 81 revved things up in January with our Pinewood Derby. Many thanks to our racing sponsors, TJ’s Auto Supply and Culnane’s Garage for providing the derby cars and awards for our Cub Scouts.

Cub scouts at the Pinewood Derby

Each den competed and based on best time was awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medals. Winners from the Tiger Den were 1st place Patrick Verdetto, 2nd place Jeremiah Hadden, 3rd place Sean Hershel. Winners from the Wolf Den were 1st place Miles Crawford, 2nd place Zackary Heath, 3rd place William Lawrence. Winners from the Bear Den were 1st place Luke Hilling, 2nd place Reilly Potter, and 3rd place Dawson Consla. Winners from the Webelos I Den were: 1st place Joseph Curtis, 2nd place Billy Steele, 3rd place Avery Yestrepsky. Winners from the Webelos II Den were 1st place Zachary Consla, 2nd place Preston Perry, 3rd place Devyn Benson. Overall winners, based on a double elimination receiving trophies were: 1st place Billy Steele, 2nd place Joseph Curtis, 3rd place Patrick Verdetto. Best of show, voted on by everyone present at the derby, was Will Lawrence who received a display case for his car. All participants received the 2014 Pinewood Derby patch.

Upcoming events include our February Winter Olympics (Cub Scout Style) with a March Bowl-a-thon Service Project to benefit the SNF unit at Barnes-Kasson Hospital; we are raising monies to purchase care packages for the residents. In April we will visit SNF to present the care packages and homemade Easter decorations in an Easter Parade. May is when we hold our Blue and Gold Banquet to celebrate and advance our Scouts in rank.

Cub Scout Pack 81 Susquehanna is thriving, with 38 Cub Scouts and 14 Adult Leaders.

Our pack consists of the following members: Cubmaster Terry Rockwell; Assistant Cubmaster Todd Heller; Committee Chair Tammy Heller; Committee Members JoAnn Clemo, Stephanie Consla-Babcock.

Tiger Den (1st grade): Norman Burns, Jeremiah Hadden, Sean Herschel, Matthew Matis, Zachary Norton, Justin Sheldon, Zeekin Smith, Patrick Verdetto, Caden Williams, Den Leader Mike Matis.

Wolf Den (2nd grade): Donald Chandler, Miles Crawford, Dylan DeRiancho, Zackary Heath, Julyan Jaimes, William Lawrence, Christopher Parsley, Tyler Rockwell, Den Leader Kristen Lawrence, Assistant Den Leader Mina Chandler, Den Chief Robert Burns.

Bear Den (3rd grade): Jonathan Burns, Dawson Consla, Kole Hayes, Luke Hilling, Paul Janicelli, Gabriel Morrison, Reilly Potter, Joshua Price, Jacy Wilson, Den Leader Kristin Potter; Assistant Den Leader Donald Potter.

Webelos I (4th grade): Austin Conklin, Joseph Curtis, Gannon Dooner-Furness, Joshua Marco, William Steele, Carson Williams, Avery Yestrepsky, Den Leader Diane Sabatelli, Assistant Den Leader Kim Marco

Webelos II (5th grade): Devyn Benson, Michael Conklin, Zachary Consla, Cody Orner, Preston Perry, Den Leader Shannon Martin, Assistant Den Leader Rachael Benson

Getting back to the basics, family fun and connection – that is what Scouting is about. If you want your family to be a part of our Pack family you can contact Tammy Heller at 570-853-3094 for more information.

This week we are going highlight the Susquehanna County 4-H Shooting Sports Program. Our program includes shotgun, air rifle, air pistol, .22 riflery, muzzleloading, and archery. Members must be eight years of age to participate in shooting sports, and all projects are administered under the direction and leadership of NRA Certified Shooting Sports Instructors, who also serve as Susquehanna County 4-H Leaders.

Three very happy air rifle participants, smiling before taking careful aim with instructor Terry Bufford

Several 4-H clubs in Susquehanna County offer shooting sports, and allow members to learn how to be responsible shooting sports enthusiasts. Members are taught how to safely handle shooting sports equipment, how to properly fire them, and are able to participate in fun competitions at project meetings. Members must also complete and exhibit their project record books at the Harford Fair, along with targets they have shot or records of their shooting sports activities. Furthermore, members are able to compete in Penn State Achievement Days in all the Shooting Sports Competitions. By doing well at Achievement Days, members are able to qualify for opportunities at the National level. In 2013, Susquehanna County 4-Her Zach Van Winkle participated in the National Shooting Sports Invitational in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Susquehanna County also sponsors a Shooting Sports Fun Day, which is usually held in May. This event is open to all youth (they don’t even have to be 4-H members), ages 8-18, and allows kids the opportunity to try shooting different kinds of disciplines. During the day, attendees choose two stations to try. They may choose from shotgun, air rifle, air pistol, .22, or archery, and take some time to learn about that style of shooting. Parents are always welcome to come as well! Then after lunch, youth select one discipline to shoot in as part of the Fun Shoot. Awards and prizes for everyone round out the day!

Susquehanna County is always looking for more adult individuals that may be willing to help as volunteers for our 4-H Program, especially in the Shooting Sports. Training is available to help you get started volunteering today!

If Susquehanna County 4-H and shooting sports sounds like a program your kids might be interested in, please contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office today. Our phone number is (570) 278-1158 or drop an e-mail to ano3@psu.edu. Also be sure to check out our website at extension.psu.edu/Susquehanna and find us on Facebook at Susquehanna County 4-H. I look forward to helping you join 4-H, and be sure to look for our next series article on what plant science, gardening, and other environmental projects Susquehanna County offers.