December 2025 Newsletter
November was a much more exciting month of Scouting than I think anyone bargained for. From our amazing service project, to hands on first aid training, to our first adventures with our new pocket knife training kit, to our successful thanksgiving dinner, this was a month of Scouting we won’t soon forget.
November was a much more exciting month of Scouting than I think anyone bargained for. From our amazing service project, to hands on first aid training, to our first adventures with our new pocket knife training kit, to our successful thanksgiving dinner, this was a month of Scouting we won’t soon forget.
November Roundup
What started as an Arrow of Light service project turned into Pack 729’s first year of Scouting for Food and it was certainly a successful one. Our Scouts collected 1669 lbs. of food for the Elmwood Blessing Box and the Schoolcraft College food pantry. We were recognized by the Livonia Public School Board and Schoolcraft College for our efforts and more importantly made a difference in our local community.
A few of our Dens also got some hands on first aid experience from our very own Dearborn Heights Firefighter and Tiger Dad, Jonathon McLeay.
We also held our our annual Thanksgiving dinner and uniform inspection. Our Scouts looked great, and did a fantastic job serving their parents and fellow Scouts.
Pack Discord Server
If you haven’t joined the Pack Discord Server yet please do. That’s where you’re going to find the latest quick communications from Pack 729, like were to park during the Trunk or Treat due to high winds.
You can download Discord at: discord.com/download
You can join our server using this link:
discord.gg/z3mMkGmyUH
Little Caesars Fundraiser
🍕🍕 Who likes pizza?? Back by popular demand is our Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraiser! 🍕🍕
Fundraisers like this help us pay for Cub Scout activities like camp and our Blue & Gold banquet, as well as awards for the kiddos.
Little Caesars will ship directly to you, so this is not a locals-only one. Pizza, breadsticks, even cookies!
Sign up using this link or the button below if you'd like to participate in selling kits: https://fundraising.littlecaesars.com/login/join-fundraiser/113fc74d-e05d-4a9f-83ee-041020e90a45
Messengers of Peace Project
Remember when we built the Bee Kind Pollinator Garden? Well it has now been officially recognized as a Messengers of Peace Project by the World Organization of the Scout Movement. You can find their page on it at: https://sdgs.scout.org/project/pollinator-garden-hayes-elementary-school
2026 Annual Dues
This is a reminder that your Scout’s 2026 Annual dues are due by December 31st, 2025. Many Packs have monthly dues or even per meeting dues, but due to successful fundraising our dues are a simple $20 per year and can be paid at https://www.hayespack729.org/trading-post/p/pack-729-dues-2026. Formal dues notices will be sent out by email prior to our Pack Meeting.
Blue & Gold Tickets
The Blue & Gold, held on February 1st at DeLuca's Restaurant in Westland is our annual banquet where we celebrate the birthday of Scouting, get awards, and send off our Arrow of Light Scouts to their Troops. The theme for this year is Pokémon! Be sure to get your tickets by January 16th!
Upcoming Events
Den Meeting
December 2 | 6:30pm
This Den Meeting will be followed immediately by our Committee Meeting.
Pack Meeting - Adopt a Family
December 9 | 6:30pm
Be sure to sign up to donate a gift. More details below.
Den Meeting
December 16 | 6:30pm
Our regularly scheduled Den Meeting.
Adopt a Family & Snowball Fight
December 9
Every year, we ask Hayes to assign us a family in need to assist with presents for Christmas. Families in our Pack then sign up for which presents they are able to donate, and bring those presents unwrapped to our December Pack Meeting where we wrap them, and stow them away at Hayes for that family.
Laura has done a fantastic job coordinating with Hayes, and assembling this list so please sign up for what you plan to bring here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45A5AD2BA0F9C34-60621986-adoptafamily.
In addition to a present, we ask everyone to bring a unopened pack of white adult sized socks to the December Pack Meeting, as we use those for our annual "snowball fight" and then donate those socks to those in need.
This month is short and sweet but we wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
November 2025 Newsletter
With our Fall Camporee behind us and the holidays ahead of us we look forward to a great month of Cub Scouting and a strong kickoff to the holiday season with service projects like Scouting for Food, special events like Team USA Scout Night and our Thanksgiving Dinner where the Scouts serve the adults!
With our Fall Camporee behind us and the holidays ahead of us we look forward to a great month of Cub Scouting and a strong kickoff to the holiday season with service projects like Scouting for Food, special events like Team USA Scout Night and our Thanksgiving Dinner where the Scouts serve the adults!
October Roundup
We had an absolutely amazing Fall Camporee filled with jack-o'-lanterns, nature hikes, horseback riding, human foosball and plenty of fun.
We also had our Pack Trunk-or-Treat and even though it was a little windy we had a great time, and managed to vote without all the cups blowing away this year.
Pack Discord Server
If you haven’t joined the Pack Discord Server yet please do. That’s where you’re going to find the latest quick communications from Pack 729, like were to park during the Trunk or Treat due to high winds.
You can download Discord at: discord.com/download
You can join our server using this link:
discord.gg/z3mMkGmyUH
Scouting for Food
Service is an important part of every Cub Scout's journey and this year we've chosen Scouting for Food as our service project.
One day a year, Scouts from all over the council pick up non-perishable food donations from local residents and take those to their local food pantries. A week prior, the Scouts drop off bags and/or flyers to the local residents to invite them to take part in this worth-while service project.
Our Pack will be meeting on November 1st at 10am at Corrado Park, on the north side of the parking lot. There, similar to the way we handle our Can & Bottle Drive, Scouts will be given a route and bags/flyers to place on door handles. We will then gather again at 10am on November 8th, at Laura's house, (8114 Donna St, Westland MI 48185) in Class A uniform to drive around the same neighborhoods picking up the food donations and delivering them to Gleaners Food Bank to serve those less fortunate, especially during the holiday season.
Team USA Scout Night
USA Hockey Arena is holding a special Scout & Carnival Weekend on November on November 15th and Pack 729 is going.
As part of the Scout Weekend, we receive a special USA Hockey patch for our uniforms, discounted tickets, and a group welcome message on the video board for our Pack. They will also have free carnival games and activities all over the concourse. You have to order your tickets using the link below:
Upcoming Events
Scouting for Food - Bag Dropoff
November 1 | 10:00am
Please meet us at Corrado Park to get your bags, flyers, and routes.
Scouting for Food - Bag Pickup
November 8 | 10:00am
Please meet us at Laura's House (8114 Donna St, Westland MI 48185) in Class A uniform to be assigned a task, and if you have a pickup truck or another vehicle that can help haul food, it would be much appreciated.
Den Meeting
November 11 | 6:30pm
This Den Meeting will be followed immediately by our Committee Meeting.
Team USA Scout Night
November 15 | 6:00pm
USNTDP vs Chicago Steel
Free Carnival Games & Activities on Concourse
Ticket Includes Parking and Patch
Doors open: 6pm
Puck Drop: 7pm
Den Meeting
November 18 | 6:30pm
Our regularly scheduled Den Meeting.
Pack Meeting - Thanksgiving Dinner & Uniform Inspection
November 25 | 6:00pm
Tickets must be purchased by November 14th. More information below.
Thanksgiving Dinner & Uniform Inspection
On November 25th we have our annual Thanksgiving Dinner where the Scouts serve the adults. In prior years this has been a potluck but based on feedback we've decided to make it a ticketed event instead. So please get your tickets at: https://www.hayespack729.org/trading-post/p/thanksgiving2025. The tickets are $12 per person. 3 and under are free. Feel free to invite the family, and bring a dessert if you wish. Tickets must be purchased by November 14th.
Prior to dinner we will be having a uniform inspection and giving out awards to make sure our waitstaff are in tip top shape so please review the uniform guide at: https://www.hayespack729.org/uniforms.
We look forward to getting our Scouts all of their awards, and sharing a meal together!
October 2025 Newsletter
Pack 729 is back into full swing and have a lot going on this month so be sure to look at this newsletter closely to find out information on our Fall Camporee, our Trunk or Treat, our new pack clothing orders, and new ways of communicating.
Pack 729 is back into full swing and have a lot going on this month so be sure to look at this newsletter closely to find out information on our Fall Camporee, our Trunk or Treat, our new pack clothing orders, and new ways of communicating.
New Class B Order
We’re putting in a new order for Class B Pack 729 apparel. These are a great option for when we don’t want to wear full uniform, but still want to be able to identify our pack while we are out on adventures.
Orders are due October 16th, and you can order your items online at: hayespack729.org/trading-post/class-b.
Pack Discord Server
We’ve put together a Pack 729 Discord Server for quick and easy communication. I hate to make everyone download a new app at the beginning of the school year, but I promise you this one is far more straightforward that the apps the teachers are having you download. Please download the app, join our server and introduce yourself in the General channel with your first and last name as well as your Scout’s.
You can download Discord at: discord.com/download
You can join our server using this link:
discord.gg/z3mMkGmyUH
Fall Camporee
The cut off for Fall Camporee tickets is October 7th, and the women’s side of the cabin is filling up quickly so please get your tickets ASAP if you need a spot on the women’s side of the cabin. Also we will be carving jack-o'-lanterns to decorate our campsite please be sure to bring a pumpkin along with carving tools and a light source to light it
If you have not done so be sure to bring your Annual Medical Form Part A and B to the next Den Meeting or you will not be able to attend camp.
More details on the Fall Camporee are in the event section below.
The contest will be replacing this patch which we all wear on our uniforms.
MCC Patch Contest
Our Council is looking for creative Scouts to design the next Michigan Crossroads Council Shoulder Patch (CSP). The Upper Peninsula has joined us, and we want to make sure our new CSP reflects our full council.
We are looking for an original design that captures the spirit, excitement, and adventure of Scouting in Michigan.
Here is what you need to know:
Submissions are accepted starting October 6 through October 19 11:59 pm. Submit original artwork on the Patch Contest form or standalone flyer.
Design must include the words “Michigan Crossroads Council”.
Design must include the Fleur de Lis image (the solid one shown on this page is best for embroidery this size).
Designs need to be created by registered Scouts (youth) in the MCC. Designs can be hand drawn or computer designed. Designs will be judged on the concept, not on the skill.
Maximum of 9 colors.
You can find all the details at: michiganscouting.org/patchcontest
Upcoming Events
Den Meeting
October 7 | 6:30pm
This is our last Den Meeting before camp, and our last day to register for camp. Please bring your Annual Medical Form Part A and B if you have not done so already. If you do not you will not be able to attend camp.
Fall Camporee
October 10 - 12
You can show up as early as 6pm on Friday, and we expect to leave roughly around 10am on Sunday. Please eat dinner before you arrive because the only food being served in evening will be smores. Expect to spend most of your day outdoors and there will be activities that range from sports to hiking to astronomy, weather permitting.
Please bring a pumpkin, carving tools, and a way to light it as we’ll be making jack-o'-lanterns.
GPS coordinates to Jack Lord Cabin are here. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/AJKDmoPQwfcU997j9)
Packing list: cub-packing-list.pdf (michiganscouting.org)
Camp map: D-A-Map-2023.pdf
Aside from that, dress for the weather including the potential of rain, and bring any snacks, or drinks you like along with your own water if you don't care for well water. Just no alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, vapes or illegal substances.
Den Meeting
October 21 | 6:30pm
The Wolves will not be meeting this day as our Cubmaster will be out of town, but all other Dens will meet at the school. The Wolves will make up this activity at another time.
Pack Meeting Trunk or Treat
October 28 | 6:30pm
Calling all parents to decorate your trunks and bring candy for our Pack 729 Trunk or Treat. There will be exotic foreign candy rewards for the best trunks!
Scouts are to come in costume with something to carry candy. Participating cars for the Trunk or Treat should park on the southwest side of the Hayes Parking lot, and should bring candy for about 30-35.
Fundraising at Pack 729
At our next Pack Meeting we are going to announce the results of our highly successful Mum Fundraiser but before that we’d like to chat a bit about how fundraising works for Pack 729.
Why Fundraising Matters for Our Pack
Fundraising is essential to the success of our Pack. The funds we raise support the exciting activities and opportunities we provide for our Scouts throughout the year—everything from campouts and awards to supplies and special events. Without these efforts, many valuable experiences simply wouldn’t be possible.
To ensure every Scout benefits from our programs, we require each family to raise at least $100 per Scout over the course of the calendar year. Our main fundraisers include mum sales and pizza kits. We also hold our annual bottle and can drive, and we ask all Scouts to participate so we can maximize the funds raised for our Pack. Families are welcome and encouraged to exceed this minimum, as every dollar above and beyond helps us do even more for our Scouts.
Participation and Buyout Option
We understand that not every family may be able to participate in fundraising activities for various reasons. For those families, there is a $100 buyout option per Scout. If you choose the buyout instead of participating in fundraising, please visit hayespack729.org/donations to make your $100 donation.
This "raise or pay" approach is similar to many National BSA activities and helps ensure fairness for all families.
How Pack 729 is Different than other Cub Scout Packs
Most Cub Scout Packs rely heavily on labor intensive popcorn sales, but due to the high level of participation in our existing fundraisers, we haven’t needed to engage with the popcorn fundraisers, and while many Packs enjoy selling popcorn, it has been the tradition of this Pack not to, and it’s a tradition we can only uphold with your participation.
Checking Your Fundraising Total
If you’d like to know your current raised total, please reach out to Laura at laurarodgers@hayespack729.org; she can provide you with your updated fundraising balance at any time.
Questions?
If you have any questions about fundraising or how to submit your donation, please contact Laura at laurarodgers@hayespack729.org.
Thank you for your commitment to supporting our Scouts!
That’s it for the spookiest month of the year, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone at camp!
September 2025 Newsletter
Back to school means back to scouting! Our calendar has been planned for the year which you can find at hayespack729.org/calendar, including Fall Camp at D-bar-A Scout Ranch! Our first Pack Meeting of the year is set for September 9th at 6:30pm, which will also be our Join Scouting Night so encourage your Scout to bring their friends. Our Mum Fundraiser has been going great but there is still time to get your orders in so lets make this the biggest Mum Fundraiser ever!
Back to school means back to scouting! Our calendar has been planned for the year which you can find at hayespack729.org/calendar, including Fall Camp at D-bar-A Scout Ranch! Our first Pack Meeting of the year is set for September 9th at 6:30pm, which will also be our Join Scouting Night so encourage your Scout to bring their friends. Our Mum Fundraiser has been going great but there is still time to get your orders in so lets make this the biggest Mum Fundraiser ever!
Summer Roundup
Our scouts handed out flags at the Wayne-Westland Veterans Memorial Day Parade, and lowered flags at the Veterans Memorial Garden during the Memorial Day Remembrance ceremony. They went to Jimmy John’s field and took part in their on field flag ceremony. They had some fun in the sun at Rolling Hills Water Park and had a fantastic time shooting arrows at Detroit Archers and earning their Archery belt loops, which they followed up with a BBQ and hike.
Overall it was a fantastic summer and we’re looking forward to a great year of Scouting ahead.
Upcoming Events
Pack Meeting - Join Scouting Night
September 9 | 6:30pm
This is our first Pack Meeting of the year as well as our Join Scouting Night so please invite a friend who might be interested in join and make sure your uniform is in tip top shape as we’ll be showing them off to all the new Scouts.
For parents there is even a Facebook event where you can invite your friends: https://www.facebook.com/events/1256859552858579
Please also turn in your annual health forms at this meeting. They can be found at: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/680-001_AB.pdf
Our first Committee Meeting of the year will follow.
Mum Orders Due
September 12
We offer two different ways to sell. You can get orders in person and bring cash to Laura by September 12th or you can simply direct people to hayespack729.org/trading-post/mums where upon checkout they will be served with a form during the sale to tell us which scout to give credit to.
While participation in this fundraiser remains mandatory, to accommodate those who may not be able to sell mums for one reason or another we offer a $100 buyout. So if you do not wish to participate this year please visit hayespack729.org/donations and submit a $100 donation.
For those who do wish to sell, we are expecting at least $100 in sales as well, so it's a "raise or pay" arrangement similar to what you see with National BSA activities. Hopefully sales are much higher, as this is an important fundraiser for the Pack but we wanted to make sure there was a minimum threshold to be fair to those who take the buyout.
If you have any questions you can reach out to Laura at laurarodgers@hayespack729.org.
Den Meeting - Bears
September 16 | 6:30pm
The Bears will be meeting at Detroit Archers for a short hike to complete the Bear Habitat Adventure.
Den Meeting
September 16 | 6:30pm
This is our first Den Meeting of the year. Please come in full uniform with your book. For new scouts we understand if you don’t have your uniform quite together yet.
Mum Delivery Day
September 19 | 1:30pm or after 4pm
We will meet at Laura’s House to collect and begin delivering our chrysanthemum orders. More details will come in an email. Our mums will be dropped off from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. If you cannot make it to the drop off please swing by Laura's front yard to pick up your order after 4pm.
Den Meeting
September 30 | 6:30pm
This is our final Den Meeting for September. Hopefully everyone will have their full uniform by now and we’ll be off to the races for a great year of Cub Scouting.
Fall Camporee
October 10th - October 12th
D-bar-A Scout Ranch is celebrating 75 years since its opening this year and that seemed like just as good a reason as any to hold our Fall Camporee there.
We will be staying at Jack Lord Cabin which you can find here. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/AJKDmoPQwfcU997j9)
More details will come out as we get closer but please save the date and review the Cub Scout Packing list to give you an idea of what you need to bring. You can find that here: cub-packing-list.pdf (michiganscouting.org)
We hope you all have a lovely Labor Day, and as the year continues, we’ll have coverage of Den activities and special events so be sure to keep an eye out for the next issue!
May 2025 Newsletter
Welcome to the triumphant return of the Pack 729 Newsletter. In the days before the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Pack’s monthly newsletter was your place to find the latest updates on the Pack’s activities. Unfortunately, that fell by the wayside and was replaced by reminder e-mails that often only talked about what was needed immediately, and if you needed to go back and find something you’d have to dig through all of them to find the right one. So, we’re bringing back the newsletter as a way of making sure that everything is easy to find and all in one place.
Welcome to the triumphant return of the Pack 729 Newsletter. In the days before the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Pack’s monthly newsletter was your place to find the latest updates on the Pack’s activities. Unfortunately, that fell by the wayside and was replaced by reminder e-mails that often only talked about what was needed immediately, and if you needed to go back and find something you’d have to dig through all of them to find the right one. So, we’re bringing back the newsletter as a way of making sure that everything is easy to find and all in one place.
April Roundup
Everyone did great on all of their Easter Egg challenges and it was wonderful seeing everyone in uniform as we attended the Grand Opening of the Bee Kind Pollinator Garden our Cub Scouts and Pack 729 Alumni worked so hard on.
You can find coverage on the Grand Opening of the Bee Kind Pollinator Garden on Facebook at: City of Westland, Livonia Public Schools
Upcoming Events
Den Meeting
May 6 | 6:30pm
At our first Den Meeting of the month, and the last of the school year we will be meeting at Corrado Park receive instructions and flyers to flyer the neighborhood, promoting our Can & Bottle drive. Be sure to come in uniform and dress for the weather.
This is treated like any other kind of outdoor event so we’re going to have buddies, and be sure to bring the Cub Scout Six Essentials. Also, Cub Scouts are to bring no personal modes of transportation to this event, so no skateboards, roller skates, bikes, et cetera. They will be going door to door, so they won’t do them any good anyways.
Can & Bottle Drive
May 10 | 10am
Our Can & Bottle Drive is on Saturday May 10th from 10am-3pm. You can find the flyer for our Can & Bottle Drive here. We will be picking up cans from neighborhood homes, accepting can donations at the bus loop and sorting cans by type to making turning them in easier. As cans get sorted, we will also send teams to begin returning cans. Please wear Class B uniform to this event, and be sure to bring a drink and snack.
We expect 100% participation at this event as it is our biggest fundraiser of the year.
Pack Meeting - Crossover Cookout
May 13 | 6:30pm
The Crossover Cookout is our final Pack Meeting of the school year and is when all scouts cross over to their next den.
Your scout will need the neckerchief for their next rank. You can find what their next rank is and where to get neckerchiefs at in our Uniform Guide.
We’re supplying the Hog Dogs and toppings, we just ask Scouts to bring a side / dessert / dish to pass, and drinks for themselves.
Toledo Zoo Overnight Camp
May 17 | 6:00pm
Everyone has their paperwork in so we should be ready to go for our campout, just remember you must be at the Toledo Zoo before 6:30pm.
Also, if you have not yet ordered a shirt please do so ASAP at: https://connect.toledozoo.org/events/22187
Summer Activities
The fun doesn’t stop when the Scout year ends. We have a variety of Summertime activities planned. And your scout can get a special belt loop or pin for their rank if they participate in a total of three of these Summertime activities.
Wayne-Westland Veterans Memorial Day Parade
May 25 | 12:15pm
For our first summer event, on May 25th will meet at 12:15pm at John Glenn High School to march in the Wayne-Westland Veterans Memorial Day Parade. We will meet at the start of the parade route as we will be kicking off the parade by handing out flags to everyone on the sidelines. The parade steps off at 1pm. Please be sure to dress in full uniform, and bring water, and sunscreen.
Scout Night at Jimmy John's Field
June 21 | 4:30pm
For our second summer event, did someone say BASEBALL? We are headed to the ballpark for a double header, fun activities, and the opportunity to camp out on the field. This is a ticketed event, so please head to the Trading Post to purchase your tickets as soon as possible. Attending just the game(s): $22 per ticket. Game + Camping (with breakfast): $32 All tickets include a hot dog, chips, drink, and a fun patch for each Scout.
Please get your tickets by May 16th.
Water Park Trip
July 20 | 12pm
For our Annual Water Park Trip, this year we're heading back to Rolling Hills in Ypsilanti Township. This is a great opportunity to complete special water adventures we don’t usually get to complete during the normal Scout year. You can find the adventures here:
Tigers: Tigers in the Water
Wolves: Paws for Water
Bears: Salmon Run
Webelos: Aquanaut
Arrow of Light: Swimming
Ticket Prices: https://www.washtenaw.org/2254/Park-Rates
Order Tickets Online at: https://www.washtenaw.org/2851/Online-Tickets
Archery at Detroit Archers
August 2 | 11:30am
We will be meeting at the Detroit Archers Club in West Bloomfield to have lunch (please bring your own drink for the day, the Pack will provide the food), hike the trails on the property (hopefully see some wildlife!), and of course the scouts favorite, have some fun shooting with bows and arrows!
Well, that’s it for our first issue of our revamped newsletter. When the Scout year begins again, we’ll have coverage of Den activities and special events as well so be sure to keep an eye out for the next issue!