The Pinewood Derby (January)
What it is: Every Scout receives an official block of pine wood, four plastic wheels, and four nail axles. With help from a parent, they shape, sand, paint, and weigh it to create a custom gravity-powered race car.
Race Night: Cars race down a 40-foot multi-lane aluminum track with electronic timers in the school gym. There are trophies for speed across each den as well as fun design awards (Best Paint, Most Creative, Scout Spirit).
What's asked of you: Spend an afternoon helping your child build their car (we host workshop open-houses with saws and scales for families who don't have tools!).
Blue & Gold Banquet (February)
What it is: Cub Scouting's anniversary celebration! It is a festive family dinner with catered food, dessert, hilarious scout skits, photo slideshows of the past year, and volunteer leader appreciation.
Atmosphere: Warm, celebratory, and family-friendly. Grandparents and siblings are always invited. The cost of food is covered by annual pack dues.
What's asked of you: RSVP for your family, come hungry, and enjoy cheering on the kids as they receive mid-year adventure recognitions.
Fall & Spring Family Campouts
What it is: Weekend camping trips (typically 1 night, Saturday to Sunday morning) at scenic Chief Seattle Council camp properties like Camp Pigott or Camp Edward, or state parks in King County.
Activities: Daytime nature hikes, archery/BB gun ranges (supervised by certified council instructors), campfires with songs and s'mores, and stargazing.
What's asked of you: Completely optional! Great for beginners. If you don't own a tent, we will happily loan you pack gear.
Raingutter Regatta & Crossover (May)
Raingutter Regatta: The waterborne cousin of the Pinewood Derby! Scouts carve lightweight balsa wood catamarans, trim paper sails, and race them down water-filled 10-foot rain gutters by blowing through drinking straws.
Advancement & Crossover: We celebrate each Scout earning their rank badge for the year and present graduating 5th-grade Arrow of Light Scouts as they cross the ceremonial bridge into local Scouts BSA troops.
Trail Care & Community Service
Chartered by the Newcastle Trails NPO, Pack 496 believes in taking care of our local parks and neighbors.
- Trail Maintenance & Tree Planting: Helping maintain nature trails around Cougar Mountain and Lake Boren.
- Scouting for Food: Collecting non-perishable food items for local Bellevue and Newcastle food banks every November.
- School Flag Ceremonies: Performing the presentation of colors at Newport Heights assemblies and Veterans Day events.
