Pack 564 is taking a brand new approach to funding our activities in 2014-2015, and it all starts with the Popcorn Kickoff, 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 4, at Monkey Joe’s in Tucker.

Would you like to go through an entire year of scouting without paying any money out of pocket? Plan to attend the kickoff event and learn how.

Bring your scouts and your calendars so you can sign up for time slots at local Kroger stores to begin selling and earning sales credits for your scout. The pack is doing everything possible to make scouting financially feasible for everyone.

One of the primary keys to success for a new Tiger Den and Den Leader is the first meeting.

This year, to help our first-time Tiger Dens, we’re hosting their first meeting together from 7 to 8 p.m., in the Mountain Park United Methodist Church Family Life Center. We’ll split the three dens into separate corners of the room, and Committee Chair Bart Alcorn, Wolf Den Leader Michael Pearson and Cubmaster Lance Wallace along with any other adult leaders who can assist, will help the new Tiger Den Leaders run their meetings.

New Tiger parents should be sure to get out to the Scout Store and pick up their uniforms (from the belt up only) and their Tiger Cub Handbook. New Tiger Den Leaders should take their online Youth Protection Training and bring a copy of their certificate to the meeting, if they haven’t already turned it in.

Round-up for 2014 is in the books, and we had a great night at Camp Creek Elementary, Aug. 14.

We registered 33 new scouts that formed three new Tiger dens, one new Wolf den and a few Bears and Webelos (both 1 and 2) who will be assigned to existing dens. We also registered 10 new adult leaders. Thank you to all who signed up and indicated a willingness to help ensure their scouts have a great experience.

Two pieces of important information to help you get started: Pack 564 Parents Handbook 2014, which we will review in detail at the New Parent Orientation, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Mountain Park United Methodist Church on Rockbridge Road, and the Pack 564 Calendar 2014-2015.

Thanks to Matthew Kaswinkel for an outstanding presentation, new Membership Chair Erin Raffield and Assistant Membership Chair Jamie Kruger for processing the new members, and Committee Chair Bart Alcorn for his leadership and assistance. We also had a lot of help from Den Leader Andrew Lee, Popcorn Chair Jeff Wilson, Treasurer Nathan Stephens, new Advancement Chair Rebecca Smith, and former Committee Chair Tina Roark.

Our next opportunity to help the Pack get off to a good start will be Back-to-the-Pack, 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17 at Hanarry Estates Pool, 595 Johannah Pl SW, Lilburn, GA 30047.

All returning scouts and their families will gather at 4 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 17, for the Back-to-the-Pack Pool Party at the Hanarry Estates Pool, 595 Johannah Pl SW, Lilburn, GA. An e-vite will be going out this week to get a head count, so watch your email.

The Pack is providing hamburgers, hotdogs, buns, paper products, lemonade and water. All scout families should bring a side dish or dessert to share.

This event is required for Summer Activity Award, and it’s a great time to get everyone back together to start the year.

See you there!