Parent Information
Package
Cub Scout Pack 21
Faith United
Prepared
Your son is growing up fast. Just look at how
quickly he outgrows his clothes! Ten years from now, he’ll be 16 or 17
years old. Wow! As he is growing, you can give him something that
can help him develop self-assurance as he builds respect for other
people. And he and you will both have fun doing it.
Using This Guidebook
This adventure with him begins with Tiger Cubs – a program of exciting indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy who is in first grade and/or is 7 years old. You are expected to be there with him as his support and guide, but you don’t do things for him. He will learn by doing things himself. And as he learns and grows your, relationship with him will grow, too.
Your Cub and you, his adult partner, are a team. This guidebook is for both of you. Much of what is in it is for you, the adult. But you will also find basic information in it for you to read with your Cub.
This guide gives you an overview of Cub Scouting, including information about dens, leadership, and advancement.
What Is Cub Scouting?
In 1930 the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) launched a neighborhood-centered program for boys. A key element of the program is an emphasis on caring, nurturing relationships between boys and their parents, adult leaders, and friends. Currently, Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA's three membership divisions. (The others are Boy Scouting and Venturing.)
The Purposes of Cub Scouting
Cub Scouting has ten purposes:
· Positively influence character development
· Encourage spiritual growth
· Help boys develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship
· Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body
· Improve understanding within the family
· Strengthen boys' ability to get along with other boys and respect other people
· Foster a sense of personal achievement by developing new interests and skills
· Show how to be helpful and do one's best
· Provide fun and exciting new things to do
· Prepare boys to become Boy Scouts
Membership
Cub Scouting has program components for boys in the first through fifth grades (or ages 7-10). Members join a Cub Scout pack and are assigned to a den, usually a group of six to eight boys. Tiger Scouts (First-grade boys), Wolf Cub Scouts (second graders), Bear Cub Scouts (third graders), and Webelos Scouts (fourth and fifth graders) meet weekly during the school year.
Once a month, all of the dens and family members gather for a pack meeting under the direction of a Cubmaster and pack committee. The committee includes parents of boys in the pack and members of the chartered organization. This typically is the fourth Tuesday of the month.
Volunteer Leadership
Thousands of volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Cub Scout program. They serve in a variety of positions, as everything from unit leaders to pack committee chairmen, committee members, den leaders, and chartered organization representatives. We encourage you to be an active part of your son’s life in Scouting. Don’t wait to be asked…offer your volunteer services where you want to participate. The pack leadership will make available information sheets on how you can be involved.
Who Pays for It?
Groups responsible for supporting Cub Scouting are the boys and their parents, the pack, the chartered organization, and the community. The boy is encouraged to pay his own way by paying dues. Packs also obtain income by working on approved money-earning projects and fundraisers.
Cub scouting program offers many activities to help the boys grow, and unfortunately costs are incurred to offer the programs. Pack #21 has cost into two areas.
Area one is the National Scouting registration fee, insurance, and Boys Life Magazine. This fee is collected when the boy initially registers and is prorated for September-December. Annually, this fee is collected from each scout, which covers a full calendar year. This fee is typically collected in November of each year for the following calendar year. For 2011 this fee was $29.00.
The second
area is Den Dues. In the past, each Den collected weekly dues. This
became very cumbersome for the boys, parents and den leaders. This past
year, Pack 21 instituted a “pay all at once” Den Dues fee. This Den Due
fee is payable in September and January and is $10.00 each time, for a total of
$20.00 annually. This fee is used only for the activities that take
place in the Den meetings or trips the boys may take with their dens. The
Den Leader has access to these funds through the Pack Treasurer for
reimbursement of costs of supplies used in the Den meetings and other related
costs. If any funds are left over, they are credited to the “Cub Account”
for each boy equally prior to the boys’ crossing over to Boy Scouts. This
is much cheaper than collecting a dollar per week, as we had done in the past.
Uniform costs are approximately $50.00 (in 2011) are an initial cost for
the boy and his family. See the "Uniforms"
section below.
The Cub Account
Each Cub Scout will have a “Cub Account” set up with the Pack Treasurer. The Cub Account will stay with him as long as he is in Scouting. The Cub Account will have deposits made into it as your son participates in various fund raising activities. You will be informed in advance of the actual fund raising activity and what the percent or unit credit is to your son’s account with the items he sells. If you sell more, you son will earn more for his Cub Account. This is a great way to pay for your dues, unit recharter fees and summer camps fees. You will hear more about this throughout the year as fundraising events occur.
Moneys
in your son’s Cub Account may also be used for scouting-related items, such as
his Scout Uniform, camping gear, etc. In order to receive these moneys,
you must purchase the item and submit the original cash register receipt to the
Pack Treasurer for reimbursement. Please keep in mind that you must leave
an adequate balance in your son’s account to cover dues and re-charter
fees. When purchasing scouting-related items, you will receive a
discount, which is usually at least 10% if you present your cub scout ID card
at the time of purchase. Lyons Camping and Supply and
Tiger Cubs
Tiger Cubs is a simple and fun program for first-grade boys and their families. The Tiger Cub program introduces boys and their adult partners to the excitement of Cub Scouting. With his den, he can build confidence and self-esteem and earn recognition. He will also gain a sense of personal achievement from the new skills he learns. The Tiger Cub motto – Search, Discover, Share – will encourage him to reach out into his world. Through this Scouting program, he can do so safely.
These days, boys are often taught that winning is everything. But Cub Scouts teaches them to do their best and to be helpful to others. This is expressed in the Cub Scout Promise, the Cub Scout motto, and the Law of the Pack.
The Tiger Cub program is conducted when the Tiger Cub and his adult partner meet with others to conduct activities. There are five Tiger Cub achievement areas. The Tiger Cub, working with his adult partner, completes 15 requirements within these areas to earn the Tiger Cub Badge. These requirements consist of an exciting series of indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy in the first grade.
Scouting follows a school-year cycle. Boys remain in the Tiger Cub program until they complete first grade. At that time, they graduate into the Wolf Den and are eligible to participate in Cub Scout summer activities, including Cub Scout day camp.
Advancement Plan
Recognition is important to young boys. The Cub Scout advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement projects.
Bobcat
The first rank, Bobcat rank, is for all boys who join Cub Scouting.
Wolf
The Wolf rank is for boys who have completed first grade (or are age 8). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must pass twelve achievements involving simple physical and mental skills.
Bear
The Bear rank is for boys who have completed second grade (or are age 9). There are 24 Bear achievements in four different categories. The Cub Scout must complete 12 of these to earn the Bear badge. These requirements are somewhat more difficult and challenging than those for Wolf rank. Many of the achievements are designed to be done in conjunction with other family members.
Webelos
This rank is for boys who have completed third grade (or are age 10). A boy may begin working on the Webelos badge as soon as he joins a Webelos den. This is the first step in his transition from the Webelos den to the Boy Scout troop. As he completes the requirements found in the Webelos Scout Book, he will work on activity badges, attend meetings led by adults, and become familiar with the Boy Scout requirements - all leading to the Arrow of Light Award, the highest award in Cub Scouting.
Activities
Cub Scouting means "doing." Everything in Cub Scouting is designed to have the boys doing things. Activities are used to achieve the aims of Scouting - citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness. Many of the activities happen right in the den and pack. The most important are the weekly den meetings and the monthly pack meetings.
Cub Scout Sports and Academics
The Cub Scout Sports and Academics program provides the opportunity for boys to learn new techniques, develop sportsmanship, increase scholarship skills, and have fun. Participation in the program allows boys to be recognized for physical fitness and talent-building activities.
Camping
Age-appropriate camping programs are packed with theme-oriented action that brings Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts into the world of imagination. Summer day camp is a weeklong activity; resident camp is at least a three-day experience in which Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts camp within a developed theme of adventure and excitement. "Cub Scout Worlds" are used by many councils to carry the world of imagination into reality with actual theme structures of castles, forts, ships, etc. Cub Scout pack members enjoy camping in local council camps and council-approved national, state, county, or city parks. Camping programs combine fun and excitement with doing one's best, getting along with others, and developing an appreciation for ecology and the world of the outdoors.
Publications
Volunteers are informed of national news and events through Scouting magazine (circulation 900,000). Boys subscribe to Boys' Life magazine (circulation 1.3 million). Both are published by the Boy Scouts of America, which is included in the initial membership fee for Cub Scouts. Also available are a number of Cub Scout and leader publications, including the Tiger Cub Scout Book, Wolf Cub Scout Book, Bear Cub Scout Book, Webelos Scout Book, Cub Scout Leader Book, Cub Scout Program Helps, and Webelos Leader Guide.
The uniform is an important part of the Scouting program. It identifies the boys and adults with Tiger Cubs and gives them a sense of belonging to the den, the pack, and the Boy Scouts of America. Most boys enjoy wearing the Tiger Cub uniform. They should wear it to all den meetings, pack meetings, and special pack activities.
The uniform for the Tiger Cub is the official Tiger Cub orange T-shirt with the Tiger Cub emblem on the front. The official Tiger Cub cap and blue web belt with a Tiger Cub buckle are optional. Adult partners do not have to wear a uniform, but it is highly recommended that they wear a Tiger Cub orange T-shirt. The Tiger Cub den leader wears the official Cub Scout leader uniform.
Once your son advances to be a Wolf, Bear, or Webelos Scout you can expect to pay about $50.00 (in 2011) for a belt, shirt, neckerchief, and neckerchief slide.
Uniforms can be obtained from the Scout Shop at the
Susquehanna Council Office,
Cub Scouting Ideals
Cub Scout Promise
I, (name), promise
to do my best
To do my duty to God and my country,
To help other people, and
To obey the Law of the Pack.
Cub Scout Motto
Do Your Best.
Tiger Cub Motto
Search, Discover, Share.
Law of the Pack
The Cub Scout
follows Akela.
The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill.
Colors
The Cub Scout colors are blue and gold. The blue stands for truth and spirituality, steadfast loyalty, and the sky above. The gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness. Together, they symbolize what Cub Scouting is all about.
CUB SCOUT PACK
#21
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where do we meet?
Den meetings are held weekly and
Pack meetings are held monthly throughout the school year at
But I don't belong to
Not at all! The Boy Scouts of America does maintain that no member can grow into the
best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God and, therefore,
recognizes the religious element in the training of the member, but it is
absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training. Its
policy is that the home and organization or group with which a member is
connected shall give definite attention to religious life.
There's no pressure to join or take part in religious ceremonies at
Who does the pack serve?
There are no restrictions, but nearly all of our Scouts attend The Montoursville School District.
Can my son join any den?
Dens are arranged by school grade. The whole program is geared for age-appropriate activities, so that is the main limitation.
Can we join late?
Sure! Whether you mean later in the year or later in terms of grade, it's OK.
How Can I Join Pack #21?
At the beginning of each school year, during our annual membership drive, we provide information to the local elementary schools about how to join Pack #21? However, new boys are welcome to join our Pack at any time during the year. All boys in grades 1st through 5th are eligible to join. See “How to Register”.
What Does It Cost to Join?
The initial membership fee for Cub Scouts includes a subscription to Boy’s Life Scouting Magazine, payable when you register. The fee for joining is pro-rated for the period of September through December. Re-charter occurs every January with the annual fee of $29.00 (in 2011) which includes registration, insurance, and Boy’s Life.
What is a Pack?
A pack is a group of Cub Scouts, adult leaders, and parents who belong to the same Cub Scout unit. A pack generally draws its membership primarily from elementary schools in the local area. Each pack is made up of Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear and Webelos dens. Cub Scout Packs are sponsored by chartered organizations.
What is a Den?
A den is a small group of boys (ideally 6-8) of the same grade (age) level. Each den meets usually on a weekly basis to work on achievements and other activities. The den is led by adult Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders, who are responsible for planning and conducting the activities at each den meeting.
What is a Chartered Organization?
A Chartered Organization is the sponsoring organization for a Cub Scout pack, usually a church or other community group. The primary responsibility of the Chartered Organization is to provide a successful Scouting program, qualified adult leadership, and a meeting place. Each year, the pack must renew its Charter with its local council. The Chartered Organization must approve the rechartering application in order for the Charter to be renewed. Pack #21's chartered organization is the Faith United Methodist Church of Montoursville, Pennsylvania
What are Pack Meetings Like?
Each pack meeting is planned around a theme, such as "Genius Night" or "Pinewood Derby". Most pack meetings will include songs, skits, games, advancements, adult recognition, refreshments, and other activities. The master of ceremonies is the pack Cubmaster. All Cub Scouts and at least one parent are expected to attend. Cub Scouting is a family activity and all family members are welcome. Pack meetings are always loads of fun.
What are Den Meetings like?
Den meetings usually start with a short opening ceremony (e.g. Pledge of Allegiance) and announcements. Then the boys begin working on the project of the day. In den meetings boys work on a wide variety of projects, all with the development of a particular skill in mind. As the boys progress through the ranks (Wolf, Bear, Webelos) they will be introduced to subjects such as; building, fixing, cooking, camping, hiking, arts & crafts, music, games, environment, leadership, fitness, science, and communication, just to name a few. Each den chooses its own direction under the guidance of its leaders. Sometimes den meetings will involve outdoor activities (e.g. hiking, sports) or a field trip (e.g. library, fire station). Den meetings usually end with a short closing ceremony (e.g. recite the Cub Scout Promise). Although the purpose of the den meeting is to develop skills and learn, the emphasis is always on having fun.
I'm worried that my son can't meet the advancement requirements.
The standard in Cub Scouting is "Do your best" and this is the yardstick used to determine if the boy has met the requirements. This doesn't mean that it will be easy! The Scout is expected to push for his best but we realize that there is considerable variation at this age level. The program is flexible for boys with learning disabilities or physical handicaps. The degree of adaptation varies from case to case and there is a wide range of choices.
Who Runs the Pack?
The pack is run entirely by unpaid volunteers under the policies and guidelines of the BSA and the Chartered Organization. The Pack Committee, which consists of the Committee Chairman, Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmasters, Secretary, Treasurer, Fundraising Coordinator, and Den Leaders, develops budgets, approves expenses, arranges for facilities and conducts overall planning. The Committee usually meets the first Monday of the month. The Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders are most directly involved with the Cub Scouts. It is hoped that an adult member of each Cub Scout household will participate in a volunteer position or serve on a committee. In addition to Pack Committee and Den Leader positions, Pack #21 generally tries to fill various volunteer positions (e.g., Membership Chairman, Advancement Chairman, Den Leader, and Tiger Cub Den Leader).
Where Can I Get More Information?
Contact our Cubmaster Tom Cordell, Pack Committee Chairperson Laurie Kremer, the Council Office (570-326-5121), Church Office (368-2459), coordinator@ScoutingAtFaith.org,or talk to any friend or neighbor who has a son in Pack #21. Feel free to visit a den or pack meeting any time. Pack #21 always welcomes new scouts and leaders.
How To Register
PARENTS If you are interested in giving your child an opportunity to experience what Scouting is all about and wish to register him with our pack, you can do so in the following ways.
- If your child has a friend in Cub Scouts, have him go to a den meeting with his friend. The den leader can provide your son with the necessary registration forms and have him join that den.
- Contact the Cubmaster and go to a pack meeting. He can get you a registration form and put you in touch with a den leader for your boy.
ADULTS
Quality leadership is important in the training of youth as members of the Boy Scouts of America. It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping instill values in young people and, in other ways, prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential. If you would like to become a volunteer leader, committee member or helper, you can also register with the Boy Scouts of America.
The registration fee includes the following:
· A subscription to Scouting magazine
· Registration
Note: If you decide to become a Den Leader, the Pack will pay your fees!