What is Cub Scouting? It is a year-round family program designed for boys who are in the 1st through 5th grade. Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting. The 10 purposes of Cub Scouting are: Character Development, Spiritual Growth, Good Citizenship, Sportsmanship and Fitness, Family Understanding, Respectful Relationships, Personal Achievement, Friendly Service, Fun and Adventure, and Preparation for Boy Scouts. Cub Scouts is an 8 month (September through April) program to fit into the sports and academic schedules. There are summer activities that Cub Scouts can participate in as well, such as Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades and Cub Scout day and overnight camps.
How is Cub Scouts organized? At the lowest level is the scout himself. DEN - Individual scouts are grouped together into dens of 6-10 other scouts in the same grade. Each den has a den leader, who is the main point of contact. Dens are labeled as follows: 1st Grade = Tigers, 2nd Grade = Wolves, 3rd Grade = Bears, 4th and 5th Grades = Webelos. PACK - Dens compromise the pack. Each elementary school in Sudbury has its own pack. At Haynes, it is Pack 80, and we are chartered by Memorial Congregational Church in Sudbury. The chartering organization provides space for the pack activities. COUNCILS - oversee Packs. Our council is the Knox Trail Council. Their web site is http://www.ktc-bsa.org, which is a great source for information about scouting. The council is divided into three districts; our district is the Liberty district.
What is the time commitment? Every month the Pack holds a pack meeting. During these meetings all Cub Scouts get together and perform large Pack activities, such as games or the Pinewood Derby. Each den meets about once a month, depending on what the den leader is trying to accomplish. These accomplishments include activities relating to the 10 core values and working towards fulfilling requirements to earn badges (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelo). Leaders work with the members of the den to set times for meetings that are convenient for as many den members as possible.
What kind of parental commitment is required? Cub Scouting is parent led and parent supervised. Parents need to be involved. We ask that parents attend den meetings with their scout and help out where they can; the den leader can certainly use it! At the Tiger rank (1st grade), parents must attend den meetings. Parents also attend the monthly pack meetings. For overnight camp outs, each scout must have a parent present. Each family (i.e. one parent) is asked to sign up for something. Be a den leader, help plan a pack meeting, run one of our larger events like the Pinewood Derby or popcorn sales. Just help!
What are the financial considerations? The dues for Pack 80 are $100 for the year. This covers registration and insurance for the scout, and a subscription to Boy’s Life magazine. The remainder pays for pack meetings (including the Pinewood Derby and craft night), awards, and campouts. A scout is expected to provide their own “class A” uniform and handbook and pay for any extra activities that may occur during the year (e.g. Paw Sox campout).
What is a class A uniform? A class A uniform consists of a blue shirt (or khaki with blue shoulder loops for Webelos), belt, a neckerchief with slide and cap. The cap, neckerchief and slide change each year. The cap is optional. We do not require any special scout pants, socks or shoes; however, pants should have loops for a belt. Uniforms can be purchased at the Outdoor Store in Maynard, the New England Scout Store in Southborough, or online at http://www.scoutstuff.org. It is best to buy a shirt slightly larger than your scout needs, so that it can last him during his entire cub scout career. When buying a shirt, remember that your son is part of Pack 80. For new scouts, the den number will be determined as soon as possible. After your scout is registered, if you have questions about the uniform, we can provide you with more details.
What is the Handbook? There is a handbook for each rank of Cub Scouting (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos). The handbook lists the requirements to earn the rank badge, and provides a place to record accomplishments. The Webelos Handbook is used over a two-year period. The handbooks can be purchased at the same location as uniforms.
What about awards? Kids loved to be recognized for their efforts, and part of that is earning awards. Scouts earn a couple of different types of recognition. BADGES – Badges indicate ranks (Tiger, Bear, Wolf) and are worked towards by a den for a whole year. These are awarded once a year, at graduation. The first badge is the Bobcat badge, which all scouts must earn first and can be awarded whenever the requirements are met. Requirements for the Bobcat Badge (called the “bobcat trail”) and for the rank badges are all listed in the handbook for each rank. (Webelos earn several badges over the course of a year, for a total of at least 7 by the end of the second year). BELT LOOPS AND PINS – Scouts also have the option to earn belt loops (for their scout belts) and pins (for their caps) in either academics or sports activities. These are achievements a scout works for on his own with a parent or adult helper’s guidance. A good source of info for the requirements for these loops and pins is usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/a-sindex.asp. ELECTIVES – At the back of each handbook is a set of electives. When a scout completes an elective, his parent signs off on it. When he has completed 10, he receives a gold arrow point for his uniform, and silver arrow points for each subsequent 10 electives completed.
How do I participate in the campout at Resolute? The campout at Resolute will be the weekend of October 1-2. To participate, you must send in your registration and payment before the campout. You will need to bring your tent, sleeping bag, flashlight, “cooking stick” and drinks. The pack will supply dinner and dessert.
What other activities are there? There are lots of other activities that cub scouts can join in. These may include:
Note: Many of these activities are council sponsored, and the pack can let you know of events as soon as we do. Where do I get more information? Come to Parent Orientation! write to pack80sudbury@gmail.com |