Parent Guide

Cub Scout Pack 1

Updated:  January 2008

Important information about the Scouting program and Pack 1

Pack 1
Parent Handbook

Welcome to Our Pack!

This handbook is a reference for the parents and Cub Scouts of Pack 1.  Families new to Pack 1 or to Scouting will find answers to many of their questions by referring to this manual.  If you don’t find the answer to your question here, you will be referred to someone who can help you.  You can also visit our website at:

www.Pack1Monroe.org

What is Cub Scouting?

Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America has helped younger boys through Cub Scouting. It is a year-round family program designed for boys who are in the first grade through fifth grade (or 7, 8, 9, and 10 years of age). Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting. Currently, Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA's three membership divisions. (The others are Boy Scouting and Venturing.)

The 10 purposes of Cub Scouting are:

1.       Character Development

2.       Spiritual Growth

3.       Good Citizenship

4.       Sportsmanship and Fitness

5.       Family Understanding

6.       Respectful Relationships

7.       Personal Achievement

8.       Friendly Service

9.       Fun and Adventure

10.   Preparation for Boy Scouts

Organization

Cub Scouting is actually two programs combined into one. The Pack is organized into dens of boys in the same grades. Our program involves dens that meet every Monday night and the Pack program that meets once per month, on the last Monday. The following ranks are used:

Pack 1 has all five active dens. In the Boy Scouts organization, Pack 1 is affiliated with the Union District of the Central North Carolina Council, one of 300 in the nation. Each Cub Scout pack is sponsored by an organization. Our chartered organization is First Presbyterian Church. The chartered organization provides a representative who is the liaison between the pack and the organization.

The Cub Scout Program

The strength of the Cub Scout Program is in the dens. This is the place where character is built and the boys learn the essence of their rank’s program.  Meetings start in September and go through May. At least two adults are required to be present at all times. In Pack 1, each den has a designated den leader, but the parents assist in the operation of the den meetings. The den leader is typically a parent of a boy in the den, who is willing to take the time to work with your son and the other boys in the den. The den activities are planned around the monthly theme developed by the Boy Scouts.

The Pack 1 Program

The program of Cub Scouting focuses on the den program which meets every Monday night and a monthly Pack Night. Pack and den meetings during the school year are structured and follow the Boy Scout set themes as well as the outdoor orientation of the Pack. The Pack schedule is planned and gone over every month, so parents will know in advance Pack activities, locations, and dates. Those dates and places are given out in notices. Be sure to ask your boys if they have any.

Den Leaders may ask for special help occasionally from parents (helping with a meeting, sharing a special skill, or just providing a snack for the boys). Meetings are usually about an hour in length unless it is an outing.

Den meetings are always held at the 1^st Presbyterian Church. Pack meetings are held once per month and are usually conducted during the last week of the month. The whole family is invited to pack meetings. This is a time when boys are awarded advancements, exhibit projects they have been working on and share any skit or song they may have been working on.

Parent Responsibilities

Pack 1’s meetings begin at 6:30; please do not drop off your son any earlier then 6:20. Our leaders use the time beforehand to prepare. If you do arrive early, please stay with your son until the meeting begins. Our meetings end at 7:30, please be prompt picking up your son. Although we may run over a couple of minutes occasionally, we would rather have you there to receive any information the leaders have for you. You must COME IN to drop off or pick up your son from his leader. He will not be sent back out to you if he arrives without you and we will not be sending him out to you. Over 50 families belong to our pack and your son(s) safety is very important to us.

Cub Scouting is a family program.  The family provides help and support by: working with their Cub Scout on advancement projects and activities, attending pack meetings with their Cub Scout, providing refreshments, paying any necessary fees in a timely manner and volunteering on a committee.  See your Cubmaster of Pack Committee Chairman for information on how you can volunteer as a leader.

Sports and Academics

In addition to the activities that contribute to advancement in rank, the boys can earn belt loops and pins in the optional Sports and Academics Program. The purpose of these awards is to encourage scouts to try new activities and learn new skills, or to improve those skills they already have. As in most activities in Cub Scouting, this is not meant to be a highly competitive program; instead the boys are encouraged to “do their best”. You can view the Sports and Academics Program book by asking your Cubmaster of your den leader.

Progress Toward Ranks

Recognition is important to boys.  The 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 the boys on advancement projects.   Advancements in the next rank occur in the late spring. Each year, Pack 1 conducts the Blue and Gold Banquet (February) where major awards are given such as the Arrow of Light and rank badge awards. Webelos II are then prepared for bridging to the Boy Scouts. In May, Pack 1 has an advancement ceremony where Tigers, Wolves & Bears are graduated to the next rank.

Fees & Uniform Requirements

Pack 1 tries to make Cub Scouting as affordable as possible. To do this, dues will be $80.00 for the year. This is so the Pack can purchase all of the awards, pins, medals, red vests, crafts and other items needed to run the program for each boy. As in the past, any family that cannot afford the cost, the pack will try to assist, so every Cub can enjoy the program. Just see the Cubmaster or your den leader.

Camping contributes to good health through supervised activity, sufficient rest, good fun, and wholesome companionship. Cub Scouts are introduced to the knowledge and skills that they will learn and apply more thoroughly as a Boy Scout.  The pack typically camps 4 times a year, twice in the fall and twice in the spring, which includes district and council run events,  Camping is usually done at the Wingate University Campus Lake or Camp Barnhardt. Fees for camping are variable; however your camping fees do cover program cost and all your meals for the outing.

The uniform rule is “as much as possible”. Pack 1 does not require the purchase of pants and sock however we encourage them. Cub Scouts buy their own complete uniform (a minimum of shirt, scarf, neckerchief and belt with clasp) as well as their handbook. The Pack provides the council patch, pack number, and world-scouting patch. The Pack also provides all future additions to the uniforms including badges, patches, and pins. If a badge, patch, or pin is lost, the parents must purchase a replacement. There may be a time when a scout will earn the same belt loop or pin for a second time and it is therefore up to the parent if the wish to purchase duplicate awards.

Pack 1 also uses a custom designed Pack T-shirt on all outings to save wear and tear on uniforms. It identifies the Pack but is much less costly than the blues. The cost is $10.00 for youth and $11.00 (& up) for adults, and can be gotten through the Pack.

For the very first time Pack 1 is proud to announce a new program we are calling “Adopt a Scout”. If you or a family member, or even an employer would be interested in investing in the lives of our young boys they can do so for a minimal donation to the Pack. With good participation of our annual fundraisers a $120 donation can put a scout uniform on a child and through our program for one year. Please see the Cubmaster or Pack Accountant for further details.

Recruiting

If your boy has a friend who is interested in Cub Scouts, bring him to any pack or den meeting. It is not necessary to wait for next year’s membership night. Though the scout program officially starts up every fall, new members are eligible to join at any time throughout the year. Any Cub who gets a friend to join ears a recruiter patch that is worn below the right pocket.

Code of Conduct

Cub Scouting is a positive atmosphere where boys can feel emotionally secure and find support from their peers and leaders. Cub Scouts are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles set forth in the Cub Scout Promise.  Pack 1 will not tolerate any physical violence, bullying or verbal insults.

1.       First offense – Warning from Den Leader

2.       Second offense – Sent to Cubmaster.

3.       Third offense – Parents called for meeting with parents and Cubmaster.

Medical Forms

All Scouts must have on file with Pack 1, a completed BSA class 1 medical form.

Uniform Guide

For more information regarding uniform and insignia placement, please refer to your Scout’s handbook.

For more information

Contact your Den Leader or the Cubmaster: