Why Join Scouting?
· Your time is valuable. Today’s families, more than ever, struggle to find time to spend together. Cub Scouts helps to support your family by providing ready-made opportunities for you and your son to do things together.
· Your son needs to belong to a group of boys his own age. Through this sense of belonging he builds his self esteem and learns to get along with others. As a parent, you want be assured that the groups that your boy joins will teach values consistent with good citizenship, character development, and physical fitness. Boy Scouts of America has been weaving these lifetime values into fun and educational activities since 1910.
· In a society where your son is taught that winning is everything, Cub Scouts teaches him to “do his best” and to be helpful to others.
· Scouting teaches family values and works to strengthen your relationship with your son. Scouting activities can bring added value to the time you already have with your son.
How does the Cub Scout Program Work?
The uniqueness of Cub Scouting is that you, as his family, join the program with your son. You will help him along the way. The family is the basis of the Cub Scout program. Cub Scouts exists to support your family and help enrich your family activities. Boys have a different handbook at each grade level with suggested activities that are age-appropriate for their developmental level. As boys “advance” through these books by working on activities with their family, they will earn badges and other recognition which may be worn on their Cub Scout uniform. Your son’s success in Cub Scouting depends on you! The Cub Scout program is further enhanced at two other levels. Your son will be a part of a “den” – a small group of boys in the same grade level who meet on a weekly basis. All dens from grade one through five make up a “pack.” Once a month, all dens meet together at the pack meeting, a family event which gives boys an opportunity to show off the new skills they have learned during the month and to be recognized for the badges they have earned.
How can You help?
First and foremost… work with your boy at home on his Cub Scout activities. His handbook is a ready-made book of age-appropriate activities that you and your son will enjoy doing together. When he completes an activity or project, it is your responsibility to sign his book that he has done his best. Your role as a parent is the secret of success of the Cub Scout program! Attend the monthly pack meeting to help celebrate his achievement. The den and the pack also rely on parent participation to run a successful program. The Cub Scout program operates through volunteer leadership. Consider volunteering as a member of the pack leadership team or as one of our committee members. Volunteer leaders are an example of Scouting’s principle of service to others. By volunteering in Scouting, you are also giving your son the gift of your time. What could be more valuable? You will have an opportunity to be a positive influence in the life of him and his friends. We have the following committees: Popcorn Fundraiser, Blue and Gold Banquet, Pinewood Derby, Summer Activities, Camping and Outdoor Activities, and Service Projects.
TIGER CUB DENS
Grade 1
· Tiger Cubs is a parent-child program. The boy and his parent or guardian join together and attend all meetings and activities together.
· The Tiger Cub den is made up of three to eight parent-son teams.
· Meets 2-3 times a month
· Each den has a Tiger Cub den leader (usually one of the parents) who helps coordinate the Tiger Cub den meetings. Each parent-son team takes a turn running the activities and planning the meeting with the Tiger Cub den leader.
CUB SCOUT DENS
Wolf - Grade 2 : Bear - Grade 3 : Webelos - Grades 4 & 5
· Your son is a member of a den of four to eight boys.
· Meets once a week; regularly scheduled at the leader’s convenience.
· Led by a den leader, usually a parent of one of the boys.
· The den leader is helped by an assistant den leader and often a den chief (a Boy Scout).
THE PACK
· Meets once a month at the pack meeting. All Tiger Cubs and Cub Scout families are expected to participate.
· The pack meeting is led by the Cubmaster.
· The pack meeting is the climax of the monthly den meetings and activities.
· Pack meetings have games, skits, songs, ceremonies, and presentations of badges that boys earned during that month.
The pack also participates in other special events throughout the year including:
· Pinewood derby – Build and race a model car with your son.
· Blue and gold banquet – Cub Scouting’s birthday party in February.
· Camping activities – Overnight and day camp opportunities to introduce your family to the camping experience.
· Service projects such as food drives or conservation projects.
· Field trips and special outings to learn more about the people and places in your community.