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The Purpose of Scouting The Boy Scouts of America began Cub Scouting as a program for younger boys more than 50 years ago. The purposes of Cub Scouting state that Parents, Leaders and Organizations work together to achieve the following: Educational Goals: Scouting is primarily, an educational program. - The program teaches boys a complex of moral and ethical traits that promote self-reliance, self-discipline,
self-confidence and self respect. - We teach young men the duties, obligations, privileges and functions of citizenship.
- We promote healthy, drug free, growth and developing physical skills.
- We practice mental skills of judgment, problem solving, concentration and imagination.
Citizenship training: - From the very beginning, Scouts are taught to love, and do their duty to their country.
- Citizenship is taught in many ways: to understand how government works, to participate in representative
government, to handle responsibilities. - We expect each Scout to grow up to be a valuable member of his community.
Character development: - We expect all members to do their best, to help other people, and to be trustworthy.
- As the boy grows older, we expect him to live by the Scout Oath and Law at all times.
- No activity, no course of action is acceptable if he violates these ideals.
Pack Structure | Like every effective organization, Cub Scout Packs have a structure. Understanding this structure and how it works will increase your son's enjoyment of the program (and leave the parent far less confused). Dens:
Groups of 4 to 10 boys meet weekly together as a Den. Each den is led by a Den Leader and an Assistant Den Leader. A Boy Scout, known as a Den Chief, may also work with your son's den. Dens in Pack 952 meet on those days the den agreed upon. The entire Pack meets monthly on the LAST Tuesday of the month.. Dens are organized by age groups. We have one or more Dens for each group of 1st Graders (Tiger Cubs) , 2nd Grades (Wolf) , 3rd Graders (Bear), 4th Graders (Webelos I) and 5th graders (Webelos II). Advancement:
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. |
 | Tiger Cub
The Tiger Cub program is for first grade (or age 7) boys and their adult partners. 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. |
|  | Bobcat
The Bobcat rank is the first award that all boys who join Cub Scouting must achieve before earning any of the additional awards listed below. |
|  | Wolf
The Wolf program 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 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. |
|  | Webelos
This program 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. |
|  | Arrow of Light
This is the highest award that you can earn in the Cub Scout program and it is one of only two awards that may be worn on your the Boy Scout uniform when you become a Boy Scout and/or an Adult Leader. Earning the Arrow of Light is the ultimate in Cub Scouting, and should be an honor you cherish for the rest of your life. |
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Pack Program Highlights
Pack 952 plans a very busy calendar year. Although we don't expect every boy to attend every function, we encourage him to be as active as he (and his parents') wants to be. Pack outings and special events will be led by two or more leaders and parent volunteers. Permission slips will be sent home for outings and special events. Boys without signed permission slips will not be allowed to attend. We'll do our best to help you remember but please make every effort to help us. Leaving a boy behind is something we and the boys hate to have happen. Program Calendar
The Pack Calendar is the current calendar of events for Pack 952. We realize that boys and families have different needs and we've attempted to plan a program that meets as many needs as possible. It is not expected that each boy will attend each and every event. Please note that dates are subject to change as we get closer to events. Announcements of special events and calendar updates will come home with the boys from Den meetings or in the mail. If you have suggestions for our program, please let a Leader know. Pack Meetings
Monthly Pack Meetings are generally held on the LAST Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 at Taylor Lake Christian Church. The meeting gives the boys a chance to demonstrate the skills they have learned and receive the awards they've earned. Each meeting starts with a fun opening activity, has skits by each den, awards are distributed, and sometimes a special activity is enjoyed. The entire family is welcomed and encouraged to attend, and it is important that at least one parent attend each meeting when a boy receives an award.
Blue & Gold Banquet
Pack 952 and Cub Scout Packs all over the USA celebrate Scouting's birthday each February by hosting a Blue & Gold Banquet. |
Responsibilities for Parents and Children Participation and expectations on the part of the Scouts is pretty straight forward. The Scouts are expected to attend all Den and Pack meetings. Scouts should arrive on time, not late and not early. If the parent or guardian does not stay for the meeting, they should return promptly at the scheduled ending time of the meeting to assist with cleaning up and pick up the Scout. If a meeting is not attended, it is the Scout’s responsibility to find out what was missed, especially any information that was dispersed. Good behavior is expected at all Scouting functions and activities. This includes showing respect of Leaders, adults and other Scouts, quietly listening to instructions, information and others that are speaking. Parents are expected to encourage, support and assist their Scout as they work on achievements. All parents are to share in the efforts of their Den and the Pack. The Den Leader and Assistant are coordinators. Each parent will share the work and accomplishments in providing this terrific program for the Scouts. The parents are responsible to deal with any behavior problem identified by the Den Leaders. The Scouts and parents should expect the Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader to be prepared to work with you, and keep you informed about what is happening within the Den and Pack. All Cub Scout Leaders are expected to follow all scouting rules, regulations and guidelines without exception. The National level of Scouting has policies to protect the Scouts, the Leaders and the program. They may not always be convenient, but they have a purpose and are not to be excused for any reason. Whoever participates in a Scouting activity must cmoply with these policies. When joining Pack 952, each parent or adult family member agrees to support their son in the following ways: - See that he has the proper uniform and handbook
- Assist him in attending weekly Den meeting and monthly Pack meetings
- Work with him to complete achievements for his rank award
- Return information forms and permission slips as asked
- Support his Den Leader as a resource person or substitute as asked
- Agree to serve in some leadership capacity as called upon
- Provide input to the Den Leader or Pack leadership with regard to Pack or Den programming
The Scouts and parents should expect the Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader to be prepared to work with you, and keep you informed about what is happening within the Den and Pack. |
Adult Leaders All Cub Scout leaders are expected to follow all scouting rules, regulations and guidelines without exception. The National level of Scouting has policies to protect the Scouts, the Leaders and the program. They may not always be convenient, but they have a purpose and are not to be excused for any reason. Whoever participates in a Scouting activity must comply with these policies.
Parents leading a den should organize a meeting once a week, except on the week that the entire pack gathers. If you've just agreed to lead a den, then your first duty is to pick a day that your entire den can meet (most weeks). Once that's settled, then your goal is to help your cub scouts work their way through the requirements which are spelled out in the book for your year boys. Pack 952 will reimburse you for a Leader book (you can buy it at the Scout Shop), or you can scan the requirements online at one of the scouting web sites. Once that's settled, you should organize your meetings. Meetings can be held at the leader’s home, or community venues like Taylor Lake Christian Church or the Baronridge Scout Hut.
In addition to planning your meetings, Leaders are asked to attend Committee Meetings once a month. They’re held the last Tuesday of each month, immediately before our Pack Meeting, from 6:00 - 6:45 pm. At these meetings, Den Leaders will work together to plan Pack activities like camp outs, service projects and fundraisers.
Leaders are also required to attend training classes for the Scout’s as well as Leader’s protection. Quick Start training and Youth Protection training are both online courses that can be completed in under 20 minutes each. Other training classes are encouraged, see the calendar for more information.
Finally, there are lots of leader books (if you decide to lead--the pack will purchase one for you) and online information. |
Volunteers Opportunities | Parent volunteers are always needed. Training is provided by the Pack for those who are interested in helping. If you'd like to help in any capacity, please contact the Pack Committee Chairman, Cubmaster or your son's Den Leader. One great way to let the Pack know what skills and talents we have in our group is for you to complete a Family Talent Survey and turn it in to your Den Leader. All types of help are needed - driving for trips, assisting in Den Leader absence, etc. Remember that Cub Scout Packs don't exist without volunteer leadership and please remember to do your part when asked. |
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