Cub Scouting and You

When your child earns their Bobcat badge they learn the Scout Oath and Law. Throughout the year there are banquets, fundraisers, Scout shows, parades, derbies, camping trips, and many other activities and functions. Ambitious as they are, a Cub Scout still needs your help in implementing the program.  Remember, the Pack is all of us working together... leaders, parents, and Scouts. 

Unlike other programs your child might enroll in, Cub Scouting involves the whole family, no matter what size or parental make-up exists in the home. In Lions or Tigers, you are your child’s Adult Partner. In Wolves and Bears, you are Akela, the wise leader of the tribe of Webelos, and the final judge of your child’s efforts. At the Webelo rank, you are the Activity Badge counselor that could help influence a child’s career direction. Throughout the year you will be asked to assist on different committees and at different events. Please volunteer freely, and give of yourself when called upon to help.  You will find it a rewarding experience, and one in which you and your child will remember that you did together. ​

Obligations

The Scouts, the families and the Pack must work together to create a solid Scouting program. The Scouting program is an exercise in cooperation between all three. The Pack cannot give your child a good program if the support of the parents and volunteers is lacking. Participation by the Scouts in activities also leads to a better program. The following is what is expected in each part of the triad.

The Scout's Obligations to the Pack

• Do My Best in everything I do.
• Obey the rules and regulations set down by the Pack.
• Obey the Den Leader(s) and Assistant Den Leader(s) and follow their rules and regulations.
• Work on my achievements and electives and advance in a timely manner.
• Participate in Scout activities whenever possible.
• Respect others, their rights and their property at all times. Show respect for the BSA. Treat the United States Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance with equal respect.
• Be on time for all meetings and functions. It is not fair for the others to have to wait for me.
• Call my Den Leader(s) or ask my parent to if I cannot attend a meeting or function.
• Keep my uniform clean and in good repair with all my insignia properly placed. Wear my uniform proudly to all events and functions unless told otherwise by my Den Leader(s).
• Do a chore or chores in order to earn the money needed for my Den dues.

Parental Obligations to the Pack

• Work with your child on their achievements and electives. Scouting is a "Family Affair" and he cannot do it alone. If assistance is needed, ask your child’s Den Leader(s).
• Accompany your child to the monthly Pack meeting as one parent is required but the entire family is welcome.
• Attend a Den meeting or two. You need to be available to get the latest information from the Den Leader(s). Get to know the Den Leader(s) so communication is timelier. Walk your child into the Den meetings. Make sure the Leader is there and no last minute changes have been made. If you cannot stay for the meeting, make sure to pick up your child on time.
• Volunteer and become involved. The more active and involved you are, the more you will enjoy the Cub Scout experience.
• Voice your opinions, thoughts and comments at the Pack Committee meetings. The only way the program can be improved is to know what you and your child would like to accomplish.
• Participation in the monthly Committee meeting will provide you with insight on of how the Pack runs and is a great forum for you to discuss your ideas.
• Let us know of any problems as soon as they occur – don’t wait. We don’t know when something is upsetting you unless we are told. Contact the Cubmaster or the Committee Chair directly if you don’t feel comfortable going to your Den Leader(s).

The Pack’s Obligations to You and Your Child

• Provide a solid Scouting program that you can both be proud of.
• Provide the means of advancement in a timely manner for the Scouts.
• Provide quality trained Den Leaders.
• Provide the opportunity to participate in various outings and activities.
• Provide a safe Scouting environment and meeting place.
• Communicate news and current Scout events to you in a timely manner.

Expectations

1. Common courtesy and respect will be shown to each other at all times and is expected by the Scouts, parents, Leaders and guests.
2. Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children and guests at all Pack functions.
3. Pack meetings will start on time and will last less than 90 minutes. Pack meetings are conducted by the Cubmaster and will follow a pre-determined agenda as established by the Pack Committee and Cubmaster.
4. Den meetings will be controlled by the respective Den Leaders and Assistants and will be when and where the Den Leader(s) determine. Two deep leadership will be in effect at all times. Married couples acting as Den Leader / Asst. Den Leader do not meet the BSA two-deep leadership requirement.
5. After a Den or a Pack meeting, the meeting area should be left neat and clean regardless of the condition before the meeting. Remember a Scout is Clean and we always attempt to leave areas better than we find them indoors and out. Everyone in attendance is expected to participate as necessary in the cleanup, set a great example.
6. Tobacco and alcohol products are not allowed at Scouting events.
7. The Pack will follow all rules and regulations set forth by the Boy Scouts of America, the Charter Organization, and the Pack Committee.

Cub Scouting Goals

The goal of Scouting is to help a Scout to grow in both physical and mental ability, to introduce new skills/activities and to have fun. The program is structured around family participation.

Cub Scouting is a program outlined by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Parents and Leaders work together to:

• Influence each Scout’s character development and spiritual growth
• Develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship
• Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body
• Improve understanding and communication within the family
• Strengthen skills in getting along with and respecting others
• Foster a sense of personal achievement by developing new interests and skills
• Provide fun and exciting things to do
• Encourage each Scout to "Do Your Best"
• Prepare each Cub Scout to become a BSA Scout.

The Pack is a family based organization and is run by parents who volunteer as Den Leaders, assistants, and committee members or as planners for a special event. In order to successfully achieve the stated goals of Scouting, the involvement of all parents is needed. Please be prepared to volunteer for pack and den activities.

Your participation benefits the scouts in the Pack (including your own), the community, and yourself.

A brief summary of Scouting and the Cub Scout Program

Scouting has been around a long time. The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910, and became federally chartered with the United States in 1916. Cub Scouts came into being in 1930. Millions of children have worn the uniform, cooked over an open fire at a campsite, earned their Bobcat, raced their Pinewood Derby cars, worked on service projects, and made new friends under the umbrella of Scouting. Flowing underneath all this fun and excitement is a character-building program that encourages making good ethical choices, family strengthening, physical fitness, and citizenship skills in the lives of our kids. 

Scouting utilizes an advancement system that requires a scout to ‘do their best’ to fulfill and complete the requirements outlined in his handbook so that he may earn his rank badge. After receiving his badge, these Scouts can go on to earn other awards by completing a series of electives. Please keep in mind that although there are lots of awards and recognitions in Scouting, Pack 89 will strive to ensure that these goals are earned through significant, meaningful methods that your child will remember for a long time.

At the Tiger, Wolf, and Bear ranks, Cub Scouting activities center around monthly themes that have lots of appeal to kids at this age. During den meetings, the scouts will be playing games, building craft projects, learning songs, etc. relating to this theme. In doing so, these scouts will be improving on different skills as they learn to get along with others, become more resourceful, and participate in new activities and venues.

At the Webelos level, in lieu of the monthly theme, the scouts are introduced to several diverse Activity Badges and, within the framework of the Webelos den, they work on completing these badges. As you will notice, there are Webelos 1’s (4th graders) and Webelos 2’s (5th graders). At the first level, after earning their Webelos badge, Webelos 1’s continue to earn additional activity badges and gain new knowledge and skills in these areas. The Webelos 2’s, though maybe still earning Activity Badges, also begin focusing on completing other requirements for their Arrow of Light award and will be conducting activities with various BSA Troops.

Pack 89 follows a ‘Scout year’ of September to June and upon nearing the end of the school term, all the scouts ‘cross over’ into the next rank. During the summer, Den meeting work on achievements may be suspended as the Pack will meet monthly at fun outings such as a picnics, Rain Gutter Regatta, Cub Scout Day Camp, Pack swim, etc. that goes toward the scouts earning their Summertime Award pin.

There are many, many events offered in Scouting. In addition to the events at Den meetings, Pack 89 will have family camping trips, Pinewood Derby races, a Blue and Gold Banquet, and local overnight outings/camping.

In addition, there are District events, which unites us with hundreds of Scouts, and Council events that can have thousands of Scouts in attendance. Your participation at these functions will definitely add to your child’s Scouting experience.