Scout FAQ

Leadership

The Committee and Leaders of Cub Scout Pack 846 are committed to providing a quality, year-round program of Cub Scouting activities. Special emphasis is placed on character development, skill development, spiritual grown, citizenship and family.

Purposes of 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 traditional 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

For more details of what Cub Scouting is visit the Boy Scouts of America site Cub Scouting page.

Cub Scout Promise

I, (name), promise to do my best

To do my duty to God and my country,

To help other people,and

To obey the Law of the Pack.

Law of the Pack

The Cub Scout follows Akela.

The Cub Scout helps the pack go.

The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.

The Cub Scout gives goodwill.

Cub Scout Motto

Do Your Best.

The Pack

A Pack must be chartered from the BSA by a local organization. These can be churches, professional organizations, government bodies, or educational, civic, business, labor, or citizens’ groups. Pack 846 has been chartered by Trinity United Methodist Church on Wolfpen-Pleasant Hill Road for over 45 years.

The Pack serves as a "parent" organization to the Dens and provides direction, program support and maintenance of the budget. The Pack is led by the Pack Committee that consists of representatives from each Den, Cubmaster and other volunteer leaders. The Pack Committee Chairman leads these monthly meetings and we encourage parents to participate. Meetings can be found on the Pack calendar. The Pack Committee along with the Cubmaster leads the group in planning and organizing Pack programs.

Packs are divided into Dens of six to ten boys. Dens are made up of boys in the same grade and age, so they can work together to earn the appropriate Rank.

Den Meetings

Tiger Dens usually meet two or three times a month. Their Den Meetings include the Scouts and their Adult Partners. Each Den has a volunteer Den Leader, but all Adult Partners work cooperatively to plan and host the meetings. Typically each Scout/Partner team is assigned an activity from the Tiger Cub Handbook to plan and host. These gatherings are often outings to local points of interest.

Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Den Meetings are usually held once a week for one to 1½ hours. Den Meetings can be held at a Leader’s home, school, church or other venue depending on the activity. Although the Den Leader and Assistant Den Leaders are responsible for coordinating and running the Den Meetings, each Scout’s family will play an active role in the Scout activities, at the meetings and at home. There must always be two (2) adults present at all meetings and activities. The activities at the Den Meetings vary widely from games, crafts, skills work, field trips, etc. The National organization sets a theme for each month and the Den Meetings may center on this theme or one of the achievements in the rank book.

Typically achievements towards earning the Wolf or Bear badges are done by the Scout with their family at home. The Den may do some achievements as part of their regular meeting, however most are oriented to be done with the family. Webelos Den Meetings typically involve completing the various requirements of the Webelos badge, activity badges or progress towards the Arrow of Light.

As achievements are completed the parent or Den Leader, depending on who it was completed with, will record it in the Scout’s rank book. The Den Leader will periodically record the Scout’s accomplishments on a record form to track progress towards rank badge or other award. Dens may formally meet only during the school year or during the entire year depending on the Den Leader’s and family’s schedule and preference.

Pack Meetings

Pack Meetings and activities are held monthly, usually on the 3rd Thursday or Friday of the month beginning at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are typically held at Meadowview Elementary School and local camp grounds. Special events may be held at other local venues. The Pack Meetings may include award ceremonies, Den skits, guest speakers, activities or special outings.

The Pack meetings are intended for the entire family. It is a time for the entire unit and their families to get together to learn and celebrate each other’s accomplishments over the past month. Some Pack Meetings are for special programs including Paper Airplane Derby, the annual Blue & Gold Banquet to celebrate Scouting’s birthday, Pinewood Derby and Space Derby.

Pack Meetings occur during the entire calendar year. Although each Den may not meet during the summer, we encourage each Scout family to attend the Pack Meetings held during the summer. Typically summer meetings are held outside and include events such as a picnic, cubmobile races, raingutter regatta and the like.

Family Events

The Pack may also participate in special “Family Events” throughout the year. These extracurricular activities are not under the official Scouting umbrella, but are rather an opportunity for Scouting families to enjoy some activities together. Past events have included: family campouts, local sporting events, or other field trips. Each Scout must be accompanied by a parent to participate in such “Family Events”.

Community Service

An important part of Scouting is Service to Others. This concept of giving back to the Community is something that the Boy Scouts of America feels is important to nurture in young people. This is shown in the Cub Scout Promise and Law of the Pack. Pack 846 provides boys a number of community service opportunities to participate in each year.

Council and District Events

The Dan Beard Council, Blue Jacket District and Pack 846 participate in many special activities throughout the year. A schedule of coming events will be communicated through the Dens on a regular basis. These activities range from service projects to help the community to special Council sponsored camp days at Cub World in Loveland.

Pack Committee Meetings

A monthly Pack Committee meeting provides the opportunity to plan the Pack Meetings and Activities. All Scout Leaders are encouraged to attend, as well as any Adult who may have ideas, comments or concerns regarding the Pack or a particular Den. These meetings are typically held on the first Wednesday of the month, at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Fund Raising

A Fall popcorn sale is an important source of funding for Pack 846. This fundraiser, along with nominal Cub Scout fees, help fund all scouting activities throughout the year… camp-outs, pinewood derby, etc. Participating Scouts gather orders from friends, family, and go door-to-door in their neighborhood (if they can be accompanied by an adult). Our Scouts also volunteer time to represent our Pack at booth sales at local retail stores.

Participation is voluntary and Scouts/parents will not be forced to participate in this fundraiser but… Don’t miss out! There’s more to this selling experience than meets the eye! This is an excellent opportunity for Scouts to experience goal setting with the opportunity to earn personal prizes, even a college scholarship contribution! Scouts will also experience some business basics as they interact with their customers/supporters by collecting and delivering orders.

Pack 846 is a motivated group of Scouts and fundraising is an excellent opportunity for a Scout to grow his confidence. As he gains experience he will also be contributing back to the Scouting program that guides him! Thanks Pack 846 for your help!!!

Fees

Registration for membership in Pack 846 is about $50.00 for a calendar year. Our fiscal year is in January so you may be required to submit a prorated amount depending on when you join. The registration fee pays for registration with the Boy Scouts of America, unit insurance and helps to pay for the awards and supplies for each boy. Boys must, during his first year in the Pack, complete a registration form for the Boy Scouts of America. Parents are also asked to complete a parent/boy registration form to provide some additional information to the Den Leader. Boys may also choose an optional annual subscription to Boys Life for $12.00.

Depending on the activities, Dens Leaders may ask for an activity fee to cover the costs associated with the particular activity. This may include craft supply fees, admission fees, or the like. These will be kept to a minimal and will be announced ahead of time. Some Pack events may also require a nominal activity fee. Family events are usually the responsibility of those who choose to participate.

Scholarships

Should fees or any costs become a problem for your family, please contact the Cubmaster or the Pack Committee Chairman. Scholarships are available and all requests will remain confidential.

Volunteers

Parent volunteers are always needed. Registration and training are 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. 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.

Responsibilities and Expectations

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.

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 comply with these policies.

If you are not satisfied with the program or performance of your Den, don’t sit back, contact the Cubmaster or Pack Committee Chairman immediately. We all are responsible for timely communication of any such concern.