ParentScout

How Cub Scouting Works

Scouting is Family Oriented

Many skills he will learn are family oriented

Activities are intended for the whole family

You work with your son on his advancement award requirements

The Cub Scout Den

Your son is a member of a Cub Scout den

The den meets once per month.

The den is led by a den leader always a parent.

The den leader usually has an assistant den leader, a den chief (a
Boy Scout helper), and a denner (a Cub Scout elected by den
members)

Den meetings have games, crafts, songs, ceremonies, and lots of fun

The Cub Scout Pack

Your son is a member of a Cub Scout pack

A pack meets once per month -- all Cub Scout families attend

The pack meeting is led by the Cubmaster

The pack meeting is the highlight of the month's den meetings and
activities

Pack meetings have games, songs, skits, stunts, ceremonies, and
presentations of badges that boys earned during the month

The Pack Committee

The pack is run by a committee of volunteer parents

The pack committee is made up of all den leaders, the Cubmaster,
and parents

The pack committee is led by a chairperson

The committee plans den and pack meetings around the monthly
theme

The committee selects leaders, performs record keeping, manages
finances, finds meeting places, orders badges, maintains pack
equipment, helps train leaders, and recognizes leaders

The Advancement Plan

The responsibility for a boy's advancement in Cub Scouting lies with the family and not with the
pack. Some advancement requirements are done at den meetings, but most are completed at home
with the family.

Bobcat

All boys, regardless of age, earn the Bobcat badge first, by learning the Cub Scout Promise, Law
of the Pack, handshake, salute, sign, motto, and meaning of WEBELOS. After receiving the
Bobcat badge, the boys work on requirements based on their grade level.

Wolf

A Cub Scout who has completed first grade (or is age 8) works on twelve achievements to earn the
Wolf badge. After he earns his Wolf badge, a boy may work on electives in different interest areas
until he is old enough to begin work on the next rank.

For every ten electives he completes, the boy earns an Arrow Point. The boy may earn as many
Arrow Points as he wishes.

Bear

A Cub Scout who has completed the second grade (or is age 9) works to complete twelve of twenty
four achievements to earn the Bear badge. After he earns his Bear badge, a boy may work on
electives in different interest areas until he is old enough to begin work on the next rank.

For every ten electives he completes, the boy earns an Arrow Point. The boy may earn as many
Arrow Points as he wishes.

Webelos

When a Cub Scout has completed the third grade (or is ten years old) he joins a Webelos den, led
by an adult Webelos leader. The boy works on requirements for the Webelos badge, twenty
activity badges, and the Arrow of Light Award. The Arrow of Light Award is the highest award in
Cub Scouting!

Camping and outdoor programs are an important part of the eighteen month Webelos program. In
February of a Webelos Scout's fifth grade year, he graduates from Cub Scouting into the
adventure of Boy Scouting at an impressive graduation ceremony. Every boy deserves an
opportunity to be a Boy Scout.

PARENT'S GUIDE TO PACK AND DEN MEETING EXPECTATIONS

Scouting is a fun and wonderful organization that teaches the foundations for character development.
Starting as early as first grade boys are welcomed into the program to have fun and begin learning
leadership skills, good manners, morals, respectfulness, reverence and so much more. With that in mind,
please observe the following guidelines for all Pack and Den meetings, and watch your boys (as well as
your entire family) grow and develop into all that they can be. Most Pack Meetings are held at St.
Paulies Rectory on Grace Avenue between

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ARRIVAL AND SEATING:

Parents and Scouts should be in their seats ready to begin the 7:15 meeting by 7:30 (Pack meeting time).
Scouts sit in the front with their Den Leader and parents in the chairs behind. We will start on time. If
when you arrive with your Scout their Den Leader is not yet there, please have your Scout remain seated
next to you until they arrive.

Those Scouts who arrive earlier will be loaned a pencil and given a paper game to sit quietly and do
while they wait for the meeting to begin. Please return the pencil.

As Scouting is a family affair, siblings may attend pack meetings. We must ask, however, that as we are
guests of the church, they remain seated next to the attending parent and not be allowed to leave the
room alone for any reason.

The Cubmaster and Den Leader often uses the time prior to the meeting to get together the awards that
are to be given out and finalize the agenda for the meeting. If possible, try to limit your questions until
during the appropriate time in the meeting or after the meeting so that those last minute preparations can
take place.

MEETING TONE AND YOUR CHILD'S BEHAVIOR:

Pack and Den meetings should be FUN, but should also maintain an air of respectfulness at all times, as
well as awe and reverence when appropriate. The proper tone lends importance to all activities that
follow. Parents can help establish the appropriate tone at meeting time by reminding their Scout before
they arrive to be attentive and respectful of the Cubmaster and Denleader and other Scouts as they lead
the meeting.

If there is a behavioral problem with your Scout that the leader is not able to curtail in a positive fashion,
please take the responsibility to quietly remove your child from the room and handle the situation in the
hallway.

Siblings need to also understand the importance of being attentive and respectful. If there is a problem,
we would again invite you to take your child outside the room until it can be resolved so as not to distract
from the program.

THE CUB SCOUT SIGN:

If order needs to be established in the meeting, you may note that the leaders will raise the Cub Scout
Sign (a "V" made with the fingers). Scouts and parents need to immediately echo this sign and return
attention to the leader.

THE AGENDA:

The standard agenda starts with an opening and flag ceremony. During this time parents need to be an
example by removing hats, placing hands over hearts and joining in the Pledge of Allegiance. You might
want to remind your Scout to do his Scout salute if they are in uniform (two fingers to the eyebrow or rim
of their hat, which they may wear during the ceremony). If your Scout is NOT in uniform, he is to put his
hand over his heart.

Awards will be given out at different times during the meeting. The award ceremonies are clearly to be
held in high regard. Each Scout has worked hard to achieve their advancements and awards and each
deserves the attention and respect of all who are at the meeting.

As a means to developing the Scout's leadership and ability to feel comfortable in front of a crowd, skits
also take place at most pack meetings. Much preparation goes into the performance of these skits. The
participating Scouts need our attention and support.

There may be singing, storytelling and other interactive elements to the meeting. Please join in the fun!
That will encourage your son to so as well.

Finally, the business of running the pack must be attended to efficiently. This can only be done if all are
quiet and listening. This is the best time to ask questions. Please feel free to do so. Chances are if you
have a question about an upcoming activity, there will be others in the crowd with the same questions.
Please ask.

LEAVING THE MEETING

Look around as you leave and pick up anything that might have been left behind (trash, coats, etc)

If you see that those responsible for cleaning up are re-setting the room or stacking chairs, please
volunteer to help if you can.

If you pause to visit with other or speak with your Den Leader or Cubmaster, PLEASE don't allow your
Scout or other children to run around or go outside of the room. We are guests at St. Paulies and need to
be respectful of their building as well as other activities that may be taking place.