Cub Scout Pack 201


          Parent Handbook

            For 2007-2008

 

                               Written by Gary Thorn – Former Pack Committee Chairperson

                                   Updated by Matt Leonhard - Pack Cubmaster

                                                            Version: November 21, 2007

 

Meeting Place:                     First Baptist Church, Cary, North Carolina

Meeting Time:                       1st & 2nd Tuesday, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

                Fun Event:                            3rd week

Pack Meeting:                       4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

 

Pack 201 is part of the Crosswinds District of the Occoneechee Council of the BSA

Pack201cary.org
Welcome to Cub Scouts and Pack 201!  Our pack is made up of approximately 40 boys and their families, from the Cary and Apex, North Carolina area. Cub Scouts are part of the Boy Scouts of America, and have a long tradition of providing lots of fun activities for young boys. The BSA web site (www.scouting.org) has an introduction called "What is Cub Scouting?" that has more useful introductory information.

 

In Pack 201, we believe that Cub Scouting is fun, but it is fun with a purpose. Here is some information to help you understand how Pack 201 practices Cub Scouting. We follow the rules and policies set by the national organization, so links to national sites can explain much of this. There is also information below that is specific to our pack.

 

1.      Activities

2.      Organization

3.      Meetings

4.      Ranks and Advancement

5.      Paperwork, fees, Uniforms

6.      The Cub Scout Promise, Law of the Pack, and Motto

7.      Contacts

 

Activities

Cub Scouting is about boys, and their parents sharing fun and constructive activities together.  Cub Scouting is a family activity.  It is a good excuse to spend some quality time with your boy.

 

Annual Pack 201 Activities:

·         District Camporee (Cub Scout family camping weekend)

·         Family Camping (at least 2 planned campouts per year and 1 “special” trip)

·         Cary Christmas Parade

·         Pinewood Derby car races

·         Scout Sunday

·         Mall Expo / District Pinewood Derby Races

·         Blue and Gold Banquet

·         Special Pack meeting ceremonies (Tiger graduation, Webelos bridging, etc. . . .)

·         Summer Time Program (e.g.: pool party, Durham Bulls Game, putt-putt, planetarium, roller skating)

·         Family Camping trip with Boy Scout Troop 204

·         Popcorn sales (fund-raiser)

 

Pack 201 has a tradition of providing a quality program. 

·         Pack 201 has been a Quality Unit for the past 12 years in a row.

·         Pack 201 has an active summertime program

·         Every boy in Pack 201 advanced to the next rank in 2006 – 2007 scouting year.

·         Chartered for 47 years at First Baptist Church in Cary

·         Boy to Adult Volunteer Leaders Ratio is less than 3 to 1.

 

Organization

Cub Scout Pack 201 is made up of first grade through fifth grade boys. The organization of the pack is standard. Boys meet in small groups (dens) of 5 to 9 boys. Each den has an adult leader, and consists of boys in the same grade. First graders are Tiger Cubs, second graders are Wolf Cubs, third graders are Bear Cubs, and fourth and fifth graders are Webelos. See Ranks and Advancement for more information about these.

 

Pack 201, together with 21 other Cub Scout packs, 20 Boy Scout troops, 12 Venture Crews and 5 Varsity teams  make up the Crosswinds District. The Crosswinds District is one of 13 subdivisions of the Occoneechee Council. There are over 300 councils in the United States.  Each Cub Scout pack is sponsored by an organization. Our chartered organization is the First Baptist Church of Cary. The chartered organization provides a representative who is the liaison between the pack and the organization.

 

The pack is run by the Pack Committee, which is headed by the Committee Chairman. In Pack 201, all adult leaders are committee members. The Committee meets once each month to plan pack meetings and other pack activities. Parents are always welcome at these meetings.

 

The Cubmaster is in charge of the pack meetings and reports to the Committee. In some packs the Cubmaster is only the MC for the meetings, in others the Cubmaster plays a major organizational role. In either case, the boys see the Cubmaster as the authority figure.

 

The Den Leaders are the ones who do the majority of the work with the boys, and who have the most fun. All adult leaders should attend Youth Protection, New Leader Essentials and Cub Scout Leader Specific Training, a one-day training course organized by the council. Den Leaders plan and organize den meetings 'keep track of the boys' advancements, and attend leaders meetings (Committee meetings). Den Leaders should try to engage the parents in the den meetings to the greatest extent possible, both to make the Den Leader's job easier and to increase the boys' enjoyment. Cub Scouting is a family activity, and den meetings are a great place for family involvement. The Den Leader can go to the Cubmaster or the Pack Trainer for advice and assistance.

 

Parents play an important role in the pack. The leaders will do their best to provide a quality program, but all the leaders in Pack 201 are volunteers and have many other obligations. We depend on parents to help provide a good program. We ask every parent to help the pack in some capacity. You should take your share in organizing den meetings, working with the den leader of your son's den. In addition, you should help with at least one pack activity a year (e.g. Pinewood Derby or a campout). A parent should attend the pack meetings together with the Cub Scout. Every handbook for boys has a parent guide at the beginning. We also have a child protection videotape, which you can watch together with your boy. There are no secrets in Cub Scouts; parents are welcome in any organizational meetings of the pack, district or council.

 

Meetings

 

Den meetings: A den is a group of 6-10 boys of the same school age.  Dens meet the first 2 Tuesday evenings of the month from 7:00-8:00 p.m., (except when there is a pack meeting) at First Baptist Church in Cary.  At least two adults are required to be present at all times. In Pack 201, each den has a designated den leader who organizes the weekly den meetings.  Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend any or all den meetings.  Sometimes, parents are required to attend den meetings to fulfill the 2 adults present (2 deep leadership) rule. 

Tiger Cubs meet once per month as a den, either the first or second Tuesday of the month.  Tiger dens meet once per month for a “Go See it” event, and they attend Pack meetings.  At least one parent is required to attend all meetings with their Tiger Cub.  The parents share the work of preparing for a meeting, and organizing a Go-See-It in the Tiger den.

 

Pack meetings: On the fourth Tuesday of the month. Pack meetings are for all the boys of Pack 201. We expect a parent or the whole family to attend the pack meeting. When not announced differently, pack meetings are at First Baptist Church at 7 PM. Please arrive early so the meeting can start on time. Boys are encouraged to “sign-in” when they arrive to be eligible for “Best-dressed” prizes throughout the evening.

 

There are many special events: family campouts, field trips, etc. In January, the boys make small wooden race cars and compete in the Pinewood Derby. There are also council events like camporees, Scout-O-Rama etc. We plan to have about one special “Fun” event per month.

 

Leader meetings: (sometimes also called Committee Meetings) Leaders of Pack 201 discuss organizational matters, future events and exchange ideas. All parents are welcome. These meetings are generally held once per quarter on a night convenient for everyone.

 

Roundtables: Idea exchange and announcements for leaders of the whole district. Leaders are encouraged to attend roundtables. Parents are welcome. These are held the third Thursday evening of each month at St Andrews Catholic Church in Apex from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

Ranks and Advancement

 

Boys work their way through Cub Scouts doing activities that are fun and challenging. The activities are carefully chosen to be age-appropriate and emphasize learning by doing. They cover many aspects of life, and are designed to:

·         Influence a boy'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 within the family.

·         Strengthen a boy's ability to get along with others.

·         Foster a sense of personal achievement by developing new interests and skills.

·         Show a boy how to be helpful and do his best.

·         Provide fun and exciting new things to do.

 

In addition to the activities that contribute to advancement in rank, the boys can earn belt loops, pins and letters in the optional Sports and Academic Program. The purpose of these awards is to encourage Scouts to try new activities and learn new skills, or to improve those skills they already have. As in most activities in Cub Scouting, this is not meant to be a highly competitive program, instead the boys are encouraged to "do their best".

 

Cub Scouts joining as first grade boys enter the Tiger Cub Program. Tiger Cubs work toward earning the Bobcat Badge and then the Tiger Rank.  Once this is earned, the Tiger Cub may begin earning electives with his Adult Partner.  Tiger Cub dens meet once or twice a month in addition to being welcome at all pack meetings. Tiger Cubs BSA introduces boys and their adult partners to the excitement of Cub Scouting as they "Search, Discover, and Share" together. The Tiger Cub program is meant to be simple and fun. Pack 201 welcomes its Tiger Cubs to all pack activities, but council-organized activities may have different policies.

 

Cub Scouts in the second grade or above begin advancement by earning the Bobcat Badge. After earning the Bobcat Badge, they proceed to work on advancement specific to their age level. As part of the Bobcat Badge requirements, they must learn the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto.

 

In the second grade, Cub Scouts work toward the Wolf Badge, then toward a Gold Arrow Point and one or more Silver Arrow Points. The requirements for these badges are found in the Wolf Cub Scout Book. Boys working towards their Wolf Badge are called Wolf Cubs.

 

In the third grade, Cub Scouts are called Bear Cubs and work toward the Bear Badge, after which they work toward earning a Gold Arrow Point and. Silver Arrow Points. The requirements for these badges are found in the Bear Cub Scout Book. Boys joining in the third grade must earn their Bobcat Badge before working towards the Bear Badge.

 

The Webelos Program is a two-year program for fourth and fifth grade boys. First, they earn their Bobcat Badge if they have not done so in a previous year. Then in both years, they work toward earning Webelos Activity Pins in twenty different areas, arranged in five groups. Fourth grade boys work toward the Webelos Badge. After earning the Webelos Badge, boys work toward Compass Point Emblem and Metal Compass Points by earning additional Activity Pins. Fifth graders, after earning the Webelos Badge, earn the Arrow of Light.

 

The Arrow of Light is the highest rank in Cub Scouting, and is one of only two Cub Scout badges which may be worn on the Boy Scout uniform (the other badge is the religious knot).

 

Any Wolf, Bear or Webelos Scout can earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award.

 

Paperwork, Fees, Uniforms

 

Registration: The annual dues are $40 ($30 in September) prorated for each boy. This includes a subscription to Boys Life magazine.  Pack 201 pays the registration fees for its adult leaders.

 

Uniforms: Cub scouts buy their own uniform, including council patch, pack and den numerals. The pack provides advancement badges. Tiger, Wolf and Bear cubs use the blue Cub Scout uniform, while Webelos can choose whether to wear the blue Cub Scout uniform or tan Boy Scout uniform shirt. The person in the store can help you buy the right stuff including the right color for the neckerchief. Pack 201 only requires the official uniform from the waist up (belt, shirt, neckerchief and slide).  Any dark pants may be worn with the uniform.

 

Uniforms can be bought at the Occoneechee Scout Store on Atlantic Ave. in Raleigh (approximately $45 without trousers).

Handbooks: Pack 201 provides Tiger, Bear, Wolf, and Webelos books to each Cub Scout. We recommend that parents read the books for their child's age group cover-to-cover and follow the boys progress carefully. Every handbook has a parent guide at the beginning.

 

Recruiting: If your boy has a friend who is interested in Cub Scouts, bring him to any pack or den meeting. Don't wait for the next year's membership night. Any Cub who gets a friend to join earns a recruiter patch that is worn below the right pocket.

 

Cub Scout Promise, Law of the Pack, and Cub Scout Motto

 

The Cub Scout Promise is:

"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."

The Law of the Pack is:

"The Cub Scout follows Akela.

The Cub Scout helps the pack go.

The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.

The Cub Scout gives goodwill."

The Cub Scout Motto is: ”Do your best.”

 

Scout Store and Occoneechee Council office

3231 Atlantic Avenue

Raleigh, N.C. 27604

1-888-421-4744

 

M-F 9:00-6:00 p.m.   Saturday 10:00-4:00 p.m.

 

Pack 201 Contacts:

Committee Chair: Laura Sutton                        (919) 466-8237

Cubmaster: Matt Leonhard                  (919) 833-2007

Assistant Cubmaster:  Scott Huntley    (919) 303-7218

Chartered Org. Rep.: Bryson Trexler   (919) 469-5264