Welcome Message - How Cub Scouting works

Hello Parents, 

On behalf of myself and Cub Scout Pack 246, thank you for visiting our site. 

I am pleased to see that you and your child are interested joining Cub Scouts. 

Below you will find some of the answers to common questions. 

Cubmaster,

Bill Potanovic

Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America has helped youth of cub scouts age. Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the 10 purposes of Cub Scouting:

The Cub Scouts of America colors are blue and gold. They have special meaning, which will help youth see beyond the fun of Cub Scouting to its ultimate goals. The blue stands for truth and spirituality, steadfast loyalty, and the sky above. The gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer and happiness.

As a youth begins the Boy Scout Trail, he or she joins other boys & girls the same age. A youth can start the scouting program from 5 (starting kindergarten) to (Boy Scouts) 17 years old.

The Bobcat rank is the first rank earned by Cub Scouts, no matter which grade they begin scouting, except for kindergarten Lion Scouts. After earning the Bobcat rank, the youth then begins earning an age-base rank. The Cub Scout age program is for kindergarten through 3rd graders - Lion scouts, Tiger scouts, Wolf scouts, and Bear scouts. After completing Bear scout requirements, scouts begin their Webelos program, and finish Cub Scouting with the Arrow of Light.

How Cub Scouting Works

 

       Scouting is Family Oriented

 

Activities are intended for the whole family.

You work with your Scout on his/her advancement award requirements.

Many skills he/she will learn are family oriented.

 

      The Cub Scout Den

 

Your child is a member of a Cub Scout Den, sorted by grade and age.

The Den Leader schedules meetings, normally at least once a month, maybe more depending on your leader.   

The Den is led by a Den Leader (a "volunteer" parent).

The Den Leader usually has an assistant Den Leader (a "volunteer" parent)

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

 

      The Cub Scout Pack

 

Your child is a member of a Cub Scout Pack (this includes ALL the Scouts and Leaders)

The Pack meets once per month, when all Pack Scouts & their families attend.

The Pack meeting is led by the Cubmaster, who just like the Den Leaders is also a "volunteer"

The Pack meeting is the highlight of the month’s den meetings, Pack events and camping trips

Pack meetings have games, songs, skits, ceremonies, and presentations of advancements that Scouts earn during the month. Also, a slideshow of any events we had the previous month.

 

      Pack Meetings

 

The Pack is run by a Committee of parents, who are all "volunteers".

The Pack Committee is made up of all the Den Leaders, Cubmaster, and parents.

The Pack Committee is led by a Chairperson, who is a "volunteer"

The Committee selects leaders, creates a Pack calendar, schedules events, record keeping, manages finances, orders advancements, maintains pack equipment, helps train leaders, and recognizes leaders.

 

      Our Chartered Partner

 

The Pack is “owned” by the chartered partner, usually a school, parent association, religious organization, service club, or other organization interested in helping youth.

The chartered partner approves leaders, provides a meeting place, and operates the Pack within their own guidelines and the guidelines of the Boy Scouts of America.

The chartered organization selects a representative to serve as liaison between the Pack and the organization.

Sterling McClellan American Legion Post 142  is our Chartered Partner

 

 

The Advancement Plan

 

YPT (Youth Protection Training) required for all parents and guardians that will be participating in meetings/ events/ and camping trips. 

Lion & Tigers require an Adult Application to be completed and turned into the Pack.   

The responsibility for a child’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 Rank Requirements

The first rank that every scout, except Lions, earns when entering the Cub Scouting Program is the Bobcat rank.

To earn the Bobcat rank the new Cub Scout does the following:

The above items are the basic information that all Cub Scouts learn when they enter into the Cub Scouting program.

Lion Scouts (Kindergarten) is a fun introduction to the Scouting program for kindergarten-age youth eager to get going! Lions do adventures with their adult partners and other Lions every month. This program introduces youth and their families to Scouting and the outdoors as it builds a foundation of character. Everything as a Lion is done with an adult partner.

A new Lion Scout receives a Lion Adventure Book. This is an activity book with pages to color, draw, and cut, all with guidance from the Lion's adult partner. 

A Lion will need a Lion Scout Uniform which is a blue t-shirt and hat. This part of the boy scout trail is intended to take one school year, preparing the scout to begin Tiger adventures after kindergarten is completed. The Lion program provides fun, hands-on activities for scouts to learn and grow while having a good time with their friends and family. The scout and adult partner do every part of the program together under the facilitation of a Lion Guide. The Lion den meets once a month to do things separately from the rest of the pack. These den meetings are done at a place and time convenient for the den members. The Lion den also joins all the other scouts to participate in a Pack meeting once a month. Meeting sounds pretty boring, but a good scout meeting is active, fun, and interesting. The 45 minutes to an hour time should be packed with games, activities, and safe adventure.

Tiger Scouts (1st Grade) is an exciting scouting program for first grade youth (or 7 years old) ready to get going! Tigers do stuff - lots of stuff - and all with their adult partners. This program is intended to open up the world to inquisitive minds along with the caring guidance of adults. The first steps along the Boy Scout Trail are laid here and every rank advancement through the scouting program builds on the basic activities done as Tigers.

If a youth has completed kindergarten (or is 7 years old) and has earned the Bobcat Badge, earning the Tiger rank is next. The scout receives a Tiger Scout handbook, Tiger neckerchief, and Tiger neckerchief slide. A blue Cub Scout Uniform is also needed. This part of the boy scout trail is intended to take one school year, preparing the scout to begin Wolf adventures after completing first grade.

Wolf Scouts (2nd Grade) If a Cub Scout has completed the first grade (or is 8 years old) and has earned the Bobcat Badge, the scout may start earning the Wolf rank. The scout receives a Wolf Scout handbook, Wolf neckerchief, and Wolf neckerchief slide when beginning the Wolf portion of the boy scout trail. The scout will also need a blue Cub Scout Uniform. This part of the boy scout trail is intended to take one school year, preparing the scout to begin earning the Bear rank after completing second grade.

Bear Scouts (3rd Grade) If a Cub Scout has completed the second grade (or is 9 years old) and has earned the Bobcat Badge, the youth may start earning the Bear rank. The scout receives a Bear Scout handbook, Bear neckerchief, and Bear neckerchief slide when beginning the Bear portion of the boy scout trail. A blue Cub Scout Uniform will also be needed. This part of the boy scout trail is intended to take one school year, preparing the scout to begin earning the Webelos rank after completing third grade.

WEBELOS I (4th and 5th Grade) children to prepare to join a Boy Scout troop while learning outdoors skills and participating in many adventures. A well-run group of Webelos is a gradual change from being an 'adult-run' den to being a 'scout-run' patrol ready to fit right into an adventurous Boy Scout troop. This migration requires the parents and den leaders to give the scouts more and more control, decision-making power, and responsibility as they progress in skills, abilities, and maturity.

WEBELOS II - Arrow of Light (5th Grade) For the oldest Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light program offers 5th grade WEBELOS the opportunity to earn a patch that transfers to their Boy Scout uniform. By earning this recognition, a scout demonstrates readiness for the next step on the boy scout trail.

During their last year in a Pack, WEBELOS get a larger say in which adventures their den will do, and in leading their fellow scouts, both skills that will come in handy in Boy Scouts.

A youth that is new to Scouting in 5th grade does not need to earn any previous ranks. The Bobcat badge and then the Arrow of Light can be earned along with the scout's den, even if the scout does not have the WEBELOS badge yet. If it's important to the youth, the scout can put in more effort and fulfill the WEBELOS requirements during 5th grade also, without missing out on the adventures the den is doing for Arrow of Light.

Camping and outdoor programs are an important part of the WEBELOS program.  In February/March, a WEBELOS Scout’s fifth grade year, he/she graduates from Cub Scouting into the adventure of Boy Scouting at an impressive graduation ceremony.  Every Scout deserves an opportunity to be a Boy Scout and hopefully graduate to the prestigious Eagle Scout rank. 

 

 

Special Cub Scout Activities

 

Pinewood Derby Car

Parents/Guardians and their Scout work together to build a gravity-powered miniature race car from a BSA kit.  We then race them on our Pinewood Derby track. We hold this event once a year and its lots of fun!!! All participants earn an award (trophy or medal).

Rocket Derby

The Scout gets to design and build a model rocket and blast it off!! This is one of the favorite events that the Pack puts on the calendar. All participants go home a winner with either a trophy, according to their ranks, or a medal for participating.

Raingutter Regatta Boat      

The Raingutter Regatta is similar to the Pinewood Derby except that the models are miniature catamaran boats. Each Scout builds their own model boat with supervision and help from parents/guardians or other family members. The Scout also provides the wind for the sail with their own lung power and a plastic straw to race it down a gutter. As with our other events, all family members are invited to participate and earn an award.

Family Camping

The Pack goes camping several times a year to various camp grounds, some local and some miles away.  We have activities during the day, campfire at night (if allowed), skits, songs, and lots of jokes.  It’s a weekend camping experience that the whole family can be involved in. Some "suggested items" to bring are below: 

Cub Scout Summer Day Camp

An exciting summertime activity that includes crafts, games, nature, sports, BB guns, archery, and LOTS of FUN!  Camps are held throughout the Council and run for the week once school is out.

WEBELOS Camping

For WEBELOS only, there are separate WEBELOS Camporee experience, where the Scouts can work on their pins/badges and prepare for crossing over into Boy Scouts.  Special activities when becoming a Boy Scout can include mountain biking, zip line, canoeing, swimming, BB guns, and campfire programs. 

Boys’ Life Magazine

It is the official magazine for Scouts and adults.  Boys’ Life has interesting features on Scouting, sports, hobbies, magic, science, and U.S. History. *(additional $12 per subscription = 12 months).http://boyslife.org/

 

How Can I Help?

 

Scouting operates through Volunteer Leadership.  Volunteer leaders are an example of Scouting principle of service to others.  Naturally, parents/guardians are the primary source of leaders in the Scouting program.  You volunteer not only to serve Scouting, but also to serve your child and their friends, and also to have the chance to be a positive influence on the youth in your community.

What does it take to be a volunteer?  A long, rich background of Scouting involvement is NOT required!  What is needed is a desire to work with and help young people, a willingness to make time in your weekly schedule, and the rest is easy!  Lots of resources and training are available and many people will support your efforts. 

 What Do You Receive in Return?

Being a leader is fun, challenging, and rewarding.  Leaders find that their experiences help them to become better parents.  The following are some of the many dividends that will enrich your life as you dedicate your time, talent and enthusiasm to Scouting:

 

 

 

What Will Scouting Cost Me?

     

Pack 246 has (2) options for the registration cost & Pack dues

Please contact Kim (954) 914-5137 for more details

Optional: Boys Life magazine subscription additional $12.00

http://boyslife.org/

Registration includes: BSA insurance (to cover the scouts while camping or at an event), advancements (Adventure loops), WEBELOS badges (Adventure pins), Blue & Gold celebration at the end of the school year, trailer registration & supplies, and numerous other items. It does NOT include the fee for our events or camping outings.                             

Uniforms information:

Class A (formal uniform): can be purchased from:

Boy Scout store 15255 NW 82nd Ave, Miami Lakes, FL. Tel: (305)-822- 6287

Boy Scout store 8335 N Military Trl, West Palm Beach, FL 33410  Tel:(561) 691-3929

 Class B: - Pack T-shirts available (for non-formal events) $ 10.00

 

New Member Checklist

 

Name:                                                                                                                                          

 

Den Leader: ________________________________ Tel ____________


District - Sawgrass          Unit Number - 246             

 

           Lion                                  Tiger                     Wolf                      Bear                    WEBELOS               Arrow Of Light               

Kindergarten                   (1st grade)           (2nd grade)           (3rd grade)            (4th grade)                      (5th grade)