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WE4-49-08

Cub Scouts 1-OH-1

(One Hour a Week)

Denamaire T. Lindsay

2 Cub Scouts 1-OH-1

INTRODUCTION

So your son has joined the local Cub Scouts and they have asked you to

volunteer “just one hour a week.” Or maybe you don’t volunteer but

want to know more about the ins and outs of how your Pack is

supposed to work. Or maybe you didn’t volunteer at all but you were

the last one standing when one of the leaders left the Pack and now you

don’t know WHAT to do! This is the one stop, how-to resource for how

to run a Cub Scout Pack.

Now, if you have investigated Cub Scouting at all, you know that there

are a HUGE number of resources already available, both in print and

online. I know it too, and even have read most of them more than

once. The trouble is, most Packs run by relying on a tremendous

amount of what my husband, a long-time Cubmaster, calls “tribal

knowledge.” In other words, nothing is written down, because

everyone just knows how things get done or are supposed to be done –

until the person who does it isn’t around!

My vision of Scouting leadership is one where knowledge is made easily

available and easily implementable. I believe that there are many

quality people who could have a positive impact on our youth, who fail

to commit to the BSA program because they are unsure of what that

commitment ultimately entails. And there are many others who leave

the BSA, overwhelmed by their role because there is no "road map" to

provide direction. I know where I want this program to go - into the next

century. I want to help create a road map to get us there.

So this is the resource that lays out all those little and big details in a

logical (at least to me) fashion so that whatever your experience level,

or position within your Pack, you can find the answers and information

3 Denamaire T. Lindsay

you need to do what we all strive to do – plan a fun and exciting annual

program FOR THE BOYS.

Even if you are in the process of starting a new Pack from scratch – you

should be able to find the answers here, and if not the exact answer you

need, then the map to get to the resource with the answer.

In pondering how I would put all of the information I have gathered into

one document, I had considered several formats, but all of them left the

information scattered among several chapters or hidden under other

topics. So after much consideration, I decided that the easiest solution

was to arrange this “book” into chronological chapters which follow a

well running Pack through a single program year. We are going to begin

at the end of June, because that is the month when most Packs hold

their Annual Planning Meeting for the following year, begin their

Summertime Program, and typically close the Treasury Books on the

current year. We will also end in June, covering Bridging Ceremonies,

Final Pack meetings, Summer Round Ups, and how to handle

advancements earned at Day Camp.

Following the monthly chapters which lay out the arc of the annual

program year, you will find attached appendices that contain additional

resources for the various tasks and events described here.

4 Cub Scouts 1-OH-1

1. JUNE

Well, it is June and it is crunch time for everyone. School is getting

ready to let out, (most units have students from several different

schools which may or may not follow the same schedule). The boys are

more rambunctious, families are planning vacations, and you know that

your regular program is coming to an end, while the summertime

program is just getting started.

This chapter will focus on how to set the stage for September, and how

to get your Summertime Program moving forward with a bang. We will

assume for now, that everyone in your unit has had a wonderful year,

and attained the rank they were working on, that you retained your

membership and have a full Pack heading into summer. If any of these

do not apply to you, don’t worry, we will have covered all those topics

by the end of the book when we arrive in June again.

But for now…


THE ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING

The Annual Planning Meeting is absolutely critical to the success of your

program. It is so important that the Boy Scouts of America organization

has created a packet of tools for units to use in conducting this meeting.

Included in the packet is: a Council Calendar that lists events from

trainings, fundraisers, activities, camp dates, and various committee

meetings and a large, poster-sized planning spreadsheet. These are the

two main tools, along with your own unit calendar, that you will need to

conduct this meeting.

The four main leaders for this meeting are:

the Cubmaster, who is in charge of program for the pack,

the Committee Chair, who is in charge of the business side (read

money) side of the pack,

the Secretary or Pack Scheduler, who is responsible for filling

everything out and confirming that there are no errors

The Treasurer, who documents program costs and ensures that

they are included in the annual budget.

Plus:

All of the other voting members of the committee should also

be present.

If you have a working relationship with your Charter

Organization, your Charter Org rep should also attend.

Prior to the meeting, your Cubmaster should have compiled a “wish list”

of activities to augment the monthly pack meeting and the weekly den

meetings. These activities might include: campouts, picnics, Pinewood

Derby, Space Derby or Rain gutter Regattas, Fundraisers, Service

Projects, Christmas Caroling, Parties, and Blue and Gold Banquets.

6 Cub Scouts 1-OH-1

During the meeting, each month will be looked at individually, and as

events are added to the calendar, the costs of those events should be

discussed and then documented by the Treasurer. If the costs are

unknown, then the Treasurer or another committee member must be

tasked with determining the estimated cost.

Cub Scouting recently used monthly “themes” around which the

program was designed to be planned. The use of these themes, or

another chosen theme, provides a built-in outline for program planning

as well as ensuring that there is a “gimmick” to help cement the skills

learned that month in each Scout’s mind. The other important reason

for using themes, is that it provides a thread of continuity between all of

the dens in a pack and what they are doing individually each month,

that can be tied together when the Pack meets at the end of each

month. Having the list of monthly themes at hand for the Annual

Planning Meeting helps to indicate where in the annual calendar some

events might best be placed. For example, if January’s theme is “Scouts

Ahoy”, and the pack wants to hold a Rain gutter Regatta this year, then

January is the logical month to plan this event.

Monthly themes have, in the past, been developed at the National level

and then distributed, in a resource that was titled Program Helps.

Beginning this year, National has done away with this resource as well

as the policy of crafting a National monthly Cub Scout theme. The new

Cub Scouts 2010 program instead focuses on the 12 Core Values of Cub

Scouting, and is supported by a resource titled “The Den and Pack

Meeting Resource Guide”. This new program is advancement driven

and has a proven track record in pilot programs around the country.

The implementation of Cub Scouts 2010 in a unit does not, however,

mean that the Cubmaster cannot continue to use a monthly “theme”

which supports that month’s core value to add pizzazz to the program.

Indeed, I recommend that the Cubmaster choose 12 themes to use for

the calendar year and work those chosen themes into the calendar. In a

case like that, instead of planning events around pre-set themes, the

theme may be chosen to complement the monthly core value as well as


an event that is already planned for that month. For example, if your

pack always plans their Pinewood Derby for February, your Pack might

choose a theme that is consistent with that activity, like “Start your

Engines”, or “Cub Scout Cars” as well as focusing on the February core

value of “Resourcefulness.”

Regardless, during your Annual Planning Meeting, for each month the

committee should identify the core value/theme, the pack activity (if

one is planned for that month), the date of the Pack meeting, the date

of your District Roundtable, and the dates of any trainings, Cub Camps,

or Council Fundraisers.

A tentative budget, usually templated from the previous year, should be

present at the meeting, which identifies the projected operating costs

and income for the Pack. If the Cubmaster is planning to add activities

to the calendar that represent an expense, then the Committee Chair

needs to determine if the funds are in place to accommodate that

event. If they are not, then the Committee needs to determine if the

event will remain on the calendar, and if so, identify how funds will be

raised to pay for it. Many packs have several fundraisers annually, in

addition to Trails End Popcorn and Scout Fair Tickets. These fundraisers,

like all other pack events require planning and so need to be integrated

into the Annual Calendar.

The last ingredient for a successful Annual Planning Meeting is that

poster sized planning sheet provided by the council. Mount it on a

piece of foam board prior to the meeting. Make sure you note the

dates of your District Roundtables each month, the dates of Council

Camps, and Fun with Sons, and the dates of other Council functions like

Scout Fair and Scouting for Food, prior to the meeting.

As the meeting progresses, have multicolored post it notes prepared:

i.e. green for pack meetings, gold for fundraisers, etc. For each month,

negotiate the date for each function, write it on the corresponding post

it, and stick the post it on the correct box of the calendar. Keep in mind

8 Cub Scouts 1-OH-1

that Tiger dens usually meet once or twice a month and have a Go See

It. Wolves and Bears typically meet weekly. Webelos Patrols meet

weekly, and may also have a patrol outing or campout scheduled. While

the details of each den’s meetings are set by the Den Leader, and do not

need to be cemented here, it is a good idea to establish how many

times a month and the day and time that each den leader plans to meet

with their den so that facilities can be reserved. Post-its for each den

are then added to the calendar.

Not writing directly on the poster allows for changes to be made as your

program is designed. When the calendar is finalized, the Secretary

creates a master calendar, and depending on how your facilities are

scheduled, submits a request of venue to verify reservation of the

facilities.

Many charters require that a Pack submit their request for venues for

an entire year at once, and some do not. There are clear advantages to

following this protocol, regardless. First of all , any room scheduling

conflicts can be resolved all at once, with plenty of notice for making

alternative arrangements. Secondly, having a confirmation of venue

limits the number of potential inaccuracies on the Pack calendar when it

is released to the families in the unit.

Once your calendar is created and your venues confirmed, the Secretary

releases the annual calendar to the unit families. Since the majority of

the program calendar follows the school year, it is usually a good idea to

have your calendar run from September to August. So by having your

Annual Program meeting in June, we are allowing all of July and August

to complete the calendar process and have the unit calendar ready to

be released no later than the August pack event so everyone knows

where they are supposed to be in September.


SUMMERTIME PROGRAM PLANNING

Although, it has been mentioned that the majority of the Cub Scout

Program follows the school year, it must be stressed that the program

year does not end in June. Cub Scouts, like Boy Scouts, is a year round

program. Once school is out it is time to put the OUT in SCOUTING!

This means that in addition to planning your annual calendar which

starts in September, you also need to assemble your Summertime Pack

Program. Some units choose to handle this process in the Annual

Program Planning meeting. I do not usually recommend this, however,

because the elements of the Summertime Program are very different

from the usual schedule, and each event usually requires its own set of

plans and even a subcommittee to facilitate it. So negotiating those

details can take a bit of time, and having a separate meeting for that

purpose ensures that everyone is fresh and ready to provide specific

input. For that reason, many units do not over-plan their summer at the

Annual Program Meeting. Instead they may just specify that there will

be an event and the type for the program calendar. For example: June

will list a campout with venue and dates, July a day event and August

another campout with venue and dates. Then at the Summertime

Program meeting, the details are fleshed out and cemented.

The National Council has specific recommendations for Cub Scout

Summertime Programs. In fact, they stress these recommendations

strongly enough that they have created a Summertime Activity Award

which is earned for following their guidelines. The Summertime Activity

Award can be earned three different ways: as an individual scout, as a

den and as a pack. The individual awards are color coded by rank and

like the den and pack versions, can be re-earned each year.

All the pack has to do is plan and conduct a monthly Pack activity for

June, July, and August. The whole idea is to keep your pack together and

doing things during the summer when boys have the most free time.

50% pack attendance is needed at each of the three events to qualify

the unit.

10 Cub Scouts 1-OH-1

Dens with 50% attendance also qualify and individuals who attend all

three events qualify to receive the award for their current rank. Den

and Pack awards are presented as banner ribbons.

Does this mean that a unit should only have three functions all summer

long? Oh NO! Function starts with FUN and Cub Scouting is about FUN

at every turn! Of course, the size of the summer program depends

upon the availability of both the Pack leadership and facilities. Many

charter organizations are schools which are either closed or have

limited operating hours during the summer; many den leaders are also

happy to have a reduced schedule of responsibilities over the summer.

And the summer months are also typically the time when families plan

their own vacations. So keeping a regular schedule of den meetings and

pack meetings in addition to the summer events is often neither

practical nor feasible.

Since school typically lets out sometime in June, regardless of which

school district you are in, a good practice is to plan to continue regular

den meetings for the month of June and then have the den leaders offer

to meet with their dens once in July and once in August in addition to

the Pack activity scheduled for each of those months. That allows the

Cubs to maintain a sense of continuity over the summer break from

school, helps to retain membership which sometimes drops between

once school year and the next as families fall out of the habit of

Scouting, and also provides an opportunity for new Scouts recruited in

your May Roundup to continue to bond with their den mates who they

might have only met a few times.

Summer presents a cornucopia of opportunities to explore the very

things that drew most boys to scouting in the first place. Picnics, day

hikes, swimming events, and local landmarks are all wonderful ideas for

summer den outings. Always remember to consult your Guide to Safe

Scouting before planning any event for your den or unit to ensure that it

is an approved activity for the rank of the boys who will be participating,


Here in the SDIC, the Service Center sells a pamphlet called the Cub

Scout Patch Program. This is a great resource for planning events for

your den. Most of the patches included in the program involve a hike or

visiting a local landmark or nature preserve. The Old Town Heritage

Patch and the Mormon Battalion Trail are two examples. Some, like the

Mormon Battalion Trail require several hikes which include visiting more

than one historical site. Because they all involve an outing, this makes

them ideal for den meetings over the summer, especially since the

longer daylight hours allow shorter hikes to take place even on a

weekday evening at the time when the Cubs would normally meet

during the school year.

The Pack Summertime Events, once planned, need to be assigned to

your Outdoor Activity Chair, or the subcommittee that will handle

making those arrangements. The National Guidelines for Cub Scout

packs recommend at least two overnight campouts per year. Most

units find these campouts logically placed in the summertime program.

Campouts, particularly during the summer, require organized planning.

Reservations for campgrounds need to be made three to six months in

advance for these peak months.

The unit also needs to decide if the campout will have a theme.

Outdoor themes make planning easier, and help create an adventure

that is unforgettable for the scouts. Ideas for themes might include

things like the American Frontier – with the campout scheduled for

William Heise Park and a side trip to Julian to pan for gold, or Cub Scouts

make Tracks with the campout scheduled for Potrero Campground and

a side trip to the Campo Railroad Museum. There are many, many ideas

that can be crafted using a theme idea and the local campgrounds and

historical or natural landmarks.

In addition to the planned activities for the campout, the unit needs to

determine the cost. There are several factors which need to be

considered here:


Will the unit be providing meals? If so, how many? Many units

expect families to provide their own supper on Friday evening,

and lunch on Saturday. Then the Pack provides breakfast for

Sat and Sunday, dinner Saturday, cracker-barrel on Friday and

campfire goodies. In any case, food is one of the largest

expenses and also represents a cost in time to shop for and

prepare the meals, so this definitely needs to be budgeted for.

Where will the campout take place? Campgrounds with youth

areas are usually more cost effective for midsized Packs, but

larger packs may not fit. If that is the case, additional sites will

need to be reserved at an additional cost.

If the Pack will be providing scheduled activities or crafts, what

will the cost be, and are there enough adults to facilitate the

activity?

If a side trip is planned, will the pack be picking up the tab, or

will the families be paying their own way?

It is important that the costs in money and time be nailed down now

because the annual books need to be closed out in June and the adults

be recruited to facilitate where needed before the summer break.

CLOSING OUT THE BOOKS

Once question that often arises when discussing money in Cub Scout

Packs is “How much money is enough money?” This comes up a lot in

units that have highly motivated salespeople at Popcorn time. The

answer is, “However much it costs to run the Pack program for one

year.”


Packs, unlike Troops, do not own real property. (And even in a Troop,

property does not belong to the unit; it belongs to the Charter

Organization.) But Cub Scout Packs, because they fall into a specific set

of non-profit financial guidelines, not only do not own property, they

are also not supposed to have a surplus of funds on the books from year

to year. I am not a financial expert, so I will not attempt to go through

the ins and outs of the tax laws and other rules that regulate nonprofit

organizations. What I will say is this: if a unit carries a surplus of monies

from year to year, there can be consequences ranging from owing taxes,

to having the charter organization seize all of or a portion of those funds

- since technically, those monies belong to them. Also, even though

Packs do not typically need to file income tax forms, they should have

annual financial records available in case the Charter Organization is

audited or has other need of them. Those records should include a

complete annual budget for each year and copies of receipts for all

expenses in the same year.

The logical time to close the books each year is in June. The reasons for

this are:

The bulk of the annual expenses have already been paid, and

the remainder is usually set expenses for the Summertime

Program which can be identified and set aside.

Having already met the bulk of the annual expenses, this is a

good time to determine if the pack stayed on budget for the

year so that adjustments can be made for the next year’s

budget which is being set this month as well.

If there happens to be a surplus, the committee is still in session

to make decisions regarding its disposition.

If there happens to be a deficit, the popcorn sales goal for the

fall can be adjusted.

If the Pack has a treasurer, closing out the books is a pretty streamlined

process, and can usually be done at the Annual Planning Meeting.


Prior to the Meeting: The Treasurer reviews the current budget and

updates each line item to reflect actual amounts of income and

expenses. Variances are noted and carried forward as a total deficit or

total surplus.

During the Meeting: The Treasurer presents the amended budget.

If there is a deficit, the Committee Chair and the committee determine

the cause, so that it can be addressed in the next year’s budget. Also,

since a deficit means that there are insufficient funds to cover the costs

of the Summer time Program, the committee will need to determine if

the price for those events will be adjusted, a secondary fundraiser will

be planned, or the events themselves will be scaled down to something

that fits within the remaining funds.

If there is a surplus, the Committee Chair and the committee

determines how that surplus will be dispersed. For small amounts of

$500 or less, the committee may choose options such as to offset all of

the costs of the Summertime Program, include a side trip in one of the

scheduled campouts, or offer subsidies to Scouts attending Day Camp.

Larger amounts usually require special handling. One option in this case

is to set up boy accounts for each Scout with a portion of the surplus

“deposited” for each boy. If this option is used, a special set of

accounting records needs to be created which tracks those funds

separately from the Pack general fund. Monies in each Scout account

can be used to pay for scouting expenses. Monies CANNOT simply be

cashed out and dispersed to each family.

Monies that are held on account at Council for the unit should also be

identified and accounted for.


The following “subaccounts” may be maintained by Cub Scout Packs and

do not count as a surplus:

A Large Project Fund of up to $500.*

A Scholarship Fund of up to $500.*

An amount equal to the cost of the Pack operating funds from

September 1 until the Popcorn commission check arrives in

December or January. This is noted on the budget as “Annual

Program Deposit”. It should not be noted as a surplus or a

balance forward since that indicates to an auditor that those

funds are in excess of the operating budget.

*(It may be possible to reserve larger sums – consult with a CPA or

other financial expert if desired.)

After the books are closed out: the Treasurer places a hard copy of the

amended budget, complete with records regarding the dispersal of any

surplus, and the receipts for that year’s expenses, bank statements and

cancelled checks in an envelope marked with that calendar year dates

and files it. These records are required to be retained for seven years.

The bottom line is that it would be very unusual for a Pack to have their

books audited; however, Charter Organizations such as schools,

churches and other groups are audited all the time. It is the

responsibility of the Pack Committee to be able to support its Charter

Organization in the case that one happens.

It is also unusual to find embezzlement or other misappropriation of

funds in a Cub Scout Pack, but sadly, it does happen from time to time.

Closing out the books annually, not only helps to identify a problem if

there is one, but it also keeps the accounting process transparent –

minimizing both temptation and allowing families to see exactly how

the money they have paid and helped to earn through fundraising is

spent each year.


If it should be the case that a problem is identified with the unit

finances, that cannot be explained when the budget is closed out, there

are resources available to the Pack. The first response would be to try

to deal with the issue internally, but if that is unsuccessful, and/or some

type of impropriety is suspected, a unit may contact its Charter Org

Representative, its Unit Commissioner, or the District Executive for

more advice and support.


1. July

The weather is warm, school is officially out, the calendar for next year

is set and your Summertime Program is in full swing…in fact, you have

already completed one of your Pack’s outdoor activities last month. (We

will cover Bridging Campouts at the end of the book). So now that

you’ve got everyone outside – what else can you do?

OUTDOOR ACTIVITY AWARD

All Cub Scouts from Tiger to Webelos can earn the Outdoor Activity

Award. This is another award that can be re-earned at each rank. The

first time the award is earned, the Scout receives a pocket flap award

that is worn on the right pocket flap of his uniform. For each additional

year that he earns the award, he receives a wolf track pin that can be

attached to the flap. If he has earned the Summertime Pack Award pin it

should be pinned through this patch as well. In this way, a Cub Scout

has a visible record on his uniform year round to remind him of the

adventures he has experienced in the outdoors.

Earning the Outdoor Activity Award is more difficult than the

Summertime Activity Award, with different requirements for each rank.

To begin with, Scouts at all ranks must attend Cub Scout Day Camp or

Cub Scout/Webelos Scout Resident Camp for each year the award is

earned. Additionally, scouts must complete the following:

Tiger Cubs

Complete one requirement in Achievement 5, 'Let's Go Outdoors' (Tiger

Cub Handbook) and complete three of the outdoor activities listed

below.

Wolf Cubs

Assemble the 'Six Essentials for Going Outdoors' (Wolf Handbook,

Elective 23b) and discuss their purpose, and complete four of the

outdoor activities listed below.

Cub Scouts 1-OH-1 18

Bear Cubs

Earn the Cub Scout Leave No Trace Award (Bear Handbook, Elective

25h) and complete five of the outdoor activities listed below.

Webelos

Earn the Outdoorsman Activity Badge (Webelos Handbook) and

complete six of the outdoor activities listed below.

Outdoor Activities:

With your den, pack, or family:

Participate in a nature hike in your local area. This can be on an

organized, marked trail, or just a hike to observe nature in your

area.

Participate in an outdoor activity such as a picnic or park fun

day.

Explain the buddy system and tell what to do if lost. Explain the

importance of cooperation.

Attend a pack overnighter. Be responsible by being prepared for

the event.

Complete an outdoor service project in your community.

Complete a nature/conservation project in your area. This

project should involve improving, beautifying, or supporting

natural habitats. Discuss how this project helped you to respect

nature.

Earn the Summertime Pack Award.

Participate in a nature observation activity. Describe or illustrate

and display your observations at a den or pack meeting.

Participate in an outdoor aquatic activity. This can be an

organized swim meet or just a den or pack swim.

Participate in an outdoor campfire program. Perform in a skit,

sing a song, or take part in a ceremony.

Participate in an outdoor sporting event.

Participate in an outdoor Scout's Own or other worship service.


Explore a local city, county, state, or national park. Discuss with

your den how a good citizen obeys the park rules.

Most scouts can complete the outdoor activities within the scope of the

Pack’s Summertime Program and Summertime Den Outings.

CUB SCOUT DAYCAMP

What is Day Camp? Day Camp is a place where adventures come to life

for young Cub Scouts, and memories are made that last a lifetime. Oh,

and Cub Scouts may even learn a thing or two while they are at it!

Day Camp is a more cost effective, time effective alternative to a

resident camp. Every district in the SDIC offers at least one. Typically

Day Camp runs from about 9 AM to 4 PM on Monday thru Friday.

Tuition costs vary from district to district as do the activities offered.

Scouts are usually asked to pack a lunch and units are usually required

to send a certain number of volunteer staff members based on the

number of scouts attending Day Camp from that unit. All staff members

are volunteers including the Camp Director and Program Director.

Camp Directors and Program Directors must attend National Camp

School and each Day Camp program must meet National Council

criteria. Each Day Camp must also be accredited.

Day Camps are usually planned around a theme, and offer a daily

schedule of events which typically include Sports, Cooking, Crafts,

Swimming, and others. Scouts go home every evening, and return the

next morning.

Twilight Camp is also offered in some districts. Twilight Camp is based

on the same concepts, themes and activities as Day Camp, but the hours

of operation are from late afternoon to evening. (Appx. 4PM to 9PM).

Scouts are usually required to bring a sack supper. Twilight Camp is a

great opportunity for many families as the tuition is typically less than a

day camp, and many parents with full work schedules find it easier to

manage pick up and drop off times as well as volunteer hours.


Both day camps and twilight camps have set enrollments and often fill

up quickly. Applications are accepted on a first come first serve basis

and can be downloaded from your district website, or picked up at your

district Round Table, and are also available at the Council Service center.

Applications are now required to use the standard Class 1 medical for,

parts A and C only. Medical forms are kept by the Medical Officer for

the duration of the camp. Day Camp attendance does not require a

physical.

Camperships are also available. Camperships are a financial aid

program which offsets all or a part of the tuition costs for Day Camp and

Resident Camp. The annual pool of funds for this program is a set

amount each year and is awarded to qualifying recipients on a first

come first serve basis. Because of this, if you would like to send your

Scout to camp, it is advised that you apply for a campership as early as

possible. Units should let their families know about the campership

program as early as January to ensure that they have the opportunity to

apply and be approved in time to register for camp.

RESIDENT CAMP

Movie after movie has been made about kids going off to summer camp

with the escapades of those generations of youth immortalized by

Hollywood.

Not all of those cinematic tales inspire confidence in the concept of

sending your son off to camp for the summer. But HAVE NO FEAR.

The BSA and its local councils run Cub Scout resident camps around the

country each summer. Every camp is accredited, and required to follow

the same BSA principles and guidelines of behavior that we follow in our

home units.

The BSA recognizes that Cub Scout Resident Camp is often the first

experience that a boy may have in the outdoors, or the first time that he


is away from his family and the goal is to make the experience one that

will excite the Cub Scout into wanting to come back for more!

To achieve this goal, Resident Camp is unlike the summer camp of the

movies in several important ways:

Unit leaders are required to attend with the scouts from each

pack. Their role is to guide the scouts from their Pack from

place to place and provide supervision and comfort.

Pack mates camp together in dens (or patrols if Webelos). They

also travel in dens and participate in activities with their den

mates.

While it is likely that Cub Scouts will meet new friends at

Resident Camp, they will not be forced into an unfamiliar

situation with only unfamiliar faces around them.

Like other summer camps though, BSA Resident Camp is run by trained,

professional (paid) camp staff and directors. BSA resident camps offer

the staples of the summer camp experience including aquatics

programs, shooting ranges for BB and archery, crafts and campfires.

Some locations offer horseback riding, fishing, small boating, and rock

climbing. Webelos camp weeks also offer specialized activity badge

classes.

SDIC runs its Cub Scout Resident Camp at the Mataguay Scout

Reservation near San Ysabel. Camping sites are assigned to each unit

and provide tents, cots, picnic tables, bathroom facilities and potable

water. Meals are provided at the dining hall. Supplies are provided for

all activity sessions. Cub Scouts are responsible for providing their own

sleeping bags, clothing, and personal gear. Because Scouts will be away

from home longer than 72 hours, a physical must be completed and the

official BSA medical form signed off by a physician. A tour permit for

each unit must also be filed.


Tuition varies by session. Applications can be downloaded from the

SDIC website or picked up at the Council Service Center. Camperships

are available.

4th OF JULY PARADES

Happy Birthday USA! Our great nation celebrates its independence on

the Fourth of July – and there are many opportunities for Cub Scouts to

join in this fun.

One great experience for Cub Scout packs is to march in a 4th of July

parade. Throughout the SDIC (San Diego Imperial Council) many local

communities have annually scheduled parades. Coronado, Alpine and

La Mesa are a few.

If you would like to have your unit participate in a parade there are

several important things to consider:

COST – some parades are free to participants and some charge

an entry fee.

LENGTH – Parades can vary in length from a few blocks to

several miles.

TERRAIN – Some parades are plotted over flat streets, and

others climb over hill and dale. With Cub Scouts, if the parade is

a long one, or the terrain is hilly, it might be a good idea to have

a float to ride on instead of marching.

FLOATS – Again, this is something that needs to be considered

carefully. Floats cost money, require storage, and must be

outfitted with specific safety equipment if Scouts will be riding

on it.

TREATS – Spectators love Cub Scouts, and especially if they are

passing out goodies like lollypops or gum.

WATER – This is July and everywhere in San Diego the

temperatures will be hot. Make sure the Cubs all have access to


water bottles or camelbaks to stay hydrated. Sun screen and

hats are also a must.

RECRUITMENT – Only if the parade is located within your Pack’s

recruiting area – this is a great opportunity to pass out Join the

Pack cards available from Council. The cards can be

handwritten with an invitation to join you at the next Pack

function. If you are not in your own recruiting area, you can get

preprinted cards from Council that direct potential scouts to

contact the SDIC to be connected with a Pack in their area.

UNIFORMS – This is a time when you are providing a visual

representation of the Boy Scouts of America. Please dress

accordingly in full uniform.

DATES – Although 4th of July is the “biggie” - if this date does not

work for you may consider Memorial Day, Veterans Day,

Columbus Day or St. Patrick’s Day.

Remember to order fliers for your Fall Round Up this month.


3 August

Wow! Your unit has had a jam packed summer and you are still not thru

yet! You still have one more campout to plan according to the schedule

you set. Often this campout sees a smaller turn out than the earlier

activities as folks are gearing down from the summer and getting ready

for school to start again. It is very important to encourage attendance

however, if your unit is to receive the National Summertime Activity

Award. There are several ways to promote this, as well as to posture

your entire pack to launch the Fall Program with a bang!

CONFIRMING VENUES

By now, the Annual Calendar that you developed back in June should

have been submitted and approved by your Charter Organization, or

whoever else provides your meeting facilities. Once the confirmation is

in hand, the Pack Secretary should create a one page Event Calendar

that lists all of the Pack Activities for the program year that begins next

month and ends a year from now, next August.

Den and Patrol Meetings do not necessarily need to be listed, but it is a

good idea to have contact numbers for the Cubmaster, Committee Chair

and Den Leaders somewhere on the document. Since this schedule is

often amended as the program year progresses, it is also a good idea to

publish it with a version number in the heading so that families can be

sure they have the most current incarnation at any given time.

After the Pack Event Calendar is created, it is time to distribute it to the

families. These days, email is the de facto vehicle for mass

communication, but as there are still families without reliable internet

service, and to ensure everyone gets at least one copy, I recommend

printing it and distributing it at the August Campout.


PLANNING FOR POPCORN

Ok, the summer is ending, you’re finishing up the last of your budgeted

expenses, and the coffers are getting low. Hopefully you have enough

left in the unit bank account to cover that Annual Program Deposit I

mentioned earlier, because the program year is getting ready to start!

Either way, it’s time to consider money – how much the unit needs –

and how you are going to raise it. There are several acceptable

methods for a Cub Scout Pack to use to raise the funds needed to

support its program. The unit can charge annual dues which are set by

the unit in addition to BSA membership fees. The unit can plan and

promote an individual fundraiser – pancake breakfasts; Scout Nites at

local restaurants, silent auctions, selling Christmas Wreaths, or Script

are all acceptable. In addition to these, the SDIC offers two fundraisers

each year – and participation in at least one is a requirement for the

Quality Unit Award.

Of the two, the Trail’s End Popcorn Sale is by far the largest, most

profitable, and most time consuming. Proper planning for this

fundraiser makes all the difference in success or scrambling to produce

additional funds later on.

The first step to a successful Popcorn Sale is to have the committee

appoint a “Popcorn Kernal” (BSA code for Fundraising Chair).

The second step is to decide how much money needs to be raised. Both

the first and second steps should have been completed in June but here

a few details which need to be considered: the cost of advancements

ALONE average $53 per scout per year. (This is the price of the belt

loops, academic/sports pins, specialty patches and rank devices that

scouts work to earn). Additional expenses for each scout in an average

Pack include den supplies, facility costs, camping fees (not including day

camps or resident camps), program costs, outing costs, and activity


shirts. Units may also be fundraising to cover the cost of a large

purchase such as a derby track or a bridging ceremony set.

All that being the case, a good rule of thumb in general is to estimate

that the cost to the unit, per boy, not counting Boys Life or BSA

membership fees is about $150 per year, conservatively.

That works out to less than $15 per month – which is a bargain for a

year of adventures in Cub Scouting – but in today’s economy can still be

a stretch for a family.

Trails End Popcorn offers a 34% commission on all sales. Asking each

scout to sell $300 of popcorn generates approximately $100 of income

for the pack. In most cases, this is a reasonable goal to ask of each

family. The committee needs to set two goals for the unit – total

amount needed, and an individual goal for each scout. For example a

unit with 20 scouts may set a $300 goal per scout and a $6000 goal for

the Pack. Not every Scout will meet their goal, no matter how hard they

try. Of course there are those who are tremendous sellers and one or

two boys like that in a unit will yield a huge commission.

I would caution units that in cases like that, it is not uncommon after

awhile for certain families to feel they are “doing more” and their child

should be rewarded more because of it. The best thing to say is that the

Trails End Fundraiser is done in the name of Cub Scouting, not in the

name of a Cub Scout. People who purchase popcorn are doing so to

support Scouting in their community. Both Trails End and SDIC offer

incentive prizes for sales “levels” and Scouts who reach a $2500 goal in

one year have a scholarship fund opened for them by Trails End into

which a portion of their commission for every subsequent year is

deposited.

So there are many ways that each Scout is commended for his

individual efforts.

Step Three - Some units also have a Pack Prize - examples that have

been used are MP3 players, a 100th Anniversary commemorative box


with $50 inside, or 2 tickets to Sea World. Options for awarding this

Pack Prize may include – being won by the highest seller in the Unit or

being the prize in a drawing. (Everyone who meets the pack goal gets

one ticket and for every so many dollars over the goal another ticket is

earned. I like this method because the odds are still good that a Scout

who has sold a lot of popcorn will win, but there is a chance out there

for everyone who tries too.)

In addition to this, or instead of, if money is tight, some Packs have an

event where each boy who meets his sales goal gets to toss a cream pie

at the Cubmaster. The Blue and Gold is a good time to schedule this as

it adds to the festivities.

Step Four – Decide how much live product needs to be ordered. Even if

your popcorn kernel has retired and left incomplete records, the

Popcorn Kernal for your District can tell you how much the Pack ordered

last year. This is a tricky item because there are several factors that go

into the number the committee decides on.

Will your Pack offer live product to the Cub Scouts to sell

individually? If this is the case, then the Popcorn Kernal needs

to be someone with super organizational skills and there needs

to be clear cut, written guidelines for checking out product.

Will your Pack be hosting Show and Sell events at a local grocery

store? If this is the case, then the Popcorn Kernal will need

additional parents and den leaders to help. (Reminder that two

deep leadership and YPG apply)

If your Pack decides to do both of these, it turns into a triple

fundraiser once the Take Orders are in. That is to say, that it

can be very lucrative for your unit, but each section of the sales

drive needs to be managed separately which consumes a lot of

man hours. The alternative to not aggressively managing is that

units typically end up with a large amount of unsold “live

product” which cannot be returned and that takes away from

the profits earned.


Step Five – The Popcorn Kernal places the initial order for live product

through the Trails End website.

Step Six – The Popcorn Plan is passed out to the families. Come

September, the Council will have a big kickoff event, live product will

arrive and be distributed, but before all that happens, the Popcorn

Kernal needs to explain to the Pack how your unit is going to handle the

fundraiser, and how much money you are trying to raise. This is the

time to hand out a Show and Sell Schedule, a live product request form

(if you are allowing families to check out live product), and a simple

guideline sheet that has important dates, dollar figures and the contact

information for the Popcorn Kernal.

And a great place to pass out all this information is at the – you guessed

it – August campout!

ROUND TABLE

Now that Summer is ending and your Pack is heading back to the

(mostly) indoors, you may have new leaders recruited at the end of

summer and swept along by all the outdoor excitement, and every den

leader is learning their job all over again if they have moved up a rank

with their boys. Each rank from Tiger to Webelos, has a separate and

distinct program. While many of the concepts are similar from year to

year, Cub Scouting is age appropriate with activities that are designed to

provide a learning experience relative to each rank and age.

For example, the core value of citizenship is addressed at every rank,

but as a Tiger Cubs focus on “Where I Live”, Bears learn “What Makes

America Special” and Webelos work to earn the Citizenship Activity

Badge.

So how do the den leaders plan a den program that covers all of the 12

Core Values, works toward Rank Advancement and is fresh and different


from what the den did last year? The answer is Round Table. And no, I

don’t mean the corner pizza joint!

Round Table is a “train the leaders” forum that meets every

Second Thursday of the month.

Every district hosts their own Round Table which is run by the Round

Table Commissioner and his or her staff. By attending this meeting, or

at least making sure one member of your Pack Leadership team attends,

you receive a packet of information that gives instructions for specific

activities, skits, songs, advancement opportunities and other useful tips

for the following month. Since the Cub Scout program has a brand new

format with the advent of Cub Scouts 2010 the Round Table team will

show you how to implement and capitalize on this to add pizzazz to

your program.

Special guests, leadership for various Council and District programs such

as Day Camp, and Popcorn also make appearance to give Round Table

attendees the most up to the minute and early breaking news on all

those functions.

Round Table attendance is also a requirement for most of the adult

leader Knots and provides the most important resource of all – contact

with other Scouters.

If you haven’t been attending Round Table, or only intermittently,

August is the month to start or come back and get some great ideas to

make September rock!


TRAINING

This is the last step before September blast off – and the one that will

help keep that “one hour a week promise” – at least mostly. Every

Scout deserves a trained leader – and every leader deserves to be

trained. In Heartland District we often say, if you are not having fun –

you are not doing it right, and being trained for your position is the first

checkpoint to smooth sailing and tons of fun with the boys.

Besides the informal training forum of Round Table, Cub Scout leaders

are all recommended to take the following trainings: Fast Start, This is

Scouting (previously called New Leader Essentials), Safe Swim Defense,

and Safety Afloat – all of which are available online through the training

link on the council website. All leaders and volunteers registered with

the BSA are REQUIRED to take YPG or Youth Protection Guidelines, also

available online, and which needs to be renewed every 2 years.

These are considered the basic training modules for Cub Scout Leaders

and Committee members. In addition, Cub Scout Leader Specific or

CLST, is the course which trains leaders for each Pack position. In this

course, a general overview of the Cub Scouting program is presented

along with the Aims and Purposes of Cub Scouting. Following this, the

course breaks out into modules for Tiger Leaders, Den Leaders (for Wolf

and Bear Leaders), Webelos Leaders, Pack Committee, Cubmaster and

Pack Trainer. Although this is not currently a required course, it is highly

recommended that leaders not only take the course, but continue to

update the final module annually to reflect their current position.

Cub Scout Leaders may take the course in any district, but Heartland

District offers it twice a year in April and August. I recommend that the

Committee Chairman (or Pack Trainer if your unit has one) encourages

all Pack leadership to renew their CLST or to take it for the first time in

August as preparation for the new Program Year. The leaders can be


surveyed again in Spring and those who did not make it in the Summer

can complete it in time to be awarded their service knot.

Other required trainings include Hazardous Weather (online) and

BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation – offered by Heartland

District in October). Only one member of each unit is required to have

these two trainings, but that leader MUST be in attendance at all

outdoor activities. (In other words it is a good idea to make sure that

more than one person in your Pack had completed these – just in case.)

Finally, there are two “advanced” trainings for Cub Scout Leaders.

WLOT (Webelos Leader Outdoor Training) is an overnight training that is

usually offered jointly with the Boy Scout IOLS. It goes over outdoor

skills and activity planning in more depth than BALOO, provides a review

of BSA policy and regulations, and teaches Webelos leaders how to

present the outdoor activity badges in an outdoor setting – the way

they are designed to be worked on. This training is recommended for

Webelos leaders who want to take their dens on patrol campouts.

(Webelos are the only rank of Cub Scouts who can camp as a den).

Heartland District offers this course in January each year. Keep in mind

that while this is not a required training to be able to take a Webelos

den out overnight, BALOO and Hazardous Weather are required.

The other advanced training is Wood badge. Wood badge is presented

in two parts:

An advanced learning experience presented over two long

(three-day) weekends or as a weeklong course.

An application phase of several months during which the leaders apply the specific skills they have learned at Wood Badge to their Scouting responsibilities.

Leaders who successfully complete both parts of the training are

recognized with the Wood Badge beads, woggle slide, and neckerchief.

To be eligible for an invitation to participate in Wood Badge training


leaders must have completed all of the other trainings for their position.

Wood badge is offered in the SDIC approximately once per year –

usually in the Fall. A desire to attend Wood badge is another reason to

ensure that Pack leadership completes CLST, and the other online

trainings in August.


4. September

The time is finally here and you are all back together again. This will be a

busy month for the Pack. Den meetings resume, popcorn kicks off, and

it’s time to round up all those new Cubbies and their parents!

FALL RECRUITMENT

Every Spring and Fall it is recommended that Cub Scout Packs hold a

recruitment night. This event is called a Round Up and is usually

facilitated by the unit Membership Chair. Keep in mind that every unit

has specific schools that it is allowed to actively recruit from. Contact

the District Membership Chair or your District Executive if you do not

know which schools belong to your Pack.

There are several simple steps to having a successful Round Up.

Request the fliers for the Roundup from Council at least six

weeks in advance. (I mentioned this briefly last month). Only

official Council Fliers may be used. They are printed with the

date, time and location of your event.

Make sure you have the time, date and venue for your Round

Up confirmed and reserved.

Once the fliers are in hand, a sample must be taken to the

School District office to have it authorized. They will give you a

separate slip for each school you are “papering” so be sure to

give them the name of each school.

Once the approval is given (those all important slips) the fliers

must be delivered to the schools. I recommend doing this on a

Monday so that they can go out on whatever day the weekly

envelopes go home. It doesn’t hurt to remind them that the


fliers are only for boys. Some schools will make sure that they

are only sent home with boy students and cut down on the

number you need.

Make sure that the Membership Chair knows how much your

Pack charges for annual dues and what is included. The National

Council BSA registration fee is $15. This is the basic fee and

does not include subscription to Boys Life magazine ($12/year),

the mandatory BSA accident insurance ($1/year) or the Pack

dues. Pack dues are set by the unit when the annual budget is

created. Some units charge only the above fees and depend

upon fundraising to raise the remainder of the annual costs per

boy. Some units charge a much larger amount which

underwrites all of the advancement costs and includes several

uniform pieces. It is completely up to each unit what they will

charge. The average Cub Scout unit in SDIC is charging between

$50 and $75 per year, per scout, and often includes a hat,

neckerchief and slide, or an activity t-shirt or handbook. Boys

Life is an optional subscription, but 100% Boys Life in the unit is

a requirement to be a “Quality Unit.”

There are three sections to a successful Round Up Nite.

In Part ONE – there is a meet and greet with a simple gathering

activity for the kids. The Cubmaster may attend and introduce

himself and the pack.

In Part TWO – The Cubmaster and other adult leaders take the

boys outside, or to the next room or to the other side of a larger

room and runs a structured Cub Scout activity. A Belt loop, or

the Bobcat Requirements or a simple craft all work for this. I

like the belt loop the best because that way, every boy who

joins the unit, automatically earns an achievement to be

awarded at that months pack meeting.

Part THREE – while the Cubmaster is off teaching the boys how

to be Cubbies, the Membership Chair is explaining to the

parents how the program works. Having a short one page

document that spells out costs in terms of money and time is

helpful. Posters that describe the different ranks, which talk


about the outdoor program, copies of handbooks and sample

uniforms are all great props. Often your Unit Commissioner or

District Executive will participate as well collecting applications,

money and having handbooks on hand for purchase. If this is

the case, make sure you have a copy of the sign in sheet with

the contact information for each scout before he leaves.

Once the actual Round Up is over, the list of new boys needs to

be given to the Cubmaster, who will assign the boys to dens,

give their contact information to the den leaders and notify the

Committee Chair if new den leaders need to be recruited.

Remember to make sure that these boys are all invited to the

September Pack meeting. If an activity shirt or hat was included

in the membership fee, remind them to wear it until a uniform

can be purchased. Many units will award a special patch to

these new Scouts at the Pack meeting, and they also will receive

the belt loop that was earned at the round up, ensuring that

they are able to fully participate and enjoy the event.

RECRUITING ADULTS

It is the job of the Committee Chair to ensure that all Pack leadership

positions are filled, and that all leaders receive the proper training for

their position. September brings new challenges to this particular job

since it is not uncommon to have vacancies created by Cub Scouts who

have moved onto Boy Scouts, (taking their parents with them), created

by Cub Scouts who have moved away, and created by new dens formed

by the new scouts recruited at the Round Up. It is also not uncommon

to have a certain few families that just do not return after the summer

for reasons you will never know.

Once den meetings are in full swing again, the Committee Chair should

contact the Cubmaster to verify that all of the den leader positions are


adequately filled. If new dens have been formed from the round up, the

Membership Chair should be consulted to see if there were any parents

who expressed interest in becoming a leader. At the September

committee meeting, the Committee Chair also reviews the committee

positions to be sure they are all still filled.

Now, how to corner the parents and encourage them to step forward to

fill those vacancies? Well, at the September Pack meeting, ask the

Cubmaster to take the Scouts outside, or to another room for about 15

minutes or so. The Cubmaster should have an activity planned that

goes with the chosen monthly theme, or welcomes the new Scouts, or

maybe teaches a scout skill. While he is engaging the Scouts, the

Committee Chair can pass out a family talent survey. This is a form

which parents fill out to let the pack know what skills they might have

that they are willing to share. It could be playing an instrument,

speaking another language, owning a Costco membership, having a car

large enough to transport a derby track, or anything else that might be

useful. While they are filling out the form, the Committee Chair should

remind them that all of the Pack leaders are volunteers, that there are

many places that the Pack could use help, and name off the open spots.

It is a good idea to have a PowerPoint, a poster board or a flier which

explains the duties of each open job position. Some units have

developed little folders with a contract, a job description and a work

flow chart that explains who does what. Remind these folks of the

adult leader motto “Only One Hour a Week” (wink, wink)! The bottom

line is most people don’t step up because they are afraid that they

won’t know what to do or how to do it. They are already involved with

scouting – or they wouldn’t be there with their sons. They just need a

little guidance to find the right job for their talents. If all else fails, give

them this book!

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

I am including a short blurb about Back to School Night because it is a

great recruitment tool if your Chartered Organization happens to be a

school. This is the night that the PTG or PTA hosts an information event,


and all of the school committees and activity groups are on hand to

answer questions about themselves.

Back to School Night does NOT replace a Round Up, but it can boost

attendance at one, especially if the date is already set up by the time of

the Back to School Night. This is a nice volunteer opportunity for a

parent if their child attends the school. Have the Cub come in uniform,

give the parent a poster board of photos taken of your summertime

events, some mini Boys Life magazines (available from Council) and a

simple “Yes I Am Interested” signup sheet. The whole thing usually only

lasts a couple of hours. Once the event is ended, the parent turns the

signup sheet over to the Membership Chair and those families can be

invited to the Round up or the next den meeting.

(One small note – What do we do if we don’t have a Membership Chair?

Well, the answer is: that’s a really big incentive for the Committee Chair

to make sure the position is filled, since if it isn’t – you know who gets to

run the Round Ups and Back to School Nights? Aww, you guessed it!

The Committee Chair is in charge of the business side of the Pack, and

Membership is Business –at least until they are signed up. Then those

new little Scouts become the Cubmaster’s job.)

POPCORN

Speaking of business…there is no bigger business in the Cub Scout world

than Trail’s End Popcorn! This fundraiser not only produces the bulk of

the operating funds for local Packs, it also helps to support your Council,

teaches boys entrepreneurship, provides advancement opportunities, -

and can develop into a huge fiasco if not managed correctly.

Which is not to say that there is only one “right” way to manage a

Popcorn sale. What follows are not instructions, but only suggestions


for administrating this key event in your unit. And the first “suggestion”

is to make sure that you have a Popcorn Kernal recruited before it

starts.

Kick Off

The council usually hosts a kickoff party for the fundraiser with games,

activities and prizes. Whether your unit attends or not, make sure the

order forms are passed out since this is the day the sale officially begins

and scouts can begin taking orders.

Last month, either the Kernal, or in the absence of one, the Committee

Chair, ordered the “live product” that your unit will have on hand to

sell. There were four possible choices at that time:

a. To order no live product and have the scouts use order sheets

(called Take Order) only.

b. To order only enough product for the Show and Sell events

being hosted by the Pack.

c. To order an initial quantity of live product only, and check it out

to scouts for sale.

d. To order enough product to support the Pack Show and Sell

events with an extra supply that can be checked out to scouts

for personal sales.

Remember, that whatever product you order, your unit is responsible

for selling it. That means if you have six cases of caramel corn left over

after everything is said and done, the retail price of that popcorn must

be paid by the Pack.

I will briefly cover a successful procedure for each of the following: Pack

Show and Sell, Live Product Checkout and Take Orders.

Distribution Day

Typically, the popcorn that was ordered in August arrives around the

10th of September. However much product your unit ordered, will need


to be picked up from the distribution point on that day. The Popcorn

Packet that is sent to each Popcorn Kernal has a chart in it that will tell

you what size car you will need to have to pick up the number of cases

that you have ordered. Once you get there, CHECK YOUR ORDER before

leaving. You will be signing an invoice that acknowledges receipt of

your order. Every unit in your district is picking up its order that day. It

gets hectic and confusing, so please make sure you leave with your

order and that it is complete.

Live Product Check Out

Once the popcorn is picked up, there are two possible steps. If you are

checking popcorn out to scouts for individual sales, then you will need

to host a Pack distribution day. At that time, families can come and

check out a limited supply of live product to sell. It is important that

you keep careful records of who has what. I recommend creating a

check out form, having the adult complete it with the quantities of each

type of popcorn, and signing for it. One copy remains with the Popcorn

Kernal for inventory records. The other goes with the scout so they

have a receipt for the popcorn product and monies they are responsible

for. I also recommend that you have a due date for both unused

product to be returned and monies turned in that is at least one week

before the Council due date. I will get to the reason for this in a minute.

Pack Show and Sell Events

Whether your unit checks live product out to individual scouts or not, I

recommend that your unit host at least a couple of Pack Show and Sell

Events. These are the events where the boys meet in front of a local

venue such as a grocery store, and work together to sell Popcorn. I

recommend this for several reasons. One, not every scout will have the

resources to sell popcorn on their own. Pack Show and Sells ensure that

every scout has a sales opportunity. Second, not every scout knows

how to pitch the popcorn sale. Having them participate in a Pack event

provides an opportunity to “show them how it is done.” Third, while a


little competition is good for everyone, it is important for the scouts to

remember that they are selling the popcorn to support the Pack. A Pack

Show and Sell reinforces this. And lastly, Pack Show and Sells boost unit

sales…...

So how to set one up? There are limitations on what venues may be

used for Pack Show and Sell events. If you are unsure if the location you

would like to use is acceptable, please contact the District Popcorn

Kernal and ask. Also remember to inquire with the management of a

store front for permission before setting up. I usually recommend a

schedule as follows: each den takes one week on the night that they

would normally have a den meeting to host a show and sell. Besides

the events hosted by the dens, the pack should try to have a weekend

day also. Some units meet every Saturday, others alternate Saturday

and Sunday. Once you have decided this, open the weekend sale up for

sign ups. No more than four boys per one hour shift. (If there are too

many there, the customers feel heckled and the boys become bored.)

At the conclusion of each Show and Sell Event, the inventory is

recounted, monies are deposited, and hours are tallied. The amount of

popcorn sold at that event is divided among the boys who were present

and may be added to their sales total for prizes and sales goal.

I also recommend that the Pack have a flat of bottled water and a small

snack available for the boys on these days. Remember it is still hot at

this time of the year and even if you ask them to bring their own water

bottle, a few invariably forget.


5. October

Daylight savings ends, nights are getting cooler, popcorn is coming to an

end (Hurray!) and it is time to get down to serious business like

Advancement.

TAKE ORDER

By the end of this month, all order forms should be collected by the

Popcorn Kernal, along with any live product that remains. All monies

collected for live product should be deposited. Once that is complete,

the Popcorn Kernal should make a final inventory of whatever live

product is remaining. Then a master order form should be compiled

from the Take Order sheets collected by the scouts. This is the amount

of product that the Pack will need to finish filling all of the Take Orders.

The Popcorn Kernal should subtract the remaining live product from this

master order. This total is the popcorn that needs to be ordered from

Trails End by the October deadline. The Popcorn Kernal will need to

enter the Pack order on the Trails End website. Once that is done, Trails

End will generate a new invoice for the unit which shows the initial live

product order, and the second take order. At the bottom of the invoice

is the dollar amount that is due to the council, and a figure which shows

the commission that will go back to the unit.

The Popcorn Kernal should make copies of the Take order sheets, one to

return to the scout when the product arrives, and one for the pack

records.


THEMES AND CORE VALUES

The BSA has used various methods over its 80 year history to encourage

enthusiasm in Cub Scout packs, and to unite the different dens in a

common interest each month. Regardless, though, of the term, the

format and concept are the same. That is to say that each month, each

den will be working toward advancements for that rank. But at the end

of the month, when the Pack comes together for the Pack meeting, the

Cubmaster should have a plan for the Pack meeting that is exciting and

memorable. This works the best if there has been some common

thread in all of the den meetings during the month. Whether that

thread is a Core Value of the Scouting Program like Citizenship, or a

theme like American ABC’s, the point is to have the Cubs be able to

relate to one another, and to have a platform from which the

Cubmaster can operate with pizzazz.

Remember that fun with a purpose makes memories that stick!

ADVANCEMENT

If you are a den leader, I hope that you purchased your copy of the new

Den and Pack Meeting Resource Guide. This tool is often called the

foundation of a successful den meeting. Not only does it contain a

month by month layout including core value based activities for each

rank, it also, at the beginning of the book, has a chart that shows your

path to rank advancement. For each den, it lists which requirements

should be worked on each month in den meetings and which ones

should be sent home. It also indicates which month each den will make

rank if it follows this suggested program.

Of course a den leader may choose to deviate from this plan slightly or

even completely. That is perfectly alright as long as the den as a whole

is making adequate progress toward its rank each week. Scouts who

were recruited in the Spring or who crossed over from one rank to the

next at that time will be getting close to rank by now. Most dens will


complete all of the rank requirements sometime between now and

March.

Since the requirements to make rank are different at every age level,

and since they become more difficult as the Cubs go along, it is

sometimes difficult for parents to keep up with the requirements. Last

month, you gave all of the new parents an overview of what to expect,

now this month it is time to do the same for the returning parents. A

short presentation detailing the rank requirements for each age group,

and the estimated date that they will make rank can easily be given by

the Cubmaster at the Pack meeting. This is a great way to remind the

parents too, that they are partners in the advancement process. They

need to be working with the den leader to ensure that homework is

completed, and that boys who are working on requirements at home,

have discussed them with the den leader to ensure they are not

duplicating activities that might be slated for a later den meeting.

Remember that advancement includes the Academic and Sport Belt

loop/Pin program and also specialty patches. The goal for the

Cubmaster should be to see that every Cub is receiving some kind of

advancement each month at the Pack meeting. If this is not the case, a

conversation with the den leader to determine the cause is

recommended. Sometimes life intrudes on that one hour per week of

planning time; sometimes there are a lot of absences from Baseball

season; sometimes there is no one reason. It is the Den Leader’s job to

provide the opportunity for advancement, and the Cubmaster’s job to

make sure that it is happening. Advancement is a critical part of the

Cub Scout program, and a Cub who is not able to experience this will

often become discouraged and quit.

Also there are two kinds of advancement for every rank except

Webelos. There are the long term goals like belt loops and patches,

rank badges, compass points and activity badges. Then Tigers, Wolves

and Bears have immediate advancements. These are the beads that are

worn on the Tiger Totem for the little guys and the Progress Toward


Rank Badge for the Wolves and Bears. Receiving these beads each week

from the den leader reassures the Cubs that they are literally making

progress toward their goal of receiving their rank.

Since one of the main purposes of the Pack meeting is receiving

advancements – the Scouts should feel like this is a Big Deal. This is the

Cubmaster’s realm…working with the den leaders and the Advancement

Chair to make each Pack meeting unique and memorable is the biggest

part of his job.

Don’t be a zip lock pack. That is to say, don’t just stick each scout's

advancements in a baggie and call it a day. The boys worked hard

earning those patches and pins and they deserve their moment in the

spotlight. This is another place that those wonderful themes really add

pizzazz. Package the advancements in a different way each month that

is consistent with that month’s theme. Sometimes, the packaging will

be the gimmick and other times, the packaging can be simple but the

presentation might be the trick.

For example, for the Cub Scout Pockets theme, one pack did have each

boy's advancements in a baggie – but the baggies were all inside a giant

blue pocket. The Cubmaster pulled each bag out of the pocket and read

the name, and the Advancement Chair called out each item the scout

had earned. For a different month, Indian Nations, another pack had

each boy's advancements placed inside a medicine bag. So as each

Scout was called up, the Cubmaster placed the medicine bag around his

neck and the Advancement Chair announced what he had earned.

With a little imagination and prior planning, the possibilities for this

type of presentation are limitless- and for those who feel their creativity

may not be up to the task, there are many resources out there. Besides

the Den and Pack Meeting Resource Guide, there are the Round Table

helps that are distributed at each month’s Round Table training and also

Baloo's Bugle which is published monthly online to name only a few.

These resources have not only ideas for advancements; they also detail


skits, songs, gathering activities, Cubmaster minutes, games, crafts,

trivia and more!

Other great websites include:

www.boyscouttrail.com, www.kismif.org

www.scoutingthenet.com, and www.usscouts.org

Of course, all of the wonderful advancements and achievements will

come to nothing if there is no record of them. The Advancement Chair

is in charge of making sure they get purchased and presented, but

somehow the list of what each scout has earned that month needs to

make its way into his or her hands. This process can easily become one

of significant frustration if it is not handled in an organized, reliable

manner. I recommend having a cut- off date each month, to allow the

report to be drafted. Depending on when your committee meeting

takes place, it is ideal to have the cut- off be the Sunday prior so that

the Advancement Chair can print the report, have the leaders verify that

it is correct at the committee meeting, and then still have a few days to

purchase the awards and assemble them.

How do the den leaders get this information to the Advancement Chair?

Well, there are several options, but one important thing to consider is

that paper advancement reports are being discontinued soon. This

means that all advancement reports will need to be turned into council

in an electronic format. So while there are several paper based

reporting methods out there, it is probably a good idea for your unit to

look into a software program like Packmaster if you are not already

using it.

Resources for paper based reporting can be downloaded from:

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/CubScoutingForms/fo

rms.aspx and http://trax.boy-scouts.net/cubtrax.htm

http://www.boyscouttrail.com/

http://www.kismif.org/

http://www.scoutingthenet.com/

http://www.usscouts.org/

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/CubScoutingForms/forms.aspx

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/CubScoutingForms/forms.aspx

http://trax.boy-scouts.net/cubtrax.htm


Information about the web based Packmaster program can be found at: http://www.troopmaster.com

CARNIVALS

The other exciting thing that happens in October is the holiday season

begins. Halloween provides the checkered flag for the rounds of

gatherings and parties that last through the first of the New Year.

It is important to remember that the BSA does not subscribe to any

particular religion, which means that there may be several different

faiths represented with the Cubs in your den. The goal is to respect all

of them, and teach tolerance.

Halloween is one holiday that is not shared by everyone, and its origins

are not always thought well of. Despite this, kids love to dress up in

costumes, they’ll do just about anything for candy and they love carnival

booths.

Having a “carnival” instead of a Halloween party is a good alternative.

Each den hosts an “activity booth” staffed by the den leader, parents

pass out candy at stations, and costumes are awarded prizes. This type

of activity is good to host, if not in October, then at another time of the

year as it reinforces the idea that Cub Scouting is a family program and

provides a venue for siblings to participate as well. For this reason,

many Packs hold this event in lieu of the Pack meeting, and that being

the case, choose to save advancements earned this month until

November. Just remember to keep it Scout worthy…in other words, no

horror, violence or occult themed costumes please.

If you are planning a silent auction for your Blue and Gold –

donation letters should go out in the mail now.

http://www.troopmaster.com/


Don’t forget to reserve the campsite for your winter campout

now!

6. November

Now that everyone has settled into their routine, some new folks have

joined in for the fun, and (hopefully) all of your open positions have

been filled, it is time to talk turkey – (that’s Cub Scout code for money!)

POPCORN DELIVERY

Last month, your Popcorn Kernal ordered the product needed to

complete the Take Order sheets collected from the scouts. This month,

the product arrives. Once again, your Popcorn Kernal will need to

arrange for a vehicle or vehicles large enough to transport the product.

Once the product is picked up, it needs to be dispersed to the Cub

Scouts so they can deliver it to their customers. The following steps,

again, are not the only right way to do this, but they are a method that

has proven reliable.

a. Photocopy each Take Order sheet.

b. Into a manila envelope, place the original order sheet, a signoff

sheet, and a Take Order instruction sheet.

c. Divide the popcorn into the quantities required to fill each

Scout’s orders and place that Scouts envelope with the order.

d. When the Scout arrives to pick up his order, have the parent

review the product, the prize that the Scout has chosen from

Trail’s End, and any additional incentives such as fill the page, or

scholarship vesting. The signoff sheet has each of these


itemized, along with the total dollar amount that is to be turned

into council for that order. The parent should initial each item,

and the Popcorn Kernal retains this sheet for the Pack records.

e. Once all of the product has been picked up, the Popcorn Kernal

enters the order for prizes, patches, and scholarships on the

Trail’s End website. (*Note – SDIC will not authorize the release

of the prize order until all of the monies have been deposited.)

f. There is usually a two week window from the time the product

arrives until the time the monies are due. Each Scout should

return the manila envelope with all monies by the due date.

g. The Popcorn Kernal reviews each envelope with the Pack copy

of the Take Order Form to ensure accuracy before depositing

the money.

Following the final deposit of popcorn monies, SDIC will cut the

commission check to the unit. It takes approximately two weeks for the

check to be cut and mailed. At the same time the prize order is

authorized to Trails End. Prizes can take two to four weeks to ship.

Many units want to pass out prizes immediately upon arrival and this is

perfectly OK. In my experience, however, there are often delays which

occur in this process over which the Popcorn Kernal has no control.

There is nothing more disappointing to a Scout than expecting to get his

prize on a particular date and then having it not arrive…so a lot of units

have a pack policy that the Popcorn prizes are always passed out at the

Christmas potluck, or even the Blue and Gold in February. As long as

you deliver the prizes when you have agreed to do so, it is up to the unit

to decide when that will be.

SECONDARY FUNDRAISING

Assuming that there are no unforeseen delays in the final days of

popcorn delivery, the Pack checking account should see a healthy

infusion of cash this month. But if there are delays, or if your unit did


not meet its sales goal, you may discover that you have the need for a

secondary fundraiser.

There is no doubt about the fact that Cub Scouting is a pretty big bang

for the buck when it comes to family entertainment. And yet, it is not

realistic or even fair to assume that the families in your unit can afford

to assume the total cost of putting their scout through the annual

program.

Fundraising, though, is not a primary function of BSA membership, and

should not take away from the time spent on the Scouting program and

activities. That is why Trails End Popcorn is the official fundraiser of the

BSA. But there are other options as well. Pancake breakfasts, Christmas

wreath sales and gift wrapping services are a few of the ideas that have

been used to good effect in raising quick cash for units.

Whichever option you choose, just remember the following points:

All fundraising is done in the name of the BSA, not that of a

particular boy.

All monies earned, technically belong to the Chartered

Organization, and must be accounted for.

All fundraising activities must be those approved for Cub Scout

Packs by the BSA.

If you have any questions about your proposed fundraiser, and whether

it is acceptable for Cub Scouts, contact your Unit Commissioner or

District Executive.


RE-CHARTER

Besides the business of money, the other major piece of business that

each Pack needs to conduct each year is the re-charter of the unit.

In approximately November (or the end of October) each year, the SDIC

distributes the recharter packets to the units. In Heartland District, the

packets arrive first at the monthly Round Table training, and following

that, are sent to the units via the Unit Commissioners.

Included in the recharter packet are several important items:

Last year’s roster

Blank receipt for rechartering fees

Instructions for online rechartering

The recharter process is the responsibility of the Committee Chair. The

process is relatively simple if you follow these steps:

1. Review the charter printout for accuracy of membership.

2. Contact your charter representative (in advance) to advise that

you will be rechartering and will need to get it signed.

3. Provide each family with a Pack registration form which includes

spaces to update phone numbers, addresses and notate fees.

4. Collect all forms and fees by the end of November, and make

any necessary deposit to the unit account.

5. If this is you first time rechartering the unit, it is advised that

you attend the Recharter Workshop held by your District,

usually at a local library or school. (Heartland District holds

theirs at Cuyamaca College each year).

6. Verify with your charter organization that any requirements set

by them are met in advance of the deadline, (I.E. Livescans,

interviews, orientation videos etc.)

7. Go online and complete the recharter process. Print two

copies, one for the Pack records and one for the Council.


8. Together with the Cubmaster, the Committee Chair writes the

Quality Unit goals for the next year, and determines if this

year’s goals have been met.

9. Get the printed charter packet signed by the committee chair

and the charter organization representative.

10. Take the print out, fees, and black receipt to council and turn in.

11. You’re done for another year!

SPECIAL REMINDERS

Don’t forget to send out the flier for your holiday party!

Don’t forget that Thanksgiving makes this a shortened month

for den meetings and make sure your pack meeting is planned before

the break!


7. December

Deck the Halls with Cub Scout fun! Winter is finally here. A word to the

wise though: this is the time of the year when schedules get really crazy.

Schools let out for Winter or Christmas break, families have multiple

engagements and holiday parties to schedule and of course, the closer

you get to the big holidays of Hanukkah and Christmas, the less folks are

thinking about Cub Scouts and the more they are focusing on home.

That is why I recommend a lighter schedule for December, and also that

key events be placed on the calendar as early in the month as possible.

SERVICE PROJECTS

One of the key elements of all aspects of Scouting is service. From the

legend of the unknown Scout who guided William D. Boyce through the

London fog, to Scouting for Food, to service in our local parks all scouts

promise to “do my duty to help other people…” Cub Scouts often carry

a Good Turn coin to remind them of this duty daily, but it is sometimes

difficult to find a structured service project for scouts of this young age.

The holiday season provides a wonderful outlet for young scouts to

provided service: in the form of homemade cards, cookies or other

small gifts which can be delivered to shut ins or patients at convalescent

homes, by assembling as a pack to sing Christmas carols at one of these

facilities, or even by volunteering as a den to provide a flag ceremony to

one of the many civic organizations such as Elks, Optimists or Rotary

Clubs who are hosting their own holiday parties now.

Things to remember are:

Always wear your complete uniform and make sure the Scouts

do as well. Adding a Santa hat if you are Christmas caroling is a

nice touch, but it is the uniform that proclaims who you are and

reminds your community that Scouts provide cheerful service.


If you are planning to make or deliver edible treats to patients

in a long term care facility (or any other), remember to contact

the charge nurse or director for permission first. Many patients

have dietary restrictions.

If you are making cards or other gifts, it is a good idea to contact

the same folks and find out how many patients are in residence.

If you will be Caroling, make arrangements with the facility to

visit early in the month, the first or second week. As December

wears on, more and more groups get in on this act, and

sometimes the staff and residents are not as enthusiastic the

week before Christmas as they were the first time a group

arrived. It is also easier to get Scout attendance earlier in the

month.

It is a good idea to have den leaders speak with scouts about

the nature of the patients in a home, so they are not alarmed

when they see the patients.

If you will be performing a flag ceremony, make sure you

practice first, both presenting the colors and calling. Choose a

scout to call the colors who speaks clearly and loudly.

Have FUN!

POTLUCK

Most units want to host some type of party during December. This

party typically provides the venue for, or in some units replaces, the

Pack meeting.

If your unit will not be having a traditional monthly Pack meeting, it is

important to let families and especially scouts know that advancements

will be held until January. This helps avoid disappointment for the

Scouts and confusion for the parents.


A potluck is ideal for this type of event as it ensures a low key meal that

everyone helps to prepare, but doesn’t leave anyone in the kitchen. In

your annual planning meeting, this event should have been listed as a

line item on your budget, allowing funds for the pack to provide paper

goods, decorations, a cake/dessert or whatever your unit has decided

on.

A chairperson has ideally been recruited several months ago, whose job

it is to produce the flier for this event and distribute it at the November

pack meeting. When producing the flier, it’s is helpful to assign the

meal items by den. For example:

Tigers: Salads Bears: Veggie

Wolves: Side Dish Webelos: Main Dish

Also some packs provide gifts for the scouts, and some provide gifts for

the siblings. This should also have been a line item on the budget.

Many packs purchase pinewood derby car kits for each scout and

distribute them at this event. Some packs invite “Santa” to do the

honors, in other Packs, the Cubmaster does the job. Some packs

provide small goody bags for the siblings, others pass out candy canes.

Some packs play a version of the left to right game and each scout and

sibling brings a gift to participate with. (In this case it is always a good

idea for your chairperson to have a couple extra gifts in reserve as

someone always forget s to bring one). There is no right or wrong way

to host this party as long as you remember to do two things: make sure

everyone is included in the festivities, and make sure that whatever

party theme you are planning, you are respectful of the fact that not

everyone in your Pack may share the same religious beliefs – and even if

they do – to practice tolerance for the other religions of the world

celebrating at this time.


PINEWOOD DERBY KITS

Whether your unit gives the Pinewood Derby Kits as a gift or not, it is a

good idea to acquire them early and not wait for the New Year when

they often become scarce or even end up on back order. Likewise, the

holiday party is an ideal time for your Pinewood Derby Race

Commissioner to distribute the flier announcing this event, describing

the rules and outlining any tips and tricks he might have to pass along.

Keep in mind that only official BSA wheels and axles may be used.

Beyond that, the rules may vary from council to council and unit to unit.

Some units specifically state that the car must be constructed using only

the supplies in the official box. Others will allow preformed pinewood

bodies as long as the official BSA wheels are attached. Some require

that the car be built within the calendar year of the race, others do not

specify. Regardless of these concerns, the main ones to ensure every

participant knows are: in order to participate in the Pinewood 500 at

the Scout Fair, the car must meet specific requirements. Those

requirements may be viewed on the SDIC website. Also, there are

several different kinds of tracks, and if the one your unit uses has

certain specifications required for the timer or the starter to register the

car, those should be noted on the flier as well. (For example most of

the new electronic finish lines will not register a car with a “cut out” at

the front of the vehicle).


8. January

COMMISSION CHECKS/POPCORN PRIZES

The holidays come to an end every year, and just like our pocketbooks

at home can use an infusion so can the unit bank balance. Luckily, the

all important Trail’s End commission check from SDIC usually arrives this

month.

Along with the check, the popcorn prizes will arrive. These are shipped

to the Popcorn Kernal directly from Trail’s End. You placed your order

back in November, but there is a hold on all prize orders and they are

not released until your unit has closed out its balance with council.

As I mentioned earlier, the arrival date for both the check and the prize

order can be very undependable. Be assured that they WILL arrive

eventually, but try not to make immediate plans that include having

access to these funds before the New Year. This is why when the

budget was created in June, there was a Program Deposit placed into it.

*A word of caution regarding prizes:

Once they arrive, there is inevitably at least one Scout that is not happy

with his prize compared to those of his pack mates. Sometimes this

dissatisfaction causes the scout to “forget” which prize he ordered.

That is the reason you had each Scouts parent initial for their son’s prize

selection.

Also, be prepared every week until they finally arrive, to have one or

more scouts ask WHEN they will get their prize. That is why I

recommended that your unit choose an event after the New Year,

ahead of time, and tell the Pack that the Popcorn Kernal would be

distributing prizes at that time. (And now the time is here!)


RECHARTER COMPLETE

If your unit completed its recharger on time (before December 31st)

January will bring more than money and prizes to your door. Your

Committee Chair will also find themselves the proud recipient of the

official BSA charter certificate, and in addition, the Quality Unit Award if

your Pack has earned it. Typically these items are delivered by your Unit

Commissioner, or in some cases, the District Commissioner or District

Executive. Although they begin distribution in January, it is not

uncommon for units to request that this presentation be done at the

Blue and Gold Banquet in February. If your unit would like to handle the

presentation at that time, it is a good idea for the Committee Chair to

call the Unit Commissioner or District Executive now and make those

arrangements. (The rounds of Blue and Gold banquets lasts all month

long in February, and calendars fill up fast.)

The Cubmaster also gets a special delivery this month, and receives the

membership cards for all of the Scouts and Leaders in your unit. These

should be distributed as soon as possible.

RANK CEREMONIES

If all of the den leaders have been properly trained, advancement

should have been happening consistently each month since September.

Assuming that this is the case, beginning in January, some dens will start

to make rank. Typically the Webelos den is the first to reach this

milestone.

“Making Rank” is a big deal. It is after all, what the Scouts have been

working toward all along. Planning an appropriate ceremony to mark

the occasion ensures not only that the Scouts who have reached this

goal are recognized, but also provides motivation for the other dens.

While planning the ceremony is usually up to the den leader, the

Cubmaster is an active participant as well.


Ultimately, it is up to the Cubmaster to ensure that advancement does

occur. So it is not a bad idea for the Cubmaster to meet with the den

leaders now to assess where each den is at in the trail toward its rank.

This way, if the den leader is struggling with the handbook

requirements, or with a parent (too pushy or too disengaged) the

Cubmaster can be apprised and make arrangements to help smooth the

way.

ARROW OF LIGHT

The Arrow of Light is the highest award a Scout can earn in his Cub

Scouting career. Moreover, it is the only Cub Scout award that may be

worn on the uniform, not only after he graduates to Boy Scouts, but

later on the adult uniform as well.

The path to the Arrow of Light is a long one and recipients should be

recognized with a special ceremony. There are many, many suggestions

which can be found via Google on the internet. This is also a great

opportunity to invite the Order of the Arrow, which is the Boy Scout

honor society. The members of the OA are trained in producing

ceremonies, and are available to any unit who requests their presence.

Contact your Unit Commissioner, or District Commissioner to find out

which lodge is in your district and who to contact there.

In addition to the ceremony, it is traditional for the parents of each

scout receiving this award to craft a “career arrow” for their son. This is

an Indian arrow which has been striped, each stripe representing a part

of his Cub Scout journey. The stripes can be painted, wrapped with

ribbon or thread or anything else that the parents can conceive of.

There are different colors to represent the different ranks, the arrow

points, and the activity badges.


Most Webelos who began this rank in the fourth grade will be eligible

for their Arrow of Light sometime in January. The Arrow of Light

symbolizes the Cub Scouts intention to continue into Boy Scouts and on

to his Eagle rank. That is why one of the requirements to receive this

award is for Webelos to visit several Boy Scout troops and to have a

conference with the Scoutmaster of the troop he ultimately chooses. It

is also the reason that many of the same learning requirements for this


award are those needed to attain the rank of Scout, the first rank in Boy

Scouts.

It is not enough though to merely meet these requirements with the

bare minimum and “call it a day.” One of the most important jobs a

Cubmaster has is to ensure the smooth transition of Webelos to Boy

Scouts. Being familiar with the local troops and their leadership helps a

Cubmaster to get a feel for the personality of each troop which, in turn

will allow him to make a genuine recommendation to the family about

which troop he thinks will be the best fit. Families should also be told

that is very common for a Webelos patrol to bridge into several

different troops and not necessarily all together as a den.

Heartland District now has a written resource for Webelos to Scout

transition. If you are interested in having a copy of this resource, you

may contact the Heartland District Executive for more information.

ACTIVITY SHIRTS

Uniform is a very important part of the Cub Scout program. Wearing a

uniform (correctly) is a physical reminder to the Cub Scout of who they

represent, and of the promises they have made as Cub Scouts. Scouts

should always be encouraged to wear their official uniform to all Cub

Scout den meetings, pack meetings and outings. But uniforms can be

costly to replace or repair and so units may consider an alternative

when engaging in an activity such as a service project, a campout or

even a den meeting where the leaders know that the activity might be

especially messy.

Most packs chose to have what is unofficially called a “class b” uniform,

or field uniform. The main component of this is the activity shirt.

Activity shirts can be acquired in several ways. Units may choose to

design their own and then have them printed. They may choose to

simply purchase a brightly colored t-shirt in bulk. Or there is also a very

comprehensive website: www.classb.com which has a huge selection of

scout themed t-shirts which can be customized with your unit number.

http://www.classb.com/


If your unit intends to have an activity shirt, the committee should

decide how they will ensure that everyone has one to wear at

designated functions. Many packs include the cost of the activity shirt

in the registration fee for new scouts.

Don’t forget to make reservations for the June Campout!

Scout Fair Tickets are distributed at Round Table this month.


9. February

Sometimes it seems like every month in a Cub Scout pack is a race to get

everything done, plan everything out, and make sure everything that is

planned gets facilitated. Pretty soon the Pack leadership are starting to

really reflect on that infamous “one hour a week” – and not always in a

good way.

February is an ideal month to take a deep breath and relax. You’ve hit

the halfway mark of the program year, the scouts are well on their way

to making rank, Webelos have reached their pinnacle moment and it is

time to have some fun!

BLUE AND GOLD BANQUET

The BSA states that, “Most Cub Scouts celebrate Scouting Anniversary

Week with a celebration called the Blue and Gold Banquet. In nearly all

packs, the annual Blue and Gold Banquet, which is often the pack

meeting for February, is the highlight of the year. It brings families

together for an evening of fun and inspiration.

The purpose of the Blue and Gold Banquet is to celebrate the birthday

of Cub Scouting, recognize pack leaders and other adults who have been

instrumental in the pack's success, and inspire the leaders, Scouts, and

parents. Packs often like to invite former members and other Scouting

or community leaders to take part in the annual Blue and Gold

Banquet.”

This event is considered so important that the district Round Tables

have a special training each year devoted solely to this event. In the

Heartland District, this takes place at the November Roundtable.


There are a number of different ways that this event can be hosted.

The pack may choose to have a potluck, to cater the event or event to

host it at a restaurant. Since this event is meant to be the highlight of

the year, it is important to have been planning this well in advance. The

Committee Chair should have designated a chairperson for this event in

September.

The chairperson, along with the committee should determine how the

menu will be provided, the decorations, and activities and recruit

parents to help facilitate them.

Because this event is meant to celebrate the efforts of the adult leaders

in the pack, many packs choose not to present advancements to the

scouts this month. Many packs also encourage the scouts to provide

the entertainment, bus tables, serve salads or desserts and clean up.

Other key components are:

Distributing popcorn prizes and recognizing top sellers if this has

not already been done.

Distributing service stars and leadership knots to the adults.

Recognizing all adults who have contributed in any way with

“warm fuzzies”.

What are “warm fuzzies”? They are appreciation awards that are put

together to represent what an individual has contributed to the unit.

For example a garden glove padded with stuffing and mounted on a

dowel with colorful ribbon might be the “helping hand” award given to

a parent who just seems to pitch in where ever and whenever there is a

need. A poster of a famous Nascar racer might be doctored with the

face of your Pinewood Derby Race Commissioner and given to him. For

your Treasurer you might pick up some fake money and glue it to a

plastic pig. The idea is to let the Dollar Tree be your friend and

imagination be your muse.


One entertainment option used for this event in many packs is a slide

show or re-enactment of the past years activities. Providing the slide

show on a disc to each family makes a wonderful party favor.

Another great event is the father/son cake decorating contest. Prizes

awarded for best use of theme, most original etc.

The last big consideration for this event is how to pay for it. When the

budget was set in June, this was undoubtedly the biggest line item

expense besides the cost of chartering the unit. A line item revenue

should have been developed at the same time. Options for funding it

may include:

Charging admission. (This is the least desirable option since it

sometimes discourages full pack attendance.)

Family donations of food and supplies. (This can be facilitated

with a signup sheet that lists the items needed and is present at

pack events starting in December.)

Some units host a silent auction. If your unit chooses this

option, there is a certain amount of additional work inherent in

producing the auction baskets, but if it is handled well, the

auction can provide a fairly lucrative return for the pack.

Sending out donation letters in October to local businesses and

venues typically yields a number of complimentary items like

dinners, movie tickets, spa visits, fishing trips etc around which

to build baskets. Each den can be tasked with providing a

basket that is build around a particular theme like camping, or

sports. The ideal number of baskets are a few more that the

number of families attending. This ensures a wide enough

selection that everyone will be tempted by something, but

doesn’t provide so many choices that bidding falls off.

A detailed plan for the Blue and Gold Banquet, including a planning

calendar, sample agenda, and suggested program activities, is available

in the Cub Scout Leader How-To Book.


WINTER CAMPING

And after the party is over, let’s get out of town and relax! Yes, you’ve

reached the half way mark – but that means it has been half a year since

your Cubs went camping too. Remembering that “going camping” is

often one of the main reasons that young boys join Scouting, many units

have added a Winter Campout to their annual program.

Cub Scout camping is not the same as Boy Scout camping. It doesn’t

happen every month. It is family based, with parents and often siblings

attending. And the number of venues and conditions under which they

can camp are much narrower than the restrictions for older Boy Scouts

as well.

Luckily in San Diego County, our climate is mild year round, allowing for

Cubs to experience the outdoors in winter as well as summer. For

variety, and also to take advantage of the season, many packs choose to

camp at one of the desert venues at this time of the year. Anza Borrego

Park has several approved campgrounds, with and without youth sites.

The late winter month or very early spring time, provides an

opportunity to explore this diverse and beautiful ecosystem without the

harsh high temperatures which make the desert prohibitive in the

traditional camping season.

Be aware though, that even with daytime temperatures in the 80’s, it

can and does dip below or near freezing in the night. Educating your

families about properly rated camping gear is extremely important.

Most two season tents will still stand up to this type of excursion, but

sleeping bag weight, layered clothing, and an insulated pad for the floor

of the tent are all important items to discuss.

Lastly, and most importantly, the desert is a dry climate year round, and

shade is not prevalent in the campgrounds. Remember sunscreen and


hats, and water, water, water to avoid dehydration and heat

exhaustion!

10. March

After the hoopla of the Blue and Gold, and the R&R of a little winter

camping, now it is time to get back down to the business of the trail

toward advancement. Since many units do not award Scout

achievements in February, this month’s pack meeting is typically very

full. In addition to regular monthly advancement, this is the time of the

year that most dens are finishing up rank requirements. Tigers, Wolves

and Bears usually make rank in March or April. Den leaders should

remember that parents are their partners in advancement. All ranks

except Webelos may work on requirements at home with the parents,

and should be encouraged to do so. As I advised at the beginning of the

year, it is to the benefit of the den leaders and the parents to

communicate with each other about which items will be completed in

den meetings and which can be completed at home to avoid

duplications. Only Webelos must have each activity badge signed off by

their den leader. This is to prepare them for the way that advancement

occurs in Boy Scouts. Even so, with the approval of the den leader,

quite a bit of the work may be completed at home, and in fact, several

of the activity badges are designed specifically to take place within the

family unit. On top of the final scramble to get those last few

achievements signed off, this month is also when most packs host their

Annual Pinewood Derby.


PINEWOOD DERBY

Gentlemen, START – YOUR – ENGINES! One of the most well known

traditions of the Cub Scout program is the Pinewood Derby, the younger

brother to the Soapbox Derby of yesteryear’s Boy Scouts.

Starting with a block of wood, four wheels and four nail axles, the boys

(and their dads) are tasked with crafting a masterpiece of aerodynamics,

futuristic design and track worthiness.

Needless to say, the possibilities are endless, and limited only by the

rules that come in the box. We covered these aspects of the Derby

earlier, so what we will be discussing here are the practical aspects of

Race Day.

Prior to Race Day: The Race Commissioner and his subcommittee

ensure the following:

The venue reserved for the race is long enough to

accommodate the track and wide enough to accommodate

spectators.

Trophies have been ordered for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.

The track has been cleaned and pre-checked for correct

operation.

The official scale has fresh batteries and is accurately weighing.

Many of the “new” aluminum tracks have electronic timers

which require software and a computer. The software needs to

be installed on an available computer and the computer needs

to be checked to ensure that it has the proper connections for

the track.

If your unit is not using and electronic timer, a large elimination

schematic will need to be procured to track the results of each

heat.

Participation prizes or ribbons need to be acquired.


It is a good idea to have a small activity, coloring sheets or

similar for scouts and siblings during the “down” times.

On Race Day: The Race Commissioner and his subcommittee ensure the

following:

The track is set up and ready to go.

Cones, pennants or other materials are set up around the track

to prevent accidents and “hovering”.

The check in table is set up. This may include:

o Photographer to take photos of cars

o Scale to verify weight restriction met

o A multi-dimensional check to verify that the vehicle

meets height, width and length restrictions.

o Secure area (sometimes a box) to stage the vehicles

once they have been checked in

o Sign in/registration sheet – accompanies by some small

stickers that can be placed on the bottom of the

vehicles to match them with the scouts as they are

numbered on the sign in sheet.

A pit stop table is set up with a scale, some basic tools, graphite

etc. that can be used to make any last minute adjustments.

Food – it is a good idea to provide some kind of snack and

beverage. This can be a long day. Many packs choose to

operate a “Derby Café” where they sell hotdogs and sodas or

similar for a small fee. This typically generates enough revenue

to cover the costs of the Pinewood Derby.

Winner’s Circle is set up with trophies etc.

There is usually a check in period that lasts for a couple of hours before

the race begins. Once the car is checked in, it is placed into the staging

area and may not be handled by anyone until it races.

Once the race begins, each Scout is called into the staging area during

the heat prior to the one he is racing in. When it is time for his heat, he

places his own car onto the track. (This prevents any accidents where


cars are dropped or otherwise damaged being the responsibility of

anyone other than the car’s owner.) At the conclusion of the heat, the

scout collects his car from the finish line and returns it to the staging

area.

When the winners are determined, the trophies are awarded that same

day. (Some packs do collect them before packing up so that the

engraved plates can be ordered).

After the Race: The Race Commissioner and his staff

Take down the track. If it is an aluminum track it should be

wiped down prior to storage. (See the manufacturer’s

instructions for a list of safe cleaners.)

Pack up the track for storage and transport to storage location.

(If this location is not onsite, a vehicle that is large enough to

accommodate the track needs to be lined up ahead of time.)

Clean up the venue.

Retain the double elimination chart, if used, for display at this

month’s pack meeting.

PINEWOOD DERBY CAFÉ

If your unit plans to host a snack bar, volunteers will need to be

recruited for this in advance. It is not feasible for the Race

Commissioner’s staff to facilitate both the race and this service. There

are two ways of handling this. The first is that you ask for volunteers to

be the Café staff and the handle the whole thing. The second is that the

Race Commissioner’s staff purchases the supplies and sets up the café,

but then each den is required to staff it for a specified “shift”.

Foods like hotdogs, sodas, chips, cookies, nachos, even PB&J are all

good items as they are easily prepared, cheap and filling. If you do not

have access to a kitchen facility, this type of menu can be prepared with

crock pots and electric roasters. If this is the case, however, the Race

Commissioner or the Café Manager will need to investigate the


electrical outlet situation to ensure there are enough plugs and also that

the outlets do not over load and trip a circuit breaker.

SAN DIEGO PINEWOOD 500

The SDIC hosts the San Diego Pinewood 500 each year at the Scout Fair.

This “world famous” event is the venue at which all of the SDIC Cub

Scout Pack Champions gather to race for the title of fastest derby car in

the council.

In order to qualify, the car must be built to the official specifications.

These can be viewed online at:

http://home.simplyweb.net/bosworth/sandiego.htm#CAR_SPECIFICATI

ONS

After the Pinewood Derby is concluded at the pack level, the unit

winner becomes the pack’s official entrant into the Pinewood 500. It is

up to the Race Commissioner to ensure that the registration is filled out

and submitted online here:

http://www.sdicbsa.org/Activities/ScoutFair/#PinewoodDerby

The SD Pinewood 500 runs in an elimination format which first

determines a champion from each district, each of which receives a

trophy as District Champion, and lastly pits the District Champions

against each other for the title of SDIC Champion.

Have fun, and Good Luck!

OTHER DERBIES

While the Pinewood Derby is a traditional part of the Cub Scout

program, and takes place at this time of the year to ensure that a

representative of the Pack is eligible for the San Diego Pinewood 500, I

would like to briefly mention its cousins, the Space Derby and the

Raingutter Regatta.

These two events are optional and are not typically hosted by a Pack

every year. The Space Derby is facilitated with kits that allow the scout

http://home.simplyweb.net/bosworth/sandiego.htm#CAR_SPECIFICATIONS

http://home.simplyweb.net/bosworth/sandiego.htm#CAR_SPECIFICATIONS

http://www.sdicbsa.org/Activities/ScoutFair/#PinewoodDerby


to craft a propeller driven “rocket”. The rockets are wound up,

suspended from a wire track, and then released.

The Raingutter Regatta allows scouts to build their own balsa wood

boat. The boats are then “raced” down lanes constructed from

raingutters, by blowing through a straw into the sail of the boat.

If your pack is interested in hosting one of these events, the Scout Shop

not only carries the supplies, but also several publications describing

tips and tricks. More information can be found at:

http://www.raingutter-regatta.com/ and

http://pinewoodderby.org/space/about

FRIENDS OF SCOUTING

The Boy Scouts of America is a nonprofit organization. However, as one

of the largest corporations in the country, the operating costs of

sustaining itself are considerable. The BSA offsets these costs through

donations and fundraising.

Every year the SDIC begins its Friends of Scouting fundraising drive in

January. Through the efforts of the District Executives and the

volunteers who visit each unit to share the Friends of Scouting

presentation, the San Diego Imperial Council attempts to raise the $180

per boy that is required to fund the program at the District, Council and

National levels.

Your unit will be contacted to set up a time and date for your Friends of

Scouting presentation. Please try to provide a venue when the largest

number of families will be present. Remember that donations made to

the Friends of Scouting or FOS campaign are tax deductible, and that

more than 80% of the dollars raised with this campaign remain in our

own council and are used to directly fund program. Only 20% of the

funds raised are used for administrative and other costs at both the

local and national levels.

http://www.raingutter-regatta.com/

http://pinewoodderby.org/space/about


RELIGIOUS EMBLEM PROGRAM

A Scout is Reverent. A Scout has a duty to God. This is one of the three

tenets of the Cub Scout Promise. One way for scouts to work on

advancement in this area is to participate in the religious emblem

program of their faith and earn the medallion.

This program is not facilitated at the den level, but rather within the

Scout’s own home. Most faiths have a local coordinator who meets

with the Scouts to work on the program, and then signs off on the

award when it is complete. A Scout may or may not be required to

meet with their religious leader as well.

There is a religious emblem program for nearly every faith represented

in the BSA. If you do not have a regular place of worship, or if your

place of worship does not have a coordinator for the religious emblem

of your faith, you may contact the SDIC for information on how to

proceed.

For Christian based faiths, it is not uncommon to have begun this

program earlier in the year and be completing it now, as it gets close to

Easter. Personally, unless your Religious Emblem Coordinator requires

that the program be started at a specific time, I like to recommend that

Scouts focus on beginning the program now. Having finished, or nearly

finished the rank requirements for the year at this point, a Scout may

find that this program fits neatly into the remaining portion of the

program year.

The award, once earned, may be worn as a knot on the uniform shirt, or

as a medallion. If your faith offers more than one emblem, a device is

worn on the knot to indicate the rank at which the award was earned.

It is time to reserve the campsite for your August campout.

Remember to order fliers for the Spring Round Up.


12. April

Spring has sprung and there are changes on the air. The biggest change

will be the loss of your second year Webelos as they graduate to Boy

Scouts.

WEBELOS CROSSOVER

Webelos Scouts who are 10 and ½ years old or have completed the 5th

grade are eligible to become Boy Scouts. Webelos is traditionally an

eighteen month program, but may also be run as a nine month program

for boys who were recruited into the Pack at last year’s Spring Round

Up. The boys from your pack who are graduating this year should be

crossing over into Boy Scouts anytime from the end of March to mid-

May. This narrow window of time is set to accomplish two things:

One, to allow all Webelos Scouts in your unit sufficient time to complete

as many of the 10 activity badges as possible.

Two, to ensure that they are settled into the Troop of their choice well

before the time for summer camp, and preferably with enough time to

prepare with their Troop to compete at Camporee.

Much like the Arrow of Light, the Webelos Crossover should be treated

as an event to be celebrated in the Pack. There are many different

ceremonies available in the resources from the Scout Shop, and this

ceremony is typically planned by the Den Leader.

Boys who finished all 20 activity badges should be recognized, and may

be presented with the Webelos Super Achiever patch.

Whether they received their Arrow of Light or not, the Webelos Scouts

should have been encouraged to visit several Troops before settling on

one, and Cubmaster is responsible for ensuring that the Scoutmasters


and SPLs of the Troops being bridged into are present at the ceremony

to receive their new Boy Scouts.

SCOUT FAIR

The Scout Fair is an event sponsored by the SDIC each year at

Qualcomm Stadium. It takes place in April. In addition to the Pinewood

500, there are booths hosted by various units, Belt Loop Alley where

Cub Scouts can work on and earn belt loops and pins from the large

selection being offered, and the Merit Badge Midway which is a similar

set up for Boy Scouts.

Traditionally, Boy Scout troops may can onsite on Friday evening if they

are participating in cooking breakfast for the staff on Saturday morning.

There are usually activities planned for the evening, and this venue is

often one of the ways that Webelos are able to meet the Troop

Camping requirement, since they may stay overnight at this function as

guests of a troop.

The Scout Fair also provides the second largest council run fundraiser

after Trails End popcorn. Scout Fair tickets cost $10 per family, and

have been packaged in several different ways in the past. Currently

they include a coupon booklet and discount card that is valid at many

local grocery stores, restaurants and other vendors. $4 from every

ticket sold returns to the pack in the form of commission.


12. May

Webelos have been sent off on the trail to Eagle and it is time to refocus

on those who are left behind (for now) and on replenishing the ranks…

MEMORIAL DAY

Every year on Memorial Day, Fort Rosecrans places an American Flag on

the graves of all our fallen veterans. Over 10,000 need to be placed,

and in order to facilitate this, the BSA and GSA are recruited to help

with this task.

If your pack would like to participate in this event, you need to arrive by

6 AM. Parking at the Fort is difficult to say the least, so the earlier you

arrive, the shorter the distance you will need to hike in. All Scouts and

Leaders should be wearing their official BSA uniform. Once you arrive,

your unit leader will need to check your Pack in and receive a quantity

of flags for placement.

The Fort has a flag raising ceremony and then the units are released to

place the flags. All 10,000 flags are usually placed within the hour. It is

a wonderful experience, and a superb way for younger Scouts to

provide service to our country.

SPRING ROUND UP

The future of the Pack is in its ability to continually increase enrollment.

Despite the best efforts of the BSA, it is unlikely that you will be able to

maintain your membership by simply waiting for boys to show up on

your doorstep. So that means hosting Pack Round Ups in the Spring and

Fall.

Of course individual scouts may invite their own friends and family to

join the pack they belong to, and others may find their way to you via

your chartered organization, but a successful Round Up depends a great


deal on advertising. Council will provide you with preprinted fliers that

you can distribute to the schools assigned to your Pack. As mentioned

earlier, each district is divided into membership zones, and within those

zones, is divided into unit territories. This means that each unit is

assigned specific schools they are allowed to actively recruit from.

Once the fliers have been printed and picked up, they need to be

approved by the school district before they can be delivered to the

schools. Once that is complete, you are ready to plan your big event.

*Note – The Spring Round Up is considered the biggest one of the year

because boys finishing kindergarten are allowed to join a Tiger Den

now. This being the case, most units will structure the Spring round up

to specifically target these boys. Having a leader with specific

knowledge or experience in the Tiger program is a huge asset at this

time of the year.

LAST PACK MEETING

Since most Packs forgo a pack meeting in June in lieu of a campout, this

month represents the last “traditional” pack meeting of the year.

Planning a memorable program is a must. In addition to awarding any

ranks not earned earlier in the year, it is wonderful to be able to plan a

Bobcat ceremony for the new scouts recruited earlier in the month at

the Spring Round Up.

This is also the time to distribute the flier for next month’s Bridging

Ceremony and campout.

SETTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET

A book like this one is not the format for a financial seminar, but it is the

place to make a key point about Pack finances – which is that a written

budget is absolutely necessary to a healthy pack.

Many, many packs have folded to disappear forever, or to be

reincarnated a few years later because of money issues. Those issues


can range from lack of fundraising, over spending, or lack of

transparency.

Folks can get pretty upset about money, and especially about thei r

money. Since Cub Scouts relies on fundraising and donations to make

ends meet, it is only right that the unit be able to tell families where the

money is being spent.

Each and every expense should be a line item on the budget. Each and

every revenue should also have a line. If the unit is running properly,

the expenses and revenue balance each other out, just like a family

budget at home.

National provides a worksheet to help figure the average annual costs

of the program in the Annual Program Packet. If your unit doesn’t have

a written budget currently, this is a good place to start. There is a

sample budget included in the back of this book to show what it should

look like and what most of the typical expenses are.

If your pack does have a written budget from last year, then it needs to

be reviewed for variances and then modified to reflect those variances

and the current pack membership to be used for next year.

13. June

Well then, that’s it – a whole year in the life of a Cub Scout pack!

There’s just one last thing you need to do before you start all over again

and that is to “bridge” the boys.

The terms “bridging”, “crossover” and “making rank” can be very

confusing, especially because they are often used interchangeably. To

help clarify matters, although they are very similar, the three terms

have these specific meanings:


Making Rank – The Cub Scout program as you now know runs from

September to June. A scout belongs to a den based upon his grade level

in school and is considered that rank for the whole year. For example,

first graders are Tiger Cubs from September to the following June. But

they “Make Rank” when they actually complete the Tiger requirements

and receive their Tiger Rank Patch.

Crossover – This is the term that describes the event where Webelos

depart Cub Scouts to become Boy Scouts. They have “crossed over” the

from one program to the next.

Bridging – This is the event which takes place in June to mark the

passage of a Cub Scout from one grade to the next. When he “bridges”

he becomes known as part of the next rank in the Cub Scout program.

Using the first example, the scout who was a member of the Tiger den

all this year while he worked on his Tiger rank, will bridge in June to the

Wolf den. From that moment on, he can no longer work on Tiger rank

requirements or electives – even if they weren’t finished yet. From that

moment on he will be working on Wolf rank requirements and electives.

BRIDGING CEREMONY

Now that’s all cleared up – it’s time to plan your ceremony. It is

especially wonderful for the boys to be able to combine this with the

June campout. A campfire, sleeping in a tent – those are priceless

childhood memories, and adding the bridging ceremony to the mix

ensures that it will be memorable.

Some packs plan something fairly simple in this context. But many

packs plan something more elaborate with sets, props and costumes.

This type of ceremony can be reused each year with only slight

modifications.

The most important element of the ceremony regardless of the theme

or setting, is that the Cubs are somehow “transformed” from their

previous rank into their new rank. Whether they pass behind a

backdrop where a leader is waiting to change their neckerchief and hat,


or a parent is called up to do the honors, or a den leader literally pulls

the symbols of the new rank out of his hat, there should be a visible

change from one uniform to the next by the end of the ceremony.

This visible change reminds the Scouts that they are embarking on an

new phase of their journey. They are always following the path

illuminated by the Arrow of Light, they are always striving to soar with

the Eagles. But at the end of each program year, they are reborn and

renewed.

CONCLUSION

Hopefully this book has provided the resources and answers that you

need to be able to renew yourself each year too. It may be an inside

joke among Scouters that volunteering for your son will only take “One

hour a week”. But the time you spend scouting, not only with your son,

but with all of the other boys in your pack is no joke at all. You are a

part of something wonderful, something enduring, and something with

the power to change the world. Just one hour…after another…one boy

at a time.


Appendices

i . Blue and Gold

i i . Budget

i i i . Bylaws

iv. Calendar

v. Camping

vi . Carnival

vi i . Christmas/Holiday

vi i i . Derby

ix . Pancake

x . Popcorn

x i . Recruitment

x i i . Summertime Agenda


Cub Scout Pack 000

October 1, 2010

Dear Community Supporter:

Were you ever a Boy or Girl Scout? If so, I’m sure you have fond memories of

those childhood experiences. Now you can help give those same kinds of

memories to a local Cub Scout Pack and their families.

This year Cub Scouts Pack #000 in the Heartland district will be holding a

fundraising dinner on February 21, 2010. We anticipate 200 Boys, Girls and

Family Members will attend. We are soliciting business partners and vendors

for their consideration to contribute to the dinner and silent auction.

We are a non-profit organization so your donations are tax deductible. Our

501C (3) number is 95-1644613.

If you are able to assist us, please mail your contribution to:

John Doe 1111 Main Street Any Town, CA 92021

Thank you for your consideration and support! Sincerely,

SAMPLE BLUE AND GOLD SOLICITATION LETTER


Basket Name: Auction #1

Basket Contents:

Approximate Value: $

Minimum Bid: $

Name Bid Amount

SAMPLE BLUE AND GOLD FLIER SIDE TWO


Mark the Date to Celebrate…

Cub Scout Pack 000

Annual Blue and Gold Dinner Banquet

2010 Chinese New Year

5:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Sunday, February 24

Extended Families Welcomed

As always, there is No Charge for this event

Please RSVP

By Monday, February 18th

To

John Doe at

619-000-0000

Volunteers are still needed for

Decoration set up, basket assembly,

A kitchen helper, and event clean up

Please contact John Doe at 619-.000-0000 or

Cubmaster at 619-000-0000 if you can help.

SAMPLE BLUE AND GOLD FLIER SIDE ONE


Don’t Forget the Annual “Father and Son”

Cake Decorating contest!

The Rules:

Father (or other parent) and Son

Must bake a cake and decorate it.

Entries will be judged on best use of the theme

“Chinese New Year”

Cakes will be auctioned to highest bidder

So be prepared to pay if you want to

Bake your Cake and

Eat it too!

SAMPLE BLUE AND GOLD PROGRAM CONT.


Pack 000 presents

the Annual Blue and Gold Banquet

“Happy Birthday BSA”

A celebration of Cub Scouting

Sunday, Feb xxnd

5pm to 9pm

SAMPLE BLUE AND GOLD PROGRAM


Presentation of the Colors, Pledge of Allegiance

Presentation of Charter

Dinner Blessing

English Supper

To include:

100 Years of Scouting Trivia

Menu



Green Leaf Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

Hearty Shepherd’s Pie

Baby Brussels Sprouts and Carrots

Rolls and butter

Baked Apples with Vanilla Sauce

Popcorn Awards

Appreciation Awards

Judging of Father/Son cake contest

Winners of silent auction announced

Silent Auction Rules

1. Minimum Starting Bid must be met. 2. Bids must be increased in whole Dollar Amounts 3. Absolutely no Child/Scout Bids (only adults) 4. No Basket “Guarding” 5. Payment must be received tonight – Cash and Checks

accepted. 6. Thank you for your generosity!

1. Big Ticket



Bids:

2. Diego and Friends

Bids:

3. Entertainment Tonight

Bids:

4. Home Comforts

Bids:

5. Things That Crawl

Bids:

6. Baking

Bids:

7. Pirates

Bids:

8. Chinese New Year

Bids:

9. Sports Champ

Bids:

10. Dad’s Stuff

Bids:

11. Good Time Roller Coaster

Bids:



12. Fine Art

Bids:

13. Harbor Adventure

Bids:

14. Making Music

Bids:

15. Gardening Basket

Bids:

16. Turkey’s don’t Fly

Bids:

17. Mom’s Basket

Bids:

18. Family Nite

Bids:

19. Good Read

Bids:

20. Mystical Creatures

Bids:

Thank You for your support of Pack 000 and Thank you for all you do –

“one hour a week!”



SAMPLE PACK OPERATING BUDGET CONT.








Cub Scout Pack XXX

Heartland District

San Diego Imperial Council

Boy Scouts of America

Pack Manual

XX/XX/XXXX

SAMPLE PACK BYLAWS


MISSION

As a parent today, we cannot help being concerned about the many influences and situations that our sons could become involved in without our guidance and direction. Cub Scouting is a program designed to develop positive attitudes and character, while it captures the boy‘s interest in the use of crafts, games, skits, and other activities.

Our guiding principle is that this program will provide a positive atmosphere where the boys will grow and develop into young men of faith, honor, and resourcefulness. Our basic objectives are citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness. In Cub Scouting, a framework is provided with guidelines upon which we build. The Pack builds upon the framework by creating adventures which facilitate the learning process by imprinting each of the 12 Core Values of Scouting into a memory that lasts a lifetime.

Cub Scout Pack xxx will operate under the rules and policies as set forth by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Charter and by-laws and the Pack by-laws provided herein. BSA rules and policies will take precedence over all policies set forth in these Pack by-laws. The Pack Committee is solely responsible for adopting, amending, and interpreting these Pack By-Laws.

BACKGROUND

The Program

In 1930, the Boy Scouts of America created a new opportunity called Cub Scouting for boys younger than Boy Scout age. A year-round program used by chartered organizations, Cub Scouting emphasizes involvement between boys and their Parents, adult leaders, and friends. In the multidimensional plan of the Boy Scouts of America, Cub Scouting is where it all begins. Currently, it is the largest of the organization‘s five membership divisions. (The others are Boy Scouting, Venturers, Explorer Scouts and Sea Scouts.)

The Cub Scout colors are blue and gold. Blue signifies the sky, truth, spirituality, and loyalty. Gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness. Together they symbolize what Cub Scouting is all about.

Purposes

Cub Scouting has the following purposes:

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.

Provide fun and exciting new things to do.

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

Prepare him to be a Boy Scout.

What is Cub Scouting?

Boys in the first through fifth grades (or ages 7, 8, 9, or 10) may join a Cub Scout Pack and be assigned to a Den. Dens usually meet at least twice a month; however some dens may meet weekly. More information on the Cub Scout rank structure can be found in the section titled ―Rank Criteria‖.

Once a month, all of the Dens and family members gather for a Pack Meeting under the direction of the Cubmaster. This event is the center point for the theme of the month, and attendance is not to be considered optional.

Declaration of Religious Principle

The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the

best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God and,

therefore, recognizes the religious element in the training of the Scout,

but it is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious

training. BSA policy is that the home and the organization or group with

which the member is connected shall give definite attention to religious

life. Only persons willing to subscribe to this Declaration of Religious

Principle and to the Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America shall be entitled

to certificates of leadership. The Boy Scouts of America recognizes the

importance of religious faith and duty; it leaves religious instruction to

the member‘s religious leaders and family .

Who Operates a Cub Scout Pack?

Like other phases of the Scouting program, Cub Scouting is made available to groups having similar interests and goals, which include professional organizations, and religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor, and citizens‘ groups. These ―sponsors‖ are called Chartered Organizations. Each Organization appoints one of its members as a Chartered Organization Representative. The Organization, through the Committee, is responsible for leadership, the meeting place, and related materials for Pack Activities. The Chartered Organization for Cub Scout Pack XXX is ??? in ???, CA.

Activities

At Den Meetings, a Cub Scout starts a themed learning adventure under the direction of his Den Leader. Den Leaders may choose to provide a monthly curriculum to the Scouts family. Activities begun in a den

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meeting may need to be completed during the week, with his Parents‘ help. If it happens to be something required for his Tiger, Wolf or Bear advancement, his Parent may sign his Cub Scout book, under the direction of the Den Leader. In this way, Cub Scouting helps to strengthen family ties. Den Leaders, however, are ultimately responsible for tracking advancements.

Pack meetings, attended by boys and their families; give Parents a chance to see their sons in action. Most Pack Meetings are divided into two parts. The first is informal—boys and Parents may view exhibits or participate in gathering-time activities. The second half has a formal opening, followed by den skits, songs, games, or stunts related to the monthly theme, and the awarding of badges earned by the boys since the last Pack Meeting.

Outdoor Program

Adventuresome outdoor programs are encouraged for Cub Scouts. These include den field trips, picnics, outings, day camping, and resident camping. Because Cub Scouting is a family-centered activity, family camping is also emphasized. Webelos Scouts are encouraged to go on overnight experiences and to conduct occasional joint outdoor activities with a Boy Scout troop. Most BSA local councils conduct Cub Scout Day Camps, and many also provide resident camping experiences for Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts.

Competitive Activit ies and Sports

Team sports and other competitive events may occur within the Pack and on an inter-pack level. Among the activities that have become favorites are Pinewood derbies (miniature car racing on tracks), Rocket derbies, Rain gutter regattas, and the annual Scout Fair Indie 500.

Cub Scouts are encouraged to be physically fit through the Cub Scout Sports Program, which offers twenty-one different sports. The Cub Scout Sports Program also affords the Scout additional opportunities to be recognized for their work by awarding Sport Belt Loops, Pins and Letters.

PARENTS PART IN SCOUTING Parents must understand, before their son joins Pack XXX that Cub Scouting is a program for them to share with their son. The program is family-based and will not succeed without participation on the part of both the Scout and his Parents. If our Pack is to be successful, each family must share in the administration of the Cub Scout program.

General Requirements

By signing up their son into Pack XXX, Parents (The word "parent" refers to all adult family members: Mother, Father, Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle, Guardian, etc.) agree to do their best to:

Help when needed by the Pack.

Attend and assist as requested in at least one (1) Cub Scout function, not including Pack Meetings, per year.

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Have the family represented by, at the least, one (1) Parent at every Pack Meeting.

Bring the entire family to Pack Meetings, when possible (responsibility of control of Cub Scout‘s siblings resides with the Parents).

Actively participate in Den and Pack activities, to include fund raising.

Assist at the Pack Meetings by showing the proper courtesy to our Scouts by maintaining quiet.

Help the Pack achieve the goals set by the Committee and Cubmaster each year.

Assist Den Leader(s) when called upon.

Before leaving the area for leave, vacation or leave of absence, send notice to their son‘s Den Leader stating the dates he will be absent from the area.

Sign achievements and electives off when the requirements have been completed under the direction of Den Leader.

Remind the Scout to bring all necessary items to Den Meetings, to include his Cub Scout book.

If the family is to move out of the area, notify the Cubmaster and Den Leader in advance in order to get transfer of registration and verification of rank advancement for presentation to the new Unit Leader at the new location.

An adult family member‘s priorities should be:

1. Help their boys advance in ranks and awards

2. Assist the Den

3. Attend Pack Meetings

4. Assist the Pack

Parents will be responsible for any transportation to and from scouting events. Parents must remain in contact with the den leader(s) to ensure that information can be exchanged about the progress of the boy on his path through scouting. Parents will ensure all pack dues are paid and will be responsible for fundraiser monies being turned in by the dates set by the committee.

Further Guidance

Complete rules and regulations pertaining to cub scouting may be found

in the ―Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America‖ booklet.

MEMBERSHIP

How to Join

Any boy who is in the first through fifth grade or between the ages of 7 and 11 years may join Cub Scouts at any time. Special recruitment meetings will be held at the start of the school year and may also be held in the spring. At

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that time, there will also be an adult recruitment meeting. Leaders must be found before Den Assignments. Parents will also be recruited to help out with the Pack. In addition to Pack sponsored ―Round-ups‖:

1. A Den Leader, or any Adult Leader, upon notification of intent by a prospective Cub Scout wanting to join Pack xxx will: Encourage the boy and his Parents to attend a Pack meeting (whichever is applicable) or connect the boy with the Cubmaster or Membership Chair.

2. The Den Leader (or any other Leader or Pack Committee member) should:

Contact the Parents to discuss the Cub Scout program, Parent support and the needs of the Cub Scout.

Provide a BSA Application. Upon return of the completed Pack Application, collect required registration fees.

Turn in the completed BSA Application and Pack Survey forms to the Pack Membership Chair.

3. The Pack Membership Chair or Cubmaster will:

Assign the boy to a Den. Notify the gaining Den Leader. Turn in the completed Pack Application and fees to the

Treasurer for submission to the Council Office.

Transferring Into the Pack

Boys transferring into the pack should contact the Cubmaster who will

then initiate the process of integrating the scout into the pack.

Transferring Out of the Pack

A parent should notify the Cubmaster or his den leader as soon as it is

determined that their scout will be leaving the pack. Advance notification

will allow the pack to prepare a transfer form for transfer of registration

and verification of rank advancement for presentation to the new unit

leader at the new location. Scouts transferring out of the Pack

understand that any dues, earned monies or donations made to the Pack

are forfeit.

Inact ive Membership

What makes someone ―inactive‖?

A boy and his family may be considered INACTIVE by action of the Pack Committee, for one (1) of the following reasons:

1. The Den Leader deems it necessary to have a boy declared ―Inactive‖ to maintain discipline in the Den.

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2. Obvious lack of interest on the part of the Scout and/or Parents.

3. Family absence at three (3) consecutive Pack Meetings. Family attendance at monthly Pack Meetings is an integral part of the Cub Scout experience. Failure to have family representation indicates a lack of interest on the part of the Scout and/or the Parents.

4. Failure to pay Pack Dues by the deadline date.

Inact ivity Procedures

Should any of the above reasons for inactivity exist, the Den Leader will document, in writing, the details of the situation and any contact he/she has had with the Parents regarding the situation. This documentation will be presented to the Cubmaster. Within seven (7) days, of receiving documentation from a Den Leader, the Cubmaster will begin action to investigate the situation(s). The Cubmaster will:

1. Contact the Parents of the scout and present the situation(s) as documented by the Den Leader.

2. Attempt to resolve the situation(s) with the Parents 3. Report the results of the conversation(s) with the Parents to

the Pack Committee Chairperson and the Den Leader involved. 4. Make recommendations, based on his findings, to the Pack

Committee at the next Pack Committee Meeting.

Effective on the date the Cubmaster contacts the Parents, the Scout in question is considered to be ―On Probation‖. This initial probation per iod will be in effect until the next Pack Committee Meeting. The boy‘s participation in Den and Pack Activities while on probation shall be left to the discretion of the Cubmaster.

Pack Committee approval is required before a Scout is considered Inactive. Membership fees are non-refundable due to inactive or probationary status.

Inactive Membership Status shall be in effect for a minimum of ninety (90) days. The Pack Committee may, by assessing the specific situation(s), extend the Inactivity period. In any case, Inactive Status will not extend beyond the current registration period (Charter Year).

If, after the allotted time period has elapsed, the boy wishes to resume Cub Scouting, the Parents must contact the Pack Committee Chairperson to indicate the boys renewed interest in Scouting. The Committee Chairperson will consult with the Cubmaster to identify Den vacancies. If there is vacancy in the boy‘s former Den, the Den Leader will be consulted. If there are no vacancies in the former Den, the Pack Committee will determine the feasibility of placing the boy into another Den, pending the new Den Leader‘s agreement.

Should the current registration period expire, the boy will have been dropped from the active Charter and a new Pack Application will have to be accomplished, with the submission of the appropriate fees.

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Inactive Membership Status is the last resort in resolving any and all problems. Every effort will be made to help the Scout and his family meets the requirements in Pack XXX.

RA NK CRITERIA

Bobcat

All cub scouts must first earn this patch before starting on his den Rank requirements. When a boy becomes a Cub Scout, his Parent teaches him his seven (7) Bobcat requirements: learning the Cub Scout Promise, Law of the Pack, handshake, salute, sign, motto, and the meaning of Webelos.

Tiger Cubs

Tiger Cub Dens are made up of first-grade or 7-year-old boys and their

adult partners. The Tiger Cub program is conducted on three levels. First,

the Tiger Cub and his adult partner meet in the home to conduct

activities for the whole family. Second, the Tiger Cub and his adult

partner meet at least once a month with other Tiger Cubs and adult

partners in the Den, using the planned theme for their activity during one

of the meetings. Third, a field trip or ―Go See It‖ is planned once monthly

and attended with the den. A Tiger Cub must form a Team, comprised of

the Tiger Cub and his Adult Partner. The Adult Partner must attend

every event with the Tiger Cub. The Tiger cub will work in the Tiger

handbook to fulfill all 15 parts of the five achievements, that is, five

family activities, five den activities, and five Go See It outings. Upon

completion of the achievements, he is awarded the Tiger badge.

Wolf

If a Cub Scout has completed the first grade (or is 8 years old) he may begin working on his Wolf achievements. There are twelve:

Feats of Skill Your Flag Keep Your Body Healthy Know Your Home and Community Tools for Fixing and Building Start a Collection Your Living World Cooking and Eating Be Safe at Home and on the Street Family Fun Duty to God Making Choices

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Upon completion of the achievements, he is awarded the Wolf badge, and may continue to work on Wolf electives in twenty-two different areas. When a boy completes ten electives he receives a Gold Arrow Point. For each additional ten electives he receives a Silver Arrow Point.

Bear

When a Cub Scout has completed the second grade (or is 9 years old) he begins working on his Bear achievements. There are twenty-four achievements in four different groups: God, Country, Family, and Self. To achieve the Bear rank, the Cub Scout must earn his choice of twelve: one from the first group, three from the second group, and four from each of the third and fourth groups. The achievements are:

Ways We Worship Emblems of Faith What Makes America Special? Tall Tales Sharing Your World with Wildlife Take Care of Your Planet Law Enforcement Is a Big Job! The Past Is Exciting and Important What‘s Cooking? Family Fun Be Ready! Family Outdoor Adventures Saving Well, Spending Well Ride Right Games-Games-Games! Building Muscles Information, Please Jot It Down Shavings and Chips Sawdust and Nails

After achieving the Bear badge, a boy may concentrate on twenty -four Bear elective areas until he becomes a Webelos Scout. Gold and Silver Arrow Points are also awarded for these electives.

Webelos

After completing the third grade, a Cub Scout graduates into a Webelos Den. This is a special den for boys in the fourth or fifth grade (or who are 10 years old). The Webelos Scout program is more challenging to the older boy—in fact, he is now called a Webelos Scout and wears a different uniform signifying his new status. His leader is a man or woman assisted by other Den Parents. Also, his Webelos Den Leader rather than his Parent approves the Webelos Scout‘s advancement. He begins work immediately on the Webelos badge. After the Webelos Badge is earned, he can work on earning additional activity badges. There are a total of twenty Webelos activity badges:

Aquanaut, Artist, Athlete, Citizen, Communicator, Craftsman, Engineer, Family Member, Fitness, Forester, Geologist, Handyman, Naturalist,

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Outdoorsman, Readyman, Scholar, Scientist, Showman, Sportsman, Traveler

As a fifth grader (or at age 10) he may earn Cub Scouting‘s highest award—the Arrow of Light Award. After receiving this award, he is eligible to become a Boy Scout, or he may join a troop at age 11 (or when he completes the fifth grade).

Den Chiefs

Older, experienced Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, or Venturers who have been a Boy Scout may be selected by the senior patrol leader and Scoutmaster, Varsity Scout Coach, or Venturing Advisor at the request of the Cubmaster or den leader. Preferably a former Cub Scout; ideally at least First Class rank. Approved by the Cubmaster for recommendation to the den leader. Registered as a youth member of a troop, team, or crew. The den chief's responsibilities are to Know the purposes of Cub Scouting and:

Help Cub Scouts achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting.

Serve as the activities assistant at den meetings.

Set a good example through attitude and uniforming.

Be a friend to the boys in the Cub Scout den.

Help lead weekly den meetings.

Help the den in its part of the monthly pack meeting.

Meet regularly with the den leader to review den meeting plans.

Help den leaders as requested.

Help Webelos Scouts in their work with activity badge counselors.

Help the Webelos denner and assistant denner to be leaders.

Receive training from the den leader (and Cubmaster or assistant Cubmaster) and attend Den Chief Training.

Help with Webelos overnight campouts and other outdoor experiences.

Help with joint Webelos Scout-Boy Scout activities.

Keep in contact with the assistant Scoutmaster in the troop.

Help the assistant Scoutmaster and Cubmaster plan graduation ceremonies for Webelos Scouts.

ADVA NCEMENT

Advancement Program

Recognition is important to boys. The advancement plan provides fun for

the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn

badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members

work with the boys on advancement projects. Cub Scouts and Webelos

Scouts have a plan of advancement for each boy that emphasizes

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learning by doing. The boy works on requirements based on his school

grade or age. The advancement goals of the Pack are:

Personal growth Learn by doing Each Cub progresses at his own rate A badge is recognition of what a boy is able to do, not merely a

reward for what he has done Advancement acknowledges the boy‘s ability to serve Advancement standards must be fair and uniform Advancement recognition should be given as soon as possible

after a boy completes requirements. Presentation of badges should be a part of every Pack meeting.

The Advancement & Awards Chairperson will be responsible for obtaining the appropriate type and number of awards to be presented at Pack meetings. Requests shall be submitted according to the guidelines approved by the Committee.

The Advancement Chairperson will be responsible for scheduling Advancements with the Cubmaster.

Actual presentation shall be made at the discretion of the Cubmaster and the Den Leader.

Pack XXX understands the importance of advancement. Part of each boy‘s Pack Dues is used to purchase the advancements and awards that the Scouts earn.

In order to be eligible to receive an award, the Scout must be current on all dues. All rank, religious and other special awards will be presented at Pack Meetings. One (1) Parent, at a minimum, must be present for the presentation of a rank advancement. Scouts are required to wear uniforms for award presentations.

All advancements completed at District and/or Council events, including Summer Day Camp and Resident Summer Camps will be accepted by the Scouts Den Leader. The Scout must provide written proof from the event that the advancement requirements were met. Awards shall be presented at the September Pack meeting, but provided by the Pack only as finances permit. Den Leaders may repeat an advancement requirement with his or her den at their discretion.

These advancements/awards may include, but are not limited to:

Tiger Cub Scouts

Tiger Cub Belt Totems/Beads Service Pins Tiger Cub, BSA Patch (upon graduation)

Cub Scouts

Arrow of Light Badge Award Cards Bear Badge

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Bobcat Badge Gold and Silver Arrow Points Instant Recognition Badge Recruiter Strip Religious Knots Service Pins Sport/Academic Belt Loops Sport/Academic Letters Sport/Academic Pins Summertime Activity Award Webelos Activity Pins Webelos Badge Webelos Colors Whittling Chip Wolf Badge World Conservation Award

Leaders

Leadership Awards Service Stars Trained Badges Religious Pins Sports Pins

Pack Responsibilities

The pack is responsible for providing recognition and awards to each Cub

Scout as level-towards-rank, and rank achievement is accomplished. The

pack will also provide trophies and/or other rewards as necessary for

special activities (e.g., Pinewood Derby, Raingutter Regatta, and Space

Derby) as pack finances permit. Per BSA policy, the Pack shall not pay

for multiple belt loops/pins in the same area. Specialty

patches/achievements and awards shall be provided by the Pack only as

finances permit.

Religious Emblems Program

The scouting movement encourages its members to be faithful in the

practice of their religion. The Cub Scout Promise, Scout Oath, and

Venturing Oath all call upon members to pledge themselves to do their

duty to God.

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The Boys Scouts of America does not define what constitutes belief in

God or the practice of religion. Rather, it provides access to programs

and ideals that compliment the aims of all religions, with the result that

religious organizations are the single largest category of chartered

organizations for packs. If your boy is interested in pursuing religious

awards and does not currently have a place of worship, then he may

contact San Diego Imperial Council to coordinate a program. If the Scout

belongs to the Catholic faith then they must pursue their emblem

through the Pack representative to the Catholic Committee on Scouting.

Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program

The Cub Scout Academics and Sports program is a supplemental

enrichment program that complements the existing Cub Scout program.

The academic subjects and sports activities allow boys to learn new

techniques, increase scholarship skills, develop sportsmanship – and have

fun. Boys participating in the program will be recognized for enjoying

teamwork, developing physical fitness, and discovering and building new

talents. The Academics and Sports program encourages a boy to do his

best. Details of this program may be found in the ―Cub Scout Academics

and Sports Program Guide‖.

Arrow of Light

The final step on the Webelos trail to becoming a boy scout is the Arrow

of Light Award, the highest award a boy can earn as a cub scout. This

recognition is the only Cub Scout badge authorized to be worn on the

Boy Scout uniform when a boy graduates into a troop. Working on the

Arrow of Light Award gives him a chance to practice some scouting skills

that he has already learned, earn more activity badges, and learn more

about boy scouting. The Arrow of Light award may be earned by

Webelos by meeting the requirements outlined in the Webelos handbook.

Rank Advancement

Promotion to the next higher level will be in accordance with the criteria of the Boy Scouts of America. Cubs who have not earned their rank badge by the end of the Scout Year will still matriculate to the next rank without earning the badge. Rank Badges may be earned at any time, but most boys who join the Pack at the beginning of the Scout Year will earn

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their rank badge between March and April. Den Leaders who have scouts earning rank in different months may, at their discretion, choose to hold one rank ceremony for the entire den, although postponing awards is not generally encouraged. Families are encouraged to work with den leaders to ensure that scouts earn their rank badge prior to the end of the Scout Year. Bridging from one rank to the next takes place at the June Campout. The Pack is committed to working together with area Boy Scout Troops to ensure a smooth transition from the Webelos Den to the Boy Scout Troop. Pack graduation will occur each year at the June Bridging Ceremony. However, flexibility is allowed for Webelos Scouts who have completed all requirements for crossover and an Arrow-of-Light Ceremony may be conducted earlier in the scout year.

UNIFORMS

Uniforms for Cub Scouts

Pack xxx requires the following uniform for all Scouts:

Tiger Cubs wear the official uniform blue shirt with the Tiger Cub hat, neckerchief and slide.

Cub Scouts (Wolf and Bear) wear the official uniform blue shirt, Wolf or Bear neckerchief, slide (can be handmade), hat and the Cub Scout belt.

Webelos wear the official khaki uniform shirt with blue shoulder loops, the Webelos hat, neckerchief and slide (can be handmade) and the belt to match the uniform.

All boys may wear either blue jeans or dark blue pants. Webelos wearing the khaki uniform may wear blue jeans or olive pants.

All shirts should have the Council patch, Pack xxx numerals, World Scouting Patch and Den Numeral. Webelos dens may substitute the den numeral with a patrol patch.

Additionally, all badges and insignia must be affixed in a timely manner and properly worn. Proper insignia placement is defined in each rank workbook and in the Cub Scout leader book.

Being ―in uniform‖ includes the proper wearing of clothing including

tucking in shirts, the proper wear of hats, etc.

NO CUT OFF SHORTS, SWEATPANTS, RUNNING OUTFITS, OR OTHER

TORN OR SLOPPY APPAREL ETC., PLEASE! BSA POLICY PROHIBITS THE

WEARING OF CAMOFLAUGE BY SCOUTS OF ANY RANK!

Class A Uniform – Boy Scout shirt, hat, belt, neckerchief, and neckerchief

slide.

Activity Uniform – Pack T-shirt, hat, and belt.

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Pack xxx T-shirts or Patrol T-shirts are also authorized when wearing of

the uniform shirt would not be practical. Scouting T-shirts do not,

however, take the place of the official scout uniform. Scouts will be

informed when wearing of the pack T-shirt is appropriate. If there is a

question of propriety, it is recommended that the boy wear the pack T-

shirt under his uniform shirt.

Participation in district- or council-sponsored activities requires scouts

and scouters be in Class A uniform during the events that require the

dignity of the uniform (e.g., ceremonies, presentations, etc.).

BSA Red Patch Vest

Cub scouts earn many patches. Many of these are awards of rank, which

become a permanent part of their uniform. There are also patches

related to events and projects. Non-rank patches and those that are not

part of the uniform may not be worn on the official Class A uniform. They

may be worn by sewing them onto the BSA red patch vest available at

scout shops, or other scout appropriate outerwear.

Uniforms for Leaders

Pack xxx requires the following uniform for all Leaders:

Official khaki uniform shirt with blue shoulder loops, olive pants or shorts; or

Official yellow uniform shirt with dark blue pants or shorts

All shirts should have the Council patch, Pack xxx numerals, WOSM Patch, the corresponding leadership role patch (e.g. Den Leader, Cubmaster, etc.) and the Trained patch. In addition, Den Leaders should also wear their Den number patch or their Webelos Patrol patch.

DISCIPLINE

Code of Conduct

The following rules will be enforced at all Pack Meetings. Consistent violation of these rules may result in Disciplinary Action:

All BSA members are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with

the principles set forth in the Cub Scout Promise. This implies that,

among other things, members don‘t:

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interrupt others tell nasty jokes punch or kick talk back to Akela or other adults use inappropriate language spit No talking disrespectfully about other people Disrespect the scout uniform, including the scout cap Roam the campus without the supervision of the Den Leader or

other adult

These rules will be enforced at all scout functions. Consistent violation of these rules may result in Disciplinary Action.

General Guidelines and Common Sense Rules

Parents are ultimately responsible for their son‘s behavior and that of any of

their family members or their guests that may attend any of our scouting

events. Discipline over these persons is required at any event. When

participating in a scout activity such as a den or pack meeting, or any other

type of outing, trip, campout etc., the pack expects the scouts and their

families to conduct themselves with the dignity warranted by the occasion.

Even when out on a campout, everyone must conduct themselves within the

guidelines of the BSA ―Guide to Safe Scouting‖, the guidelines in this manual,

and with basic common sense and respect for all people and things. As a

reminder, the following items are prohibited on Pack xxx outings:

illegal drugs and alcohol of any kind

dogs & other pets (having a pet at a scout function is a liability

for the pack and BSA.)

Generators

TV‘s, video games, Game Boys and other such devices which

do not foster outdoorsmanship

Tobacco use is not permitted

Disciplinary Action

The BSA does not permit the use of corporal punishment (spanking,

slapping, hitting or other abusive physical contact) by unit leaders

when disciplining youth members.

All Scouts are expected to live by the Cub Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack. At times, problems with discipline arise. Disciplinary problems that disrupt Den or Pack activities will be handled in the following manner:

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1. The Den Leader, Cubmaster, or the Assistant Cubmaster will first counsel the Cub Scout. If the behavior problems continue, the Parents will be contacted and the Cub Scout will be required to leave the activity. An early departure, due to behavioral problems, constitutes an absence for the full activity. Any and all achievement/award credit that the Scout may have earned while the Scout was at the activity prior to removal will be lost.

2. Cub Scouts that have been removed from three (3) Scouting activities due to behavior will be placed into Inactive Membership Status procedures. If the situation(s) cannot be resolved, the Pack Committee may permanently remove the Scout from the Pack.

3. Any Cub Scout who willfully damages, loses, or destroys Pack, Den, personal or public property is responsible for any and all costs of repair or replacement. Depending on the circumstances of such in incident, the Scout may be permanently removed from the Pack as well.

PACK A ND DEN REQUIREMENTS

Dens

Pack xxx shall consist of as many Dens as needed, provided that there is a sufficient amount of adult leadership. It is recommended that Dens be comprised of eight (8) Scouts, with a maximum of ten (10). The Cubmaster holds the final decision on the number of boys placed in each Den. The Den Leader may limit the number of boys in the Den to less than 8 or accept more than 10 with Cubmaster and Committee Chairperson approval. When additional Dens are needed, the Cubmaster will consult with the Pack Committee for assistance in recruiting additional leadership.

In the event that a Scout has the desire to change Dens, the Pack Committee must have a written request from the Parents indicating the reason for the transfer and which Den the Scout would like to go into. This may be done one (1) time only. The Pack Committee, Cubmaster, gaining Den Leader and losing Den Leader, must approve transfers.

The Den Leader may request having a boy transferred from his/her Den. The Scout will not be transferred without a meeting with the Parents and the other Den Leader. The gaining Den Leader must agree to the transfer to his/her Den. This may be an alternative to suspension. The Cubmaster and Pack Committee Chairperson must approve any and all transfers.

Den Policies

Dens meetings must be at least one (1) hour in length. Den meetings

shall provide for a minimum of 3 hours of scouting activity per month

(September – June). The Pack suggests Den meetings be held twice per

month, for 1½ hours for a total of 3 hours per month. However,

meetings may also be scheduled once a week. The Den Leader shall

determine the place, day and time of meetings. Pack xxx has a ―two-

deep leadership‖ policy. It is required that at least one (1) Registered

Leader will be present at all Den Meetings and/or activities. Absences of

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boys should be reported beforehand to Den Leaders to ensure proper

accounting for their whereabouts. If four consecutive meetings are

missed, the Scout will be put on the Inactive List. The Den Leader shall

issue an oral warning, via telephone, after the third missed meeting.

The purpose of the den meetings is:

1. To have fun. 2. To develop a sense of belonging 3. To develop skills. 4. To learn responsibility. 5. To work on achievements. 6. To work on Pack presentations. 7. To learn to respect each other.

The den leaders are the link between the Committee, the scouts and

their parents. They plan and conduct meetings for the boys and guide

the Cub Scouts in earning their badges. The den leader keeps accurate

records of Cub Scout attendance and advancements. Each year, Den

Leaders shall decide which achievements will be completed in Den

activities and which achievements are to be completed at home. The

standard for completion of any achievement is that the boy, in the

parent‘s and Den Leaders‘ opinions, has followed the Cub Scout Motto of

"Do Your Best.‖

Webelos den leaders will work with the local Boy Scout Troops to ease

the Webelos transition into the Boy Scouts.

Parents are encouraged to attend den meetings to observe and help out.

If you have a particular skill that might benefit all the boys, please share

this with the den leaders. DON‘T WAIT TO BE ASKED.

The den leaders are sharing their time with the boys, in turn; the boys

are expected to respect their leaders.

The boys are to arrive no sooner than 5 minutes before the start of each

meeting and picked up within 10 minutes after the conclusion of each

meeting.

Den Dues

Dens may not charge dues as such monies are required to filter through the Pack Treasury. It will be the Den Leader‘s discretion to have a ―donation‖ jar to help offset the costs of den supplies not covered by the annual Den allowance provided by the Pack Treasury.

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Den Outings/Field Trips

Each boy must have a Health History on file with his Den Leader and the

Pack Committee to participate in Den or Pack outings. Den Leaders will

request permission from the Parent, via a Permission Slip, for all Den

outings/field trips when the Parent(s) will not be present. Permission

slips must be received for each Scout prior to any Den/Patrol or Pack

field trip. Tour Permits shall be filed as required by Council Policy with all

required information and signatures, prior to the outing. The Committee

Chairperson or Cubmaster shall be notified of all field trips prior to the

activity for insurance purposes. All field trips must fall within the

guidelines outlined by BSA policy and the Guide to Safe Scouting. Den

leaders must have a copy of the Guide to Safe Scouting on their person

during outings. Boys must be transported in cars with sufficient insurance

coverage and all the boys must wear a seat belt. Uniforms must be worn

on all field trips unless specified by the den leader.

Camping

The following policies are directly from the BSA‘s Guide to Safe Scouting and will apply to Cub Scout Pack xxx:

The Boy Scouts of America has established the following guidelines for its members‘ participation in camping activities:

Overnight camping by second-, and third-grade Cub Scout dens (other than at an approved local council resident camping facility) is not approved, and the Boy Scouts of America will not provide certificates of liability insurance.

Cub Scouts (second- and third-graders) and Webelos Scouts (fourth- and fifth-graders) may participate in a resident overnight camping program covering at least two nights and operating under certified leadership in an established Scout camp operated by the council during the normal camping season.

A Webelos Scout may participate in overnight den camping when supervised by his mother or father. If a parent cannot attend, arrangements must be made by the boy‘s family for another youth‘s parent (but not the Webelos leader) or another adult relative or friend to be a substitute at the campout. No parent should be responsible for more than one boy other than his or her own.

It is essential that each Webelos Scout be under the supervision of an adult. Joint Webelos den-troop campouts are encouraged for dens of fifth-grade Webelos Scouts with their parents to strengthen ties between the pack and troop. Den leaders, pack leaders, and parents are expected to accompany the boys on approved trips.

Tiger Cubs are limited to boy-parent excursions or program-managed family camping designed for the entire family.

Because cub scouting is family-centered, family camping is also

emphasized. Keeping in mind the goals of outdoorsmanship on family

SAMPLE PACK BYLAWS


campouts and the impact of ‗RV Camping‘ on those goals, ‗RV Camping‘

is to be kept separate from scouting. Family Camping is a pack-organized

overnight event involving more than one den from the pack, focused on

age-appropriate cub scout activities and conducted at Council-approved

locations. Backyard camping is not allowed. If nonmembers (siblings)

participate, the event must be structured accordingly to accommodate

them. BSA health and safety and youth protection guidelines apply. In

most cases, each youth member will be under the supervision of a parent

or legal guardian. In all cases, each youth participant is responsible to a

specific adult. At least one adult on a pack family camp must have

completed Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) to properly

understand the importance of program intent, youth protection

guidelines, health and safety, site selection, age-appropriate activities,

and sufficient adult participation. All overnight excursions require Tour

Permits to be filed.

Some camping fees may be paid by the Pack. This is contingent upon a successful fundraiser and availability of funds. District and Council summer camp is offered to all scouts and their families throughout the summer. Several dates are available from one day long to long term overnighters.

Pack Meetings

The primary purpose of Pack meetings is to recognize the achievements

of boys. They are the climax of the month‘s Den meetings and will

normally be held at Prendergast Hall. Pack xxx meets on the fourth

Wednesday of each month. The meeting time is 6:30PM. Every effort will

be made to have Pack meetings start and end on time and be no more

than an hour and a half in length. Due to the nature of the event and the

variable quantity of advancements that may be awarded, families are

asked to recognize that the meeting may not always end right on time.

In addition, the date, time and place of the Pack Meeting does change

occasionally due to holidays or special events (like the Blue and Gold

Banquet). The annual calendar should be used as a reference for Pack

event times and dates. An area will be established at all Pack meetings

for boys to "show off" what they have done. All members will be

encouraged to view this area before and/or after the Pack meeting.

It is expected that the Parents attend Pack Meetings with their son. If this occasionally is not possible, the Parent should appoint a substitute to accompany the Scout (i.e., neighbor, friend, relative).

The Pack meeting is a very important part of the Scouting program. Family participation is greatly encouraged. Some of the reasons why Parents should attend the monthly Pack meetings are:

SAMPLE PACK BYLAWS


Parents see examples of son‘s handicraft and Den projects Parents see how he is progressing in his Scouting career Parents see their son participate in ceremonies and skits Parents learn of upcoming Cub Scouting events Parents have to opportunity to show their son how proud they

are of him

All dens will be asked to participate in the Pack meeting, thru flag

ceremonies, skits, songs, and presentations.

During the summer months (June, July and August), Pack xxx does not

have formal Pack Meetings. The Pack Meetings are replaced with monthly

activities/events, which help the Scout earn the Summertime Activities

Award. Scout Summertime Activity Awards are earned by having the

Scout attend three of the Summertime Activities planned for that

summer. Events include the annual Bridging ceremony, family campouts,

field trips to local points of interest, cookouts, and other outdoor events.

The Summertime planning meeting is scheduled annually in May.

SERVICE PROJECTS

Each year the Pack will perform at least two service projects for the community and/or sponsor. The projects may not be performed for a business, be of a commercial nature, cannot be a fund-raiser or contrary to the rules and regulations of BSA. Examples include: participation in Scouting for Food, service projects though local Park and Recreation, or participation in Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive.

Pack Organization

Pack Committee

The Pack Committee shall consist of the following voting member positions, all of which will be held by Registered Adult Leaders or Scouters and be known as the Executive Committee (from Cub Scout Leader Book, section 23):

Chartered Organization Representative Committee Chairperson Cubmaster Assistant Cubmaster(s) Secretary/Pack Scheduler Treasurer Den Leaders

The following functions and responsibilities are also voting positions, however they are not members of the Executive Committee. They may be performed by Pack leaders when sufficient assistance is unavailable, although it is preferable to have each position filled separately:

SAMPLE PACK BYLAWS


Fundraising Chairperson Advancement Chairperson Membership Chairperson Outdoor Activity Chairperson

In the event that a Pack leader holds both a Executive Committee function and an auxiliary position simultaneously, they still hold only one vote. All subordinate committee positions, such as the treasurer, secretary, outdoor chairperson, etc., will report to and be administrated by the committee chairperson. The pack committee chairperson will conduct committee meetings with the members of his/her committee as deemed necessary to conduct pack business. All den leaders will report to and be administrated by the Cubmaster. The Cubmaster will conduct leader meetings with the members of his/her committee as deemed necessary to conduct pack business.

The duties of the officers shall consist of the usual duties pertaining to

these offices.

COMMITTEE CHAIR RESPONSIBILITIES include: membership on the

Executive Board; recruiting adult leadership to run the pack with the

Cubmaster; chairing the Pack Committee (Den Rep.) meetings on a

monthly basis; assisting the Cubmaster whenever needed; presenting the

pack charter to the charter organization annually, preparing the annual

pack recharter documents and obtaining the necessary fees, signatures,

and information to achieve first time processing. The Committee

Chairperson via the Committee has the authority to make decisions

regarding pack business including: finances, charter relations, and facility

scheduling.

CUBMASTER RESPONSIBILITIES include: membership on the Executive

Board; Chairing the monthly Leaders meeting, attending the monthly

District Roundtable and reporting back to the Den Representative

meeting; planning the monthly Pack Meetings with the assistant

Cubmasters; conducting the monthly Pack Meetings; developing the

annual pack program; and chairing the monthly Committee meetings in

the absence of the Committee Chair whenever needed. The Cubmaster

has the authority to make all decisions regarding the pack program

including: pack events, annual schedule/calendar, ceremonies and annual

budget requirements.

ASSISTANT CUBMASTER (S) RESPONSIBILITES include: membership of

the Executive Board; attending the Leaders/Committee meeting

performing all duties as requested by the Cubmaster and Committee

chair in planning the monthly pack meetings under the Cubmaster's

guidance; supervising Den Chiefs, keeping abreast of the program

changes via regular attendance at District Roundtables; and in the

absence of the Cubmaster, conducting the Pack meetings.

SAMPLE PACK BYLAWS


PACK SECRETARY RESPONSIBILTIES include: membership on the

Executive Board; attending Leaders/Committee and presenting written

minutes of the previous meeting; taking minutes to present at the next

meeting; sending out mailings requested by the Cubmaster or Committee

Chairman; and may be requested by an event chairperson to write up

permission slips for the event. Scheduling facility usage with Charter

Organization and submitting annual calendar to parish for approval.

PACK TREASURER RESPONSIBILITIES include: membership on the

Executive Board; reporting monthly to the Executive Committee on the

fiscal health of the pack in a report describing income and expenses for

the committee's review and approval; keeping signature cards

(authorized signers) on both the checking account and savings account

up to date; and completing all money earning applications for pack

fundraisers and submitting them to the District Scout executive. That

person(s) is also responsible for all deposits to the pack checking and

savings accounts, reconciling the checking accounts to the monthly bank

statement; coordinating all cash payments, and obtaining receipts for the

pack records prior to reimbursement or payment when approved. The

treasurer also helps the Committee Chair collect annual fees in a timely

and orderly fashion.

PACK ADVANCEMENT CHAIR RESPONSIBILITIES include: membership

on the Executive Board; attending the Leaders/Committee meeting;

completing the Den advancements for the month from the den leader or

representative. Awards not obtained at this meeting will be carried over

to the next pack meeting. Prior to the Pack Meeting, the advancement

chair compiles the pack advancement report, goes to the council office

and purchases patches and awards, or arranges for someone else to do

so and turns all receipts over to the Pack Treasurer and prepares a list of

awards for each Pack Meeting. Then fills out a recognition card for each

award, prepares a ―themed‖ package for this card and the award for

each boy, and sorts the awards by den to speed the recognition process

for the den leaders.

DEN LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES include: membership on the Executive

Board; attending the Leaders/Committee meeting; designing and

implementing a curriculum that is age appropriate, rank appropriate and

the incorporates the Core Values of Scouting with the monthly themes;

guides scouts through rank requirements; works with Cubmaster to

conduct the monthly Pack Meeting.

Parents may serve on the Committee as Registered Committee Members or Non-registered Members at-Large. These positions are non-voting positions, but their opinions and views are very important to the success of the Pack‘s Scouting program. If they have a complaint or suggestion, they are urged to bring their ideas to the attention of the Pack Committee Chairperson or Cubmaster at any time.

SAMPLE PACK BYLAWS


The Pack Committee and Den Leaders meeting are currently held on the third Thursday of the month.

Committee/Leaders Meeting

The Committee/Leaders Meeting is conducted for the purpose of conducting the business of the Pack. Due to inevitable situations that may arise in the lives of Committee Members, the presence of 51% of those ABLE to attend any regularly scheduled Pack Committee Meeting shall comprise a quorum to conduct Pack business and long as both the Committee Chair and Cubmaster are present. At least one (1) Den Leader from each den is required attend the Pack Committee/Leaders Meeting.

The Secretary shall maintain a written record of the matters of the Pack (minutes of meetings, Pack Record book, etc. ) and shall serve as Pack Historian. The minutes shall be published and distributed to the leaders. Leaders who wish to resign are requested to submit their resignation one month in advance, either in writing or by notice at the monthly leader meeting.

Emergency Committee/Leaders Meetings will be called only when business matters must be voted upon in a timely manner. To enforce the matter/activity at hand, an emergency meeting needs the approval of only the Cubmaster or Committee Chairperson and at least two (2) of members of the Executive Committee. In the absence of the Pack Secretary, the members present must insure that a record of the meeting is made and included in Pack xxx files.

FINA NCES

Pack Treasury and Budget

Pack Financial decisions are the responsibility of the Executive Committee. All records of receipts and expenditures will be retained for three (3) years. The Executive Committee will review and authorize cash advances, and receipt reimbursements on a monthly basis during the scheduled Committee meeting. Prior to the Annual Planning Meeting, the Pack Treasurer will prepare the Annual Pack Budget, which will then be presented and approved. The Pack Treasurer may not disperse any funds without the approval of the Executive Committee, UNLESS such expenditures have been itemized in the approved budget. Such expenses having already received Committee approval may be dispersed at the Treasurer‘s discretion, however receipts for such expenses must be submitted for review at the next regularly scheduled Committee meeting and signed off by both the Treasurer and Committee Chairperson. Other requests for expenditures need to be pre-approved by the Treasurer, Cubmaster, and Committee Chairperson and may require a vote of the Executive Committee. With approval, receipts for purchases will then be reimbursed appropriately and expeditiously.

Access to the pack bank account will be limited to the Treasurer, the Committee Chairperson and one other member of the Executive

SAMPLE PACK BYLAWS


Commitee. Access to the Council/Scout Shop Account will be limited to members of the Executive Committee authorized to make pack purchases and handle registration/membership fees.

A Pack Finance Review Committee has been created and approved by a vote of the Pack Committee. The PFRC is comprised of the Pack Chairperson, Cubmaster and Treasurer and two parents who do not hold leadership positions in the pack. The PFRC shall meet at least twice yearly to review the budget and pack expenses and ensure reconciliation. The PFRC does not have the power to make financial decisions for the pack, although it may make recommendations based upon its findings. Members of the PFRC are responsible to act as liasons between the Executive Committee and the parents regarding the financial health and needs of the Pack.

Pack Dues

Pack Dues are subject to change on an annual basis depending on the condition of the Pack‘s Treasury. Pack xxx Dues will be sufficient to cover the following:

BSA Recharter fees Boy‘s Life Subscription Pack Insurance (via the BSA) Cub Scout Rank Book Pinewood Derby Car Kit

Subscription to Boy‘s Life Magazine is not mandatory, but strongly recommended. Boy‘s Life Magazine gives the Scout motivation and desire to continue in Scouting. Subscriptions also help the Pack earn the 100% Boy‘s Life Award and Quality Unit Award.

Pack Dues are paid at initial registration into Pack xxx for all new Scouts. Pack Dues for returning Scouts must be paid no later than October 31st.

Registration entitles the member one (1) year membership in Pack xxx. Because our Pack Charter Year begins in January, the fee is divided between the charter years. A portion of the fee is submitted to Council to pay for the ending months of the current charter (September through December), with the remaining fees being held in the Pack account to be applied to the re-charter fees.

Pack Dues are not refundable. Current Registration and Dues for Pack xxx are $55 for returning scouts and boys who join at anytime between January 1st and June 30th. Boys who join between June 30th and December 31st may be subject to an additional prorated fee ($10) to cover prorated fees as assessed by Council.

Financial Aid

In the event a boy cannot pay his dues, the boy or his parents should make the problem known to the Den Leader or Cubmaster. The Cubmaster will meet with the Committee Chairman, the responsible Den Leader, and the Treasurer. If all are in agreement, dues may be temporarily waived for the boy.

SAMPLE PACK BYLAWS


The identity of the boy and family will be kept confidential to all other parties.

The boy will be encouraged to participate in fundraisers to help offset the dues that are being waived.

Specific time frames will be determined as to when the boy will be able to begin paying dues again.

If no effort is made by the scout to participate in fundraisers, then all financial aid will cease.

Fundraising

In order to raise money the Pack may and currently does conduct fundraisers. The Executive Committee is responsible for finances. To that end, the Executive Committee is placing the following guidelines, to govern fund-raisers and the use of money generated by the fund-raisers, into effect. Anyone involved with Cub Scout Pack xxx wishing to hold a fund-raiser for the benefit of the Pack must first request permission from the Executive Committee. A 2/3 vote of the Executive Committee is required to approve a fund-raiser. The request must be in writing, detailing when and where the fund-raiser will be held, and how the funds will be raised. Current Approved Pack Fundraisers include: Trails End Popcorn Sales, Blue and Gold Banquet Silent Auction, Pinewood Derby Café, Scout Fair Ticket Sales, and several Pancake Breakfasts hosted at the Parish Hall. Funds raised are used to purchase badges, awards, trophies, and pay for outings, camping, etc. Because the Pack is a not for profit organization all funds raised by a scout shall remain with the pack. Financial incentives such as Boy Accounts may be offered by the Pack as permitted by its financial well being, to encourage participation in fundraising. Such incentives may also be rescinded as deemed necessary by the Committee in order to guarantee the financial health of the Pack. All fundraising is to be done in the name of Cub Scouting. Participation in fundraisers is not mandatory, but is highly recommended to ALL scouts in the pack. If a scout chooses not to participate in a given fundraiser, then the Executive Committee may choose not to allow the pack to pay for that scouts advancement awards, in which turn the parents will be responsible for paying for those awards.

ADULT LEA DERSHIP

What Is Leadership?

In Cub Scouting, leadership is working with boys and their families, and improving the life of your community by enriching the lives of the families who live in it. Leaders help boys respect their homes and families, and they also enrich families by providing a quality program to share with their boys.

Adults volunteering to be Pack xxx Scouters, either as Pack Committee Members, or as Leaders working directly with the Dens, must fill out an Adult Registration Application. The Pack Committee Chairperson, Chartered Organization Representative and District Scout Executive must approve this application.

SAMPLE PACK BYLAWS


All leadership positions are open jointly to both male and female members. No form of discrimination shall be condoned by the Pack. All leaders are required to complete Fast Track, and Youth Protection. Leaders are not required to vacate their positions when their boys move on into Boy Scouts (and the Pack will not assume so). Children of leaders are subject to the same rules as others and are to receive no special treatment or exemption.

The Pack is run by volunteers. Parents should volunteer in some way

after the boy has been registered with the Pack because parents are

necessary to run special events, serve as den leaders and committee

members and coordinate Pack activities. There are many ways to

volunteer.

BY SIGNING UP YOUR SON FOR CUB SCOUTING, YOU ARE

VOLUNTEERING YOUR SERVICES TO HELP MAKE THE PACK GO AND

GROW. YOU WILL BE ASKED TO BECOME A SUSTAINING FRIEND OF

SCOUTING.

Training

All persons volunteering for pack leadership positions, e.g.; Den Leader, Assistant Den Leader, Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmaster, etc., are strongly encouraged to attend training sessions and workshops in order to maintain and improve the quality of leadership for the Pack. These sessions and workshops include Fast Start Training, Basic Leader Training, Pow-Wows, Pack Leader‘s Meetings and monthly Roundtable Training meetings. Leaders failing to obtain any training may be removed at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

Leadership Responsibilit ies

All leaders within Pack xxx are responsible for ensuring they portray the

best role-model possible for each Cub Scout. In addition, all leaders will

ensure every opportunity is afforded to provide each Cub Scout with

activities that promote the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and

the Cub Scout Motto. Violation of these guidelines and rules may result in

dismissal from the pack as determined by the executive committee.

Executive committee members failing to abide by the above guidelines

will have their situation addressed by the district executive and/or the

chartered organization representative. Each pack leader should obtain a

copy of the Cub Scout leader book and become familiar with its content.

Parent Responsibilit ies:

Parents are leaders too, and as such are responsible for ensuring their son attends den meetings, pack meetings, and other scout activities.

SAMPLE PACK BYLAWS


Parents are responsible for transporting their son to and from the den and pack meetings. One parent must attend each pack meeting or arrange for another adult (aunt, uncle and grandparent) to be responsible for the scout. THE PACK DOES NOT RUN TAXI OR CHILDCARE SERVICES.

Parents are responsible for their son‘s behavior at all den and pack

meetings and other Scouting activities (field trips, camping, etc.). Parents

may be called to pick up their son from the activity if he is unruly. In

cases of persistent behavior problems, the parents may be asked to

attend all Scouting activities with their scout. In extreme cases, a scout

may be asked to leave the pack.

Boy Accounts:

In the case that Boy Accounts are made possible from Popcorn

Fundraising, the following shall apply:

Accounts shall be maintained by the Treasurer An annual spreadsheet detailing the Scout‘s earnings and

withdrawals shall be provided to each Scout at the conclusion of the Popcorn Fundraiser

Funds placed into a Boys account shall be used only to reimburse Scout related expenses

A receipt is required for reimbursement Funds may not be carried over from year to year. The end

date for submitting expenses shall be June 30th. Account monies may be used to pay for Summer Camps by submitting applications prior to June 30th.

First Year Webelos are excluded from the above and may carry a balance into the Second Year of Webelos Rank.

If a Scout becomes inactive, or leaves the unit for any other reason, Boy Account monies are surrendered to the Pack treasury.

Webelos scouts who matriculate to a Boy Scout Troop are excluded from the above and may request that Boy Account monies be transferred to the Treasury of the Troop. Such transfer requests must be accompanied by proof of Troop membership and funds will be released to the Troop Treasurer only, NOT the Scout.

Finally, Boy Accounts are an optional incentive offered by the Pack on a year by year basis. The Executive Committee shall determine at each annual planning meeting whether the overall financial health of the Pack can sustain this program. If the Pack subsequently does not meet its Popcorn Fundraising goals, or in the case that the Committee identifies additional, unplanned expenses - the program is subject to immediate termination, with Executive Committee approval.

Annual Planning Meeting

SAMPLE PACK BYLAWS


Once a year, usually in June, the Executive Committee will meet to create an annual plan for the upcoming Scouting year. This includes: special events, Pack Meeting dates, community service projects, etc. At this time the Pack‘s Annual Budget will also be presented and approved and a dues amount set.

Upon creation, the Annual Calendar will be submitted to the Charter Organization for review. After the Pack Scheduler receives confirmation from the parish office, the calendar and budget will be distributed to all Parents at the September Pack Meeting.

RE-CHARTERING

The Charter Year for Pack xxx extends from 1 January to 31 December of a given calendar year. Pack xxx funds are used to pay all re-charter fees. Prior to the October Pack Meeting, each Cub Scout and Scouter who intends to continue affiliation with, and participation in, Pack xxx must formally declare that intention. This helps the Pack keep accurate records in membership and also assists in the application of the proper fees. This may be done by notifying the Den Leader, Cubmaster or Pack Committee. Those individuals who do not declare the intent to continue will be dropped from the re-charter listings. Once dropped from the Pack Charter, a new Pack Application or Adult Registration Application must be submitted with the appropriate fees to reinstate membership.

The Cubmaster, Committee Chairperson and Treasurer are responsible for fulfilling all requirements necessary for Pack Charter renewal.

ACTIVITIES

Pack Activit ies

Pack Activities include, but are not limited to:

Pack Pinewood Derby Blue and Gold Banquet - this is a highlight of the scouting

year because it is a celebration of Scouting‘s Anniversary (February 8th, 1910). The Blue & Gold committee plans a meal for this event.

Family Campouts Fund Raising Parades Holiday Parties

District Activit ies

District Activities include, but are not limited to:

District Pinewood Derby Camporees Summer Day Camp Parent-Son Weekends

SAMPLE PACK BYLAWS


These events help the Pack stay active in the community and also help us provide ―Good Turns‖ to our neighborhoods.

Council Activities

Council Activities include, but are not limited to:

Scouting for Food

Scout Fair

MICELLEA NOUS

PACK PROPERTY

The Pack will maintain an inventory of all Pack property. A copy of this list shall be made available to leaders. In the event of dissolution of the Pack, all inventory and funds will be distributed as per the instructions of the Charter Organization.

Changes to the Pack Manual

The following procedures will be used to submit, make and approve amendments to these Bylaws:

Only voting members of the Pack Committee may submit amendments.

Amendments must be submitted in writing. 2/3 of the Executive Committee must be present to vote on the

amendment. Registered Committee Members may vote on Bylaw

Amendments only. Passage of the Amendment will require a 2/3 majority of all

voting members present.

SAMPLE PACK BYLAWS


We have received and agree to abide by the Pack Manual of Cub Scout Pack xxx, sponsored by ??? in ???, CA:

Ciub Scout’s Name (print)

Parent or Guardian Signature Printed Name

Date

DOCUMENT HISTORY

Xx/xx/xxxx Draft provided for Pack leadership to review

Approved xx/xx/xxxx

SAMPLE PACK BYLAWS


SAMPLE PACK CALENDAR


PACK 111 Winter CAMPOUT

3PM Friday, March 0th – 3PM Sunday, March 0th

This is a family camping event, so bring the whole crew! Enjoy the scheduled outdoor adventures and activi ties. What you need to bring: Tent & tarp (for under the tent) Sleeping bag, mat & pillow Clothing – be sure to include Scout uniform Hat and Sunglasses Jacket/Sweatshirt for night Bathing suit and towel (showers are available) Toiletries inc. Sunscreen and Bug Spray Flashlight with Extra Batteries Extra Drinking Water (Camelbaks or similar are highly recommended) Dining supplies (paper goods, etc) Gloves for Service Project Fishing Gear – including fishing license for any adults Food – Pack will provide some meals only – see schedule for details Children - DO NOT BRING: Sheath knives, pets, guns, bow & arrows, matches or other fire starting materials, skateboards, HEELies, game boys, Ipods or other electronic toys. (Pocket knives may be brought and used for whittling under the supervision of an adult if the cub has earned his whittling chip). Cost: There is a $0 non-refundable deposit for each family. This small fee helps offset the costs of activities and food that is provided by the pack. Fees may be turned in as late as arrival time, however, please RSVP to your den leader as soon as possible to allow for the purchase of supplies. (Remember to include siblings in counts – we don’t want to exclude anyone!) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pack 111 Campout Please give to your den leader or mail to: Cubmaster 111 Main Street, Any Town CA 92000 Scouts Name: ___________________________ Age ____ Den ____ Adults Name: _____________________# Attending_______________________ Address: _________________________________________ City: ____________________ Zip: ________ Phone: (___)__________ Email: _______________@___________________

SAMPLE CHRISTMAS POTLUCK FLIER


Halloween Carnival THEME: Harry Potter

6:00 Setup

6:15-6:30 Gathering Activity - Costume Parade

6:30 Flag Ceremony

6:35 Cubmaster Welcome

6:40-7:00 Magic Show

7:00-7:45 Carnival Activities/Snack

7:50 Happy Birthday

7:55 Cubmaster Minute/Close

8:00 Cleanup

Pack To Provide:

Bertie Botts Beans - guess how many game for sign in table

table cloth for sign in table

Ribbons for Costume prizes

Each den to provide a booth with prizes:

Tigers: Sorting Hat and Bobbing for Apples

Webelos 2: Mauraders Map and Harry Potter Scene It

Bears: Aragog's Lair

Webelos 1: Knockturn Alley Haunted House

Wolves: Quiddich Hoop Toss

SAMPLE PACK CARNIVAL AGENDA


Pack 000 Annual

Christmas Potluck Dinner

Date: Friday, December 19th

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: The Hall

What to Bring:

Main Dish: Bear Den Salad: Webelos Den

Side Dish: Webelos 2 Den Drinks: Tiger Den

Paper Goods: Wolf Den Dessert: Pack to Provide

Dens to please make decorations for the party. Deliver to

Chairperson no later than Weds, 12/17.

Gifts:

Please bring a small wrapped gift of no more than $5.00 for our

annual round Rudolph gift exchange. Siblings are welcome to

participate but should bring a uni-sex gift.

Santa will be stopping by so “you better watch out”!

SAMPLE GIFT EXCHANGE GAME


LEFTY ELF CHRISTMAS STORY/GAME

This is a story about Santa and LEFTy elf. LEFTy received this nick name one Christmas when he couldn't seem to do anything RIGHT. Santa said " LEFTy, sometimes I think you have two LEFT thumbs". On the day before Christmas Eve Santa and LEFTy were finishing up the toys that were LEFT. LEFTy called from the workshop, "Oh no, there is no glue LEFT! Santa do you know where any might be?" "I can't believe you forgot to check the inventory, sometimes I wonder if you can get anything RIGHT, LEFTy!" said Santa. "Santa don't be mad", replied LEFTy. "It will only take me a few minutes to find some, I'll be RIGHT back". Santa said "I'm sorry I am so grumpy, but we don't have much time LEFT, LEFTy. "I'll try our packaging and delivery outlet RIGHT on the edge of town", said LEFTy. "It would be faster to stop by my house, Mrs. Claus is sure to have some LEFT, she just might not know RIGHT where it is," Replied Santa. "Take the short cut, go to Candy Cane Lane and Rudolph Rd. and turn LEFT, RIGHT at the Lollipop stop sign. Then go to Holly Drive and turn RIGHT and there it will be on your LEFT." LEFTy found the house RIGHT away and asked Mrs. Claus where she might have some glue LEFT. Mrs. Claus' hands were all doughy from making the last of her Christmas cookies. So she directed him RIGHT to her craft room. "Go RIGHT down the hall and turn RIGHT, open the first door on the LEFT. Walk RIGHT in and turn RIGHT. It should be on the bottom shelf, RIGHT next to the LEFT-over glitter." LEFTy found plenty of glue to finish the toys RIGHT where Mrs. Claus had directed him. LEFTy hurried RIGHT out the door. LEFTy looked LEFT, then RIGHT, then LEFT, but he couldn't remember where he had LEFT his sled. Suddenly he remembered he had taken Santa's sleigh, because it would be faster, and that his sled was in the garage at the workshop RIGHT where he had LEFT it. Eventually, a tired LEFTy found his way back to Santa's workshop. Santa said " LEFTy, I thought you said you would be RIGHT back, so I LEFT jolly elf take over your station. He used all that was LEFT of the red paint

SAMPLE PACK GIFT EXCHANGE GAME


instead of gold, so now there is no red paint LEFT to touch up my sleigh. You will have to go RIGHT out and get some, LEFTy “ LEFTy sighed and happily said " I knew we would have no energy LEFT by now, so RIGHT after thanksgiving, I fixed up your sleigh for the big day. Santa said "I'm so sorry I said you couldn't do anything RIGHT, because of you, there is no work LEFT and I can go RIGHT to bed, so I'll be all rested and my jolly old self again. Good night LEFTy." and Santa went RIGHT to bed. By Author/Designer Kimberly Thomas

SAMPLE GIFT EXCHANGE GAME


20xx Pinewood Derby*

Pack 000 welcomes you

To the annual pinewood derby

When: Saturday March x,20xx

Where:

Check in begins: 10AM to 11:45AM

Race to begin at 12:00 PM

Derby Café will be open

Serving: Hot Dogs/Nachos/Snacks and Beverages

All Proceeds to benefit Pack xxx operating costs

For the first time ever:

Derby Pit Crew Table

For a small $3 donation, siblings may build their own

car and participate in the Sibling Heat

*Please refer to your Derby Car kit for rules and regulations

which are strictly followed

Note: Weds. Feburary xxth 6:00PM to 9:00 PM Derby Car Seminar

Den RoomBring your tools, tips and kits!

OFFICIAL BSA PINEWOOD DERBY SPECIFICATIONS


The Pinewood Derby is open to all Cub Scouts . Cars should be buil t by the Cub Scouts with

some adult guidance. Any technical assistance should be fully explained to the Cub Scout

so that he can use that knowledge on future projects . Because i t is difficul t to establish

how much help was given in building the car, some Packs have a separate Pinewood Derby

Race for adults .

IMPORTANT: The Race Committee should decide on rules and race procedures , then have

them printed and distributed to all participants at least two weeks before the race.

CAR SPECIFICATIONS:

Width: - 2-3/4" - Length - 7" - Weight - Not over 5 Ounces

Width between wheels - 1-3/4"

Bottom clearance between can and track - 3/8"

RULES

Wheel bearings , washers , and bushings are prohibi ted. The car shall not ride on springs .

Only official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby wheels and axles are permitted. Only

dry lubricant is permitted. Details, such as s teering wheel and driver are permissible as

long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width and weight specificati ons .

The car must be free-wheeling, with no s tarting devices. Each car must pass inspection by

the official inspection committee before i t may compete. If, at registration., a car does not

pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason for failu re, and will be given

time within the official weigh-in time period to make the adjustment. After final approval ,

cars will not be re-inspected unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race.

BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS

Check the grooves to ensure that each is at a perfect 90-dearee angle to the car body. A

car with untrue axles tends to s teer to one side or the other, causing it to rub up against

the side of the lane strip, slowing i t down. You can check the groove angles by using a

square, a protractor, or even a piece of paper. Lay square on block to check for

squareness and alignment of slot.



Use two hacksaw blades side by side to redress the slots. Use the edge of the square as a

guide.

NOTE: If the car design you chose has a narrow body, make sure the area where the axles

are inserted into the body remains 1-3/4" wide, or wheels will not fi t over the guide s trips

of the track.

PAINTING AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY Apply several coats of sanding sealer; then sand enti re

car with a fine-grade sandpaper. Give model at least two coats of fast drying paint, in your

choice of color. When paint is completely dry sand with a fine sandpaper, apply a final coat

of paint and allow to dry thoroughly. TO FINISH, rub enti re car with a rubbing compound.

Details such as windshield, driver, racing numbers , etc., should be added now. For a super

finish apply a coat of auto wax and rub to a high gloss. Pre -lubricate axles and wheels

using, dry powdered lubricant. Do not use regular oil or silicone spray, since i t may soften

the plastic. Slide wheels over axles, then gently tap them into the car body grooves with a

1/4" dowel or similar object to within 1/32" of car body. (See Figure 4). Make sure wheels

turn freely.

Due to many requests we have eliminated the cockpit section in the Pinewood Derby block

to allow for more designs .

Copyright ©, 1997, Boy Scouts of America , All Rights Reserved



SAMPLE POPCORN HANDBOOK


SAMPLE FUNDRAISER DUTY ROSTER


2010 Pack 000 Popcorn Fundraiser

Annual Cost of Pack Program per Scout = Appx. $xxx.00 (this figure includes basic, monthly den and pack program only - does not include specialty functions or extra operating costs)

Pack Sales Goal: $xxx per Scout

(averages out to be xx items sold)

= Commission $00.00 per Scout (34% of Sales)

Buy out option available: $000 per Scout

Trails End Sales Incentives:

Participation at any sales level earns a Patch

Trails End Prizes per Sales level (pack goal = level xx)

“Fill the Page” = 25 separate sales earns a specialty patch and a Bow and Mallow and Down and Derby

$1500 in sales earns an additional $50 Gift card to Walmart

$2500 in sales earns a scholarship fund thru Trails End

Pack 000 Sales Incentives:

Scouts who meet their sales goals, including via buy out option

participate in Cubmaster Cream Pie toss at the Blue and Gold

Participation at any level, including Buy Out provides one entry in

Pack drawing for super – seller prize

First $25 above sales goal ($000 total sales) earns second entry in

drawing

Each additional $50 sold earns 1 additional entry in drawing

If Pack meets total commission goal of $0000.00 between sales

and buyout options, Pack will provide pizza and ice cream party (to

take place in January)

SAMPLE TAKE ORDER INSTRUCTIONS


Show and Sell Rules:

Pack Show and Sell begins September xxth

Pack Show and Sell Ends October xxst

Sales from Show and Sell events will be tallied and divided into an

hourly rate on Oct 31st. That rate will be ―paid‖ to each participating

Scout for each hour that they participated in a Show and Sell event as

a ―Show and Sell‖ figure on their order sheet. This dollar amount is

also eligible for the Pack Drawing.

(For Example: If the Hourly rate turns out to be $5 per hour and a

Scout participates 10 hours at Show and Sell events, then the Scout

adds $50 to his sales total and earns another ticket in the drawing)

Take Order Rules:

Take Order sales begin September xxth

Take Order sales end October xxst

Product Distribution date: November xxnd

ALL MONIES DUE ON DECEMBER x

****Do Not Promise Live Product to anyone before the Distribution

date****

After Show and Sell ends on Oct 31st – any remaining ―Live Product‖

will be set aside to be used to fill Take Orders. To avoid ―piecemeal‖

orders – this product (if any) will not be distributed until the full Pack

order arrives on November 22nd.

Operation Popcorn:

Two Products are being offered this year:

Silver Level $25

Gold Level $40

SAMPLE POPCORN HANDBOOK


2009 Pack 355 Popcorn Fundraiser

Tale Order Instruction Sheet

1. Collect inventory from Pack Distribution 11/XX

2. Pick or confirm Prize with Popcorn Kernal before leaving

3. Deliver Popcorn to customers and collect money (Checks payable to Pack XXX or BSA)

4. Return Money in Manila envelope with the copy of your order form to Popcorn Kernal NO LATER than

December XX

Pack Notes:

Trails end Prizes will not be delivered to the pack until

after the Holidays. Tentative plans for distribution are

the January Pack meeting. The Pack prize drawing will take place at the same time.

Commission is not due to arrive until February. Fill the Page Patches are delivered directly to you via

mail from Trails End. Make sure we have your correct

address on file. If you earned additional gift cards or scholarship

prizes, make sure you turn in your forms to Popcorn Kernal ASAP as they must be delivered in ONE bundle

to the Council office for verification.

If you were unable to meet your sales goal, we strongly

suggest the you consider meeting the deficit as without it we cannot continue to offer the program developed with this

year’s budget in mind.

Thanks for making this a successful fundraiser!!!

Cubmaster

SAMPLE POPCORN CLOSE OUT SHEET


Popcorn Buyout Funds for

Name of Scout

October, 20_____

Amount Due: $xxx

Participated in sales? ________ Amount Sold?_______

Paid ______________ via cash/check

Pack xxx Cubmaster John Doe 1234 Main Street San Diego, CA 92021

SAMPLE POPCORN BUYOUT SHEET


Popcorn Sales Total for 20xx-20xx

Name of Scout Take Order Total: Show and Sell Total:

Grand Total: Met Pack Goal: ($xx.xx/$xxx.xx)___________ Amount remaining:________________ Number Of Tickets Earned for Pack Drawing: Earned Fill the Page Patch: Opened Scholarship Account: Met $1500.oo Trails End Goal: Trails End Prize Choice: Parent Initial:__________ I acknowledge that I have received the popcorn ordered for me based upon the totals submitted to the Popcorn Kernel at the conclusion of the take order. Signature: ____________________________ Date:__________________________ Please understand that the popcorn fundraiser is the primary vehicle for earning the funds necessary for the pack to cover the costs of the annual Cub Scout program. If your Scout did not meet the annual sales goa l, we ask that you consider covering the deficit to ensure the ability of the Pack to produce the annual program this year.

Pack xxx Cubmaster John Doe Popcorn Kernal

SAMPLE POPCORN CLOSE OUT SHEET


SAMPLE PACK PERMISSION SLIP


Show and Sell Instructions

Popcorn Kernel checks out stipulated pack amount of product and fills out pack

spreadsheet detailing quantities and dollar amounts of product. Popcorn Kernal delivers product, equipment and deposit bag to adult leader anchoring

show and sell event. Adult leader has boys sign in on spreadsheet. (see note below) Boys sell product and adult collects monies.

Operation Popcorn donations must be given a receipt. At the end of the show and sell, the adult leader signs boys out on spreadsheet.

Remaining inventory must be counted (individual counts – not cases) and noted on the spreadsheet.

Monies for that event are to be placed in an envelope, sealed and dated and put into

the deposit bag, less $20 change. Change is to be left loose in the deposit bag. Sign in and Sign out Procedures for Boys:

Payment is calculated on an hourly basis only, no halves or quarters .

(One 10 minute grace period is allowed daily – arriving or leaving. Abuse of the grace

period will revoke this privilege, as it is unfair to those who arrive and leave on time otherwise)

Show and Sell Equipment:

Table

Tablecloth Banner

Tape Deposit bag

Printed materials: (inc) Boys Life and Scouting Magazines, Show and Sell Schedules, Popcorn Handbooks, Show and Sell Spreadsheets, Receipt book

Pens

Show and Sell Rules:

Scouts are to be in proper, full uniform or must return home to change.

No individual sales are to be made at Show and Sell events. Leave take order sheets

at home. Bring a water bottle or drink. No Game Boys etc. Please try to feed your Scout in advance so they are not eating at the show in sell. If

they need a snack, please try to step away from the booth while they eat.

SAMPLE FAMILY TALENT SURVEY


Cub Scout Pack xxx 20xx Family Registration Form (Returning Scouts/Leaders) Due by October 31, 20xx

Scout Information Name DOB:

Street Address

City ST ZIP Code

Home Phone Cell:

Rank Grade: Dues: $55.00

E-Mail Address

Parent/Adult Partner For Tigers/Leaders Name DOB:

Street Address

City ST ZIP Code

Home Phone Cell:

E-Mail Address Dues: $15.00

Total Dues Owed: Paid on: Via:

Please turn this form into your Den Leader with the amount owed by

10/31/20XX.

SAMPLE PACK FAMILY REGISTRATION FORM


PACK XXX FAMILY TALENT SURVEY Cub Scouting is for adults as well as boys. We invite you to share your skill and interests to the best possible program can be developed for the Cub Scouts in this Pack. In making this survey, the Pack Committee wishes to find ways you

can enjoy using your talents to help our Cub Scouts. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Welcome to Cub Scout Pack XXX in the Heartland District. Please return this survey to your Den Leader, the Cubmaster or Committee Chair. Name_______________________________________ Phone_____________________ Address________________________________________________________________ City____________________________, CA Zip_________________________________

1. What is your occupation? _________________________

2. What is your favorite hobby(s)? ____________________ 3. Would you be will ing to assist in your den occasionally? ____ 4. Please check the area(s) in which you would be willing to help: COMMITTEE POSITIONS SPECIAL EVENTS

o Cubmaster

o Asst. Cubmaster

o Committee Chair

o Pack Secretary

o Pack Treasurer

o Den Leader

o Asst. Den Leader

o Advancement Chair

o Pack Trainer

o Newsletter

o Outdoor Chair

o Membership

o Webmaster

o Photographer

o Holiday Dinner

o Popcorn Kernal

o Blue & Gold Chair

o Pinewood Derby

Chair

o Carnival Chair

o Fundraiser Chair

o Religious Emblem

Coordinator

o Summer Event Chair

SAMPLE OUTDOOR PROGRAM FLIER SIDE ONE


Boy Scouts of America ~ Pack XXX ~ San Diego, CA Outing Permission Slip and Medical Release

Where: Pack XXX Outings Meet/Return: Transportation provided by parents Bring: 10 Essentials, Water Bottle – See specific event flyer for Packing List Uniform: Class B uniforms/Bring Class A for Scout’s Own/Flag Ceremony

Medical Release & Permission Slip~ Pack XXX~San Diego, CA

My son(s)__________________has my permission to participate in outings for Pack XXX.

I will not hold the leaders, parent drivers, BSA, the Pack’s Charter Organization or any others

connected with this outing responsible for accidents or illness that may occur to my chi ldren

participating in this event.

In the event I, the Scout’s parent/guardian, cannot be reached in an emergency, I hereby give

permission for my son to be treated by the physician selected by the adult leader in charge to

hospitalize, secure proper anesthesia, and/or injection for surgery for my son. I accept all

responsibility and liability for any occurrence resulting in participation while on outings with Pack

XXX.

Name & Phone Number to be called in case of emergency:

Name________________________________ Phone_______________

Alternate_____________________________Phone_______________

Signature____________________________ Date________________

Boy Scouts of America, San Diego Imperial Council, Heartland District, Pack XXX,

Cubmaster, 619-xxx-xxxx, [email protected]

SAMPLE PACK PERMISSION SLIP


Cub Scouting is a year-round program.... September thru August. As such, it is

the responsibility of every Scouting unit to ensure a quality Cub program, even

during the summer. During the months of June, July, and August Cub Scouts

and their families can participate in Scouting activities that give the Cub Scout,

his Den, and the Pack an opportunity to earn the National Summertime Pack

Award. All the pack has to do is plan and conduct a monthly pack activity for

June, July, and August. The whole idea is to keep your pack together and doing

things during the summer. Cub Scout may also earn the Cub Scout

Outdoor Activity Award. The

Requirements

The first time the award is earned, the boy will receive the pocket flap award

(see facsimile above,) which is to be worn on the right pocket flap of the

uniform shirt. Each successive time the award is earned, a wolf track pin may

be added to the flap.

All Ranks Must...

Attend Cub Scout day camp or Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident

camp. Complete Rank-Specific Requirements and

Complete a prescribed number of Outdoor Ac tivities listed on the

form.

SAMPLE SUMMERTIME PLANNING MEETING AGENDA


PACK 000 Summertime Activity Schedule

Any questions please call Cubm aster at 619-000-000 or email

[email protected]

June Event: Bridging Campout at William Heise Park

Dates confirmed – June xx-xx Family Fee: $25

Saturday evening Bridging ceremony @ 6PM

Optional Sat. field trip to Gold Mine Cost $7.00 per Scout/$14 per

Sibling/Supervising adults are free

July Event: RC Car Derby and Picnic

Tentative date 7/xx/xx

Venue: Church Parking Lot

Picnic and race course

Ribbons for various entries

August Event: Family Campout at Dos Picos

Dates August xx-xx

Family fee: $10

Other Summertime Events include:

Heartland District Day Camp July x-x from 9AM to 4PM Daily

Heartland District Twilight Camp July xx-xx from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM Daily

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser August xxth

.

Popcorn Fundraiser Kickoff date in September TBA

SAMPLE OUTDOOR PROGRAM FLIER SIDE TWO


Pack 000 Summertime Activity Planning Meeting Agenda

Call to Order NATIONAL SUMMERTIME PACK AWARD PROGRAM

The Requirements All the pack has to do is plan and conduct a monthly pack activity for June, July,

and August. The whole idea is to keep your pack together and doing things during the summer when boys have the most free time - 50% attendance needed

June Event: Bridging Campout (A Camping we will Go)

Dates confirmed – June xx-xx

Reservation set - Potrero Campground

Friday Night set up and Campfire Saturday evening Bridging ceremony @ 6 PM

Ceremony: Theme??? Set??? Script???

Gifts for the boys???

Possible Sat. day trip to San Diego Railroad Museum

July Event: RC Car Derby (Be a Sport)

Third Saturday of July proposed date

Proposed site:

Alternate venue:

Picnic and race course

Volunteers to design and set up course:

Ribbons for various entries:

August Event: Family Campout (Fun in the Sun)

Dates ???

When does school start?

Possible Sites with adequate accommodations are:

Lake Moreno – offers fishing/youth site $25

William Heise – possible Indian field trip

SAMPLE SUMMERTIME PLANNING MEETING AGENDA


This book was written by Denamaire T. Lindsay as part of her

Wood Badge ticket; course WE4-49-08. It was complied based

on more than seven years of scouting experience with the Cub

Scout program and is accurate to the best of her knowledge.

It is not meant to replace the official literature of the BSA.