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CUB SCOUTPACK 1156HANDBOOKSterling, Virginia
GOOSE CREEK DISTRICTNATIONAL CAPITAL AREA COUNCIL
Sponsored by Sterling United Methodist Church
Welcome to Cub Scout Pack 1156 We are excited your family has joined Scouting, Pack 1156 has been sponsored by Sterling United Methodist Church (SUMC), for nearly 40 years and continues to thrive due to the dedication of its volunteer leaders and parents like you! We all believe that Scouting is an important part of the physical, mental, and spiritual development of our boys.
About Our Chartered Organization All Cub Scout Packs are associated with a chartering organization that sponsors them, provides meeting facilities, and approves the selection of leaders. Pack 1156 is chartered by Sterling United Methodist Church. Scouting is a non-denominational religious institution and all faiths are welcome. You do not have to be a member of Sterling United Methodist Church to join Pack 1156.
District and Council InformationPack 1156 is part of the Goose Creek District of the National Capital Area Council.
The Goose Creek District serves all of Loudoun County, VirginiaThe Roundtable for the Goose Creek District is the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Leesburg United Methodist Church 107 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176 http://www.ncacbsa.org/group/GooseCreek
National Capital Area Council, BSA delivers the promise of Scouting to youth in the Washington, DC, metro area, including 16 counties in Maryland and Virginia, and in the US Virgin Islands. NCAC serves more than 56,500 youth members and 22,000 adult leaders, making the Council one of BSA's largest. http://www.ncacbsa.org/
9190 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814301-530-9360www.BeAScout.org
Registration Pack 1156 encourages all Scouts to re-register for the next year no later than ____________. Our dues are $100 and may be paid annually or bi-annually. Should you decide to pay via credit card, a $5.00 processing fee will be charged due to credit card usage fees.
A portion of this fee is paid to the BSA national organization and our Council to cover insurance, a national registration fee, and BSA operating expenses. Your Scout’s BoysLife magazine subscription is also paid through the registration fee (only one subscription per family is required).
The remainder of the registration fee (combined with proceeds of fundraising activities, dues, and nominal charges for some events) is used by the Pack to pay for Scout awards, campsite rentals, Pinewood Derby awards, craft supplies, facilities rental, Banquet food and decorations, some field trip expenses, etc.
If the annual registration fee places an excessive burden on your family’s finances, please contact the Pack Committee Treasurer to discuss alternate arrangements. Although the Pack depends upon this fee to fund our many activities, we’d like to see all boys able to participate in Scouting and don’t want the registration fee to be an obstacle.
Pack Committee consists of interested parents, leaders and members of the chartered organization and is responsible for supporting the pack in areas such as planning and implementation of pack activities, fundraising events, field trips, hikes, outings, camping trips, banquets, derbies, etc. The Committee meeting is the first Monday of the Month at 7:30pm at SUMC – all parents are invited to attend.
Pack 1156 CommitteeCubmaster: Patrick Garrett – is the primary advocate for the boys across the entire Pack. Is responsible for planning and helping to carry out the Cub Scout Program according to BSA Policies. Cubmaster InformationAssistant Cubmaster: David Gale -- help the Cubmaster as needed. Be ready to fill in for the Cubmaster, if necessary. Supervise den chiefs and see that they are trained. coordinate outings to see that the pack and dens qualify for the National Summertime Pack Award.Pack Committee Chairman: Kevin Heck – responsible for the overall planning of the Pack activities and maintaining open communication between the District, Council and the ChurchChartered Organization Representative: Dick Cavaiola – the liaison between the church and the Cub Scout Pack. They are responsible for representing the Pack to the church and relaying information to the Pack Committee.Secretary: OPEN -- ensures proper records are kept within the pack.Treasurer: Rabia Gale -- ensures the pack’s finances are sound.Advancement Chair: David Gale -- helps boys move through the ranks of Cub Scouting and transition into a Boy Scout troop.Public Relations Chair: Teresa Barth -- keeps pack activities visible to the public, as well as to the families of the pack.Outdoor Activities Chair: Rachel Garrett -- helps the boys develop a love for the outdoors.Membership and Reregistration Chair: OPEN -- develop and carry out a plan for year-round membership growth and plan, coordinate, and lead the annual rechartering process.Friends of Scouting Chair: OPEN – main responsibility is to raise Friends of Scouting (FOS) funds while working closely with the Treasurer.STEM/NOVA Program Chair: Joshua VanNuys -- develop and carry out a plan for year-round STEM initiative and NOVA programming
Further Pack Committee InformationDen and Pack Meeting Resource Guide…………….
Den Leaders and Webelos Den Leaders work directly with the Scouts at the Den level. They have direct responsibility for the boys and their rank advancement.
Den 6 (Tiger): Leader OPENTiger Scout Den Leader Plans
Den 5 (Wolf): Leader OPENWolf Scout Den Leader Plans
Den 1 (Bear): Leader Patrick Garrett -- Assistant Den Leader Brad NicholsonCurrently, Den 1 meets the first three Thursdays of the month at 7pm. Will also meet on any fifth Thursday.Bear Scout Den Leader Plans
Den 2 (Webelos): Leader Joshua Van NuysCurrently, Den 2 meets on Tuesdays from 6-7pm at SUMCWebelos Scout Den Leader Plans
Den 3 (Webelos – Arrow of Light): Leader Teresa Barth – Assistant Den Leader Paul BarlowCurrently, Den 3 meets the first three Thursdays of the month at 6pm. Will also meet on any fifth Thursday. Webelos Scout Den Leader Plans
Useful Den Leader Information
Pack Organization: A group of approximately six to eight Scouts of the same age, who are working on earning the same rank make up a Den. All of the Dens together make up the Pack. Individual dens have Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders. These leaders plan and execute the weekly den meetings.
Pack Meetings: Once a month all Dens meet together for a Pack Meeting, which all Cub Scouts and their families are encouraged to attend. The Pack Meeting is a fun time for everyone. Dens show off the projects they have been working on, lead songs, perform skits, and awards are presented to the Scouts. It is a time for the family to get information on upcoming activities and share in the Scouting spirit. Be sure to attend and join in the excitement while watching your son advance!
Awards are a very important part of the Scouting program. They are intended to help build self-esteem by providing recognition for a Scout’s hard work. We encourage you to applaud, whistle, and cheer for all of the Scouts as they are presented with their awards at Pack Meetings.
The Pack Meeting is the fourth Monday of each month, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM -- but may change due to legal holidays or other events. See the pack calendar for exact dates: https://pack1156.wordpress.com/pack-1156-calendar.
Den Meetings: Most dens in Pack 1156 meet for one hour, every week, except for the week we have our Pack Meeting. Your son's Den Leader will discuss your den’s meeting schedule and location and will inform you of any changes. Please try to arrive at meetings on time – start on time, end on time. The pack calendar is on the pack web site https://pack1156.wordpress.com/pack-1156-calendar. Any updates to the calendar will appear on the pack website, via the pack Facebook group and communicated via email.
If the Loudoun County Publics are closed due to inclement weather, or for any other reason, the Den or Pack will not meet that night.
The Den meetings provide your son with the opportunity to enjoy various Cub Scout adventures. These adventures can be completed individually and as part of their den. Cub Scouts will complete six core adventures, including one on Duty to God adventure and one of his or his den’s choosing, to earn their rank. In addition to the adventures required for rank advancement, there are additional elective adventures that members of the den may earn. While parental attendance is not required at den meetings (except for Tiger Cubs), it is highly encouraged! Some Dens will require parent participation at specific meetings in order to allow the Cub Scout activity to be compliant with BSA Youth Protection policies. Please keep in touch with your son's Den Leader so that you will know what activities are taking place and can track your son’s progress.
Your Den Leader will try to let you know what is planned in advance. If you or your scout are unable to attend a Den meeting, please consider doing the same activity with your son so he will not feel as though he is behind the other Scouts in his Den.
The Advancement TrailOn the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills as he goes. Each of the ranks and awards in Cub Scouting has its own requirements. As you advance through the ranks, the requirements get more challenging, to match the new skills and abilities you learn as you get older. For more information on advancement, visit CubScouts.org.___________________________________________________________________________________________
Bobcat: No matter what age or grade a boy joins Cub Scouting, he must earn his Bobcat badge before he can advance to the rank of Tiger, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos. A boy must complete the Bobcat requirements, which include:
Learn and say the Cub Scout motto, the Scout Oath, and the Scout Law and tell what they mean;
Show the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake and tell what they mean; and With your parent or guardian complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your
Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide.
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Tiger: The Tiger rank is for boys who are in first grade or are age 7. To earn the Tiger badge, a boy must complete six required adventures with his den or family and one elective adventure of his den or family’s choosing. As the boy completes each adventure, he will receive the adventure loop for that adventure, which he can wear on his belt. When the boy has completed the seven required adventures, he can receive the Tiger badge. The Tiger badge is given to the boy’s adult partner at a pack meeting. Then, during a grand ceremony, the adult gives the badge to the boy.
After he has earned the Tiger badge, a Tiger Scout can work on the remaining 12 Tiger electives until he finishes first grade (or turn 8 years old). He can choose elective adventures that may show him new hobbies and teach him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he completes an elective adventure, he receives an additional adventure loop to wear on his belt.
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Wolf: The Wolf rank is for boys who have finished first grade (or who are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. His parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing his book, and the boy receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the boy has met all requirements, the Wolf badge is presented to his parent or guardian at the next pack meeting.
After he has earned the Wolf badge, a Wolf Scout can work on the remaining 12 Wolf electives until he finishes second grade (or turns 9 years old). He can choose elective adventures that may show him new hobbies and teach him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he completes an elective adventure, he receives an additional adventure loop to wear on his belt.
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Bear: The Bear rank is for boys who have finished second grade (or who are 9 years old). To earn the Bear badge, a boy must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. His parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing his book, and the boy receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the boy has met all requirements, the Bear badge is presented to his parent or
guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the boy.
After he has earned the Bear badge, a Bear Scout can work on the remaining 12 Bear electives until he finishes third grade (or turn 10 years old). He can choose elective adventures that may show him new hobbies and teach
him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he completes an elective adventure, he receives an additional adventure loop to wear on his belt.
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Webelos: Webelos dens are for boys who have completed third grade (or reached age 10). Webelos Scouts get to work on the five required Webelos adventures and choose two of the 18 elective adventures that are shared by the Webelos and Arrow of Light ranks. When a boy has done the requirements for an adventure, the Webelos den leader, rather than a parent, approves most of the adventures. For each adventure a boy completes, he receives a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on his hat. After completing seven adventures, including five required adventures and two elective adventures, a Scout can receive the Webelos badge.
After he has earned the Webelos badge, a Webelos Scout can work on the remaining 18 shared Webelos and Arrow of Light electives until he finishes fourth grade (or turns 11 years old). He can choose elective adventures that may show him new hobbies and teach him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he completes an elective adventure, he receives an additional adventure loop to wear on his belt.
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Arrow of Light: The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light. Earning this rank prepares a Webelos Scout to become a Boy Scout. The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform when a boy graduates into a troop. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light rank when they were young may also show their achievement by wearing a special square knot on their adult uniform.
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Cub Scouting is a very family oriented program. As such, responsibility for promoting rank advancement lies with the parents, the scout, and his family. Although there will be activities organized by the Den and the Pack which count towards rank advancement, many activities should be done at home under your guidance. There is no substitute for active family involvement.
The standard to apply when determining if your son has accomplished an achievement or elective is simply “did he do his best?” While that is somewhat subjective, and obviously not the same from boy to boy, it is the standard used in Cub Scouts. As such, that is why advancement is something to be done under the parent’s guidance, where he/she signs off in the handbook as the “Akela”.
All rank advancement must be turned in to the den leader, at least one, week prior to the pack meeting. The leaders must turn in an advancement report to the Advancement Chairman in order to get the awards in time for the pack meeting. If your son has worked on his advancement, be sure he brings his book (signed by you where applicable) to the meetings. The den leader is required to do the final sign-off for all advancements. Advancement is a good indicator of how much a Scout is participating in the program and how successful he has been in learning the new things that the program offers. As a parent, you may see ups and downs over your son's Scouting career with an occasional lack of interest. This is normal. Please encourage your son and help motivate him to hang in there and earn his advancement.
Don't let other activities end a Scouting career. We realize how important sports and other seasonal or short-term activities are to the boys and their families. Please try to participate as often as you can, even if you have to show
up late and in your soccer uniform! Our leaders will be happy to help your son get caught up with the rest of the den.
If you are concerned about the quality of any aspect of the program or about your son's loss of interest in the program, please talk with his Den Leader or the Cubmaster immediately. Scouting is the best youth program anywhere, but like anything worthwhile, it takes commitment from everyone involved. You only get out of the program what you are willing to put in.
Rank Specific Handbook: The handbook provides the requirements for each rank’s activities and is a place to record progress. Each Scout is expected to own a copy of their rank’s handbook and should bring it to each Den meeting. Scouts should write their names in permanent ink inside of the book, in the space provided for this purpose.
Uniforms: The Boy Scouts of America is a uniformed organization. We encourage you to acquire a uniform for your son at least by the time of the October Pack meeting so that he may proudly wear his Bobcat badge and other awards. BSA has many reasons for requiring uniforms. Among them are quick identification of the group, providing a place to display emblems representing hard work by the Scouts, and to foster a sense of brotherhood and pride.
We realize that uniforms can be expensive, so we suggest you start with the shirt and encourage grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc to purchase Scouting uniform parts, equipment, etc as gifts throughout the year. There is also a Goose Creek District Uniform Closet where a previously worn uniform may be available. Ebay and Craigslist are also areas to look for a uniform at a reduced price.
Class A Uniform: includes the BSA shirt, hat (optional), neckerchief and emblemsClass B Uniform: printed Scout t-shirt, blue jeans or shorts and Cub Scout hatIf not otherwise indicated, scouts should wear their Class A uniform.
Tiger, Wolf, and Bear Cub Scout Class A Uniforms consist of the following: Cub Scout Shirt (blue with Council Patch, Pack Numbers, etc) Hat (optional) Neckerchief Neckerchief Slide(this may also be made by your den) Cub Scout Belt (navy) Cub Scout Pants (navy)
Webelos Scout Class A Uniforms consist of: Webelos Shirt (tan with Council Patch, Pack Numbers, etc) Webelos Hat (optional) Webelos Neckerchief Neckerchief Slide(this may also be made by your den) Boy Scout Belt (olive) Boy Scout Pants (olive) Webelos Colors
Webelos are in transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. They may also be at an age where they may be outgrowing their Cub Scout uniform and need a new one. For this reason, BSA provides the option that Webelos may wear the blue Cub Scout uniform until they outgrow it or the tan. Webelos purchasing a new uniform should buy the tan and olive Boy Scout uniform. All Webelos should be wearing the tan and olive uniform by the time that they earn the Arrow of Light and bridge into a Boy Scout Troop.
It is the tradition of Pack 1156 to provide a neckerchief of the appropriate rank when Scouts join and also when they advance to their new den. If a scout loses these items, it is his responsibility to replace them.
Uniforms can be purchased at the following locations:• Springfield Scout Shop – 5234 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22151 703-321-4836• Bethesda Scout Shop – 9190 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-564-1091• Leesburg Hobbies & Collectibles – 9 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176 703-594-7380• online at http://scoutstuff.org
Awards: The pack purchases awards and presents them to the uniformed scout at pack and den meetings. The pack does not cover the cost of replacement awards.
Please check your handbook and the pack website for information on additional awards your son can earn that may not be rank specific. Not all awards can be worn on the uniform shirt. For information on where these items belong on the shirt, see the Inspection sheet: http://www.scouting.org/forms/34282.pdf or the Guide to Awards and Insignia: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/InsigniaGuide.aspx.
If a badge is not shown on the Uniform Inspection sheet or in the Guide to Awards and Insignia, then it may not be appropriate to wear on the shirt. Examples of these patches would include patches from hiking, fundraising, camping, and other outings. These patches can be worn on the Red Scout Vest.
Religious Emblem Awards: Part of scouting is the idea of “Duty to God”. While Scouting makes no preference, selection or distinction in this regard, there is a set of religious emblems for various faiths, available for scouts to earn to help them in fulfilling their duty to God. For more information see http://www.praypub.org
All scouts who earn a religious emblem will be recognized and awarded a special BSA youth religious emblem that can be worn on their uniform throughout their scouting career -- even when they become an adult leader.
World Conservation Award: Is earned by completing a combination of requirements that can be found in the handbook and participating in a den conservation project.
Outdoor Ethics: The Boy Scouts of America firmly believe in “Leave No Trace” as the utmost importance when conducting outdoor activities. As such, each Den may choose to work toward the Cub Scout Outdoor Ethics Award.
Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Awards: Tiger Cubs, Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts have the opportunity to earn the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award. Boys may earn the award in each of the program years as long as the requirements are completed each year.
NOVA Award: Relatively new program for Cub Scouts based on the national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Program. The NOVA program can be worked as a Den activity, or boys may work at home on the requirements and get approval from the STEM Leader. For detailed information on the NOVA program requirements, go to: http://www.scouting.org/stem/Awards/CubScout.aspx
See your Cubmaster or Den Leader to find out about other awards that may be available.
Activities: Aside from normal Den activities and occasional field trips, the following are annual activities.
Pinewood Derby: The Pack provides each Scout with a Pinewood Derby kit at least one month prior to the Derby. Each Scout (with the help of their parents) designs and builds their car from a block of pine and wheels. Each car must meet very specific rules (including weight and size requirements) and must be built from the Official BSA Pinewood Derby kit. The cars are judged for speed and appearance on both the Den and Pack Level. Siblings and Parents may purchase a car and join the fun in the Parent/Sibling race.
The top 3 finishers of each Den go on to compete with the other Packs at our District Pinewood Derby If you are interested in assisting with the pinewood derby, please contact the Pack Committee Chair.
Blue & Gold Banquet: Each year the Cub Scouts celebrate the anniversary of the founding of Scouting in the U.S. by having a Blue & Gold Banquet. This is traditionally a potluck dinner where the entire family is encouraged to attend. It is usually held in February. In 2016, we will be celebrating Pack 1156’s 40th birthday.If you are interested in assisting with the banquet, please contact the Pack Committee Chairman.
Popcorn Sales: Every year Pack 1156 participates in the Boy Scout Popcorn Sales Program. The sale usually begins in August and is a major fundraising activity for our Pack. Boys who participate in this event will receive a popcorn patch plus tons of cool recognition and prizes. We kick off our Popcorn Sales Program with a fun movie night.The Pack relies heavily on the funds generated by this fundraiser. Everyone’s participation is expected and appreciated. The pack retains over 30% of the proceeds of the popcorn sold.
Family Campouts: The Pack will arrange to have a one or two night campouts annually at local campgrounds – typically one in the fall and one in the spring. Please read the BSA Health and Safety Camping guidelines in the next section.If you are interested in assisting with the family campouts, please contact the Pack Committee Chair.
Family Picnic and Celebration: Enjoy a fun potluck family picnic and end of the year celebration. In addition to a memorable “bridging” ceremony to the Scouts’ next rank we enjoy family and fellowship.If you are interested in assisting with the family picnic and celebration, please contact the Pack Committee Chair.
Council and District Sponsored Activities: Throughout the year our district and council coordinate events for scouts from all packs to participate in. This includes events such as Webelos-O-Ree, Freez-O-Ree, as well as Day Camp. We encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities – you may register individually, as a den or as a pack. These events will be publicized via the district website and newsletter, pack website, Facebook pages and emails.
Summer Activities: All summer activities will be publicized using email, the pack website and Facebook group. Scouts who attend at least one pack activity per month during the months of June, July and August will earn a special Summertime Activity Award.
BSA Health & Safety: All scouting activities are in accordance with national BSA heath and safety standards, as dictated by the Guide to Safe Scouting. All participants (scouts, siblings, parents) must complete a BSA medical form (parts A and B) each year. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/680-001_AB.pdf
Camping: Camping is permitted by Cub Scouts only in an age-appropriate context. Cub Scouts must have an adult family member with them at all times when camping. If your Scout wishes to attend only the daytime activities of a family campout you must make prior arrangements with another adult to take responsibility for your son if you cannot stay with him. You will need to fill out a permission slip for your son with all of the necessary emergency information included.
The Webelos program also holds den campouts -- the emphasis for most Webelos campouts is to improve the scout’s outdoor skills and prepare him to move up to a Boy Scout Troop.
All camping is in accordance with BSA policy, as spelled out in the Guide to Safe Scouting. Part of this policy includes two-deep leadership. In addition, for pack family camping (which is open to all family members) at least one leader must have completed Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO). For Webelos den camping (which is open to just Webelos Scouts and parents) at least one leader must have completed Introduction to Outdoor Webelos Leader Skills (IOWLS). BSA has specific rules and prohibitions with respect to camping, which will be reviewed by your leader prior to each event.
Liability Insurance: Part of every Scout's fees pays for accident insurance which supplements your family's accident insurance policy to help cover the medical expenses should your Scout become injured while participating in a Scouting activity.
If you are transporting other Scouts to an activity, you must provide the Pack with information regarding your vehicle, your driver’s license, and your insurance coverage. This is necessary in order for us to get a Local or National Tour Permit, without which our BSA accident and liability insurance will not cover us. Your liability coverage only covers the Scouts if they are injured while being transported by you to or from the activity, not for any injury occurring while at the event destination. All local and state traffic laws must be followed at all times, and all passengers in any vehicle must wear a properly fitted seatbelt while the vehicle is in motion.
Drug, Alcohol & Tobacco Use: Illegal drugs and alcohol are not allowed at any Scouting activity and persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol are not allowed to participate or be present at any Scouting functions. Any violation of this rule will result in immediate dismissal from the event and possible intervention by law enforcement agents. Scouting provides a tobacco-free environment for the boys and smoking is not allowed in the presence of the Scouts. If you must smoke or use tobacco products, please do so outside and out-of-site of the boys and always remember to Leave No Trace.
Knives & Firearms: Fixed-blade sheath knives are not allowed on any Scout activity. A Cub Scout may only carry a pocket knife once he has earned his Whittlin' Chip card as a Bear or Webelos Scout. Knives may only be used under direct adult supervision. If a Scout is found handling his knife improperly, a corner of the Whittlin’ Chip card is to be snipped off. If all corners are removed the Scout is no longer allowed to use his knife and must re-earn the Whittlin’ Chip. Any adult who sees a Scout with a knife may ask him to produce his Whittlin’ Chip. If he cannot do so, the knife will be taken away from him and given to his parents. If a Scout brings his pocketknife to school, this will result in immediate loss of the Whittlin’ Chip and he will have to re-earn it.
Archery equipment and BB guns are allowed in the Cub Scout program only under stringent supervision by a trained adult on a safe firing range at a council or district-sponsored event. Firearms are not allowed except under certain demonstration conditions and can only be handled by qualified adults. Paintball is not allowed. See national BSA Health and Safety standards for details. Except for police officers in their jurisdiction, there are to be no firearms at any of our activities.
Aquatic Activities: All aquatic activities must be supervised by trained, qualified adults while
strictly following the BSA's Safe Swim Defense Plan for swimming activities and Safety Afloat Plan for boating. There are no exceptions. See national BSA Health and Safety standards for details. Contact the Cubmaster before planning any den meetings that involves aquatic activities.
Safe Scouting: The Guide to Safe Scouting can be found at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/toc.aspx. Den Leaders are expected to become familiar with the contents of the Guide and to follow it strictly. Non-adherence to the Guide to Safe Scouting puts leaders at personal liability risk.
Cyber Chip: Today's youth are spending more time than ever using digital media for education, research, socializing, and fun. To help families and volunteers keep youth safe while online, the Boy Scouts of America introduces the Cyber Chip. Parents should use the Cyber Chip as a resource to work with your scout to create additional open communication. http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection/CyberChip.aspx
Adult Leadership: All Dens must maintain two-deep leadership at all times. If for some reason a Den is not be able to have two registered leaders, or one registered leader and a participating Scout’s parent or other adult present, the Adult Leader will have to cancel the meeting or activity. Please do your part to help us provide a quality program by signing up to be an Assistant Den Leader or another unit leader. Our pack is entirely dependent upon volunteers to operate. None of our leaders are paid scouters.
Many parents are reluctant to volunteer to be a Cub Scout leader because they have never been in Scouting and are unfamiliar with the program. Many of our current leaders also lacked prior experience with the Scout program, but they volunteered anyhow and now they’re having as much fun as the boys! BSA provides a number of excellent tools to help you come up to speed as a new leader, including online training, one day training sessions, monthly roundtable meetings, and annual “Pow Wow” or University of Scouting event, etc. Remember that you have other experienced Den Leaders in our Scouting family to draw upon. In addition, there are many, many ways to volunteer in the Pack other than being a leader. We are only as strong as our weakest link -- please contact the Pack Leadership and we will find a way to use your talents!
Scout Leaders receive no pay for their time but may be reimbursed for actual expenses that are approved in advance and documented by receipts. In addition, registered leaders may be able to claim certain deductions on their taxes, such as mileage. Please consult your tax specialist for details – the pack does not reimburse for these items.
Behavior and Discipline: It is important that proper behavior be demonstrated by scouts at all scouting events. Behavior is a synonym for a word that has fallen on hard times and that is discipline. Often times discipline is thought of in a negative form but the word actually means “training” or “a system of rules governing conduct”.
The first form of discipline, which is the most important, is self-discipline. Lacking that, the Den Leaders have direct responsibility for maintaining the behavior of the boys in their Den. Rather than attempt to enumerate a complete list of “do’s and don’ts”, the following principles apply with regards to expectations on behavior:
A scout’s conduct should never be something that would bring discredit to themselves, their den, pack, or the Boy Scouts of America. Fighting/bullying or any form of physical or non-physical harassment will not be tolerated.
Please take the time to discuss with your son the importance of not disrupting Den and Pack meetings. It’s not fair to the other boys and the leaders for activities and meetings to be interrupted due to behavior issues.
Scout Sign: Cub Scouts learn the “Scout Sign” very early. (With your right hand facing away from you, extend your index and middle fingers to form a ‘V’ and curl the remaining fingers into the palm of your hand.) The Scout Sign has a very important use during Den and Pack Meetings – whenever a Leader puts the Scout Sign up, the Scouts, Parents and other Leaders are expected to become quiet and alert. This allows the room to be brought to order without having to say a word. “SIGNS UP” should never be shouted – simply the Scout Sign is used. Please make sure that you and your scout understand how to behave when the sign is up.
Financial Records: The cost of running a pack such as ours exceeds $10,000 per year. This includes payments that the Pack must make to the BSA national office and local Council, den and pack supplies, awards, Pinewood derby expenses, banquet expenses, and much more. A small portion of this money comes from the registration fee that each Scout pays. A significant portion comes from fund raising activities, namely the annual popcorn sale.
Pack 1156 will provide access to detailed financial records at any time and hopes that each parent will have a high-level awareness of the Pack finances. The treasurer reports all income and expenses at committee meetings, and summaries of the Pack’s finances are reported regularly. The pack budget is updated at least once a year. Parents are encouraged to participate in planning sessions related to the pack finances. Any questions regarding the pack finances may be directed to the Treasurer or Pack Committee Chairman.
Communications: In this busy society we live in communication is at the heart of every successful organization. The same is true for Cub Scouts. We want to avoid using meetings for the purpose of communicating information. The pack meetings and den meetings should be focused on fun, not announcements – please take responsibility for reading all pack correspondence and communication.
Our pack uses these forms of communication: email: [email protected] Pack Website: https://pack1156.wordpress.com/ Facebook Group – private, please “friend” one of the Pack 1156 Leaders and we will add you SignUp Genius – utilized for outings, please make sure they are not in your spam folder
Parent Responsibilities: Pack 1156 simply cannot be successful without your involvement. As a Cub Scout parent, we hope you’ll recognize and take seriously the following responsibilities. Understand the requirements for your son’s rank advancement; assist him in fulfilling these requirements; help keep the record of his achievements accurate and up-to-date and ensure that he brings his book to each Den meeting. Assure that your Scout has a Class A Uniform and that he dresses appropriately for all Scout functions. Notify your son’s Den leader whenever your son participates in a Scout activity that is not sponsored by the Pack, to ensure he receives proper credit. Notify your son’s Den leader whenever your son will be absent or late for a meeting. Volunteer to be a Den Leader, Assistant Den Leader, or member of the Pack Committee. Or volunteer to assist with one or more specific Scout activities throughout the year. Support the Pack’s financial goals by understanding the Pack budget and participating in fund raising activities. If personal commitments prevent you from sharing your time in a fund raising capacity, with the Pack, consider making a monetary donation.Complete the BSA Youth Protection Training, available online at http://www.myscouting.org.Once you have completed this training, be sure to notify the Pack Membership Chair via email at [email protected]. Complete parts A and B of the BSA Medical form for EVERY family member (scout, parent, siblings) participating in any pack outing. Submit this and a copy of your insurance card to the Committee Chairman. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/680-001_AB.pdf
