Parent Handbook (2007/2008)

Welcome to Cub Scouts and Pack 1133!


What Is Cub Scouting?

Cub Scouts should foster self-esteem while teaching cooperation and the meaning of healthy competition through games, crafts, sport, skill building, recognition, special activities, camping and lots of fun. Cub scouting is a family activity.

In 1930 the Boy Scouts of America launched a home and neighborhood centered program for boys 9 to 11 years of age. A key element of the program is an emphasis on caring, nurturing relationships between boys and their parents, adult leaders, and friends. Cub Scouting is currently the largest of the BSA's three membership divisions. (The others are Boy Scouting and Varsity Venturing.)

The Purposes of Cub Scouting

Cub Scouting has nine purposes:

The Cub Scout Promise

"I promise to do my best
To do my duty to God and my country,
To help other people, and
To obey the Law of the Pack."
 

The Cub Scout Law is

"The Cub Scout follows Akela.
The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill."

Organization

Cub Scout Pack 1133 is made up of approximately 20 to 30 boys, mostly from Greenbriar West Elementary school.  The boys meet in small groups (dens) of 5 to 9 boys. Each den has at least two adult leaders.

Pack 1133, together with 21 other packs, 13 troops, two Venturing posts, and three Exploring posts, is in the Sully District. The Sully District is one of 33 subdivisions of the National Capitol Area Council. There are over 300 councils in the United States. Visit the Boy Scouts of America web pages for more information on the national program.

Our youngest cubs are the Tiger Cubs. Tiger Cubs are first graders. Tiger Cubs form a team with an adult partner. Unlike other Cub Scouts, Tiger Cubs parents share den leadership.

The Wolf dens have our second grade boys. 3rd grade boys form the Bear dens. 4th and 5th grade boys advance to being Webelos (We Be LOyal Scouts).

Webelos after obtaining the "Arrow of Light" award will join the Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts are organized into troops and patrols. In my opinion, the most important concept of Boy Scouts is that the youth will lead themselves.

Meetings

Den meetings: Most dens meet weekly, (except when there is a pack meeting). At least two adults are
required.  In Pack 1133 each den needs a designated den leader and an assistant den leader.
 
Pack meetings: On the third Friday of the month. Pack meetings are for all the boys of Pack 1133. We expect a parent or the whole family to attend the pack meeting.

When not announced differently, pack meetings are at Greenbriar West Elementary school at 7:30 p.m. on the third Friday of the month.  Check out our Pack calendar

 
There are many special events, family campouts, pot lucks, good turns, pinewood derby as well as council events like camporees. We would to have about one special event per month.

Leader meetings: (sometimes also called committee meeting) Leaders of Pack 1133 discuss organizational matters, future events and exchange ideas.  The meeting is held on the first Friday of the month.  All parents are encouraged to attend. The more people who assist in the pack planning the better a program we will have.

Roundtables: Idea exchange and announcements for leaders of the whole district. Leaders are encouraged to attend roundtables.  These meetings are held at the Sully District Government Center on the second Thursday of the month.  Parents are also welcome.

Advancements

Advancements challenge a boy to work on skills that match his ability and interest level. A boy is not supposed to be perfect, but to do his best. Boys will be exposed and motivated to try out a lot of different activities.

Tiger cubs earn iron-on paws and beads by participating in activities.

All other Cub Scouts earn the Bobcat rank first, and later the rank appropriate for their age level.

Wolf cubs earn the Wolf rank by completing 49 tracks in 12 achievements. After the Wolf badge they can earn Arrow Points.

Bear cubs earn the Bear rank (Choice of 12 achievements) and then Arrow Points.

Webelos (4th and 5th graders) earn the Webelos rank and can earn additional pins to get compass points. The second year, Webelos can earn the "Arrow of Light" which is the highest Cub Scout honor.

Wolf and Bear advancements are signed by the parent, Webelos advancements are signed by the den leader.

Belt loops are awarded for trying out many sports and academic subjects. Sport and academic pins are awarded for more serious participation.

Who is who

 
Akela: A name given for a parent, a leader, or a role model. (In the "jungle-book" story, Akela is the leader of the pack).
Cubmaster: Figurehead; responsible for the program; reports to the pack committee.
Committee: Supervises the pack. In Pack 1133, if you are an adult leader you are a committee member.
Committee Chairman: Person in charge of the committee.
Chartered organization: Each Cub Scout pack is sponsored by some organization. Our charter organization is the Greenbriar Civic Association.
Chartered organization representative: liaison between Greenbriar Civic Association and Pack 1133; assigned by the Association.
Commissioner: Not a member of the pack but assigned by the council, gives advice. A "friend of the Cubmaster".
Den leader: an adult in charge of a den.
Den leader coach: Resource person, a "friend of the den leaders".
Den chief: an older Boy Scout who helps to lead a den.
Denner: one of the cubs scouts elected by his den to help the den leader and den chief.
You: Current or future leader or committee member.


Paperwork, Fees, Uniforms

Application to join a pack:. 2007/2008 fee is $52. (NOTE: This is a Draft Fee Plan that needs to be reviewed and approved by the Pack Committee!)

 
Purpose Amount
Boy Scouts of America $9
Boy's Life Magazine (optional) $12
Liability Insurance $1
Pack Registration $30
Total $52
The 2007-2008 Pack Budget can be found in 2007 Pack Budget (MS Excel)

Uniforms: Cub scouts buy their own uniform, including council patch and pack numeral. The pack provides badges and den numerals. Tigers, Wolf, and Bear cubs use the blue Cub Scout uniform. Webelos can choose whether to wear blue Cub Scout uniform or tan boy scout uniform shirt.  The employees in the store can help you buy the right stuff including the right color for the neckerchief.  Contrary to the official policy, Pack 1133 accepts any dark blue pants with the blue Cub Scout uniform. You can purchase uniforms and accessories at the BSA Online Store . Or you can go to one of the National Capitol Area Scout Shops (Virginia or Maryland) :
 

Handbooks: Pack 1133 provides Bear, Wolf, Webelos handbooks when they graduate from their earlier rank at the end of a year.  The pack also provides the initial Tiger handbooks. We recommend that parents read the books for their child's age group cover to cover.

If your boy has a friend who is interested in Cub Scouts, bring him to any pack or den meeting.  Don't wait for the next year's membership night.

Parents

We leaders will do our best to provide a quality program.  But all the leaders in Pack 1133 are volunteers and have many other obligations; we depend on parents to help provide the good program we have. We ask every parent to help the pack in some capacity.  The most important (and most fun) job is den leader. However, there are many other areas where your help in running the pack is appreciated.
 
You should take your share in organizing den meetings, working with the den leader of your son's den.
 
A parent should attend the pack meetings together with the Cub Scout.
 
There are no secrets in Cub Scouts; parents are welcome in any organizational meetings of the pack, district or council.

Tiger Cubs

Tiger Cubs are organized somewhat differently than the other Cub Scouts in that an adult partner is required to attend each meeting with the tiger participant.  Also the "den leader" is more correctly called Tiger Den Coordinator, (because all parents are expected to share in the den leadership). The Tiger Cub Coach will help to set the den up, and will later act as a friendly resource.
 
Tiger Cubs typically have two monthly den meetings, but your den can organize it however you want. The Tiger handbook is a guide to activities and achievments for the Tigers and their adult partners. The Tiger Cub motto is Search, Discover, Share.
 
As of the 2001-2002 program year the BSA has fully integrated the Tigers into the pack program.  The Tigers participate with songs and skits at the monthly pack meeting.  In prior years the tigers were simply invited has guests.

Den Leaders

Thanks for volunteering to be a den leader. This job is best described simply as leader of the den. You should make sure that regular den meetings are organized, and be present at the den meeting most of the time. However, you should not do everything yourself. In Pack 1133 we think all the parents should take turns in organizing den meetings.
 
We need your leadership help when organizing pack meetings.  Sometimes we need flexible people in charge of activities, or, to keep the den together. At each pack meeting one den should do the flag ceremony, at least one den should perform a skit, and at least one den should lead a song.
 
Please keep a record on what award the different Cub Scouts have earned.  Awards requests are turned in to the advancement coordinator several days before the pack meeting.  The deadline will be announced at that months committee meeting.

You should watch the fast start CD movie (we have copies). You should attend Youth Protection and Cub Scout Leader Basic Training, a one day training course organized by the council.

Don't hesitate to ask for help. The cubmaster is very willing to lend an ear or a hand. You can also assk your fellow den leaders how they handle things, and, tell others about what works well in your den.

In Pack 1133 all den leaders and assistants are members of the pack committee. You try to participate in most leader meetings and some roundtables.

Try to recruit an assistant den leader (or share the job with a co den leader).

Last update August 21st, 2007