8051
Scouting
Do Your Best
At Pack 8051, We’re all about encouraging boys and girls to make friends, be helpful to others, and do their very best no matter the outcome. With the help of powerful learning projects and exciting outdoor activities, we aim to teach children that doing their best can be a fun and rewarding experience—no matter the difficulty of the challenge.
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law
A Scout is:
Trustworthy Loyal
Helpful Friendly
Courteous Kind
Obedient Cheerful
Thrifty Brave
Clean Reverent
The Aims of Scouting are
Character Citizenship Personal Fitness Leadership
How does Cub Scouting Work?
In Cub Scouting, you and your family join the program with your child and you will help them along the way. Cub Scouts have a different handbook at each grade level, with adventures that are age-appropriate for their developmental level. As your child advances through these books by working on adventures, they will earn badges and other recognition that they wear on their uniform. As your child grows in Cub Scouting, your role will change with them, from hands-on involvement to guiding and coaching. Your child’s success in Cub Scouting depends on you!
The Cub Scouting program takes place at two levels. Your child will be a part of a den, which is a small group of Cub Scouts in the same grade level and who are of the same gender. A den typically meets twice a month, although some may meet more often. All dens, from kindergarten through fifth grade, make up a pack. Once a month, the dens, with their families, come together at the pack meeting, and Cub Scouts are recognized for the adventures and badges they have earned.
The most important help that you, as a parent, can give your child is to work with them on their Cub Scouting adventures as they work toward their badge of rank. The Cub Scout handbook is full of age-appropriate activities; some of them you do together at home. Den meetings are designed for Cub Scouts to complete adventures that are required for them to earn their badge of rank. When you have completed a requirement at home, make sure your den leader is informed so that they can properly record it and your child can be recognized for their achievements. Your role as a parent is the secret to a successful Cub Scouting program!
The den and the pack rely on parent participation to run a successful program. Cub Scouting operates through volunteer leadership. Volunteer leaders are an example of Scouting’s principle of service to others. By volunteering in Scouting, you are also giving your child and family the gift of your time. What could be more valuable? You will have an opportunity to be a positive influence in their life and in the lives of their friends.
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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:
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Learn and say the Cub Scout motto, the Scout Oath, and the Scout Law and tell what they mean;
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Show the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake and tell what they mean; and
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With your parent or guardian complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.
Lion and Tiger Dens
Kindergarten
First Grade
Cub Scouts who join in kindergarten or first grade join with an adult partner, usually the parent or guardian. A Lion or Tiger den should be no more than eight Cub Scouts and their adult partners. An adult is selected to serve as the den leader (usually one of the parents) and coordinates the meetings. Each adult partner takes a turn assisting or hosting meetings or activities with the den leader. This shared leadership model is a great way to ensure the den leader has the help needed to deliver a quality program.
Lion dens (kindergarten) meet once a month or more often if the den leader and families choose to. Tiger dens (first grade) meet typically twice a month or more often if the den leader and families choose to. At den meetings, Lions and Tigers work on adventures that are found in their handbooks.
Lions through Bears adventure loops are worn on the Cub Scout’s belt.
Wolf and Bear Dens
Second Grade
Third Grade
Children this age are becoming more independent, and activities are designed to meet their developmental needs. A Wolf (second grade) or Bear (third grade) den is ideally no more than eight Cub Scouts of the same gender, a den leader, an assistant den leader (usually parents of some of the den members), and often a den chief (an older Scout who helps the den leader). They typically meet twice a month at a regularly scheduled time and place, and they also attend the pack meeting with their families.
Lions through Bears adventure loops are worn on the Cub Scout’s belt.
Webelos Dens
Fourth and Fifth Grades
The Webelos den is much like the Wolf and Bear dens, but there is more emphasis on learning to take leadership roles and preparing to join a Scout troop.
Webelos pins are worn on an item called Webelos Colors on the right sleeve of the tan uniform shirt or they may be placed on the Webelos hat.
Cub Scouting Adventures
Cub Scouts earn adventures that are specific to their grade and rank. A number of adventures must be completed to earn the badge of rank for each grade level. Adventures may be earned in any order. Completion of adventures is how the aims of character, citizenship, leadership, and personal fitness are developed.
Not Everyone Wears a Uniform
Cub Scouting is fun for the whole family. Getting everyone involved makes the experience more meaningful for your Cub Scout. There is a place for every parent, legal guardian, or other caring adult who wants to help. Often the challenge is not knowing how to help. Below are some helpful steps on how you can volunteer.
In Cub Scouting, there are so many opportunities to volunteer. You want to get involved, but you’re unsure where to start. Here is a step-by-step guide to get you started. Remember not every volunteer in Cub Scouting wears a uniform. Everyone has different skills and ways they can contribute to making the Cub Scouting experience meaningful. No matter how you want to get involved, thank you for making the first move to volunteer with Cub Scouts.
Helping
Being helpful is part of the Scout Law, a value we seek to instill in everyone. The best way to help is not to wait until someone asks, but by providing assistance when you know someone needs it.
When offering to help consider the following:
What things are you good at?
What do you enjoy doing?
What hobbies or skills do enjoy?
If you have not already been asked, you should complete the Family Talent Survey. This one-page survey is given to a leader in your pack so they know what resources are available.
Any leader or volunteer in your pack can tell you how you can help the group. If you help by doing something you are good at you will find it rewarding and may lead you to becoming a volunteer.
Volunteering
Volunteering is another way you can get involved. Being a volunteer in the BSA means you have registered as an adult and have gone through an approval process.
Registering as an adult in your Pack lets others know that you are willing to go beyond just helping others but willing to take on responsibilities in the Pack. To serve in a volunteer position in Scouting requires an adult to register with the BSA.
1. Complete an adult application, either in hard copy or online.
2. Complete Youth Protection Training.
3. The pack committee chair and chartered organization reviews and approves the application.
Not all volunteers work directly with youth. Many serve in positions that support those who do.
Volunteer Opportunities
Committee chair. Presides at all pack committee meetings. Helps recruit adult leaders and attends the monthly pack meeting and pack committee meeting.
Advancement chair. Maintains advancement records for the pack. Orders and obtains all badges and insignia. Attends the monthly pack meeting and pack committee meeting.
New member coordinator. Manages the transition of new Scouts into the pack and coordinates orientation for new Scouting families. Responsible for the marketing and recruiting initiatives of the pack as well as the growth and retention of the unit.
Secretary. Keeps records of the pack committee meetings and communicates with families about upcoming pack events and activities.
Treasurer. Keeps all financial records for the pack, including the pack bank account, and gives a monthly financial report to the pack committee. Attends the monthly pack meeting and pack committee meeting.
Serving as a Leader
Being a leader means you are a registered volunteer that takes on a personal commitment to ensure that Scouting is being delivered in a safe manner, the way it was designed, and in a way that makes it meaningful to everyone involved.
Leaders take training for the position that they are in and continue training beyond position-specific training, like Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) or Wood Badge. They attend local training events where other leaders share the best methods.
Being a leader means you care about the Cub Scouting program beyond your current position. You want to see it strengthen and grow long after you and your Cub Scout have moved beyond the pack.
Leaders in Scouting find it to be the most rewarding way to spend their time and share their talents.
Leadership Opportunities
Den leader/Assistant Den leader. Uses the Den Leader Guide and den meeting plans to lead the den at den meetings. Attends the monthly pack committee meeting.
Cubmaster. Helps plan and carry out the pack program with the help of the pack committee. Emcees the monthly pack meeting and attends the pack committee meeting.