You can download a copy (in pdf format) of the Pack 49 Cub Scout Parent Guide by clicking here.

Why should we join Cub Scouts?

With all of the sports and activities your child could choose, why would you and he decide to join Cub Scouts? As one Scout leader said, “Scouting teaches your son skills for a lifetime, not just a season.” Many good organizations teach teamwork, skills, etc; however, Scouting’s strength is a well-rounded program affecting every area of a boy’s life, delivered in a non-competitive environment and at his own pace. You can expect to see your son develop skills and attitudes that lead to a well-adjusted adult life. As a parent, you will enjoy the satisfaction of joining your son in the fun of constructive activities. As the founder of Scouting, Lord Baden Powell said, “Scouting is fun with a purpose.” As a bonus, when you serve as a leader or helper, you can expect the additional satisfaction of helping other youth, as well as your own son, achieve their full potential.

The Cub Scout Program

As a parent, you want your son to grow up to be a person of self-worth, who is self-reliant, dependable and caring. Scouting has these same goals for your son. Since 1910, we have been weaving lifetime values into fun and educational activities designed to assist parents in strengthening character, promoting citizenship, and fostering physical fitness in youth. Scouting is family values … but Cub Scout age boys don’t join Scouting just to get their character built - they join because it is fun. Cub Scouting is a home and neighborhood centered program designed to support the values you teach in your home. Cub Scouts learn respect for God, country and other people. It also teaches your son how to:

• Develop physical skills through sports, crafts and games.

• “Do Your Best” rather than thinking winning is everything.

• Get along with others.

• Develop a sense of personal achievement through group activities.

• Improve academic skills such as writing, reading and calculating.

• Develop positive decision-making skills and independence.

Cub Scouts are divided into different levels based on grades. They work on achievements within their dens (small groups of 4 to 8 boys) and at home to advance in the program.

Program Structure

Your son is a member of a den based on grade levels:

• 1st grade: Tiger den

• 2nd grade: Wolf den

• 3rd grade: Bear den

• 4th and 5th grades: Webelos dens

Each den has four to eight boys and meets weekly or biweekly. The leader is a parent of one of the boys and is assisted by other parents and possibly an older Boy Scout. Den meetings consist of games, crafts, skits and occasional field trips. When all of the dens and families meet together, it is called a Pack meeting. The Pack meeting gives the Scouts a chance to share what they have been working on in their dens, receive awards and badges, present skits and participate in games. The Pack meeting, usually the third Sunday of the month October through April, is run by the Cubmaster. Each Pack has a pack committee made up of parents and leaders. The committee plans the Pack meetings and activities, assigns tasks, manages the Pack’s finances, recruits new leaders, and does a host of other things. Without the Pack committee, there is no Pack! The Pack is owned and operated by a chartered organization. This organization is a community service club, PTA or religious organization who shares an interest in providing a positive, character building program for youth. Pack 49’s charter organizations are Our Savior Lutheran Church and the First United Methodist Church, both in Denison. The chartered organization approves pack leadership, provides a meeting place and appoints one of their members to serve as a liaison between the organization and the Pack.

Other Awards and Supplemental Programs

Religious Emblems Awards

To encourage members to grow stronger in their faith, many religious groups have instituted programs that enable youth to earn a religious emblem. The Boy Scouts of America has approved of these programs and allows the emblems to be worn on the official uniform. However, the emblems are awarded through the various religious organizations rather than the BSA. Pack 49 has program booklets available for scouts of the Catholic and Protestant faiths, and will work with those of other faiths to obtain their materials.

BSA Family Award

The BSA Family Award program includes a series of activities designed to help strengthen all families--whether two-parent, single-parent, or nontraditional. This program was designed to help families accomplish worthy goals while building and strengthening relationships. All family members are encouraged to participate and earn the award. Pack 49 has program booklets available for families to “check” out, or they are available for purchase through the council.

Academics and Sports Program

The Cub Scout Academics and Sports program is a supplemental enrichment program that complements the existing Cub Scout program. The Academics subjects and Sports activities allow boys to learn new techniques, increase scholarship skills, develop sportsmanship, and have fun. Emphasis is on introducing a boy to a sport or academic subject, allowing him to participate in it and encouraging him to do his best. The Academics and Sports program focuses on learning and skill development—not winning. Pack 49 has the forms and guidelines available on our website, or a book is available for purchase through the council.

Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award

Tiger Cubs, Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts have the opportunity to earn the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award. This award recognizes the Scout's participation in outdoor recreation and conservation projects, and can often be earned in conjunction with other Scouting activities. Pack 49 has a family campout each summer to help the boys earn this award.

Leave No Trace Awareness Award

Cub Scouts and leaders are eligible to earn the Leave No Trace Awareness Award, which helps people to be more concerned about their environment and helps them protect it for future generations.

Emergency Preparedness Award

To encourage Scouts of all ages to be prepared for emergency situations, the BSA has approved an Emergency Preparedness Award program for members of all ages.

Program Highlights

Popcorn and Wreath Sales

Pack 49 Cub Scouts are involved in the annual council-wide popcorn fundraiser during the month of October. In addition, the pack also sells wreaths, swags and garlands. Their participation in this sale helps them gain self-confidence and earn prizes, and Pack 49 receives a commission on sales that goes directly to the Pack treasury to help with payment for badges, activities and summer camp fees. In the spring, the Cub Scouts also sell candles. Proceeds from this sale also help pay for badges and activities.

Raingutter Regatta

At the November Pack meeting, boys race ships which they have designed from a kit given to them at the October Pack meeting. The annual Raingutter Regatta is the first chance new Cub Scouts have of designing a model. Cub Scouts race again their own dens, blowing their ship down a section of raingutter, which has been capped at both ends. First, second and third place medals are awarded to each den.

Blue and Gold Banquet

The Blue & Gold banquet is a birthday party for Cub Scouting, which takes place at the February pack meeting. Pack 49’s annual celebration involves a potluck dinner and a program with entertainment. Each family is usually asked to provide a side dish and dessert, with the meat provided by the den. Many times, Scouts work hard to receive their rank advancement at this event.

Pinewood Derby

The Pinewood derby is an annual parent/son project where the boys design a race car from a block of wood. Scouts race their cars on a gravity track. Prizes are awarded for speed, design, originality, etc, and first, second, third and fourth place trophies are awarded to the fastest boys’ cars in the pack. Pack 49’s Pinewood Derby takes place during the March pack meeting at the Zion Lutheran School gymnasium.

Annual Overnighters

Each year, the boys participate in an overnighter. In the past boys have rotated between the SAC (Strategic Air Command) museum overnighter and the Omaha Doorly Zoo overnighter. During the 2005-2006 year, we attended the Zoo overnight, and during the 2006-2007 year, we will attend the SAC overnight. A family member (male or female) is invited and encouraged to attend overnight programs with your scout. This is a program for families.

Day Camps

Day camp offers exciting summertime activities, which include crafts, games, nature study, sports, songs and skits. Several Day Camp options are offered throughout the Mid-America Council, including one at Yellow Smoke Park in Denison in June. Camps can vary from a one-day option for Tiger Cubs, up to five days for older Cubs. The Pack is also beginning to plan day camps throughout the year, including one in the winter and one in late summer.

Cub Overnight Summer Camps

Cub overnight camps offer the same exciting activities as day camp, as well as giving the Scout a chance to experience overnight camping. Pack 49 Scouts usually attend the overnight camps at Little Sioux Scout Reservation in Little Sioux; however other camping experiences are offered at Camp Eagle in Fremont, Nebraska.

The Finances of Scouting

The good news is that if your son participates fully in the annual popcorn and wreath sale, his scouting experience could be free after the first year! That’s because if a scout sells at least $100 of popcorn and wreaths, his dues are paid for during the following year.

Prizes are awarded to the boys based on the amount they sell over that amount, and some of the prizes include the handbook and uniform components for the following year. The first year Cub Scout in Pack 49 can expect to pay approximately $67 to $98. This includes:

Pack dues:  $25.00 (This includes National Yearly Dues, prorated for the current year and the next year, pack dues, and a subscription to Boys’ Life Magazine.)

Handbook $3.60 to 6.50

Uniform Necessities $39.15 (This includes the basic uniform, neckerchief, slide & patches.)

Other Uniform Items (not necessary, but nice to have) Belt $6.30 to $8.65 Cap $11.80

We do have the ability to scholarship some registration fees, and we do have some “experienced” uniforms available.

Also remember, this is only the first year, and if your son sells popcorn, the following year could be free!

Volunteering

You will soon find that the time you spend involved with your son’s Pack will give you the opportunity to be a “hero” in your son’s eyes, and will give you a way to teach volunteerism by example. More boys will go on to volunteer later in life when their parents have led by example.

Be assured that the time you spend as an active Scouting parent will be quality time with your son, creating memories to cherish for a lifetime!

What do I get out of volunteering?

Being involved in Cub Scouting is fun, challenging, and rewarding. Leaders find that their experiences help them to become better parents. Following are some of the many dividends that will enrich your life as you dedicate your time, talents, and enthusiasm to Scouting:

• Fun and fellowship with other families, sharing your pride in the boys’ accomplishments.

• The privilege of helping to enrich and strengthen families.

• A chance to help boys learn good citizenship and to help shape them into men who have strength of character and are sensitive to the needs of others.

• The opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of boys as they grow strong in mind and body.

• A code to live by which will set a worthwhile example for both boys and adults.

• The satisfaction of being a member of a worldwide movement, and pride in being publicly identified as a part of this organization -- wearing the Scouting uniform is a visible means of showing you believe in and stand up for the ideals and objectives of the Boy Scouts of America.

How can I help?

So, how can you help? We’re glad you asked, because we have many ways you can get involved, big and small, year-long or short-term. You are the best judge of the time you can commit. The pack cannot exist without your involvement on some level. Following are ways you can become involved. The descriptions are brief; however, if you are interested in a position, we can give you a full job description.

Large, ongoing commitment

The following positions are uniformed leadership positions that require training. These people should attend the monthly pack leader’s meeting.

Cubmaster

Assistant Cubmaster:

Advancement Chair

Tiger Program Leader:

Wolf Program Leader

Bear Program Leader

Webelos Program Leader:

Den Leader

Assistant Den Leader

Medium to Small Ongoing Commitment

The people in the following positions can choose to be uniformed or non-uniformed. Some of the positions may require training.

Committee Chair

Secretary

Treasurer

Membership Chair

Activities Chair

Pack Trainer

Public Relations Coordinator

Website Coordinator

Religious Activities Coordinator

Family & Special Awards Coordinator

Outings Coordinator

Parades Coordinator

Service Coordinator

Troop liaison

Short-term Commitments

The following positions are not ongoing, and those in the positions will only spend a couple months out of the year coordinating their responsibilities. The people in the following positions can choose to be uniformed or non-uniformed. Some of the positions may require training.

Camping Coordinator:

Friends of Scouting Coordinator (1 to 2 months in January and February) Popcorn Coordinator (2 to 3 months in the fall)

Greenery Coordinator (2 to 3 months in the fall)

Blue & Gold Coordinator (1 to 2 months in January and February)

Derby Coordinator (1 month in November, 1 month in March)

Greeter

Leader Training

Some positions require leaders to be trained. The following describes each level of training:

Fast Start & Youth Protection Training

So you’re a new leader! Congratulations! To get you started, the Mid-America Council has training available online. To complete Cub Scout Leader Fast Start Training, go to www.mac-bsa.org, click on the “Training” button on the right of the screen. At the bottom of the training page is a button for “Cub Scout Fast Start Training” and another for “Youth Protection Training”. You should complete both of these trainings first, before you begin meeting with your scouts.

Basic Training

After you have completed the Fast Start training for your leadership position, the next step is to attend a Cub Scout Leader Training session conducted in your area. This training will give you a more in-depth understanding of your new leadership position and the Cub Scouting program. These sessions are scheduled to be conducted in both the fall and the spring. Ask your Cubmaster for the date, time and location of the session nearest to you.

Supplemental Training

After you have completed Fast Start and Basic Training, you will be well on your way. But every good leader looks for opportunities to expand their skills, so the Tecumseh Council offers supplemental training sessions such as BALOO, Outdoor Skills, University of Scouting, and Wood Badge courses. Look for information about these training opportunities in the council newsletter, BSA Bugle, or by visiting the council website.

Other Publications

When you become a registered leader with the BSA, you will start receiving issues of Scouting Magazine and BSA Bugle. These publications will keep you up-to-date with new information. You can also visit the council website for even more information!

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