Pack 293 Parent Info Guide FINAL - Amazon S3 · Bobcat: All boys who join Cub Scouting, earn the...
Transcript of Pack 293 Parent Info Guide FINAL - Amazon S3 · Bobcat: All boys who join Cub Scouting, earn the...
3
Cub Scout Information Guide
Pack 293
Faith United Methodist Church 2403 Rayford Rd, Spring, TX 77386
Sam Houston Area Council; Tall Timbers District
Updated: 8/21/15
2
Welcome to Pack 293! We want your son to have an excellent Cub Scouting adventure here at Pack 293. To help your understanding of the Pack and the Cub Scout program we have created this guide. Cub Scouts is a year round family oriented part of the Boy Scouts of America. Cub Scouts starts in September of first grade and finishes in February of fifth grade.
Our primary goal at Pack 293 is to produce a FUN-‐filled program each year that has the Scout coming back for more. We also want to teach our Scouts to be model youths as they grow. Therefore, Scouting is “Fun with a Purpose”! The Cub Scouts program follows 10 principle purposes:
1. Character Development 2. Spiritual Growth 3. Good Citizenship 4. Sportsmanship and Fitness 5. Family Understanding 6. Respectful Relationships 7. Personal Achievement 8. Friendly Service 9. Fun and Adventure 10. Preparation for Boy Scouts
3
Table of Contents
Basics of Cub Scouting Program ………………………………………………………. 4 How Cub Scouting Works …………………………………………………………….…... 5 What will Scouts Cost Me? ……….…………………………….…………….…………. 6 Pack 293 Activities …………………….…………………………….……………………… 7 What should I do now to get starting in Scouting? ............................. 8 A Guide to Successful Scouting Experience ……………….…………………….. 9 Uniform Checklist ………………………………………………………………………..…. 13 Important Information ..…………………………………………………………………. 14 Scout Shops ……………………………………………………………………………….…… 15
4
Basics of the Cub Scouting Program
Bobcat: All boys who join Cub Scouting, earn the Bobcat badge which teaches them the basics of the program. After receiving the Bobcat badge, boys more on to the Tiger, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos program, depending on their age
Tigers: Tiger Cubs are first-‐ graders. They work directly with an adult partner (usually a parent) as they “search, discover, and share.” To earn their Tiger Badge, the boys will complete 5 achievements, like “Where I Live” and “Let’s Go Outdoors.” Wolf: Boys in second grade are Wolf Cub Scouts. To earn their Wolf badge, these boys complete 12 achievements, like “Feats of Skill, “ “Family Fun,” and “Your Flag.” Wolf Cub Scouts can also earn arrow points for completing extra projects. Bear: Third graders are Bear Cub Scouts. Their program is similar to the Wolf program, although the activities are more advanced.
Webelos: Forth graders are called Webelos. Boys usually work on their Webelo Badge. Once receiving their Webelo badge as fifth graders they work toward receiving Arrow of Light. The Aarow of Light is the highest rank that can be received as a Cub Scout. The Webelo program helps prepare boys to become Boy Scouts at the end of fifth grade. (“Webelos means “We’ll Be Loyal Scouts.”)
5
How Cub Scouting Works Scouting is Family Oriented
• Activities are intended for the whole family.
• You work with your son on his various award requirements.
• Many skills he will learn are family oriented.
Your son is a member of a Cub Scout Den
• The Den meets once a week. • The den is led by a Den Leader
(usually a parent). • The den leader is usually assisted
by an Assistant Den Leader and possibly a den chief (an older Boy Scout)
• Den meetings have games, crafts, songs, ceremonies, and lots of fun.
Your son is a member of a Cub Scout Pack
• A pack meets once a month – all Cub Scout families attend.
• The Cubmaster leads the monthly pack meeting.
• The pack meeting is the climax of the month’s den meetings and activities. Pack meetings have games, skits, stunts, songs, ceremonies and presentations of badges that the boys have earned that month.
A pack committee of parent volunteers runs the pack.
• The pack committee is made up of the Den Leaders and assistants, Webelos Leaders, and assistants, Cubmaster and assistants, Treasurer, Chartered Organization Representative and other interested parents.
• The committee meets once a month to discuss Pack activities
• The committee selects leaders, performs record keeping, manages pack finances, orders badges, maintains pack equipment, helps train leaders, and recognizes leaders.
The pack is owned by a Chartering Organization
• Charter organizations include schools, parent associations, religious organizations, service clubs, and other groups interested in youth. Our Charter Organization is Faith United Methodist Church.
• The chartered organization approves leaders, provides a meeting place, and operates the pack within the guidelines and policies of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America.
• The chartered organization selects a Chartered Organization Representative who serves as a liaison between the pack and the organization.
6
What Will Scouting Cost Please find the cost information below. For the purpose of this documentation cost reflect September registration. Uniform prices below were taken from www.scoutstuff.org and are subject to change. Please visit this website or your local scout shop for additional items and information.
Required
Optional Registration Dues (Includes
subscription to Boys Life Magazine) $45.00
Class B Pack T-‐shirt $10.00
Pack Dues $30.00
Den Outings/Activities Determined
by den Uniform (purchased from scout shop)
Pack Outings/Activities
Determined by pack
Short sleeve scout shirt (blue, or Webelo tan) $24.99
Camp Fees
Determined by camp
Shorts $19.99
Hat $14.99
Council shoulder patch $3.25
Pack Provides World Scout Crest Emblem $1.99
Pinewood Derby Car kits
World Crest Ring $1.99 Raingutter regatta boat kits Den number $1.50
Awards & Pins
Unit number $4.50
Handbook Cub Scout belt $9.99
Neckerchief slide $5.99 Neckerchief $8.99
7
Pack 293 Activities In addition to den and pack meetings, pack 293 provides many opportunities for your scout to have fun, learn & advance in scouting. These opportunities are optional but the more you participate the more fun you have
Pack Family Camping Trip Our pack plans a Spring, Summer & Winter family camping trip. Our winter trips are usually to places such as the USS Lexington or Alamo. Service Projects Our pack participates in several service projects in our community each year. We do things such as park clean ups, Trash Bash, Scouting for Food and holiday card making for local assisted living facilities and flag placing on Memorial Day for fallen vets. Pinewood Derby The pinewood derby is an opportunity for parent and son work together to build a gravity-‐powered miniature racecar from a special kit. Rain Gutter Regatta The rain gutter regatta is a racing event that is the sailboat equivalent of the pinewood derby. The boats are raced in a standard rain gutter type track that is filled to the top with water. The boats are propelled by blowing on the sail. Blue and Gold Banquet This is a birthday party for Cub Scouting usually held in February. It is
a seated dinner, using special program or entertainment and cake auction Summertime Activities We are a year around pack and we don’t stop having fun in the summer. We generally have one activity each month. We have events such as pool parties, rock climbing, skating, and Independence Day parade. Cub Scout Day Camp & Residence Camp Day camp & Residence camp are district events and include exciting summertime activity such as archery, crafts, games, skits, songs, and sports. These camps are excellent ways to introduce youth to the outdoors and teach them new skills. Scout Fair Scout Fair is a wonderful opportunity for your Scout to earn Belt Loops and see what Scouts are doing from all over Sam Houston Area Council. This includes Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing Scouts, Sea Scouts, and Varsity Scouts. In addition, there will be large booths by organizations such as Texas Parks & Wildlife, US Geological Services, and Houston Museum of Natural History, as well as businesses like REI and Academy Sports. There will be many, many hands-‐on experiences for our young folks to enjoy.
8
What You Should Do Now To Get Started in Cub Scouting
ü Complete and turn in the Cub Scout application and registration fee to the Cub Master or Pack Membership Committee Chair.
ü Carefully review this guide so you know what Cub Scouting is all about. This will help your son get the most out of his scouting experience.
ü Join the Pack website to get up to date information of the pack news.
https://scoutpack293.shutterfly.com
ü Review the calendar to find out what kind of activities the Cub Scout Pack has planned for the next few months, and put them on your calendar so you can participate.
ü Fill out the Parent Talent Survey and turn it in today so you can share your knowledge, experience and skills with the boys in your son’s Den and the Pack.
ü Scouting is more fun with friends! Every boy can be a Cub Scout at any time. Talk with other parents and boys and have them join your son’s Cub Scout Den now to make Cub Scouting even more fun.
ü Consider being a Cub Scout leader for your son’s Cub Scout Den or a member of the Pack Committee. Your son’s experience in Cub Scouting depends on your involvement. Details are on the following pages.
ü Purchase a Cub Scout Uniform for your son to wear his awards on. Be sure to get a size large enough to last several years as your son grows. A uniform list is on the following pages with scout shop locations.
ü Review the Cub Scout Handbook and begin doing the activities in it with your
son, especially those related to the outdoors and Bobcat requirements.
9
The Guide to a Successful Scouting Experience
Be an active participant in the Pack
Boy Scouts is a scout-‐led program; Cub Scouts is a parent-‐led program. As the parent of a Cub Scout, you have a responsibility to be an active member of the Cub Scout pack. We ask that each parent volunteer to help with at least one event during the scouting year. Attending the monthly Pack Committee Meeting is also an excellent way to help guide the entire pack and impact your son's scouting experience.
Work with your son on projects
Boys often begin projects at den meetings and finish them at home with the help of a parent. Such projects become the catalyst for parents and boys -‐ frequently joined by siblings and friends -‐ to interact with each other in a relaxed way. Because the purpose of a project is to teach a boy new skills, a project will challenge a boy to do tasks that he hasn't already mastered. It's not uncommon, therefore, for a boy to need help from his family to complete some of his projects. In Cub Scouting, boys are not expected to do things entirely on their own. So long as a boy does his best to do as much as he's capable of, it's perfectly acceptable for a parent or sibling to help him.
Help your Cub Scout along the advancement trail
The advancement plan is designed for parents to use to create a learning environment in their home. With the Cub Scout handbooks as a resource, parents and boys work together to complete the achievements required for each badge. 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 boys on advancement projects.
While Cub Scouts learn skills and begin projects in their den meetings, the parent remains at the center of the advancement program. As each task is done or each skill is demonstrated, the parent signs the Cub Scout's handbook to record its completion. It is also important for the scout to take his handbook to den meetings to allow the Den Leader to see the parent’s sign-‐off on the achievements. And when the boy has completed all of the requirements to earn an award, the completion is acknowledged before the entire pack of scouts at the next pack meeting.
10
Participate in monthly pack meetings
The den meetings are for Cub Scouts and their Adult Leader. The pack meeting is for the entire family of every Cub Scout. At pack meetings, parents see their sons in action with their friends, meet other parents, and join with neighbors in caring and sharing. These opportunities are scarce, and pack meetings highlight how Cub Scouting teaches boys cooperation and collaboration.
The pack meeting is also a monthly showcase for all that the boys have worked on in their den meetings. Craft projects are on display, skills are demonstrated, and skits are performed to show the boys' command of the monthly theme. While boys at this age seem to be struggling toward independence, having the approval of their parents and other adults whom they admire remains important to them -‐ so your presence at these meetings is critical to underscore the importance of the lessons your son has learned.
Other things you can do to help your Cub Scout
Be sure your boy attends every Den Meeting possible. Remind him to be on his best behavior while he is there. He is a guest at the Den Meeting site. Remember to sign his handbook for the requirements and electives he completes under your guidance, and remind him to bring his handbook to every Den Meeting. Remind him to wear his uniform to Den Meetings and Pack Meetings. Have his uniform clean and have all appropriate patches sewn on in their correct places so he looks great at all scout functions.
Be willing to help out with transportation for den meetings, field trips, etc. HELP HIM TO ACHIEVE! Read his handbook, familiarize yourself with his rank requirements; many of them are done with the family or at home. Read the parents' supplement at the front of his book. Ask questions of your pack leaders if you are unclear about anything.
Make sure that your Cub Scout is doing his very best. Don't sign off on achievements unless he has really earned each part of it. Don't count things he did as a Wolf cub towards his Bear badge. He needs to do each item during that rank year. Attend Pack Meetings with your son. The entire family is invited to attend every Pack Meeting. Be alert to his behavior during the meeting; the Den Leader is not solely responsible for him or his actions during the pack meeting. This also holds true with camping experiences.
Have fun, and correct and praise as needed. Be willing to assist with costumes, skits, crafts, songs, outings, refreshments, etc. Always remember that Cub Scouting is Family Oriented. It is designed to help parents with their boys. The Den and Pack cannot help your boy grow without your help.
11
Pack and Den Communication
Cub Scouting involves planning, scheduling, execution and management of dozens of den and pack meetings, field trips, special events like Pinewood Derby and the like. To enable all these activities to happen requires a great deal of communication between pack and den leaders and the parents of the pack. For most communications email is our preferred means of communication. (If you do not have timely access to email please let your den leader know so that alternate means of communication can be provided.) All of our events and other scouting resources will always be available at the 293 website: https://scoutpack293.shutterfly.com
Uniforms: General Information
The Boy Scouts of America has always worn uniforms. While there are many reasons for this, one reason stands out above all the rest. We wear our uniforms to identify ourselves openly with the principles to which we are committed: character development, citizenship training, and physical and mental fitness. The uniform is not intended to hide our individuality. It assists us in giving each other strength and support. The uniform represents a bond that unifies us in spite of our differences. There are certain rules about how and where the uniform should be worn. There is a correct place on the uniform for each badge and insignia. The official uniforms are intended primarily for use in connection with scouting activities. Uniforms should be worn to all Den and Pack events. The uniform may also be worn while participating in Pack fund-‐raising projects.
In Pack 293, each Cub Scout is responsible for providing his own uniform. The Pack will provide all the badges and pins that the Scouts earn and any other special uniform patches throughout the year. Please find the uniform check list in this guide for more information on scout uniforms.
Pack Finances
Pack 293 is funded primarily by the proceeds from the annual Popcorn Fund-‐raiser each fall, Cake Auction and Scout Fair Coupon book sales each spring. All Scouts are encouraged to participate in these fundraisers. The Pack also collects an annual charter fee.
Scout Account
Each scout will maintain a Scout Account. The Scout Account is an individual account for each boy in the pack, funds from which are used to defray scouting expenses for the individual boy. The Scout Account is established when a boy joins the pack. The Pack Treasurer is responsible for maintaining records related to Scout Accounts. The account may be funded in several ways. The most common are: Rollover from another unit, deposits by Scout, and proceeds from fundraising. It is
12
the intent of the Pack that the last method be the preferred, and most common method of adding funds to the Scout Account. Funds from the Scout Account may only be disbursed for the purpose of defraying scouting expenses. These may include, but are not limited to, campout cost, summer camp and scout shop purchases. As the Treasurer pays these expenses on behalf of the scout, the funds are deducted from the Account balance. A complete accounting of Scout Account activity will be made upon request.
When a scout leaves the Pack, the Scout Account is terminated. In the event that the scout joins another unit that provides for Scout Accounts, any funds remaining in the account will be transferred to the new unit. If a scout leaves the Pack and does not join another scout unit, or if the scout becomes inactive and is dropped from the Pack Charter, any funds in the Scout Account shall revert to the Pack. Should a "dropped" scout subsequently become active in the Pack funds shall not be replenished.
13
Uniform Checklist
Tiger Cub, Wolf and Bear Uniforms
q Headgear Tiger Cub cap, Wolf cap, or Bear cap, according to den.
q Neckerchief and Slide
Triangular. Orange with blue border for Tiger Cubs. Gold with blue border for Cub Scouts working in Wolf book. Light blue with dark blue border for Cub Scouts working in Bear book. Each is secured by a slide for that rank.
q Shirt Official short-‐sleeve, navy blue to be worn with either pants or shorts.
q Pants/Shorts Official navy blue pants or shorts to be worn with official short-‐sleeve navy blue shirt.
q Belt Official navy blue web belt cut to proper length with Tiger Cub or Cub Scout insignia on buckle.
q Insignia See scouting insignia guide for details (http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/InsigniaGuide.aspx
Webelo Uniform
q Headgear Webelos cap. Webelos activity badges (pins) are worn on the plaid front panel of the Webelos cap
q Shirt
Official short-‐sleeve tan shirt with the official convertible Boy Scout pants or official shorts or pants. The blue shoulder loops are worn on epaulets.
q Neckwear Triangular, plaid neckerchief secured by the Webelos rank slide
q Pants/Shorts Webelos Scouts may wear the official convertible Boy Scout green pants or the official Boy Scout pants or shorts.
q Belt
Official navy blue web belt cut to proper length with the Webelos insignia on the buckle. Cub Scout belt loops are worn only on the navy blue belt.
q Insignia See scouting insignia guide for details (http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/InsigniaGuide.aspx
14
Important Information
Boy Scouts of America website address is: http://www.scouting.org My council is: Sam Houston Area Council My council’s website address is: http://www.samhoustonbsa.org My scouting district is: Tall Timbers My district website address is: http://tall-‐timbers.shac.org My pack number is: 293 My pack website address is: https://scoutpack293.shutterfly.com My pack typically meets every Thursday September through May from 7:00-‐8:00 pm at Faith United Methodist Church on Rayford Rd. My Cubmaster is: Ernest Ladkani [email protected] My Assistant Cubmaster is: Brad Flauaus [email protected] Pack 293 Committee Chairperson is: Chelsea Sherburne [email protected] My den is the: Tiger / Wolf / Bear / Webelo My den number is:__________ My den leader is: Name:_________________________ Phone: ______________ E-‐mail: ________________________________ My assistant den leader is: Name:_________________________ Phone: ______________ E-‐mail: _______________________________
15
Scout Shops North Loop -‐ Houston Scout Shop 2225 North Loop West, Suite A Houston, TX 77008 (713) 865-‐5190 Strake Scout Shop 1188-‐B West Dallas St Conroe, TX 77301 1-‐800-‐864-‐1568 Champions 1960 Scout Shop 6512 FM 1960 West (at Champion Dr) Houston, TX 77069 (281) 444-‐1152 Online Scout Store: www.scoutstuff.org