Public FAQs - Cub Scout Pack 20 (Piscataway, New Jersey)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cub Scouting?

Cub Scouting is a year-round program uniquely designed to meet the needs of young boys and their parents. The program offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness. Service projects, ceremonies, games, and other activities guide boys through the core values and give them a sense of personal achievement. Through positive peer group interaction and parental guidance, boys also learn honesty, bravery, and respect. Family involvement is an essential part of Cub Scouting and parents are encouraged to play an active role in the program. Through interaction between parents, leaders, and friends, boys learn citizenship, compassion, and courage. This family-and community-centered approach to learning means that Cub Scouting is truly time well spent.

What does Cub Scouting offer my son?

Cub Scouting offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness. Service projects, ceremonies, games, and other activities guide boys through the core values and give them a sense of personal achievement. Through positive peer group interaction and parental guidance, boys also learn honesty, bravery, and respect.

How does participation in Cub Scouting affect participation other activities?

The Cub Scout program is designed to compliment many other extracurricular activities. Typical time commitment is two Den meetings and one Pack meeting per month. Boys who participate in organized sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, etc, or academic-based extracurricular activities like music, art, science etc., can be recognized for these activities though Cub Scout belt loops and pins which are worn on their uniform.

What are the responsibilities of a parent?

Provide help and support for the den and pack.
Work with your son on advancement projects and activities.
Attend pack meetings with your son and present his advancement awards to him at the pack meeting.
Attend and assist with den outings.
Attend Cub Scout Family campouts with your son

Do Cub Scouts go camping?

Yes, but they ease into it. They may go camping with a parent, or even with the entire family. More on Cub Scout camping can be found athttp://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/activities/outdoor/camping.y.html

What other activities are available to Cub Scouts and their families?

Pack 20 is very active, providing a rich environment for boys and their families. Typical annual events include:

Rocket Launch
Fall Campout
Scouting for Food
Blue & Gold Banquet
Pinewood Derby
Spring Campout
Raingutter Regatta
Memorial Day Parade
Community Service Activities
and more!

WHAT ARE THE IDEALS OF CUB SCOUTING?

The Cub Scout ideals are expressed in the Cub Scout Promise, the Cub Scout Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto:

The Cub Scout Promise:

I, (name), 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 of the Pack:

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

Cub Scout Motto:

Do Your Best.

HOW IS CUB SCOUTING ORGANIZED?

Cub Scouting uses terms and phrases taken from stories in The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling. Cub Scout leaders, parents and responsible adults with authority, are all called “Akela.” The boys are called Cubs, and they and their leaders are organized into small units called Dens. Dens are part of a larger Pack. A Pack is chartered by an organization.

Some additional information on Cub Scouting can be found at the BSA National Website and at our District Website.

Cub Scouting is for boys currently in First Grade through Fifth Grade, or rising in late spring to the First Grade through Fifth Grade. Boys do not have to go to any particular school or live in any particular area to join Cub Scouts with Pack 20. The choice of a Cub Scout Pack is usually a matter of where friends are joining and/or the convenience of the meeting location. Pack 20 is chartered by the American Legion.

How often are the meetings?

Cub Scouts usually meet in their Dens once or twice each month, and a Pack meeting is held for all Cub Scouts and their families once a month. Beyond that, it depends on the Den and Pack: a Den may hold a special activity, such as a service project or visit to a local museum in place of one of the weekly meetings or in addition to the weekly meetings. Likewise, the Pack may conduct a special event such as a rocket launch, campout, or service activity as an additional event, rather than a substitute for its monthly Pack meeting.

How can I learn more?

The best way to learn about what a Cub Scout really does is to talk with a Cub Scout who is engaged in the program. Alternatively, you can learn more about the Cub Scout program by selecting "Contact Cubmaster" (above) and asking questions, or leave your phone number to receive a call from the Cubmaster.