How old does a boy have to be to join Cub Scouts?

1st Graders  - These boys join our Tiger Den where they work closely with their parents/guardian on activities and advancements.  This group focuses on making things as fun as can be and working together as family and friends.

2nd Graders - These boys join the Wolf Den nd get to work on things that are a little more challenging and now attend den meetings with their friends and work on things at home with their family too.

3rd Graders - Bears!  In the Bear Den the activities become more responsible and the boys begin to grown in their own character.

4th Graders - WEBELOS I.  This is the first year of Webelos den where the boys start to take charge, they have more input into what they want to work on, and begin to take the steps towards outdoor adventures that are at the heart of Boy Scouting.

5th Graders - WEBELOS II.  In the second year of Webelos the boys begin to focus on more outdoor activities, getting to know the Boy Scout Troops and start the transition towards becoming their own leaders.  Their outdoor skills and hands-on abilities grow as they prepare to cross the bridge into a Boy Scout Troop.

What if my boy is in the 6th grader or higher?  The Boys Scouts is the proper place for a boy in this age group and ability.  In Boy Scouts they will learn even more about becoming a good citizen, steward of the earth and explore their skills and abilities through merit badge work that may uncover their potential in a career.  Think of Boy Scouts as a leadership development course for youth that combines knowledge with fun and adventures of the great outdoors !  Currently, Ridgebury does not have a Boy Scout Troop.  If you would like to be on the front end of rekindling a Boy Scout Troop in Ridgebury or if you are looking to join another local Boy Scout Troop, contact our Cubmaster, Jamie Swetland @ 570-596-4418 to get a registration form filled out and your handbook.  Also, see our website at www.Pack4022.ScoutLander.com or find the link on the Ridgebury Township website at www.RidgeburyTownship.org.

 

How much does Cub Scouts cost?

$20 – This is our annual registration fee for the youth and a Pinewood Derby car kit, provided in December.  This is due at the time of sign-up or each September for renewing youths.

 

$1 – This is the dues amount we collect each week which helps to offset the cost of badges and awards due to the youths for their hard work and dedication to advancing in their knowledge and skills.

 

$9 – This is the cost of the youth handbook which is good for a year (2-years if they are in WEBELOS).

 

$?? -  There are various amounts of costs throughout the year for special events or activities in which the Pack may participate.  These costs are generally very small but come with a large payback on fun and excitement for the boys.  We attempt to control these costs and offset them by participating in a couple fundraisers through the year.  The better job the youths perform in sales, the better the cost is for everyone.

 

What sort of things do you do in Cub Scouts?

Fun!  That is the key ingredient we strive to include in all we do. Some of the activities and events our group takes part in are as follows:  BSA Popcorn sales and fundraisers, Scouting for Food drive to support those in our community in need of food items, Pack and District Pinewood Derby Car Races, Park and Roadside cleanups throughout our community, craft projects, science experiments, learning more about our environment, fishing trips, hikes, camp-outs, model rocket launches, games of kickball and "hoop-shooting", Day Camp and Resident Camp at council camps and looking for more fun and adventure at every turn.  So bring your enthusiasm and your ideas out to our Pack and join in our fun !!

 

During our weekly den meetings we do various projects from our handbooks and learn about new things.  During our monthly Pack meeting, we get the whole group together and their families to present recognition awards, display our projects and our work, eat healthy snacks and play games.  Cub Scouts is not a dollar a week day care service but a program to develop our youth into stronger, more well rounded individuals.

 

The boys will work on some items at their den meetings with other boys in their group, other items may need to be done at home.  Encouragement and assistance at home are essential to helping the boys’ development.  Just as important is that the boy performs his own work and writes and executes his own ideas.  understands the value of what it is he is working towards.  This may include reading, writing, building, painting, woodworking and practicing for a flag ceremony or a skit. 

 

And remember, Scouting does not have a season.  It is a year round activity-based character development program.  Through games, crafts, hiking, camping and more, boys learn and explore the world around them and a little bit about themselves in the process.  A study by Baylor University show the BSA programs have helped others youths to young men become better, more well-rounded individuals in their families, careers and communities.

 

 

How do I join?

Contact our Cubmaster, Jamie Swetland @ 570-596-4418 to get a registration form filled out and your handbook.  Also, see our website at www.Pack4022.ScoutLander.com or find the link on the Ridgebury Township website at www.RidgeburyTownship.org.