Public Parent's Page - Cub Scout Pack 279 (Tomah, Wisconsin)

ParentHandbook

KimberlyHead, Chairmen

Jack“JB” Head, Cubmaster

Welcometo Scouting!

Welcome to Cub Scouts and Pack 279! Pack279 is a group of about 32 boys and their families. Theboys range from first grade to fifth grade. Pack 279 is chartered through the GloriaDei Lutheran Church in Tomah, Wisconsin. Cub Scouts is part of the Boy Scoutsof America (BSA). Pack 279 is part of the Winding Trails District of the Gateway Area Council of BSA.

Overviewof Cub Scouts

Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America hashelped younger boys through Cub Scouting. It is a year-round family programdesigned for boys who are in the first grade through fifth grade (or 6 through10 years of age). Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achievethe purposes of Cub Scouting. Currently, Cub Scouting is the largest of theBSA's three membership divisions. (The other divisions are Boy Scouting andVenturing.)

The ten purposes of Cub Scouting are:

1. CharacterDevelopment

2. SpiritualGrowth

3. GoodCitizenship

4.Sportsmanship and Fitness

5. FamilyUnderstanding

6. RespectfulRelationships

7. PersonalAchievement

8. FriendlyService

9. Fun andAdventure

10. Preparationfor Boy Scouts

Membership

Cub Scouting members join a Cub Scout Packand are assigned to a Den, usually a group of six to eight boys. Tiger Cubs(first-graders), Wolf Cub Scouts (second graders), Bear Cub Scouts (thirdgraders), and Webelos Scouts (fourth and fifth graders) usually meet weekly or bi-weekly.Den meeting schedules are worked out by the Den Leaders with thefamilies of the Scouts in their Den.

Once a month, all of the Dens and familymembers gather for a Pack meeting under the direction of the Cubmaster and PackCommittee. The Committee includes parents of boys in the Pack and members ofthe chartered organization. The Pack Leader chairs the Pack Committee.

CubScout Program

Cub Scouting is a family and home centeredprogram that encourages ethical and decision-making skills. At each level, theprogram is tailored to the specific age group. Scouting uses a fun program topromote character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness forevery member. You can help by encouraging perfect attendance, assisting withyour child’s advancement activities, attending meetings with your Scout, helping with Pack meetings, events, and activities, and assisting withtransportation.

Cub Scouts dens are organized by “rank” according tograde level and age. Following is asummary of the different ranks including Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos. Scouts“move up” through the ranks as they advance in age and skill levels.

Tiger Cubs (first grade -6-year olds): These boys participate in the program with their adult partners.The program emphasizes shared leadership, learning about the community, healthand fitness, and family understanding. As a Tiger Cub adult partner, you willparticipate in all meetings and activities with your son.

Wolf Cub Scouts (second grade – 7 years olds): These boys participate in moderately moreadvanced activities and skills and earn achievements in areas includingcitizenship and respect for the flag, safety and emergency preparedness, toolsand building, and science and nature.Much of the advancement work for the Wolf rank is done by the Scout andhis family outside of the Den and so continues to rely on heavy familyinvolvement for success.

Bear Cub Scouts (third grade – 8 years olds): Continued growth by the boys with Achievement tasks in the broadareas of God, Country, Family, and Self. Activities emphasize characterdevelopment, citizenship training, and personal fitness and continue to requireheavy family involvement.

Webelos (fourth andfifth grade – 9/10 year olds): Webelos Scouts participate in more advancedactivities that begin to prepare them to become Boy Scouts.

Boy Scouting (11 through 17years of age) is designed to achieve the aims of Scouting through a vigorousoutdoor program and peer group leadership with the counsel of an adultScoutmaster. (Boys may become Boy Scouts if they have earned the Arrow of LightAward or have completed the fifth grade.)

VolunteerLeadership

Volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved inthe Cub Scout program at all levels from unit leaders to Pack Committee Chair,Committee members, Den Leaders, and chartered organization representatives aswell as district, council and national levels. Many are parents of Scouts; manyentered scouting as youth members. Each chartered organization establishes aunit Committee, which operates its Scouting unit, selects leadership, andprovides support for a quality program. Most unit Committees depend on parentsfor membership and assistance.

CharteringOrganization

A Cub Scout Pack belongs to an organization such as achurch, school, community organization, or group of interested citizens that ischartered by the BSA to use the Scouting program. This chartered organizationprovides a suitable meeting place and can provide adult leadership andsupervision for the boys under its care. Each organization appoints one of itsmembers as a chartered organization representative. The organization, throughthe Pack Committee, is responsible for providing leadership, the meeting place,and support materials for Pack activities. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is Pack279’s chartered organization.

ScoutingCouncils

Each autonomous local Council is chartered by the BSA,which provides program and training aids along the guidelines established bythe National Executive Board and the national charter from Congress. Pack 279is part of the Gateway Area Council of the Winding Trails District of BSA. Council meetings are usually held the secondThursday of the month at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tomah. See

http://www.gacbsa.org/districts/winding-trails/

Who PaysFor It?

Groups responsible for supporting Cub Scouting are theboys and their parents, the Pack, the chartered organization, and thecommunity. Some packs encourage scouts to pay their own way by contributingdues each week. Pack 279 collects an annual fee in lieu of weekly dues and alsoconducts an annual popcorn fundraiser.

Packs also obtain income by working on approvedmoney-earning projects. The community, including parents, supports Cub Scoutingthrough Friends of Scouting enrollment, bequests, and special contributions tothe BSA local Council. This financial support provides leadership training,outdoor programs, Council service centers and other facilities, andprofessional service for units.

AdvancementPlan

Recognition is important to young boys. The Cub Scoutadvancement plan provides fun for the boys and gives them a sense of personalachievement as they progress along the Cub Scout trail. Cub Scouts participate in specific activitiesto meet requirements for earning badges.Requirements for earning badges (also referred to as Advancement Awards)are included in the Cub Scout Handbook for each rank.

Cub Scout activities for advancement are organized bythe Den and the Pack. Adult familymembers should also work with their Scout on advancement projects at home, strengtheningfamily relationships and understanding.The Scout’s parents and Den Leader are responsible for monitoring thecompletion of requirements for awards.

Bobcat: All new scouts are required to earn theBobcat rank badge when they join Cub Scouting.The requirements for this rank help the scout understand the basics ofScouting. All scouts must earn the Bobcat rank badge first before earningawards for their age-appropriate rank activities.

Tiger Cub (first grade):

There are five Tiger Cub achievement areas. The TigerCub, working with his adult partner, completes 15 requirements within theseareas to earn the Tiger Cub Badge. These requirements consist of an excitingseries of indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy in the first grade.

Wolf (second grade):

To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must complete 12achievements involving simple physical and mental skills as well ascitizenship, and health and fitness.

Bear (third grade):

There are 24 Bear achievements in four categories. TheCub Scout must complete 12 of these to earn the Bear badge. These requirementsare somewhat more difficult and challenging than those for Wolf rank.

Webelos (fourth andfifth grade):

A boy may begin working on the Webelos badge as soonas he joins a Webelos Den. This is the first step in his transition from theWebelos Den to the Boy Scout Troop. As he completes the requirements found inthe Webelos Scout Book, he will work on activity badges, attend meetings led byadults, and become familiar with the Boy Scout requirements - all leading tothe Arrow of Light Award. The Arrow ofLight is the highest award in Cub Scouts.

Activities

Cub Scouting means "doing." Everything inCub Scouting is designed to have the boys doing things. Activities are used toachieve the aims of Scouting - citizenship training, character development, andpersonal fitness. Many of the activities happen right in the Den and Pack. Themost important are the regular Den meetings and the monthly Pack meetings. Some activities are completed at home asfamily activities.

Cub ScoutAcademics and Sports

The Cub Scout Academics and Sports program providesthe opportunity for boys to learn new techniques, increase scholarship skills,develop sportsmanship, and have fun. Participation in the program allows boysto be recognized for physical fitness and talent-building activities. All Cub Scouts are eligible to earn belt loops and pinawards after meeting requirements for Academics and Sports activities.

Camping

Cub Scout Pack members enjoy camping inlocal Council camps and other Council-approved campsites. Camping programscombine fun and excitement with doing ones best, getting along with others, anddeveloping an appreciation for ecology and the world of the outdoors.

There are other opportunities forcamping. All Cub Scout campingexperiences require that an adult parent or guardian attend with each Scout.

Publications

Volunteers are informed of national news and eventsthrough Scouting magazine (circulation 900,000). Boys may subscribe to Boys’Life magazine (circulation 1.3 million). Both are published by the BoyScouts of America. Also available are a number of Cub Scout and leaderpublications, including the Tiger Cub Handbook, Wolf Cub Scout Book, BearCub Scout Book, Webelos Scout Book, Cub Scout Leader Book, Cub Scout ProgramHelps, and Webelos Leader Guide.

There is also a publication called Area Scouter publishedby the Baltimore Area council that has news from national and councilexecutives. Tributes and generalroundtable meetings are also noted.

CubScouting Ideals

Apart from the fun and excitement of Cub Scoutactivities, the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, the Tiger Cub motto,and the Cub Scout sign, handshake, motto, and salute all teach good citizenshipand contribute to a boy’s sense of belonging.

Cub ScoutPromise

I, (name), promise to do my best to do my duty to Godand my country, to help other people, and to obey the Law of the Pack.

Cub ScoutMotto

Do YourBest.

Tiger CubMotto

Search,Discover, Share.

Law ofthe Pack

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

Colors

The Cub Scoutcolors are blue and gold. They have special meaning, which will help boys seebeyond the fun of Cub Scouting to its ultimate goals. The blue stands for truthand spirituality, steadfast loyalty, and the sky above. The gold stands forwarm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness.

What toExpect From Pack 279

Pack 279 has monthly Pack meetings andsmaller, more frequent Den meetings. The Pack generally meets on the fourthThursday of each month from September to June. We meet at Gloria Dei LutheranChurch, 310 W. Elizabeth St Tomah, Wisconsin 54660. On special occasions, thePack meetings may be held in a different location or on a different day of themonth. A Pack schedule is typically passed out at the first Pack Meeting of theyear. Parents are urged to incorporate this information into their family’scalendars in advance for these important events. Dens usually meet once a month or morefrequently depending on the Den leader.Each Den sets its own meeting times and locations. Dens can meet after school, in the evening oron weekends. Some Dens meet at Denmembers’ homes, others meet at community meeting places such as churches or thelibrary.

Along with Pack meetings, the Pack has avariety of special events such as camping trips, hikes, visits to sportingevents and historic or educational facilities, the Pinewood Derby, RocketDay, the Blue and Gold banquet andothers. We also participate in a numberof Community service projects such as the Scouting for Food Drive,Placing/retrieving flags for veterans, and an annual cleanup of the Gloria DeiChurch grounds. The Pack also marches in the 4^th of July andChristmas parades in Tomah each year. The Pack Committee chooses events andpublishes the information by e-mail/scout track and through announcements andflyers at Pack meetings.

Pack 279 requires all member families toparticipate in fundraisers that each Scout must participate to sell products tosupport the Pack. In past years, Pack 279 has been able to support its programswith the scout sponsored popcorn fundraiser in the fall. This supports thepurchase of all of the awards the Scouts earn and supplements Pack activities.Sometimes optional special events are scheduled during the Scouting year, whichmay involve additional costs.

It is the hope of everyone that a CubScout advances to Boy Scouts and “crosses over” at the annual Arrow of Lightceremony at the end of the Webelos program (fifth grade). This ceremony occurs in February at the annualCub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet, which celebrates the anniversary of thefounding of the Boy Scouts. While a CubScout is a Webelos, he learns what it means to be a Boy Scout. He will visitthe two Troops in town and spend some time camping with the Troops. Once heselects which Troop to join, he will “cross over” to Boy Scouts during theArrow of Light ceremony at the annual Blue and Gold Banquet. At the end of thisceremony, the Webelos Scouts have graduated and are no longer expected to cometo Cub Scout Pack meetings.

What Pack279 Expects From Parents

Participation:

While your son is a Cub Scout, we expect you to serveas his adult partner and actively participate in all meetings and activities,assist and approve his Cub Scout achievements as he works toward earning awards,and assist the Den and Pack Leaders as needed..

Each parent is expected to keep up on the Pack and Denactivities calendar by communicating with their Den Leaders and monitoring andresponding to e-mail messages regarding Cub Scout activities. Parents are expected to provide Scoutinformation and RSVPs for activities to their Den Leader and the Pack Leaderthroughout the year via forms, e-mail/ scout track, or phone. It is very important for you to respond tothese requests by the deadlines indicated.Much effort is put into creating opportunities for the Scouts, and youare expected to support those activities.

Volunteering:

Parent volunteers run the entire Pack.This means that every parent is expected to help the Pack in some way. There are many opportunities tovolunteer. You can:

§ volunteer to be a DenLeader or Assistant Den Leader

§ help your Den Leaderplan and lead Den activities

§ assist with set up,clean up, planning and staffing Pack events such as Pack meetings, field trips,the Pinewood Derby, Blue and Gold Banquet, Gloria Dei Cleanup, Fourth of July,and Rocket Day

§ guide fundraising andcommunity service efforts

§ provide leadership as amember of the Pack Committee.

The Pack and your child can only succeed in a fun,vibrant Pack if we have parents that commit to this requirement and participatein planning and making these events happen.

Training:

The Cubs deserve trained leaders. All leaders areexpected to complete the online Fast Start training and Youth Protectiontraining before starting and to complete All Leader Basic Training (ALBT) assoon as possible. Parents are asked to complete online Fast Start training andYouth Protection training even if you are not a leader so that they arefamiliar with Cub Scout rules and safety procedures.

Leaders:

Leading Cub Scouts requires a commitment to the Packbut does not mean you have to “reinvent the wheel”. There are extensiveresources available to you - within the Pack, at the Scout store (ProgramHelps, books, manuals, How-To guides, etc.), at the Council office (training,resources), on the web (more “How To”, recaps of roundtables, white papers), atDistrict roundtables (personal contacts, training) and other meetings. If youare always running out of ideas for meetings, please see the CommitteeChairperson, the Cubmaster, or other Den Leaders.

Uniforms:

You will need to provide a uniform for your Cub Scout.A uniform provides identification, source of pride, honors tradition and showsrank. A proper uniform includes the following:

a) Tiger Cubs

Blue BSA Shirt with requiredpatches (required)

Dark blue dungarees (required) **

Tiger neckerchief – orange (required)

Tiger Cub neckerchief slide (required)

Tiger hat (orange) (required )

Blue Cub Scout belt (required todisplay the Belt Totem or Belt Loops)

b) Wolf Cubs

Blue BSA Shirt with required patches(required)*

Dark blue dungarees (required) **

Wolf neckerchief - yellow (required)

Cub Scout neckerchief slide (required)

Wolf hat (blue & yellow) (required )

Blue Cub Scout belt (required to display theBelt Loops)

c) Bear Cubs

Blue BSA Shirt with required patches(required)*

Dark blue dungarees (required) **

Wolf neckerchief - light blue (required)

Cub Scout neckerchief slide (required)

Wolf hat (blue & light blue) (required )

Blue Cub Scout belt (required to display theBelt Loops)

d) Webelos Cubs

There are two options for Webelos Scouts, either the blue shirt or thetan shirt. All Webelos should obtain a tan shirt before crossing over into BoyScouts.

Blue Shirt(option 1)

Blue BSA Shirtwith required patches *

Dark bluedungarees (required) **

Webelosneckerchief - plaid (required)

Cub Scoutneckerchief slide (required)

Webelos hat(Khaki & plaid) (required )

Blue Cub Scoutbelt (required to display the belt loops)

Tan Shirt(option 2)

Tan BSA Shirtwith required patches *

Dark bluedungarees (required) **

Webelosneckerchief - plaid (required)

Cub Scoutneckerchief slide (required)

Webelos hat(Khaki & plaid) (required )

Blue Cub Scoutbelt (required to display the belt loops)

*Required Patches:

Left sleeve:Gateway Area Council patch, Numerals for Pack number “279”

Right sleeve:Den number below flag

Above leftpocket: World crest patch or World Conservation badge (if earned)

The Scouting Store can give you more details and help you choose theright patches. All other patches are earned by the Cub and distributed at eachPack meeting.

A guide to uniform patch placement can be found on theweb at

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34282.pdf

**Pants: Dark blue dungarees OR official trousers - nosweat pants, shorts (except during the summer months, must be dark bluedungarees), gym shorts, or cut-offs. We are looking for neat, clean, andconsistent.

Uniforms are often handed down from brother to brother or from familyto family. Uniforms are available by catalog (1-800-323-0732), on the web atthe online catalog at http://www.scoutstuff.org/

Cub Scout Handbook:

Each Cub Scout needs a handbook for their appropriate (rank) year. Books are to be purchasedby the parents. Webelos books are good for two years. The Cubs should bringthese books to every Den meeting. The books are typically not needed forthe larger Pack meetings.

Registration/ Registration Fees:

Pack 279 requires an annual fee (rates are $48.00 forthe year for new Scouts, $40.00 for returning Scouts, please add $12.00 extrafor Boy’s Life), payable in September for the current Scouting year. Cubs thatjoin the Pack mid-year will have their fees for the current year pro-rated, andwill need to pay the following year’s fees.Pack 279 collects an annual fee instead of having the Cubs pay weeklydues.

Financial Hardship:

Any family that is unable to pay annual dues, purchasea uniform, or attend a trip because of financial hardship should speak to the Chairperson and/or Cubmaster.

Re-registration:

Re-registration needs to be completed each year.Registration includes Cub and parent information, basic medical informationthat outlines any medical condition that may require emergency care and autoregistration and insurance information (for completing tour permits for fieldtrips).

Parent attendance:

Parents are expected to attend Pack meetings withtheir Cub Scout. It is up to the Den Leader whether you need to be present atDen meetings (except Tiger Cubs - Tiger Adult Partners are expected to attendand participate in Tiger Cub Den meetings). A minimum of two leaders or oneleader and one adult parent MUST be at every Den meeting so you may be asked tostay by the Den Leader if there are not enough adults at the meeting.

Pack Committee/Leaders meetings:

The Pack Committee runs the Pack. Committee meetingsare held monthly. They are for theCommittee members to get together to plan out and share responsibilities of theactivities for each Pack meeting. Leaders Meeting are held after CommitteeMeetings and relay all information out to Den Leaders, as well as coverupcoming events and Pack Meetings.

Why do we ask for insurance information at registration andre-registration?

The BSA has a liability insurance plan that coversyou, your leaders and your son in the event of an accident. The BSA plan coversaccidents above your own personal auto insurance. This insurance information isrequired for tour permits any time a BSA sanctioned event occurs outside of theGateway Area Council limits.

Membership card:

The Cub Scout’s membership card is good at certainstores for discounts. Currently, the following stores offer discounts. If youknow of others, please inform the Committee Chair so an update can be made. Besure to call or check with the manager before shopping to make sure the storehas not discontinued the program.

Coleman outlet store, Wrentham Premium Outlets

Campmor catalog and onlinestore, http://www.campmor.com/

What Pack 279 Expects From Cubs Scouts?

Primarily, we want the Cub Scouts to HAVE FUN! Theywill do this by lots of hands-on learning, exploring and getting outdoors.

1. We expect the Cubs to attend Den meetings and Pack meetings and to be dressedin full uniform at these meetings.

2. We expect them to try their best and show respect to all.

3. We expect them to be on their best behavior at Den and Pack meetings,and anytime they are in uniform as they are representing the Boy Scouts ofAmerica.

4. We expect them to participate in the annual fundraiser and the Packcommunity service projects.

ProgramPolicies:

Chartered organizations agree to use the Scoutingprogram in accordance with their own policies as well as those of the BSA. Theprogram is flexible, but major departures from BSA methods and policies are notpermitted. As a parent, you should be aware that:

1. Leadership is restricted toqualified adults who subscribe to the Declaration of Religious Principle, theScout Oath and the Scout Law.

2. Citizenship activities are encouraged, but partisan politicalactivities are prohibited.

3. Military training and drills areprohibited. Marksmanship and elementary drill for ceremonies are permitted.

4. The Boy Scouts of America recognizes the importance of religious faithand duty; it leaves sectarian religious instruction to the member’s religiousleaders and family. Members who do not belong to a unit’s religious charteredorganization shall not be required to participate in its religious activities.

5. Two registered adult leaders orone registered adult leader and a parent of a participant, one of whom must be21 years of age or older, are required on all trips and outings. If activitiesare coeducational, leaders of both sexes must be present.

6. Corporal punishment and hazing are not permitted. Parents andunit leaders must work together to solve discipline problems.

7. One-on-one activities betweenyouth and adults are not permitted; personal conferences must be conducted inplain view of others.

8. If you suspect that anyone in the unit is a victim of child abuse,immediately contact the Scout executive, who is responsible for reporting thisto the appropriate authorities.

9. All Scouting activities are open to parental visitation. There are no“secret” organizations within the Boy Scouts of America.

Useful Web Resources

Boy Scouts of America

http://www.Scouting.org/

MeritBadge.com

http://www.meritbadge.com/

The requirements for all belt loops are atthe following web site. You click on the blue belt loop name and it givesyou the detailed requirements for earning each one.

http://www.usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/a-sindex.asp

US Scouting Service Project (has links to everythingScouting)

http://www.usScouts.org/

Uniform inspection sheet

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34282.pdf

Scouting onlinecatalog

http://www.Scoutstuff.org/

Gateway Area Council

Boy Scouts of America

2600 Quarry Road - La Crosse, WI 54601

608.784.4040

http://www.gacbsa.org/