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UNIFORMS
Use the uniform flyer to determine the uniform needs for your son based on his age. The Scout handbook for the scout is the most critical item to buy first since his den will begin earning achievements immediately and the handbook is your guide and log of his accomplishments.
Uniforms are to be worn at all Den meetings, pack meetings, field trips, community service projects (unless T-shirts are suggested), and to/from campouts. Basically, anytime a Scout is representing their Den or Pack 208 a uniform should be worn. When in doubt ... as a leader!
ATTENDANCE
As with any activity, the boys will enjoy scouting more if they regularly attend the activities provided. In Den meetings, the boys are bonding with the other boys and completing achievements that will enable them to advance in the scout program as well as earn a variety of awards throughout the year. If boys don't regularly attend the den meetings then they are likely to not receive the same awards as other boys in thier den (which can make the Pack meetings not as rewarding for them). Parents should encourage attendance whenever needed to help maintain a positive environment for the Den and the Pack meetings.
DEN MEETINGS
Den meetings occur weekly and do not normally occur the week of a Pack meeting or when school is not in session (unless the Den Leader has made special arrangement with the parent group). Parents are expected to stay at the meeting with their sons to assist the Den Leader with the activities, responsibilities and supervision of the den. Other siblings are welcome to come providing they are supervised by the parent and are not disruptive to the den’s activities.
PACK MEETINGS
Pack meetings occur once a month (usually the last Tuesday of the month) in the Harding School Cafeteria. Attendance is important since this is the one time each month that all dens are together & awards are presented to boys based on their achievements. Parents should attend as well since this is the primary means for the Pack to communicate upcoming events/activities to all parents via Pack Newsletter, handouts & announcements. The Scout’s entire family is welcome and encouraged to come!
DUES
Most dens collect dues in some way to help offset supplies for projects completed in the den meetings. Dues generally run about $1 per week but may vary based on the type of activities completed. Your den leader will provide specific dues information/requirements for your den.
LEADERSHIP
All Den Leaders as well as Committee Members are volunteers. The Boy Scouts of America organization does provide special training programs for new leaders; however, the success of the den & pack are greatly influenced by the level of parent participation. If you are interested in helping in any way (den or Pack Committee position) please let your den leader or another Committee Member know.
Positions that we have within the Pack include:
Den Leaders Treasurer
Asst. Den Leaders Awards Coordinator and Advancement
Cubmaster Community Service Chair
Asst. Cubmaster Historian (Pack Photo Album)
Committee Chairperson Popcorn "Kernel" Chair (Fundraising)
Pack Trainer School Contact Chair
TRAINING FOR NEW LEADERS
The following training is available through the BSA Scout Office:
- Cub Scout "Fast Start" training (available on-line)
- Youth Protection (required for all den leaders)
- This is Scouting (recommended)
- Den Leader Training (recommended & specific to den - Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos)
- There are also numerous optional trainings available such as Committee positions, BALOO (outdoor skills), Safe Swim Defense, weather hazards, etc.
CAMPING
There are several Council sponsored camping events per year as well as 2-3 Pack 208 sponsored campouts. Campouts are always optional however, we know most boys join Scouting because they like to camp!
Families are responsible for providing their own camping equipment, i.e. tent, sleeping bags, flashlights, food, etc. We encourage families to participate in campouts whenever possible but if you don’t have the necessary equipment or simply don’t like to camp, at least come for the day (usually Saturdays) so your family can participate in the great activities that occur including pack dinners & campfire. The Scout’s entire family is welcome & encouraged to come!
FUNDRAISING
We have 1 major fundraiser per year which funds awards, activities, leader registration & other miscellaneous expenses for the Pack. The BSA National Fundraiser is a Popcorn Sale that kicks off in October of each year. Providing we make our goal with this fundraiser, it will be the only fundraiser for the year. It’s all up to parent support!
PACK T-SHIRTS
T-Shirts are optional and usually worn on campouts or when Scouts are participating in activities that might damage their regular uniform, i.e. picnics, community service projects.
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO USE
Alcoholic beverages are never allowed at any scout function regardless of location. Tobacco use (including smokeless) is never allowed on school grounds or in the presence of Scouts at non-school locations (including campouts). Adult smoking will be allowed only in acceptable areas as approved by the Committee or Leader in charge of an event. The Boy Scouts of America recommends that “leaders maintain the attitude that young adults are much better off without tobacco”.
ELEMENTS OF A GOOD CUB SCOUT DEN AND MEETING
DEN STRUCTURE KEY POINTS:
- Parent involvement is critical to the success of any den. Parents should attend den meetings with boys and come prepared to assist with activities and projects.
- Den Leader/Assistant should assign tasks to each parent to spread the workload into the den where possible. Some suggested assignments are:
- Attendance/dues collection (records attendance at den meetings/collects and logs dues from boys/parents)
- Awards Coordinator (records achievements earned from boys/parents through den meetings/belt loops and forwards lists to Pack Awards Coordinator prior to Pack Meetings)
- Refreshment Coordinator (assigns refreshment schedule and prepares refreshment area during den meeting, provides “reminders” weekly to boys/parents)
- Field Trip Organizer (works with Leaders to schedule field trips for den and handles outside contact arrangements).
- Dens should meet weekly to provide continuity for boys. This enables them to bond more easily and look forward to future den meetings/ activities. (Field trips may be scheduled “in lieu of a den meeting” and den meetings do not need to occur during Pack Meeting weeks.)
- Dens should participate in every Pack Meeting with a song, skit, show & tell, etc. This encourages teamwork between dens and makes Pack meetings a lot more FUN!
- Dues are a den decision however most dens collect $1 per week from each boy to assist with purchasing of supplies for den activities or for accessory items to use throughout year such as temp. patch holders, place mats for refreshments, activity books, etc. Any money left over at year end (June) can be carried over to the next year OR many dens use remaining dues to award boys with something at the Graduation Camp-Out, i.e. new book, scarf, slide for following year.
- Den Leaders move each year with the boys to the next level however it is OK for parents to take turns as Den Leader or Assistant each year providing the new leaders participate in Council provided training.
- Parent planning meetings are encouraged to plan out the year’s themes/activities. They can be conducted a few times a year or monthly depending on den preference.
- Communication/reminders of upcoming events/activities should occur weekly thru den meetings, phone calls, US mail, flyers or email. (Den Leaders receive Pack information and are responsible for distributing information to den participants). Council and Pack activities are communicated at monthly Pack meetings.
DEN MEETING KEY POINTS:
- Meeting lasts no longer than 1 to1-1/2 hours.
- All equipment/materials on hand before meeting begins.
- Conducted by TRAINED den leaders and assistants.
- Meetings begin/end on time.
- Parents are encouraged to assist their sons with the projects.
- Projects should be started/finished (if possible) at the den meetings. It is OK for a project to be spread over 2 meetings.
- Meetings allow for a change in pace…a mix of physical activity, artistic or academic activities.
- Records kept up to date for attendance, dues, awards, etc.
- Boys bring handbooks to each meeting. Den Leader or assistant to check books to make sure activities are being marked off and achievements are logged in the back of the book, too.
- Cub Scouts should have FUN. (We suggest 3-4 den field trips per year).
- Inspiration and Motivation through ceremonies and discussion of them projects.
- Properly uniformed Cub Scouts and Leaders.
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