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| PACK 1703 |
| Leonard Elementary School - Troy Michigan |
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WHAT IS CUB SCOUTING? In 1930, the Boy Scouts of America created a new opportunity called Cub Scouting for boys younger than Boy Scout age. A year-round, home-centered program used by chartered organizations, Cub Scouting emphasizes involvement between boys and their parents, adult leaders, and friends. In the multidimensional plan of the Boy Scouts of America, Cub Scouting is where it all begins. Currently, it is the largest of the organization's three membership divisions. (The others are Boy Scouting and Venturing.) PURPOSES Cub Scouting has the following purposes: Influence a boy's character development and spiritual growth. Develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship. Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body. Improve understanding within the family. Strengthen a boy's ability to get along with others. Foster a sense of personal achievement by developing new interests and skills. Provide fun and exciting new things to do. Show a boy how to be helpful and do his best. Prepare him to be a Boy Scout. WHO CAN JOIN? Any boy who subscribes to the Cub Promise and Law of the Pack, and is in the second through fifth grades (or age 8, 9, or 10), may join a Cub Scout pack and be assigned to a den, usually made up of boys in a neighborhood who form a natural play group. Den meetings are held each week, usually at a school or den leader’s homes under the supervision of at least 2 adult volunteer/den leaders. A den may also have an assistant den leader; a den chief-an older Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer who helps the leader with activities; and a denner - a Cub Scout elected by his peers who assists the den leader and den chief. Once a month, all of the dens and family members gather for a pack meeting under the direction of a Cubmaster and pack committee. The committee can include parents of boys in the pack and members of the chartered organization. WHO OPERATES A CUB SCOUT PACK? Like other phases of the Scouting program, Cub Scouting is made available to groups having similar interests and goals, which include professional organizations, government bodies, and religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor, and citizens' groups. These are called our chartered organizations. Each organization appoints one of its members as a chartered organization representative. The organization, through the committee, is responsible for leadership, the meeting place, and related materials for pack activities. WHO PAYS? The community, including parents, supports Cub Scouting through the United Way, sustaining membership enrollment, bequests, and special contributions to the local BSA council. This provides leadership training, outdoor programs, council service centers, and other facilities, as well as professional service for units. Who Pays for Scouting? Cub Scouts Assisted by their parents or guardians, boys in Cub Scouts pay their share from personal savings and participation in Pack fundraising activities Cub Scouts buy their own uniforms, handbooks, and personal equipment and pay their own camp fees. Packs Weekly or monthly dues and funds from approved fundraising projects meet expenses for supplies and activities in the Cub Scout pack. These monies help pay for camping equipment, registration fees, Boys' Life magazine, uniform insignia, awards, special activities, and program materials. Community Organizations Each chartered organization using the Scouting program provides a meeting place and adult volunteer leadership support for the Pack. Pack 1703 is chartered by the Leonard Elementary School PTO. Local BSA Council Financial resources for the local council (the local nonprofit corporation chartered by the National BSA Council) come from an annual Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign, local United Ways, foundation grants, special events, project sales, investment income, trust funds, bequests, and gifts of real and personal property. Our local BSA Council is the Detroit Area Council. These funds provide for professional staff supervision, organization of new Scouting units, service for existing units, training of volunteer leaders, and maintenance of council camps. They also finance the operation of the local council service center, where volunteer leaders can obtain literature, insignia, advancement badges, and other items vital to the program. In addition, the service center maintains advancement and membership records. National BSA Organization Funds to support the national organization of the Boy Scouts of America come from registration fees, local council service fees, investment income, Scouting and Boys' Life magazines, sale of uniforms and equipment, contributions from individuals, and foundation grants. These monies help to deliver the program of the BSA (through four regional service centers and more than 300 local councils) to chartered organizations that use the Scouting program to meet the needs of their youth. The National BSA Organization: Provides local councils with program development and evaluation as well as camp and office planning, extensive financial counseling, planned giving and fund-raising information, and professional personnel support Coordinates a communications network through magazines and literature (handbooks, merit badge pamphlets, brochures, training materials, and professional development training) Creates a climate of positive understanding and support Makes available uniforms, equipment, and program supplies Administers national high-adventure bases and national events (jamborees, National Eagle Scout Association and Order of the Arrow conferences, and National Council meetings) Maintains communication with chartered organizations that use the Scouting program (religious institutions, PTA, civic organizations, labor unions, professional organizations, business, and industry) Maintains liaison with Scouting associations in other countries as a member of the World Scout Conference ADVANCEMENT Recognition is important to young boys. The Cub Scout 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. The boys work on requirements based on his school grade or age. TIGER CUBS, BSA Tiger Cubs BSA is a simple and fun program for first-grade boys and their families. The Tiger Cub program introduces boys and their adult partners to the excitement of Cub Scouting as they "Search, Discover, and Share" together. The Tiger Cub program is conducted on two levels. First, the Tiger Cub and his adult partner meet in the home to conduct activities for the whole family. Second, the Tiger Cub and his adult partner meet once or twice a month with other Tiger Cubs and adult partners in the den, using the planned "big idea" (or theme) for their activity during one of the meetings. Each den meeting is hosted by a Tiger Cub-adult partner team. Tiger Cubs and their adult partner are also permitted to participate in the Cub Scout Pack activities such as Pack Meetings and Pack Outings. Tiger Cubs BSA follows a school-year cycle. Boys remain in the Tiger Cub program until they complete first grade. The pack selects a Tiger Cub group coordinator who then completes BSA Fast Start training. This person conducts the organizational meeting of first graders and adult partners, coordinates (not plans) the groups activities and keeps a monthly contact with the group. BOBCAT Upon entering Cub Scouting, the first rank, Bobcat rank, is for all boys who join Cub Scouting, regardless of grade or age. The Cub Scout completes his Bobcat requirements by: learning the Cub Scout Promise, Law of the Pack, handshake, salute, sign, and motto. WOLF The Wolf program is for boys who have completed first grade (or are age 8). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must pass twelve achievements involving simple physical and mental skills. The twelve achievements are: Feats of Skill, Your Flag, Keep Your Body Healthy, Know Your Home and Community, Tools for Fixing and Building, Start a Collection, Your Living World, Cooking and Eating, Be Safe at Home and On the Street, Family Fun, Duty to God, and Making Choices. Upon completion of the achievements, he is awarded the Wolf badge, and may continue to work on Wolf electives in 22 different areas. When a boy completes 10 elective projects he receives a Gold Arrow Point. For each additional 10 elective projects he receives a Silver Arrow Point. BEAR The Bear rank is for boys who have completed second grade (or are age 9). There are twenty-four Bear achievements in four different categories. The Cub Scout must complete twelve of these to earn the Bear badge. These requirements are somewhat more difficult and challenging than those for Wolf rank. The four different categories are: God, Country, Family, and Self. To achieve the Bear rank, the Cub Scout must earn his choice of twelve: one from the first group, three from the second group, and four from each of the third and fourth groups. The achievements are: Ways We Worship; Emblems of Faith; What Makes America Special?; Tall Tales; Sharing Your World With Wildlife; Take Care of Your Planet; Law Enforcement Is a Big Job!; The Past Is Exciting and Important; What's Cooking?; Family Fun; Be Ready!; Family Outdoor Adventures; Saving Well, Spending Well; Ride Right; Games-Games-Games!; Building Muscles; Information, Please; Jot It Down; Shavings and Chips; Sawdust and Nails; Build a Model; Typing It All Up; Sports, Sports, Sports; and Be a Leader. After achieving the Bear badge, a boy may concentrate on 24 Bear elective areas until he becomes a Webelos Scout. Gold and Silver Arrow Points are also awarded for these projects. WEBELOS This program is for boys who have completed third grade (or are age 10). The Webelos dens are divided into two groups, Webelos I (fourth grad) and Webelos II (fifth grade). A boy may begin working on the Webelos badge as soon as he joins a Webelos den. This is the first step in his transition from the Webelos den to the Boy Scout troop. As he completes the requirements found in the Webelos Scout Book, he will work on activity badges, attend meetings led by adults, and become familiar with the Boy Scout requirements - all leading to the Arrow of Light Award. The Webelos Scout program is more challenging to the older Cub Scout-in fact, he's now called a Webelos Scout and wears a different uniform signifying his new status. Meetings are usually held in the early evening or on Saturday. His leader is a man or woman assisted by other den parents. The den chief is older and more experienced than those serving Cub Scouts. Also, the Webelos Scout's advancement is approved by his Webelos den leader rather than his parent. He begins work immediately on the Webelos badge. In addition, he can earn 20 Webelos activity badges: Aquanaut, Artist, Athlete, Citizen, Communicator, Craftsman, Engineer, Family Member, Fitness, Forester, Geologist, Handyman, Naturalist, Outdoorsman, Readyman, Scholar, Scientist, Showman, Sportsman, and Traveler. As a fifth-grader (or at age 10) he may earn Cub Scouting's highest award-the Arrow of Light Award. After receiving this award, he is eligible to become a Boy Scout, or he may join a troop at age 11 (or when he completes the fifth grade). ACTIVITIES At den meetings, a Cub Scout starts an activity. Perhaps it is a handicraft project or practicing a stunt for the next pack meeting. During the week, with his parents' help, he finishes the project or perfects the stunt. If it happens to be something required for his Wolf or Bear advancement, his parent signs his Cub Scout book. In this way, Cub Scouting helps to strengthen family ties. Pack meetings, attended by boys and their families, give parents a chance to see their sons in action. Most pack meetings are divided into two parts. The first is informal-boys and parents may view exhibits or participate in gathering-time activities. The second half has a formal opening, followed by den skits, songs, games, or stunts related to a monthly theme, and the awarding of badges earned by the boys since the last pack meeting. OUTDOOR PROGRAM Adventuresome outdoor programs are encouraged for Cub Scouts. These include den field trips, picnics, outings, day camping, and backyard camping. Because Cub Scouting is home-centered, family camping is also emphasized. Webelos Scouts are encouraged to go on overnight experiences and to conduct occasional joint outdoor activities with a Boy Scout troop. Cub Scout day camps are conducted by nearly all Scouting councils, and many also provide resident camping experiences for Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts. COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS Team sports and other competitive events occur within the pack and on an interpack level. Among the activities that have become favorites are Cub Scout shows, pet shows, safe bicycle driving projects, pinewood derbies (miniature car racing on tracks), rocket derbies, regattas, kite-flying contests, Cub Scout field days, and Cubmobile racing. Cub Scouts are encouraged to be physically fit through the Cub Scout sports program, which offers up to 20 different sports. PUBLICATIONS Volunteers are informed of national news and events through Scouting magazine (circulation 900,000). Boys may subscribe to Boys' Life magazine (circulation 1.3 million). Both are published by the Boy Scouts of America. There are also a number of Cub Scout and leader publications, including the Wolf Cub Scout Book, Bear Cub Scout Book, Webelos Scout Book, Cub Scout Leader Book, and Cub Scout and Webelos Scout Program Helps. BASIC CONCEPTS Apart from the fun and excitement of Cub Scout activities, there are a number of ideals expressed in the day-to-day life of the young boy and his leaders. 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 Law of the Pack: The Cub Scout follows Akela (his leader). The Cub Scout helps the pack go. The pack helps the Cub Scout grow. The Cub Scout gives goodwill. The Cub Scout motto: Do Your Best. The Cub Scout colors are blue and gold. Blue signifies the sky, truth, spirituality, and loyalty. Gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness. Together they symbolize what Cub Scouting is all about. |