Parent Guide for Cub Scout Pack 714

Gardendale, Alabama

Welcome to Cub Scouts and Pack 714! Our pack is made up of approximately 30 scouts and their families. Most scouts go to the Gardendale or Fultondale Elementry School, but that is not a requirement for membership in the Pack.

In Pack 714, we believe that Cub Scouting is fun with a purpose. We follow the rules and policies set by the national organization. We have tried to include some information below that is specific to our pack.

We maintain a current Pack calendar and lots of useful information on our web site

www.oocities.org/yosemite/9552

Each Cub Scout pack is sponsored by an organization. Our charter organization is St Elizabeth Ann Seton. In the second half of the fifth grade school year, the scouts move up to Boy Scout Troop 74, also at St Elizabeth Ann Seton

Cub Scout Pack 714 is made up of first through fifth grade boys. Boys meet in small groups (dens) of 6 to12 boys from the same grade. Each den has an adult leader. First graders are Tiger Cubs, second graders are Wolf Cubs, third graders are Bear Cubs, and fourth and fifth graders are Webelos. The Pack is a member of the Warrior District of the Greater Alabama Council.

The Pack is a group made up of four dens. The Pack includes not only the boys in those dens, but also their families and their leaders. The Pack meets once a month with Cub Scouts, leaders, parents and other family members attending. The Pack meeting is the climax of the month’s den meetings and activities. It gives the dens something to look forward to and work toward. This is a chance to recognize the scouts, their parents, and their leaders for achievements. In addition to its regular meetings, the Pack sponsors certain special projects. These include community projects (e.g., field trips, family campouts, etc.), and fun competitions (e.g., Pinewood Car Derby).

A Cub Scout Pack is divided into small groups called dens, which meet under the direction of adult den leaders.

The den allows scouts to get to know each other better and engage in activities that would be difficult in pack meetings. Den meeting activities are planned around monthly themes and include games, handicrafts, outdoor fun, and taking part in simple ceremonies and songs. Work on advancement requirements is included, but parents are vital helpers in completing requirements for advancement. The den leaders will ask for special assistance occasionally from parents (helping with a meeting, sharing a special skill, or providing a snack for the scouts).

Dens are organized by rank. Ranks are organized by grade and age. Keep in mind that grade is the primary determination for ranking and age is the backup.

The pack is run by the Pack Committee, which is headed by the Committee Chairman. The Committee meets once each month to plan pack meetings and other pack activities. A description of each leadership element follows.

The chartered organization representative is the direct contact between the pack and the chartered organization. This individual is also the organization’s contact with the district committee and the local council. The chartered organization representative may become a member of the district committee and is a voting member of the council. The chartered organization representative’s responsibilities are to:

The Pack Committee takes care of the administrative needs of the pack and is similar to a government cabinet. It is organized and chaired by the Pack Committee Chairperson. There are positions in the committee for treasurer, secretary, advancement chairman, and religious award coordinator. The Committee doesn’t "own" the pack; it is simply an administrative arm of the chartered organization. The committee is responsible for:

The Pack Committee Chairperson organizes and facilitates the running of the Pack Committee. This person works with the Cubmaster to make sure that the responsibilities of the Pack Committee are being met and represents the Pack to the local council. The Pack Committee Chairperson is responsible for:

• Promoting the recruiting of new scouts.
• Managing finances, maintaining adequate pack records, and caring for pack property.
• Maintaining a close relationship with the chartered organization representative.
• Developing and maintaining strong pack-troop relationships.
• Helping recruit den leaders and coaches.
• Being ready to fill in for the Cubmaster in case of emergency.
• Supporting the policies of the Boy Scouts of America.

The Cubmaster is actively involved with the scouts and leaders on a weekly basis. The Cubmaster is responsible for:

The Den Leader Coach is an experienced leader who helps other leaders who are taking over a new Den. The den leader coach is responsible for:

Den Leaders plan and organize den meetings and keep track of the scouts’ advancements. Den Leaders should try to engage the parents in the den meetings, both to make the Den Leader’s job easier and to increase the scouts’ enjoyment. The Cub Scout Den Leader is responsible for:

• Maintaining a friendly relationship with scouts and encouraging them to advance.
• Keeping accurate records and seeing that scouts receive recognition for their achievements.
• Using the talents of den families to help enrich the den program.
• Helping set a good example for the scouts by behavior, attitude, and proper uniform.
• Leading the den in its participation at pack meetings.
• Collecting weekly den dues and turning them in to the pack treasurer.
• Keeping accurate den records.
• Supporting the policies of the Boy Scouts of America.

Must be an older Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Explorer who has been a Boy Scout. Preferably a former Cub Scout, ideally at least First Class rank. Selected by the senior patrol leader and Scoutmaster or Varsity Scout Coach or Explorer Advisor upon request by the Cubmaster. Approved by the Cubmaster and Pack Committee for recommendation to the den leader. Registered as a youth member of a troop, team, or post. The Cub Scout den chief's responsibilities are to:

Parents play an important role in Pack 714. The leaders will do their best to provide a quality program, but all the leaders are volunteers and have other obligations. We depend on parents to help maintain the excellent program we have established.

We ask every parent to help the pack in some capacity. You should do your share in organizing den meetings and working with the den leader of your son’s den. In addition, you should help with at least one pack activity a year (e.g. Pinewood Derby, Blue & Gold Dinner, or an outing). A parent should attend the pack meetings together with the Cub Scout.

Meetings

Most dens meet weekly in the St Elizabeth Ann Seton Hall on Main Street, (except in the week of the Pack Meeting). At least two adults are required to be present at all times. In Pack 714, each den has a designated den leader. Den activities are for the scouts present. Parents are asked to understand that the scout’s siblings that attend can detract from the experience for the scout. Parents may want to bring a quiet activity for siblings.

All Den meet on Monday nights You should contact the Den Leader for your son’s grade level for the latest information on meeting times.

The Pack meetings are on the Third Thursday of the month. Pack meetings are for all the scouts of Pack 714. We expect a parent or the whole family to attend the pack meeting. When not announced differently, pack meetings are at the St Elizabeth Ann Seton Hall on Main Street at 7 PM. Please arrive early so the meeting can start on time.

Pack meetings generally consist of awards ceremonies, group projects, and announcements about Pack activities. There are many special events: family campouts, field trips, etc. We usually have one special event each month and two major events each year.

Leaders of Pack 714 discuss organizational matters, future events and exchange ideas. These meetings are held on Sunday before each pack meeting. The first Thursday of the month is Roundtable.

Roundtable is for the exchange of information and announcements for leaders of the whole district. Leaders are encouraged to attend roundtable. Parents are welcome. These are held the first Thursday evening of each month at 7:00 PM at Westwood Baptist Church.

Boys work their way through Cub Scouts doing activities that are fun and challenging. The activities are carefully chosen to be age-appropriate and emphasize learning by doing. They are designed to:

In addition to the activities that contribute to advancement in rank, the scouts can earn belt loops, pins and letters in the optional academic and athletic program. The purpose of these awards is to encourage Scouts to try new activities and learn new skills. As in all activities in Cub Scouting, this is not meant to be a highly competitive program, instead the scouts are encouraged to "do their best".

Pack 714 also encourages every scout to earn the Cub Scout religious awards for their faith. We strive for 100% participation in this program.

 

Second Graders

Fourth and Fifth Graders

iforms

The scouts and leaders should wear their uniforms to all Pack meetings, den meetings, Roundtable, and outings. For activities camping activities that may cause damage to the uniform, we would like the boys to wear their official scout caps to identify them as scouts. Scout T-shirts are available for sale where uniforms are sold. A Pack 714 T-shirt, may be worn for such activities as well.

Scouts in Pack 714 buy their own uniform, including general patches. The pack provides advancement badges. Tiger cubs have an orange Tiger T-shirt. Wolf and Bear cubs use the blue Cub Scout uniform, while Webelos can choose whether to wear a blue Cub Scout uniform or tan Boy Scout uniform shirt. Pack 714 accepts any dark blue pants or shorts worn with the blue Cub Scout shirt.

Uniforms can be bought at the Scout Shop 205-969-4263 at 516 Liberty Parkway. or Peebles 205-631-9004 1022 Main Streetat. Consider giving outgrown (experienced) uniforms to new scouts after removing your scouts advancement badges.

Shirt: Official Cub Scout dark blue shirt. The council patch, pack number, den number, and world scouting emblems need to be sewn on.

Neckerchiefs: Official Wolf Neckerchief is worn by second-graders. Official Bear Neckerchief is worn by third-graders. The neckerchief is rolled and placed under the shirt collar.

Slide: Official gold metal slide with Cub Scout emblem or handmade neckerchief slides may be worn.

Belt: Official navy blue web belt with metal buckle and Cub Scout emblem.

Cap: (optional) Official Cub Scout baseball-style cap-navy with gold front panel and Cub Scout emblem. The hat is optional, but is the only hat that may be worn with the uniform.

Socks (optional): Official navy blue Cub Scout socks with gold tops.

The Webelos Scout may choose either the blue Cub Scout uniform, or the tan/olive uniform similar to the one worn by Boy Scouts. The location of badges and insignia is the same for both uniforms. Boys who are growing out of their uniforms after the completion of third grade should replace their blue Cub Scout uniform with a tan/olive uniform.

Blue uniform: The trousers, shorts, socks, and shirt are the same as those described for the Cub Scout uniform.

Tan/Olive uniform: When the tan/olive uniform is chosen, official Boy Scout olive trousers or shorts, olive socks and official Boy Scout tan shirt with blue shoulder patches are worn.

The following parts are worn with both uniforms:

Neckerchief: Official Webelos plaid neckerchief. The neckerchief is rolled and placed under the shirt collar.

Slide: Official gold metal slide with Webelos emblem or handmade slides may be worn.

Belt: Official Scout navy blue or olive web belt with metal Webelos belt buckle. Belt loops fit on the official Scout blue belt, so you may want to postpone using the olive belt until Boy Scouts.

Cap: (optional) Official Webelos baseball-style cap-navy blue with light blue front panel and Webelos emblem. The hat is optional, but is the only hat that may be worn with the uniform.

The patch vest is not part of the official uniform. It can be worn by Cub and Webelos Scouts for the display of temporary and other patches that have been earned by the boy as a part of the Scouting experience. The patch vest should not be worn with the uniform for formal ceremonies or inspections.

All Cub Scout and Boy Scout leaders wear the same uniform with colored shoulder loops. Blue loops indicate affiliation with a Cub Scout pack and red loops indicate affiliation with a Boy Scout troop.

Shirt: Official tan with blue shoulder epaulets. The council patch, pack number, den number, and world scouting emblems need to be sewn on.

Neck Wear: The adult uniform shirt may be worn with Cub Scout bolo tie or neckerchief of choice. The neckerchief is rolled and placed under the shirt collar with the top button open.

Belt: Official olive web belt or official leather belt.

Pants/Shorts: (optional) Official olive.

Socks: (optional) Official Boy Scout socks worn with shorts or pants. Olive with red top.

Hat: (optional) Blue and gold cap with the Cub Scout emblem embroidered in gold. Blue Webelos cap for Webelos leaders.

Parents purchase the Wolf, Bear, and Webelos books as needed. Handbooks can be bought at the Scout Shop (388-0591) at 521 S. Edgewood Ave. or at Army Navy Outdoors (725-5000) at 128 Monument Ave. The parents and the leaders track the scout’s progress by writing in the books. We recommend that parents read the books for their child’s age group cover-to-cover and follow the boy’s progress carefully. Every handbook includes a parent guide.

Pack 714 Scouting Practices

To earn the right to carry a pocketknife at Cub Scout functions, the scouts must be in third grade and have earned the Whittling Chip by completing the Shavings and Chips Achievement 19 in the Bear Cub Scout Book. Please don’t give the boys knives until they meet these requirements.

In return for the privilege of carrying a pocketknife at Cub Scout functions, the Cub must understand the rules for safe use of a pocketknife and handle his pocketknife with care. Failure to follow the guidelines will result in suspension of the carrying privilege.

BSA guidelines provide that the knife must be a folding knife with a blade shorter than the palm of the boy’s hand.

The goal of the adult leaders is to have a safe, fun Pack program for the Scouts. The adult leaders have the right to intervene in any situation that they deem unsafe. If a Scout is unwilling to abide by the requirements of the adult leaders in charge, the leaders may require a parent to come get the Scout.

Pack 714 has a history of 3 or 4 family camping trips each year. The scout and his entire family are encouraged to attend. The Boy Scouts of America has established the guidelines for its member's participation in camping activities.

A Cub Scout may participate in overnight camping when supervised by his mother or father. If a parent cannot attend, the boy's family must make arrangements for another adult relative to be a substitute for a parent at the campout. It is essential that each Scout be under the supervision of an adult. Cub Scouts are limited to boy-parent excursions or program-managed family camping designed for the entire family.

When staying in tents, no youth will stay in the tent of an adult other than his or her parent or guardian. There are exceptions for Webelos Scouts at approved outings.

We maintain a current Pack calendar and lots of useful information on our web site at www.oocities.org/yosemite/9552. We follow the Internet guidelines of the BSA and the local council. Our web site is rated and registered with several Internet rating agencies to be "Kid-Safe". In addition all other web sites linked to in our site are also "Kid-Safe".

The basic guidelines are as follows:

The following key items, marked with the symbol are extracted from A Unit Leader’s Guide for Current Policies and Procedures to Safe Activities (ISBN 0-8395-4416-2, © 1998 Boy Scouts of America Revised 1999). Leaders should have access to a copy of this document for additional safety topics (swimming, boating, climbing, etc.).

These are national policies enforced by the adult leaders of Pack 714 and violation of these policies by the boy or his parent will result in the removal of the scout from the pack. Repeated violation by members of a Pack can cause the revocation of the Pack charter by the Boy Scouts of America.

Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use and Abuse

The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members.

Adult leaders should support the attitude that young adults are better off without tobacco and may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants. All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis, with smoking areas located away from all youth participants.

Guidelines for Safely Using Chemical Stoves and Lanterns

Use compressed or liquid-gas stoves or lanterns with knowledgeable adult supervision only and in Scout facilities only where and when permitted.

Never fuel a stove, heater, or lantern inside; always do this outdoors. Never fuel, ignite, or operate a stove, heater, or lantern in a tent. Do not leave a lighted stove or lantern unattended.

Flammability Warning

No tent material is completely fireproof. The most important safeguard is to keep flames away from tent materials. For this reason, the following safety precautions are emphasized:

Fireworks

The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the securing, use, and display of fireworks in conjunction with programs and activities except where the fireworks display is conducted under the auspices of a certified or licensed fireworks control expert.

Guns and Firearms

The Boy Scouts of America adheres to its long-standing policy of teaching its youth and adult members the safe, responsible, intelligent handling, care, and use of firearms, air-guns, and BB guns in planned, carefully managed, and supervised programs.

Gun-shooting sports are not an approved part of the Cub Scout program except at council-approved Cub Scout camps. At camp, Cub Scouts may have an opportunity to take part in a BB gun (rifle) safety and marksmanship program under the direction of a trained and certified BB-gun range officer.

Cub Scouts are not permitted to use any other type of handgun or firearm.

Except for law enforcement officers required to carry firearms within their jurisdiction, firearms shall not be brought on camping, hiking, backpacking, or other Scouting activities.

Transportation

Seat belts are required for all occupants. All drivers must have a valid driver’s license that has not been suspended or revoked for any reason. Passenger cars or station wagons may be used for transporting passengers, but passengers should not ride on the rear deck of station wagons. Trucks may not be used for transporting passengers except in the cab. All vehicles must be covered by automobile liability insurance with limits that meet or exceed requirements of the state in which the vehicle is licensed. Do not exceed the speed limit.

If the vehicle to be used is designed to carry more than 15 persons, including the driver, the driver must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). An adult leader must be in charge and accompany the group. The driver must be currently licensed and at least 18 years of age.

last updated  09/23/00

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