Cub Scout Pack 109 Information

Purpose of Cub Scouting

The main purpose of scouting is to teach boys in fun ways to do one’s best with a positive attitude and to be helpful at all times. In addition, scouting tries to:

• Positively influence character development
• Help develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship
• Encourage good sportsmanship and being personally fit (physically, mentally, & emotionally)
• Improve understanding within the family
• Strengthen ability to get along with others and respect other people
• Foster sense of personal achievement by helping develop new interests and skills
• Provide fun and exciting new things to do
• Prepare boys to become Boy Scouts

Ranks

Tiger – 1st grade

Wolf – 2nd grade

Bear – 3rd grade

Webelos I – 4th grade

Webelos II – 5th grade

Organization

Cub Scouts are members of a den. Most dens have 6-8 boys of the same rank that meet once a week for an hour or every other week for 1.5 hours. Den meetings are a time for learning new things and having fun. Dens are led by a team of adult volunteers – the den leader and assistant den leader(s). Den leaders are usually parents of boys in the den. Cub scouts are also members of a pack. Packs consist of several dens and meet once a month. Pack meetings are a time for boys to be recognized for their accomplishments during the month, to perform skits and songs, and to have fun with the entire family. Packs are led by the Cubmaster (Ben Smith), Assistant Cubmaster (Dean Russell) and the Pack Committee (Keith Snow – Chairperson). The Pack is owned by a community organization that is granted a charter by the BSA. The chartering organization for Pack 109 is the Westchester Congregational Church. Pack 109 has been serving Colchester youth for over 16 years.

Example Activities

Den meetings (crafts, games, building, experimenting, learning skits, songs)
Family camp outs (fall and spring)
Pinewood derby
Family bowling
Family swim at Hemlocks
Fishing derby
Big trip
CT Defender’s game
Scouting for food
Summer camp (day and resident)

Pack Meetings

Usually the third Friday of every month, though exception are made, for example, to avoid school vacation week. These meetings are 7-8:30 PM at the Bacon Academy Cafeteria.

Awards

At each rank, the boys work on a series of tasks or achievements, as described in their handbook, to earn their advancement badge (e.g., the Wolf badge) to put on their uniform. These advancements are presented in a ceremony at a pack meeting. Performing electives, additional fun/learning activities given in the handbook, allow the boys to earn arrow points (or bear track beads for tiger cubs), while the older scouts (Webelos), work on earning activity pins toward the arrow of light badge – the highest cub scout award.

Additional awards (that are displayed on their uniform) can be earned such as world conservation award, summer activity pin, good attendance pin, was well as religious emblems (described in religion specific workbooks available at the scout shop) which usually require review and approval by their church.

In addition, belt loops (worn on belt) and pins (worn on a patch vest) can be earned by scouts of any rank by doing activities in both acedamics (e.g. computer and music) and sports (e.g. biking and skiing). Belt loops are fairly easy to earn, pins are tougher. The requirements for these awards are described in the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program Guide which your den leader should have.

Family Program

With the exception of den meetings, all pack events (such as camp outs and pack meetings) are family events. All siblings, aunts/uncles, and grandparents are welcome. Den meetings are usually limited to the boys. Parents are welcome and sometimes required (two deep leadership) to participate and help out at den meetings.

Tiger Program

The tiger dens are run a bit different from the other dens in that each scout must have an adult partner that participates and helps plan a limited number of den activities in conjunction with the den leader.

Youth Protection

BSA is very proactive in this area. For each rank, there is a section of the handbook dealing with youth protection that the parent must read and discuss with their son. It is prohibited by the BSA for an adult to be alone with children and a second adult must be present for all activities. This policy is call two deep leadership. This policy protects both the children and the adult volunteers.

Pack Committee

The Pack is run by the Pack committee which meets the Sunday after the first Wednesday of each month at the Westchester Congregation Church or leader home (alternating location) at 7:00 pm. It consists of the committee chairperson, cubmaster, asst. cubmaster, the den leaders, advancement officer, and other parent volunteers. As always, everyone is welcome to come, give input and help out.

Uniforms

Uniforms are required to be worn at most cub scout events (exception are, e.g., fishing derby and messy den meetings). The following describes the Class A uniform which is the formal attire for pack and den meetings.

Tigers, Wolves, Bears: Cub scout blue shirt, rank appropriate cap and neckerchief/slide with blue trousers (blue jeans okay) and socks. Cub scout belt and buckle (rank appropriate) optional.

Webelos: Either the blue cub scout shirt, trouser, and socks or the boy scout colors (tan shirt, olive pant, and olive socks) may be worn. Webelos cap, neckerchief and slide. Belt (blue or olive) and Webelos buckle is optional.

Basic Patches: Council and Pack number patch on left shoulder, den number patch on right shoulder (under flag), world crest patch over left pocket (optional). All other patches are earned.

The Class B uniform is an optional Pack 109 T-shirt offered periodically to the Pack which is worn a less formal occasions, such as Navigator and Wolf Pack games.

Scout Shops

All uniforms and supplies can be obtained at the scout shops. Locations are described in handout.

Fund Raiser

One required fundraiser is conducted each year. It consists of selling popcorn door-to-door in September and October. Boys earn prizes by selling popcorn. A buy-out option is available. In addition, we sometimes have optional fundraisers, like the Mohegan District bowl-a-thon or CT Tigers game.