Cub Scouting has been part of Hiteon School for over 25 years. We welcome new families and scouts and are happy to answer any questions you might have about Scouting and what we do!



Here are some answers to questions that are frequently asked about Cub Scouting:



What Is Cub Scouting?



The Purposes of Cub Scouting



Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America has helped younger boys through Cub Scouting. It is a year-round family program designed for boys who are in the first grade through fifth grade (or 7, 8, 9, and 10 years of age). Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting. Currently, Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA's three membership divisions. (The others are Boy Scouting and Venturing.)



The ten purposes of Cub Scouting are:



1. Character Development

2. Spiritual Growth

3. Good Citizenship

4. Sportsmanship

5. Family Understanding

6. Respectful Relationships

7. Personal Achievement

8. Friendly Service

9. Fun and Adventure

10. Preparation for Boy Scouts



Membership



Cub Scouting members join a Cub Scout pack (like Pack 872 at Hiteon!) and are assigned to a den, usually a neighborhood group of six to eight boys. Tiger Cubs (first-graders), Wolf Cub Scouts (second graders), Bear Cub Scouts (third graders), and Webelos Scouts (fourth and fifth graders) meet weekly.



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 includes parents of boys in the pack and members of the chartered organization.



Cub Scout membership is:



998,207 Cub Scouts*

564,024 Pack Leaders*

830,305 Webelos Scouts*

54,394 Packs*

285,908 Tiger Cub Teams*



*As of December 31, 2000



Volunteer Leadership



Thousands of volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Cub Scout program. They serve in a variety of positions, as everything from unit leaders to pack committee chairmen, committee members, den leader coaches, and chartered organization representatives.



Like other phases of the Scouting program, Cub Scouting is made available to groups having similar interests and goals, including professional organizations; government bodies; and religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor, and citizens' groups. These "sponsors" are called chartered organizations. Each organization appoints one of its members as a chartered organization representative. The organization, through the pack committee, is responsible for providing leadership, the meeting place, and support materials for pack activities.



Advancement Plan



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.



Tiger Cub - The Tiger Cub program is for first grade (or age 7) boys and their adult partners. There are five Tiger Cub achievement areas. The Tiger Cub, working with his adult partner, completes 15 requirements within these areas to earn the Tiger Cub Badge. These requirements consist of an exciting series of indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy in the first grade.



Bobcat - The Bobcat rank is for all boys who join Cub Scouting.



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.



Bear - The Bear rank is for boys who have completed second grade (or are age 9). There are 24 Bear achievements in four categories. The Cub Scout must complete 12 of these to earn the Bear badge. These requirements are somewhat more difficult and challenging than those for Wolf rank.



Webelos - This program is for boys who have completed third grade (or are age 10). 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.



Activities



Cub Scouting means "doing." Everything in Cub Scouting is designed to have the boys doing things. Activities are used to achieve the aims of Scouting citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness.



Many of the activities happen right in the den and pack. The most important are the weekly den meetings and the monthly pack meetings.



Cub Scout Academics and Sports



The Cub Scout Academics and Sports program provides the opportunity for boys to learn new techniques, increase scholarship skills, develop sportsmanship, and have fun. Participation in the program allows boys to be recognized for physical fitness and talent-building activities.



Camping



Age-appropriate camping programs are packed with theme-oriented action that brings Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts into the world of imagination. Day camping comes to the boy in neighborhoods across the country; resident camping is at least a three-day experience in which Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts camp within a developed theme of adventure and excitement. "Cub Scout Worlds" are used by many councils to carry the world of imagination into reality with actual theme structures of castles, forts, ships, etc. Cub Scout pack members enjoy camping in local council camps and council-approved national, state, county, or city parks. Camping programs combine fun and excitement with doing one's best, getting along with others, and developing an appreciation for ecology and the world of the outdoors.



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. Also available are a number of Cub Scout and leader publications, including the Tiger Cub Handbook, Wolf Cub Scout Book, Bear Cub Scout Book, Webelos Scout Book, Cub Scout Leader Book, Cub Scout Program Helps, and Webelos Leader Guide.



Cub Scouting Ideals



Apart from the fun and excitement of Cub Scout activities, a number of ideals are expressed in the day-to-day life of the 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.



Cub Scout Motto - Do Your Best.



Tiger Cub Motto - Search, Discover, Share.



Law of the Pack



The Cub Scout follows Akela.

The Cub Scout helps the pack go.

The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.

The Cub Scout gives goodwill.



Colors



The Cub Scout colors are blue and gold. The blue stands for truth and spirituality, steadfast loyalty, and the sky above. The gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness. Together, they symbolize what Cub Scouting is all about.



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Pack 872 meets monthly at Hiteon School (except for our annual Blue and Gold Banquet in February which we hold elsewhere). Pack meetings are from 7:00pm-8:00pm and we get seated by 6:55 pm. As soon as they have uniforms, Scouts must be in full uniform during Pack meetings. A parent or guardian should stay for the meeting. The entire Pack is responsible for putting things away at the end of the meeting. The Dens also get together each month, according to the schedule they establish.



Registration fees (approximate): 16 months (September 2005-December 2006)



Tigers - $33 (includes family packet & necklace kit)



Wolf, Bear and Webelos 4 & 5 - $43



Fees include those required for national registration, awards and advancement during the year (averages $20 per boy for Cubs), required Pack insurance, 1⁄2 price one-year subscription to Boys Life magazine, Pinewood Derby car kit and special Pack events such as the Blue and Gold Banquet. Our Pack participates in a popcorn sale sponsored by BSA and our local council to pay for costs not covered by fees. In lieu of participating in the popcorn sale, a donation to the Pack would help continue to provide a quality program for your son.



Other costs:



Uniform: available at the NorWest Scout shop at 2145 SW Naito Parkway in Portland phone: (503) 243-5022.




Tiger/Wolf/Bear: (1st/2nd/3rd grade): blue shirt, Tiger, Wolf or Bear scarf, neckerchief slide, patches for shirt, blue & gold cap, blue belt, Wolf or Bear book. ~ $58



Webelos 4/5: khaki shirt, Webelos scarf, Webelos neckerchief slide, patches for shirt, Webelos colors. Blue cap, green belt, Webelos book about $62



Den Dues: nominal, determined by Dens for craft supplies, etc.



Den Field Trips: determined by Dens.



Camping: as determined by the individual dens, but could include OMSI Overnight (~$45), Zoo Snooze (~$30), day or resident camp (~$50-$85),Webelos Woods (~$30), den campouts.



Friends of Scouting: Friends of Scouting nationwide fund-raiser (January) (optional)



We have opportunities for everyone to help out and make this a great family experience. We are always open to input and participation. Please contact us with any questions or to be involved with the Pack at any level.