CUB SCOUT PACK 172
Stratford, Connecticut
Explanation of Events and Terms

Cub Scout Pack 172 provides the following information to help you understand the terms in our program. We encourage and support scout & adult participation in all events and siblings in most. We understand that you may run into scheduling conflicts between scouting events and other activities that your son or family may be involved. We offer plenty of opportunities throughout the entire year for scouts to participate in our wide variety of events. We believe that a full scouting program that involves real life positive influencing experiences that the boys will share with their family, Den & Pack will be enjoyed and carried with them throughout their entire lives.

Pomperaug District - This is the district that our Pack 172 is a member. Pomperaug encompasses other packs within Stratford and several surrounding towns that reside under the Connecticut Yankee Council.

Den Meeting - A gathering of 4-6 boys under the leadership of a trained adult. Meetings are held 2-3 times per month lasting approx. 60 minutes. Meetings are held after school or in the evening at the leader discretion. With their Scout handbook of rank, activities are typically worked on during the meeting. Work may also be performed outside the Den or coordinated at a different meeting location. Games, learning, loyalty, teamwork, hands on activity and FUN are all included. Typically there is a small dues or event cost that are identified in advance. Boys normally wear their Class "A" uniform and bring their book of rank to the meetings. Tiger cubs attend den meetings with their adult partner. All other ranks attend den meetings by themselves. Parents are always welcome to stay at any meeting with their scout if they choose to do so.

Pack Meeting - A monthly meeting of all Dens and Pack families. Held typically the third Wednesday of each month from October to May/June. Location is normally Second Hill Lane Gym. Meetings start at 6:45 PM and run 60-75 minutes. Meeting contains awards and recognition ceremonies, games, skits, group participation and presentations, guest speakers and Pack announcements. Scouts wear Class F(formal) uniform unless instructed otherwise. November is generally uniform inspection.

Committee Meeting or Pack Committee - A group of adults who gather monthly to administer the affairs of the pack. Future planning, finances, sharing comments and ideas on the pack program are generated. All pack adults are welcome to participate. Meetings are held the 1st Wednesday of every month. Meeting times are in the evening at Second Hill Lane School Teacher’s Lounge and run 60-90 minutes. See monthly programs for details or contact Cubmaster.

Roundtable - A once a month meeting program and morale building session available for Cub Scout Leaders held by the District Council. We encourage one representative to attend and relay the information to our Pack.

Fundraising - We continue to be successful with our Holiday Wreath and Trail’s End Popcorn fundraisers. This allows us to maintain a low annual registration fee compared to many other packs while providing many no cost or low cost events for our Scouts. We feel our fundraising provides a quality good at a fair price that most Scout homes, friends & neighbors would use. Our expectation is that Scouts participate and Do Their Best! In 2007 the Pack began a new procedure to our popcorn fundraising. Those not wishing to participate in the popcorn fundraiser only, are allowed to "opt out" for a designated fee determined by the Pack Committee.. This allows the Pack to provide a quality program for all scouts, even with the cost of events going up. All scouts are required to participate in the Wreath Fundraiser as part of their rank advancements and to “Help The Pack Go”.

Pinewood Derby - One of the "don't miss" events of the year. Scouts make a car out of a wood kit provided by the pack. Adult supervision with a younger Scout is required. Older Scouts should attempt the car on their own as they have learned through experience and their Scouting skills to build their own car. This event is several hours and filled with racing & excitement. Judges award prizes for different car design, quality, most decals, most patriotic, etc. Additionally there are raffled prizes through the day and FUN, FUN, FUN! The event ends with the top finishers presented with trophy or award for their victory. Adults may also build a separate car for themselves and enter it in the adult race after all the Scouts have finished, if time allows.

Baloo and Gold Dinner (Blue & Gold) - This is the formal event of the year to celebrate the birth of scouting. Scouts and their families are invited to attend a banquet style event that lasts several hours. Typically there are ceremonies, recognition, entertainment performed by Scouts, leaders and professionals. Scouts attend the event at no cost. Additional meals for adult and sibling cost approx. $15.00. This one you don't want to miss!

Sporting Event - Each year the Pack attends a semi-pro event. Ravens/Bluefish baseball or perhaps the Sound Tigers hockey. The Scout ticket is paid by the pack, adults/siblings get discounted rates.

Fishing Derby - Takes place in April at Deer Lake in Killingworth. Fishing usually starts early morning on Saturday after a pancake breakfast. Opportunities to camp out overnight on Friday & Saturday are available. There are prizes for the biggest catch of the day. Hiking and a trip through "Fat Man's Squeeze" are on the grounds along with some other surprises. This is a council sponsored event. Fees will be communicated prior to April.

Games Night Pack Meeting - Get your roll of nickels ready. We have traditionally held this event with greater success and energy than each of the previous years. Each den creates, builds or copies a game and runs the game simultaneously at a pack meeting. The game is something like one would see at a carnival. Use your imagination! The games cost one nickel to play (both Scouts and siblings may play). Tickets are awarded for each play and then turned in at the prize table for goodies. Funds raised may be donated to a local good cause.

Scouting For Food - Each year we perform a food drive to replenish a local pantry. Scouts would leave a Pack provided empty bag (no soliciting) with a letter describing our activity on the door of friends or neighbors. The following week the Scout returns to those same houses to see if the family has placed any items in the bag on their step. Typically non-perishable food items are left and the Scout retrieves the bag. The bags are then delivered to a local pantry. This is a true Scout activity on doing a good turn and helping the community.

Memorial Day Parade - Marching in the parade is not only patriotic but also fun. No matter what your rank it's a great way to show your respect and love for your country. Adults and siblings are welcome to march. Most of the other Packs and Boy Scout Troops march, and repeatedly in the past years our Pack’s turnout far exceeds the others. The Class F(formal) uniform is worn and the Pack provides refreshment at the end of the parade. The event concludes with a group photo to commemorate the event.

Movie Night - A first in 2003 and it was a success. What could be better than being in your sleeping bag and watching a double feature in stereo on the big screen. A candy bar, free popcorn and punch all night long.

Pack Family Picnic - Held in May/June. It is the picnic. Games, races, wiffleball, hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, etc. This is a free event for the Scout and his immediate family as the Pack provides the basic staples of burgers and dogs, etc. Each Den typically brings a food or non-food item, it is a picnic. Somehow we always seem to get wet.

Holiday Caroling - Spreading holiday cheer in the winter is a good turn done by the Scout. Get your singing voices in tune and ready yourself for a warming of the heart. All youth and adult voices welcome.

Family Campout / Webelos Camping - Each summer we plan a campout(s). This is an overnight trip from Saturday AM through Sunday noon. Locations to camp are Roosevelt Forest along with scout reservations like Hoyt and Deer Lake. Once the tents go up the games, hiking and program begins. There may be a nominal fee for the camping(if there has not been enough money in the budget from fundraising) as the pack includes a dinner, evening snack and breakfast the next morning.

Summertime Event - During the summer when scouts are out of school and enjoying the fun and sun we will look for opportunities available over the summer for our scouts. This may include a trip to a theme park or major event or attraction in the area. More details to follow as we go into next year.

Overnighter - In the past we have participated as a pack to places like Battleship Cove Massachusetts and Liberty Science Museum New Jersey. These trips generally contain an education combined with fun and the experience for the boys of being away from home on an overnight. An adult must accompany each scout on the entire trip. These trips generally require a higher fee and are communicated in advance.

Conservation Project - This is project and part of an award that can be earned by Scouts at the Pack level. There are several other electives related to the scout's current rank that must also be completed for the award. We normally do an annual clean up at Second Hill Lane School as a thank you for the PTA's chartering Pack 172.

Cuboree - Packs from the Pomperaug District enter to compete in what begins with an opening ceremony, parade of Pack's and the afternoon of races and games against each other. Points are awarded for first, second and third place finishes with ribbons handed out. Points are tallied for the day and the first place finish is awarded a trophy. Pack 172 finished in FIRST PLACE at the 2002 CUBOREE!

Awards - Awards may be earned by all Scout ranks in Pack 172. All awards and certificates are purchased and presented by the Pack at the monthly Pack Meetings. Scouts are encouraged to work on their activities toward their rank advancements, and may if time allows work on beltloops and pins..