Cub Scout Pack 125 (Parent Handbook)

The Cub Scout Promise is
      I 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" is
     The Cub Scout follows Akela.
     The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
     The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
     The Cub Scout gives goodwill.

Cub Scouting fosters self-esteem while teaching cooperation and the meaning of healthy competition through games, crafts, sport, skill building, recognition, special activities, camping and lots of fun.

Cub Scout Pack 125 is presently made up of about 35 boys, ranging from the first to fifth grades, mostly from Waters Landing Elementary School (ES). We also have some boys from Lake Seneca ES. Our Pack is open to all elementary school age boys, however, regardless of what school they attend.

The boys meet in small groups (called "dens") of 5 to 9 boys. Each den has at least one adult leader.

Pack 125, together with other scouting organizations from this area, are part of the Black Hill District. The Black Hill District is one of many districts from the Maryland-Virginia-District of Columbia region making up the National Capital Area Council (NCAC), Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

Our Pack sponsors a lot of outdoor activities and Cub Scout special events. Our outdoor activities include nature hikes, campouts and a family picnic. We also run a large number of Cub Scout special events, such as: the Pinewood Derby, the Raingutter Regutta, and the Spaceship Derby, to name a few. The goal of these activities and events is to have fun, and the boys are challenged simply to do their best.

Our youngest cub scouts are the Tiger Cubs. Tiger Cubs are first graders. Tiger Cubs form a team with an adult partner.

Our 2nd graders earn their Bobcat rank and then work immediately toward the Wolf achievements and electives.

Our 4th and 5th graders advance to being Webelos. Once they complete the Webelos requirements, 5th graders are encouraged to work toward the "Arrow of Light;" which is the only Cub Scout achievement that a Webelos Scout can take with him to the Boy Scouts.

Den Meetings: In Pack 125, our dens usually have meetings twice a month, directed by a den leader and/or an assistant den leader. However, parents can always lend a helping hand in organizing the den meetings.

Pack meetings: We usually have one Pack meeting per month. The monthly Pack meeting is directed by the Cubmaster. The Pack meeting is for all of the boys from each den. We encourage a parent or the whole family to attend the pack meeting. (Cub Scouting is a family event). The Pack meeting is usually held on the fourth Thursday of the month. When not announced differently, Pack meetings are held at Waters Landing Elementary School (in the multi-purpose room) at 7 pm. (We also usually have a "gathering activity," or game, just before the meeting officially starts. Please arrive early).

Leader Meetings: Leaders of Pack 125 discuss organizational matters, future events and exchange ideas at a monthly meeting. All parents are welcome.

Roundtables: These are special meetings, for idea exchange and general announcements, for leaders of the whole district (Seneca). Leaders are encouraged to attend roundtables. Parents are welcome.

Pack 125 uses Cub Scout advancements to challenge the boys to work on skills that match their ability and interest level. Again, the boys are not supposed to be perfect, but are encourage to do their best. Because of our varied activities, the boys are motivated to try out a lot of different activities.

All other Cub Scouts earn the Bobcat rank first, and then work toward the rank appropriate for their age level.

2nd graders earn the Wolf rank by completing 49 tracks in 12 achievements. After the Wolf badge, they can earn Arrow Points.

3rd graders earn the Bear rank (choice of 12 achievements) and then Arrow Points.

4th and 5th graders earn the Webelos rank and can earn additional pins to get compass points. In their second year, Webelos earn the "Arrow of Light."

Parents work with their sons on Wolf and Bear advancements, and all Webelos advancements are signed off on by the den leader. Belt loops are awarded for trying out many sports and academic subjects. Sport and academic pins are awarded for more serious and extended participation.

Akela: A name given for a parent, a teacher, a Cub Scout leader, or other role model.
(In the "jungle-book" story, Akela is the leader of the pack).

Cubmaster: Figurehead; responsible for the program; reports to the Pack Committee.

Chartered organization representative: the liaison between the chartered organization and the Pack.

Denner: One of the cubs scouts elected by his den to help the den leader and den chief.

You: Current or future den or assistant den leader or Pack Committee member. Parents are also needed to volunteer to coordinate or help with outdoor activities or special events.

Official Boy Scouts of America application -- must be filled out to join a pack.

Cub Scouts buy their own uniform, including council patch and pack numerals.
The Pack provides badges and awards.

Webelos can choose either to wear the blue Cub Scout uniform or the tan Boy Scout uniform shirt.

The staff at the National Capital Area Scout Store can help you buy the right stuff including the right color for the neckerchief. Uniforms can be bought at the Scout Store for approximately $45 without trousers.

Our District sponsors a small exchange for "experienced" uniforms, which are provided at no cost. The exchange also accepts donations of adult leader and cub scout uniforms that you have outgrown.

You will need to acquire an age and rank appropriate Cub Scout Book -- either the Wolf, Bear, or Webelos Book.

We recommend that parents read the book for their child's age group, cover to cover.

Tiger Cub Family Activity books for new Tigers can be purchased from the Pack (for under $4.00).

If your boy has a friend who is interested in Cub Scouts, bring him to any Pack or den meeting. Don't wait for the next year's membership night. Anybody can join at any time during the year!

We leaders will do our best to provide a quality program. But all the leaders in Pack 125 are volunteers and have many other obligations; consequently, we depend on parents to help provide the good program we have. We ask every parent to help the Pack in some capacity. The most important (and most fun) job is den leader. However, there are many other areas where your help in running the Pack is needed and very appreciated.

You should plan on helping with den meetings and working with your son's den leader. A parent should also attend the Pack meeting together with the Cub Scout.

NOTE: There are no secrets in Cub Scouts; parents are welcome in any organizational meetings of the den, Pack, district or council.

Thanks for volunteering to be a den leader or assistant den leader. This job is best described simply as the leader of your son's den. You should make sure that regular den meetings are organized, and be present at the den meeting most of the time. However, you should not do everything yourself. In Pack 125, we think all the parents should help on a rotating basis.

We need your leadership help when organizing Pack meetings, so please plan on attending the monthly Leader's meeting. At each Pack meeting, one den should do the flag ceremony (and other jobs, as assigned) and we also try to have one den perform a skit.

Please keep records on what awards the different Cub Scouts have earned. Turn in awards requests about a week before the Pack meeting.

You should watch the "fast start" training tape (available from the Cubmaster, the District or Council). You should attend Youth Protection and Cub Scout Leader Basic Training, a one day training course organized by the council.

Don't hesitate to ask for help. The cubmaster is very willing to lend an ear or a hand. If the cubmaster seems too busy, try the assistant cubmaster. Ask your fellow den leaders how they handle things, and, tell others about what works well for you. Again, don't forget to attend the monthly leader meeting.

Try to recruit an assistant den leader (or share the job with a co- den leader).

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This Web Site is the product of volunteers of Cub Scout Pack 125.
It is maintained solely for educational and non-commercial purposes.
Any other use is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.
This is Not an official instrument of the Boy Scouts of America.

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Table of Contents

Welcome	Organization	Meetings
Advancements	Who is Who	Paperwork, Uniforms
Parents	Den Leaders	Miscellaneous