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Welcome to Cub Scout Pack 82! We have an exciting year of fun and adventure planned for our Scouts. This information guide is designed to answer some of the most frequently asked questions and to provide a resource for information on our program and the Scouting program in general. It helps you understand how we achieve the stated Mission of Cub Scouting through the Aims, Methods and some of the Policies of Scouting.

PLEASE REMEMBER this is a work in progress. Contact other parents and your Pack Committee with questions and concerns. Feel free to suggest changes that will improve future editions of this guide. Attend Parent’s meetings to keep abreast of revisions. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy this time with your family.

The Aims of Cub Scouting

Methods of Scouting
Advancement
Scouting provides a series of increasingly difficult but surmountable obstacles and the means to overcome them through the advancement method. Each Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace with parent and Scout Leader guidance through each challenge. Your scout is rewarded each time he completes a set of challenges which helps him gain confidence. These steps in the advancement system help our Scouts grow in self-reliance and in their ability to help others.

Public Recognition
Scouting rewards our youth through Pack Meetings and other public events. It is important to recognize and reward each Scout and for that Scout to receive recognition from the whole Pack.

Adult Association
Scouts learn from the examples set by their adult leaders. Pack Leaders may be male or female. Association with adults of high character is encouraged at this stage of a young man’s development. Adult leaders complete a formal application to the Boy Scouts of America. Council mandates that our Cubmaster and Committee Chairman complete the approved training programs. Pack 82 follows the current BSA policies regarding training of Adult Leaders and we strongly encourage Youth Protection and Leader Specific Training for all our adult leaders. Smoking is forbidden in front or around scouts at any time.

Personal Growth
As your Scout plans his activity and progresses toward his goals, he experiences personal growth. The Good Turn Concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Scouting. Your Scout grows as he participates in Pack activities and community service projects. There is probably no device so successful in developing the basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn.

Leadership Development
Cub Scouting encourages your Scout to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Scout has the opportunity to participate in shared and individual leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps our Scouts accept the leadership role of others and guides them toward the good citizenship aim of Scouting.

Cub Scout Denner and Assistant Denner The Cub Scout Denner is a den member elected by the den for a short period, usually one or two months. The Den Leader and Den Chief determine the Denner responsibilities and help the Denner to plan and execute them. Duties often include some of the following: helping to set up the meeting site, collecting dues and delivering them to the Den Leader, helping with games, leading the opening and closing ceremonies in the den and assisting with other ceremonies, tricks, puzzles, and cheers. The Cub Scout Denner should be given meaningful responsibilities and recognition to help him learn leadership skills. The current Denner wears a yellow epaulette with two shoulder cords and may wear the epaulette alone after the successful completion of his term.
The Assistant Denner is also a member of the den and may be elected or appointed to the position which coincides with the Denner’s term. The Denner and Assistant Denner work together at the tasks assigned to the Denner and in this way he learns the role of Denner by assisting him. This is the well regarded training method of training your replacement by working together at the tasks assigned.

Outdoor Program
Being close to nature helps your Scout gain an appreciation for God’s handiwork and mankind’s place in it. It fosters physical fitness and the ability to cope with challenges later in life. It provides an opportunity to experience safe group activities in locations your Scout might otherwise not access. Pack 82 follows BSA guidelines for outdoor activities at the Cub Scout level including leader training, trip planning and appropriate activities

Dens The den method gives Scouts the experience of working in peer groups and practicing citizenship at the Pack level. It places a certain amount of responsibility on young shoulders and teaches them how to accept it. The den method allows Scouts to plan and act in small groups where they can easily relate to each other in the context of the larger scouting community. Parents and leaders in these small groups use these methods to plan the Pack activities and tailor them to the needs of the youth in our Pack.

Cub Scout Core Values

The Cub Scout Promise
I, __(name)___, promise to do my best
To do my duty to God and country
To help other people and
To obey the Law of the Pack.

The Law of the Pack
The Cub Scout follows Akela.
Cub Scout helps the Pack go.
The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives good will.

The Cub Scout Motto
Do Your Best

The Tiger Cub Scout Motto
Search, Discover, Share

The Boy Scout Slogan
Do a Good Turn Daily

Meetings
Den Meetings
Den meetings are held weekly on Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:30. Opening ceremony is at 6:30 so it is strongly suggested that your son arrives at least 5 minutes early. The Denner and assistant Denner should arrive 10-15 minutes early to help set up the meeting space. Class A uniforms are expected at Den Meetings unless otherwise specified by the Den Leader. The Pack encourages Class A uniforms for opening ceremony and removing the outer shirt for activities if the Scout has a Class B shirt underneath. Please refer to the uniforms and joining sections for more complete uniform descriptions or refer to the handouts at our Scout Shop.

Space is available at Trinity Lutheran Church but Dens may meet elsewhere if approved by the Cubmaster and Pack Committee.

Meetings are not held over the summer, between Christmas and New Year’s Day and when school is closed due to inclement weather. Note that some Dens may elect to meet during the summer, especially the Webelos. The Tiger Den usually meets twice a month, goes on a field trip called a “Go See It” once a month and joins the Pack meeting for their fourth meeting each month. A parent/guardian is required to stay with their tiger scout during these meetings.

The meetings are open to all scouts, leaders and parents. Parents are encouraged to participate in the den meetings. Communicating times and locations of all den meetings is the responsibility of the Den Leader, but patents are encouraged to assist in this task.

Parents should arrange to pick up their Scout promptly at the end of each meeting. It is important that you are aware of the expected ending time for each den meeting and that the Den Leader is aware if you are allowing another person to pick up your child. Please communicate with the Den Leader at each meeting in order to prevent situations.

Pack Meetings
Pack Meetings are held monthly on a Sunday from 6:00 to 7:30. The Pack meets in Luther Hall at Trinity Lutheran Church. These meetings are usually the third Sunday of the month but check the calendar for changes. Pack meetings are an integral part of the Scouting process and allow for communication between dens, public recognition of your scout’s job well done and special visits by selected guests, our Chartering Organization and our Council. We encourage family and community participation to help us recognize the achievements of our Scouts.

Awards and presentations are made at these meetings so Scouts and Leaders are expected to be in Class A uniforms.

There is a monthly theme for each Pack Meeting and the dens are asked to participate. The themes are listed in the annual Program Helps Guide. Snacks are provided after the meeting to promote fellowship and communication. Sign up sheets for snack donations are passed around at Den Meetings two weeks prior to the Pack meeting.

Pack 82 Mail
Information and updates are provided at each Pack meeting. Also, permission slips, den calendars and information sheets, and other vital information are provided through the folder with your Scout’s name on it on the sign-in table at each pack meeting. Please check these at each meeting so that you can stay up to date on the latest pack activities.

Phone Tree & Email
The second most vital link for information is the phone tree and email. You should ensure that your den leader has your most current phone number and email in order to contact you with changes and updates. Some dens employ a phone tree and email list where each Scout/parent contacts the next person on the den phone list and the last person contacts the Den Leader after they receive the information. This ensures that the information has arrived when the last Scout/parent contacts the Den Leader. The Den Leader may also send out an email to his scouts.

Advancement Program

The Cub Scout Advancement Program will:

Tiger Cub Scouts and their adult partners complete a series of activities together which orient them to the Scouting Method while going and doing things in a structured program. Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts work on their advancement and achievement activities both at home and in the den meetings as well as in directed field trips and other supervised activities. Many of their requirements can be completed at home and verified by the parent’s initials next to the requirement in their book. These books need to be available at each den meeting so that the Scout can be recognized publicly as soon as possible after completing requirements. Sometimes the advancement committee will need to review the handbooks for special awards. Please make the books available to them as needed. Remember that the Cub Scout’s rank handbook is the single most important document of your scout’s progress. Try to keep this record current and accurate.

Webelos Scouts have somewhat different advancement requirements in order to help prepare them for the Boy Scout Program. Much of the activity badge work is completed through den activities so weekly participation in the den is vitally important. Making up any missed activity can be arranged but it is better for your Scout to attend the original activity if at all possible. Only the Webelos Den Leader or other Adult Leader designated by the Den Leader or the Cubmaster can approve activity badge requirements. Parents are encouraged to learn the requirements and to practice them with your Scout, however actual documentation of the completion is the responsibility of the Den Leader.

Advancement should always emphasize DOING not GETTING. The experience your Scout has building friendships and learning as he works on the requirements is often more important than the badge itself. Cub Scouts are awarded badges to recognize achievements and we need to be careful not to over-emphasize the award at the expense of the experience. Remember that these experiences are repeated in later phases of Scouting and short cuts now will make these later phases more difficult for you Scout.

Joining Requirements
Each Scout must complete the official application form, Class I Physical on the back and submit this along with the registration fee of $23 for Tigers, Wolf & Bear $26, and Webelos $27 to the Pack Treasurer and Cubmaster. The registration fee covers registration to council, insurance, book, slide, and neckerchief. The registration form includes a temporary membership card which will be issued immediately. The application is then forwarded to our Council office which is Minsi Trails Council. The youth are divided into groups according to age/ grade in school. If your child will be eleven (11) years old this program year, please inform the Cubmaster because eligibility to earn Cub Scout rank ends at age eleven unless special arrangements are made.

Tiger Den
Tiger Cub Scouts are boys in the first grade or who are seven (7) years old. The basic element of Tiger Cub Scouts is the Tiger Cub-Adult Partner team. The adult may be a parent or other adult over 18 years-old strongly committed to the Scout’s well being. The teams join other Tiger Cub-Adult Partner teams in the Tiger den and go see it activities and in Pack activities all of which are designed to challenge and stimulate them. The adult partner is responsible for ensuring the successful advancement of the Tiger Cub Scout using the Scouting Model. Their Class A uniform is the blue Cub Scout shirt and belt with the special Tiger Cub Scout buckle, the orange Tiger Cub Scout neckerchief and slide with the Tiger Cub Scout emblem. Dark black or blue pants may be worn in lieu of the official Cub Scout pants with dark socks and closed toed shoes or sneakers. They may also wear the Tiger Cub Scout ball cap with the orange front panel and the Tiger Cub Scout emblem.

Wolf Den
When a boy completes the first grade or reaches eight (8) years old he is eligible to enter the Wolf Den. The Scout on the Wolf trail first completes the Bobcat Rank requirements to familiarize him with the fundamental Cub Scout skills, and then progress toward earning the Wolf rank. The Wolf Class A uniform is the blue Cub Scout shirt and belt with the Cub Scout buckle, the yellow Wolf Cub Scout neckerchief and slide with the Cub Scout emblem. Dark black or blue pants may be worn in lieu of the official Cub Scout pants with dark socks and closed toed shoes or sneakers. They may also wear the Wolf Cub ball cap with the yellow front panel and the Wolf Cub Scout emblem.

Bear Den
When a boy completes the second grade or reaches nine (9) years old he is eligible to enter the Bear Den. The Scout on the Bear trail first completes the Bobcat Rank requirements, if not done previously, to familiarize him with the fundamental Cub Scout skills, then progress toward earning the Bear rank. The Bear Class A uniform is the blue Cub Scout shirt and belt with the Cub Scout buckle, the blue Bear Cub Scout neckerchief and slide with the Cub Scout emblem. Dark black or blue pants may be worn in lieu of the official Cub Scout pants with dark socks and closed toed shoes or sneakers. They may also wear the Bear Cub ball cap with the blue front panel and the Bear Cub Scout emblem.

Webelos Den
Completing the third grade or reaching age 10 makes your Scout eligible for the Webelos Den. This is a new and challenging part of Scouting encompass-sing: different advancement requirements, more community and outdoor functions, increased interaction with the Boy Scout Troop and helping younger Scouts along their Scouting trail. The Scout on the Webelos trail first completes the Bobcat Rank requirements, if not done previously, to familiarize him with the fundamental Cub Scout skills, then progress toward earning the Webelos rank. Webelos Scouts wear the blue Class A uniform with the plaid neckerchief and special Webelos slide and belt buckle. The ball cap has the unique Webelos logo on a plaid front panel. They may opt to wear a tan uniform shirt and blue epaulettes in place of the blue uniform shirt. Often the Webelos start with the blue uniform and change to the tan one as they enter their second year (Webelos II). The same tan uniform shirt can be worn when your Cub Scout crosses over to Boy Scouts.

Activity Fees
The joining fee for our Pack covers registration, re-chartering, insurance, and scheduled activities during the Scouting Year. It is paid as a lump sum at the initial registration. The Activity Fee is paid in 3 equal installments throughout the Scout year. Fund raising opportunities are also used to offset these activity fees and Pack operating expenses. Any balances due may be paid by check made payable to Cub Scout Pack 82. Please note that Summer Day Camp is NOT included in the activity fees, however any funds collected in excess of the annual activity fee may be used for this District Activity. The Pack Treasurer is a member of the Pack Committee and is responsible for collecting, tracking and disbursing all funds related to the Pack. A monthly report is presented to the Pack Committee and any interested parents by the Pack Treasurer at the monthly Parent’s Meeting. Failure to pay activity fees will result in the scout not receiving their advancements and participation in Pack events. Anyone that has problems with making payments should see the Committee Chairman or Treasurer to discuss options.

Trips and Special Events
The Pack schedules an annual trip, Space and Pinewood Derby and Rain Gutter Regatta events, summer activities, the Blue and Gold Dinner, entries into parades and community events and the Holiday Party in December. Additional activities are added as time and funds permit. Occasionally, additional fees may be requested to fund these additional activities if fund raising and donations are insufficient. It is important to note that the fees for all activities must be paid in full by the date specified on the permission slip or by the meeting before the activity, whichever is earlier. Some of these activities require a signed permission slip and a current physical. If either document is unavailable your son’s participation is jeopardized. Please submit the permission slips in a timely fashion to the Event Chairperson named on the slip or to the Cubmaster. The physical form you complete upon joining is good for one year and needs to be reviewed each fall. Please update this form as needed if your scout’s physical condition changes.

Uniforms
The Class A uniform is the uniform expected for all Pack events and activities unless otherwise specified by the Cub Master or Pack Committee. The uniform provides a place to appropriately display the Scout’s rank achievements and other activity patches. It also helps to promote pride in the group and is easily recognized by the public. The Class A uniform is the blue Cub Scout shirt and belt with the appropriate Cub Scout buckle, the Cub Scout neckerchief and slide with the correct Cub Scout emblem. Dark black or blue pants may be worn in lieu of the official Cub Scout pants with dark socks and closed toed shoes or sneakers. They may also wear the Cub Scout ball cap with the appropriate front panel and emblem. Webelos Scouts may opt to wear the tan uniform shirt with the appropriate insignia. It is helpful for your Scout to wear a class B T-shirt under his uniform so that your scout’s Class A shirt can be removed if the activity may soil it. Class B T-shirts and sweat shirts are available through the Pack. A plain yellow T-shirt closely matching the Pack color is acceptable as are other Scout-themed shirts. Please note that the complete Class A uniform includes the current membership card and appropriate rank handbook.

Fundraising
The Pack holds several fundraisers each year in support of the Cub Scout Program and Pack activities. The Council supports the annual popcorn fundraiser each fall. The scouts also sell pies at Thanksgiving, Joe Corbi’s Pizzas, and Alfies Pizza to help set off the money that scouts need. The money raised during these fundraiser will be placed in your son’s scout service account. The Pack also does some fund raisers for Pack expenses which include; a Chinese auction, Pizza Hut, and Wal-Mart bake sale. The Pack is constantly looking for fundraising opportunities that will benefit our Scouts as well as foster good will in the community and promote the Scouting Program. Feel free to present any ideas to the Cubmaster, Pack Committee Chair or the fundraising committee. Our goal is to fund our annual plan with the fewest possible fundraising activities. We hope to improve and expand our program each year through this process.

PACK & COUNCIL ACTIVITIES
Failure to show up or participate in an event that the Pack has paid for must be reimbursed by the individual!! Example; Council Pinewood Derby meet. If you commit to go then you must attend or notify the cub master so that another scout may go.

BELTLOOPS & ACTIVITY PINS
When a scout earns a belt loop or activity pin the procedure is to hand the completed requirement sheet in to their den leader with the payment for the award. Belt loops and Pins must be paid at the time of handing the completed form into the den leader in order to receive them.

Two-deep leadership
Pack 82 subscribes to the Boy Scout Guide to Safe Scouting and current BSA and Minsi Trails Council Policies regarding all our activities. This means that all activities are planned and permission obtained from the appropriate authorities. Also, two registered leaders are in attendance including one who is youth protection trained and over age 21. In some cases, planned den activities may include only one registered youth protection trained leader but a second parent is required to be present. The Scouts are asked to accompany each other if they must leave the activity area. This is called The Buddy System and it is one of the fundamental methods in Scouting. For example: if a Scout has to use the rest room he will ask another scout to join him. They tell the activity leader where they intend to go and will be given permission. The Scouts then go on the task and return as soon as is reasonable. There will never be fewer than two Scouts and two Leaders in an activity area at any time. Of course a parent may accompany their child, however the two-deep-leader rule must be observed in the activity area. This fosters independence and planning on the part of the scouts while maintaining a safe environment.

Transportation
Most activities take place at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church at Third and Iron Streets in Lehighton, PA. Parents, except Tiger Cub Parents are expected to arrive with the Scouts at least 5-10 minutes before the scheduled activity and pick-up their Scout immediately at the scheduled conclusion. Tigers are to be accompanied at all activities by their adult Tiger partner or another designated adult. Check with the Den Leader to verify the expected completion time and to let the Den Leader know if you are not the person picking up your scout. Some Den and Pack activities will take place away from our sponsoring organization. The same drop-off and pick-up suggestions apply for these activities and the Scout’s parent is responsible for notifying the leader of any changes. The activity starts and ends at the alternate location and will usually require a permission slip. Den Leaders must file a local tour permit for any trip. Occasionally, the Pack provides transportation as a part of the activity. In this case, arrive at the church or other designated embarking point at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure and be prepared to pick up your Scout up to 30 minutes before the planned return. Permission slips and alternate contact persons must be up to date for these activities as well as the physical forms. Parents can expect to be notified by phone if significant delays are anticipated so it is important to verify your contact information on the day of departure.

Leadership Positions
A Cub Scout Leader must:

Adult leaders are divided into two categories: Program and Support. The Cubmaster is the leader of the Program group. These adults include the Assistant Cubmaster and all of he Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders. Interested adults willing to assist in the program activities are encouraged to register as an adult leader and to complete the youth protection and fast start training on line through the Council web site. The Den Chiefs and the Denner and Assistant Denner mentioned earlier are youth who assist these Adult Program Leaders.

The Pack Committee Chairman is the leader of the Support group. These adults include all the members of the Pack committee including the Pack Secretary, The Pack Treasurer, Advancement, Activity, Fundraising, Publicity, and Planning committees. The purpose of the standing committees is to construct, finance and evaluate the annual plan. Other committees may be needed such as Annual Trip, Blue and Gold Banquet, Pinewood Derby and Veterans Day Parade. Their activity is directed at planning and completing a specific event or task. Adults wishing to assist any of these positions are encouraged to complete an adult leader application and talk to the Pack Committee Chairman. Anyone with suggestions and ideas that might assist these support folks are encouraged to attend the Parents Meeting, once a month. Check the Pack calendar for times and dates.

The point of these two groups is the same: a quality, life-enriching experience for your Scout that prepares him mentally, physically and especially morally “for any old thing.”

Discipline
“Scouting is a game with a purpose.”
To ensure the safety of all the Scouts participating in this game, adherence to discipline and good behavior is of utmost importance. Cub Scouts are expected to behave, be respectful, be cooperative, and to show good scout spirit. Your Scout will learn more about Scout-like behaviors through participating in scouting activities. BSA policies will be followed in the event of un-Scout like behavior. In general, consistently unruly behavior will be dealt with in the following fashion:

1st Offense

Offense is discussed with the Scout by the Cubmaster and other adults that may have witnessed the infraction. The parents may be invited to be clear as to the infraction and the corrective action but we request inactive participation at this point.

2nd Offense

The Pack Committee Chair or the Cubmaster will meet with the Cub Scout and his parents to discuss the infraction and remediation. The first infraction should be discussed as well so that information and/or participants can be invited to participate as well.

3rd Offense The Cub Scout is suspended from Den and Pack activities for three months. The Scout may work on advancement requirements at home as possible but must be reinstated to this Pack before receiving any awards completed during the suspension. In order to be reinstated, the Cub Scout must appear before the Pack Committee and explain why he feels he should be allowed to participate in all Pack activities.

4th Offense

Permanent expulsion from this Pack. Transfer information including ranks and awards achieved will accompany notification of expulsion. BSA policy allows registered Scouts or Scouters to transfer to another Pack for a $1.00 fee. The Scout is not expelled from Scouting, however his behavior has been deemed a safety hazard to this Pack.

Please note that this disciplinary guide is intended for the youth. Adults are expected to behave in Scout-like fashion as well and are held to a higher standard of behavior that the youth because we are trying to set the best example for them. Smoking is forbidden at anytime in front of or around the scouts.