FAQ
Who Can Join Cub Scouts?
Boys and girls from kindergarten through fifth grade can join Cub Scouts. It’s never too late to join – our program is age-based and your child will be placed into a Den of his/her peers no matter when they join.
Why Should My Child Join Cub Scouts?
Scouting reinforces the skills and values we want our youth to learn while they’re having fun. Lord Baden-Powell called Scouting, “A Game With A Purpose.” As a worldwide brotherhood, Scouting is unique. It is based on a set of core principles and recognizes the obligation of members to develop and use their potential. It is a movement dedicated to bringing out the best in people. Cub Scouting doesn’t emphasize winning as an end result, but rather the far more demanding task of doing one’s best.
When Scouting can help nurture courage and kindness and allow youth to play, to laugh, to develop their imaginations, and to express their feelings, then we will have helped them grow. We want Scouts to become useful and stable individuals who are aware of their own potential. Helping a youth to learn the value of his own worth is the greatest gift we can give them.
Cub Scouting Is Fun
Boys and girls join Cub Scouting because they want to have fun. Fun means a lot more than just having a good time. “Fun” is a code word for the satisfaction they get from meeting challenges, having friends, feeling good about themselves, and feeling they are important to other people. While the Scouts are having fun and doing things they like to do, they also learn new things, discover and master new skills, gain self-confidence, and develop strong friendships.
Cub Scouting Helps Boys and Girls Develop Interests and Skills
In Cub Scouting, youth participate in a broad array of activities. Cub Scouts develop ability and dexterity, and they learn to use tools and to follow directions. Recognition and awards encourage them to learn about a variety of subjects, such as conservation, safety, physical fitness, community awareness, academic subjects, sports, and religious activities. These interests might become a hobby or even a career later in life.
Cub Scouting Provides Adventure
Cub Scouting helps fulfill a Scout’s desire for adventure and allows them to use their imagination while taking part in skits, games, field trips, service projects, outdoor activities, and more. The use of a monthly theme lets a Scout play the role of an astronaut, clown, explorer, scientist, or other exciting character. Boys and girls find adventure in exploring the outdoors, learning about nature, and gaining a greater appreciation for our beautiful world.
Cub Scouting Has Ideals
Cub Scouting has ideals of spiritual and character growth, citizenship training, and personal fitness.
A study commissioned by the Boy Scouts of America and conducted by Louis Harris & Associates, uncovered a great deal of positive information, reinforcing what the Boy Scouts of America has been teaching since its inception in 1910. When youth who are in Scouting were sked what Scouting has taught them, here is how they responded:
- To take better care of the environment (89%)
- To get along with others (88%)
- To always give your best effort (87%)
- To have confidence in yourself (87%)
- To set goals for yourself (87%)
- To care for other people (86%)
- To treat others with respect (86%)
Cub Scouting Strengthens Families
The family is an important influence on our nation’s youth. There are many different types of family structures in today’s world. Scouting is a support to all types of families as well as to organizations to which families belong. We believe in involving families in the training of youth, and we are sensitive to the needs of present-day families. Cub Scouting provides opportunities for family members to work and play together, to have fun together, and to get to know each other a little better.
Cub Scouting Has an Advancement Plan
The advancement plan recognizes a Scout’s efforts and achievements. It provides fun for the youth, teaches them to do their best, and helps strengthen understanding as family members work with boys and girls on advancement requirements. Badges are awarded to recognize advancement. Youth like to receive and wear these badges. The real benefit comes from the worthwhile things the Scout learns while he is earning the badges, as his self-confidence and self-esteem grow.
Cub Scouting Creates Fellowship
Boys and girls like to be accepted as part of a group. In Cub Scouting, Scouts belong to a small group called a den where they take part in interesting and meaningful activities with their friends. The Cub Scout Den and Pack are positive places where youth can feel emotionally secure and find support. Each Scout gains status and recognition and has a sense of belonging to this group.
Cub Scouting Promotes Diversity
In Cub Scouting, Scouts may learn to interact in a group that may include youth of various ethnicities, income levels, religions, and levels of physical ability. By having fun together and working as a group toward common goals, Cub Scouts learn the importance of not only getting along, but also of working side by side with other youth of different races, classes, religions, and cultures.
Cub Scouting Teaches Duty to God and Country
Cub Scouting encourages spiritual growth by teaching moral and ethical values and encouraging youth to live by the spiritual values of their families. The Scouting movement has long been known for service to others. Scouting believes that patriotism plays a significant role in preparing our nation’s youth to become useful and participating citizens. A Cub Scout learns his duty to God, country, others, and self.
Cub Scouting Provides a Year-Round Program
Cub Scouting has no specific “season”, it’s a year-round program. While spring and summer Pack activities are informal and there are many activities that Cub Scouts do outdoors, there’s still plenty of fun to be had in the fall and winter: the pinewood derby, blue and gold banquet, skits, stunts, craft projects, and indoor games help to round out an entire year of fun and activities.
Cub Scouting Is a Positive Place
With all the negative influences in today’s society, Scouting provides your child with a positive peer group who can encourage him/her in all the right ways. Carefully selected leaders provide good role models and a group setting where values are taught and help to reinforce positive qualities of character.
What is the Time commitment? How often do you meet?
In a typical month, your Cub Scout will have 2 meetings per month: 2 Den Meeting and 1 Pack Meeting.
Den Meeting: Den meetings take place on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month (except when moved by Den Leader for special meeting activity or major Holiday/School event conflict). They are typically held at Schaefer Elementary School on San Miguel Street. Dens are the grade-specific small groups within the Pack. At each Den Meeting, your scout will work on the Rank Achievements planned by the Den Leader. Occasionally, Den Leaders may plan a meeting at a special location (field trip)
Pack Meeting: Pack Meetings occur once a month on the 4th Monday (except when moved for a special Pack Meeting activity like Pinewood Derby or major Holiday/School event conflict). Pack Meetings are where all the Dens meet as a unit to celebrate Achievements and Awards followed by a special activity. The locations of the Pack Meeting is generally at Schaefer Elementary School.
What if I can’t make all the Den Meetings?
If you can’t make it to a Den meeting you are free to work on the skills/achievements the Den did on your own. A Scout only needs an Akela to complete requirements. In Cub Scouts, Akela is anyone who acts as a leader to a Scout.. Cubmaster, Den Leader, parent, teacher, coach, etc.
What is your year cycle? What calendar do you follow?
We follow the School Year. We tend to start up our program in August and we graduate our Cub Scouts to the next rank in May. June, July, and August we have plan to have at least 1 activity per month, and several scouts also attend Council and District level events.
Do you require Popcorn Sales/Fundraising? Do you have a popcorn quota?
We don’t require fundraising. We believe that our dues ($xxx) cover everything that is required within our Scouting year and that families shouldn’t be forced into fundraising. However! Fundraising is a great way to not only cover any optional costs (summer camp, extra uniform pieces, etc), it can also be used to pay on your dues.