Scout and Family Guide

Congratulations! You’ve agreed to become your child’s scouting partner and you’ve also become a member of the greatest youth organization in the world. The BSA and we here at Pack 810 thank you for selecting Scouting and allowing us to help you raise your child by building character, promoting commitment to citizenship, and ensuring personal growth.  Pack 810 has been chartered out of Coulson Church for over 30 years. The pack committee consists of both veteran leaders as well and new leaders and parents.


SCOUTING IS FUN WITH A PURPOSE

As a parent, you want your child to grow-up to be a person of worth, a self-reliant dependable and caring individual. Scouting has these same goals in mind. Since 1910 we have been weaving lifetime values into fun and educational activities designed to assist parents in strengthening character, good citizenship, and physical fitness in youth.

In Cub Scouting, children learn ideals like honesty, bravery, and respect. These values help children make constructive decisions throughout their lifetime and give them the confidence they need to grow and develop.

As you become a new scouting family, you may not have any idea of how Cub Scouting works. In the next few weeks, leaders and volunteer parents will meet to assemble dens. You will then be contacted by your den leader to inform you of the meeting places and times. In the meantime, we have put together a summary here so that you can know what to expect until then.


How Cub Scouting Works

The Cub Scout Den

Your child is a member of a Cub Scout den. The den meets several times per month and the meeting is lead by a den leader (a parent of one of the scouts).  The den leader usually has an assistant den leader, a den chief (a Scout helper), and parent helpers. Den meetings have games, crafts, songs, ceremonies, and lots of fun. Dens generally consist of 5-8 children.


The Cub Scout Pack

Your child is also a member of a Cub Scout pack. The pack consists of all the scouts from all the dens. A pack meets at the beginning of every meeting, before breaking up into induvial dens. The pack meeting is led by the Cubmaster and fellow scouts to open up the meeting. 


The Uniforms

Class A Uniforms

Wearing the Cub Scout uniform helps to make the scout feel like a part of the scouting program. It gives the scout a place to display awards and patches.


We suggest buying the shirt in a large size since it will be used for 2-3 years.


Class B uniform

Our scouts participate in a number of activities where the Class A uniform is either too restrictive or not appropriate. Our pack T-shirts allow us to identify as a group while at these activities. These will be available for purchase throughout the year. See our scout clothing ordering form for more details.


Parent Participation

All families in Pack 810 are asked to participate in the running of the pack. When you return your child’s cub scout application, you must also submit a parent volunteer form. This form lists all the ways that you can help out in the pack. You must choose one position or committee for you child’s application to be accepted.

The available positions range from simple things like helping to pick up the popcorn for our fundraiser, assisting in the planning of an event, or helping to maintain the web site, to positions of more responsibility, like being a den leader or pack treasurer.


What does it take to help?

A long, rich background of scouting involvement is NOT required! What is needed is a desire to work with and help young people, and a willingness to make a bit of time in your schedule. Lots of resources and training are available and many people will support your efforts. Helping to keep the pack alive and vibrant for the children can be an exciting and rewarding experience. If you want more information about being a leader, feel free to contact our Committee Chairman.


The Advancement Plan

Bobcat

All children, regardless of age, earn the Bobcat badge first by learning the Scout Oath, Scout Law, handshake, salute, sign, and motto. More information can be found on our Bobcat page

After the bobcat badge is earned, the children work on requirements based on their grade level.


Lion Cub

Kindergartners work toward the Lion rank. The Lion rank is earned by completing five adventures as described below. Although participation with an adult partner is required for all Lion awards, recognition items are for the Scouts only. 


1. Complete the five required adventures: 

2. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide. 

Outside of the requirements, Lion Scouts can also complete any number of seven elective adventures of their den’s or family’s choosing.

Lions generally attend one Den meeting and optionally one pack meeting per month.


Tiger

First graders work toward the Tiger rank. The Tiger rank is earned by completing seven adventures as described below. Although participation with an adult partner is required for all Tiger awards, recognition items are for the Scouts only. 


1. Complete each of the six required adventures:

2. In addition to the six required adventures, complete at least one elective adventure of your den’s or family’s choosing. 

3. With your parent, guardian, or other caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide. 

4. Earn the Cyber Chip award for your age. (The Cyber Chip portion of this requirement may be waived by your parent or guardian if you do not have access to the internet.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules Preview Adventure for Tiger.

Tiger scouts usually attend two Den meetings and one Pack meeting each month.


Wolf

Second graders work toward the Wolf rank. The Wolf rank is earned by completing seven adventures as described below. 


1. Complete each of the six required adventures:

2. In addition to the six required adventures, complete at least one elective adventure of your den’s or family’s choosing. 

3. With your parent, guardian, or other caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide. 

4. Earn the Cyber Chip award for your age. (The Cyber Chip portion of this requirement may be waived by your parent or guardian if you do not have access to the internet.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules Preview Adventure for Wolf. 

Wolf scouts typically attend two Den meetings and one Pack meeting each month.


Bear

Third graders work toward the Bear rank. The Bear rank is earned by completing seven adventures as described below. 

1. Complete each of the six required adventures:

2. In addition to the six required adventures, complete at least one elective adventure of your den’s or family’s choosing. 

3. With your parent, guardian, or other caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide. 

4. Earn the Cyber Chip award for your age. (The Cyber Chip portion of this requirement may be waived by your parent or guardian if you do not have access to the internet.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules Preview Adventure for Bear.

Bear scouts typically attend two Den meetings and one Pack meeting each month.


Webelos

Fourth graders work toward the Webelos rank. The Webelos rank is earned by completing six adventures as described below.  Scouts who are in Cub Scouts in fourth grade must complete the Webelos rank before working towards their Arrow of Light. 


1. Be an active member of your Webelos den for three months.

2. Complete each of the five required adventures:

3. In addition to the five required adventures, complete at least one elective adventure of your den’s or family’s choosing. 

4. With your parent, guardian, or other caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide. 

5. Earn the Cyber Chip award for your age. (The Cyber Chip portion of this requirement may be waived by your parent or guardian if you do not have access to the internet.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules Preview Adventure for Webelos.

Webelo scouts typically attend two Den meetings and one Pack meeting each month.


Arrow of Light

When a scout has completed the fourth grade (or is eleven years old) he is eligible to earn the Arrow of Light Award. The Arrow of Light Award is the highest award in Cub Scouting. In order to earn this prestigious award, scouts will once again be expected to take part in more camping and outdoor programs. This rank requires scouts to work on four adventures and one elective. Some of these requirements have scouts camping, setting up tents, tying knots, visiting a Scout Troop meeting and an outdoor activity.


The Arrow of Light rank is earned by completing five adventures as described below. 


1. Be an active member of your Webelos den for at least six months since completing the fourth grade or for at least six months since becoming 10 years old.

2. Complete each of the four required adventures:

3. In addition to the four required adventures, complete at least one elective adventure of your den’s or family’s choosing. 

4. With your parent, guardian, or other caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide. 

5. Earn the Cyber Chip award for your age. (The Cyber Chip portion of this requirement may be waived by your parent or guardian if you do not have access to the internet.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules for Arrow of Light. 

In January of a Webelos Scout’s fifth grade year, he graduates from Cub Scouting into the adventure of Scouting at an impressive graduation ceremony.

Webelos/Arrow of Light often attend 3-4 den meetings and one pack meeting per month.


Special Cub Scout Activities

Pinewood Derby

Parent and child work together to build a gravity-powered miniature race car from a special kit. The race is conducted annually, usually in March.


Scouting for Food

Food drive held each year to benefit local food shelves. It is part of a nationwide program of the BSA to help feed the hungry.


Blue and Gold Celebration

This is a birthday party for Cub Scouting held by your pack, usually in February. Our pack holds packs hold a dinner, and a program of entertainment, prizes, and awards.


Family Camping

Twice a year our pack has a camping trip for the whole family. Come for the activities during the day or stay for the whole weekend.


Cub Scout Day Camp

Cub Scout Day Camp is held at Quail Hill four weeks each summer. Buses bring scouts to camp each day from locations throughout Monmouth County. The program provides fun with purpose and develops enthusiasm. Day camp helps strengthen the dens and packs for better year round program.

The day camp uses the fine camp facilities to provide many exciting activities. Supervised swimming, aquatics fun, boating, and fishing provide for water excitement. Scouts become marksmen on the BB and archery ranges. Crafts hikes, nature, and sports are all a part of the program.


Webelos Resident Camp

Webelos Scouts enjoy the opportunities of a week-long camp at Quail Hill. Cub Scouts camp for three nights during resident camp. Resident Camp gives scouts new skills in nature, hiking, swimming, camp crafts, and sports. Activities are planned and supervised to support the Cub Scout advancement program. Different advancement activities give variety to the program for scouts of all ages.


Boys’ Life Magazine

Boys’ Life is a magazine for scouts and adults. Boys’ Life has interesting features on Scouting, sports, hobbies, magic, science, and U. S. History. There are also jokes, comics, and short stories. A Boys’ Life Magazine subscription is available for an additional $15.


What does it cost?

Membership

???Den dues are determined by the individual den depending on their needs. They are usually around $20 per year. Den dues help support the crafts and activities of your den. Ask your den leader how den dues will be collected. ????

Fundraisers

During the year we will have various fundraisers to help offset the cost of scouting. Some of these include selling Rada  Cutlery, Pintwood Derby.  If you have a fundraising idea, let us know!