Rules of Conduct
Pack 21 has some very basic Rules of Conduct that we ask all Cub Scouts and their families to follow. This will insure that we can all enjoy our Scouting program. The Cub Scout Promise and Law of the Pack will serve as the appropriate “Code of Conduct” to be observed at all Pack meetings and activities. Concerns regarding the conduct of any Leader may be brought to the attention of the Cubmaster, Pack Chairperson, and the Chartered Organization Representative or to the Connecticut Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
The Boy Scouts of America have a comprehensive set of policies and procedures to help ensure that Scouting continues to be safe for all participants. Comprehensive background checks are required for all new Leaders. The Boy Scouts of America will not tolerate any form of child abuse in its program and will take all necessary steps to remove any offenders from membership in the BSA. Every Leader in Cub Scouting is required to complete Youth Protection training, which is delivered by the District or Council. Parents will also find this training valuable. In addition to a thorough review of BSA Youth Protection policies, the training develops an increased awareness of Youth Protection issues.
Safety Guidelines
The goal of Pack 21's Leaders is to have a safe and fun program for the Scouts and their families. The adult Leaders have the right to intervene in any situation that they deem unsafe. If a Scout is unwilling to abide by the requirements of the adult Leaders in charge, they may ask or require a parent to intervene.
Inappropriate Behavior
A Cub Scout is expected to behave himself at all meetings and outings. Disruptive behavior, bullying, fighting and use of bad language are some examples of behavior, which will not be tolerated at Den meetings, Pack meetings or Pack outings.
Electronic Entertainment
Pack 21 does not allow the use of electronic entertainment (Walkmans, TVs, boom boxes, Gameboys, etc.) at meetings, Scout-sponsored functions, Scout outings or campouts. Scouts using such items will be asked to stop, and if they do not comply, the adult Leader may confiscate the item until the end of the event, at which point it will be returned to the Scout or his parents. Electronic devices such as two-way radios, radios used to check weather reports, or other devices used to ensure the safety of the Scouts, parents, and Leaders are allowed.
Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use and Abuse
The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members.
Adult Leaders and parents should support the attitude that young adults are better off without tobacco. All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities are conducted on a smoke-free basis, with smoking areas located away from all youth participants.
Camping Guidelines
Pack 21 strives to ensure that several outings each year include family camping. The Cub Scout and his entire family are encouraged to attend. The Boy Scouts of America have established guidelines for its members’ participation in camping activities.
A Cub Scout may participate in overnight Pack camping when supervised by a parent or guardian. If a parent cannot attend, the boy’s family must make arrangements for another adult to be a substitute for a parent at the campout. When this occurs, special documentation will be required, including a medical summary and treatment permission form. It is essential that each Scout be under the supervision of an adult. Cub Scouts are limited to boy-parent excursions, approved District and Council daytime and overnight programs, and Pack supervised family camping designed for the entire family.
When staying in tents, no youth will stay in the tent of an adult other than his or her parent or guardian. A Cub Scout may stay in a tent with other boys without a parent, but may not stay in the tent of an adult that is not his parent or guardian. Except for certain Webelos activities, a Cub Scout may not stay in a tent with a Boy Scout, unless it is during a Pack supervised family camping event and the Boy Scout is a member of his family. During certain approved winter cabin camping events, it is allowable for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and adults to share the same cabin.
Guide to Safe Scouting Extract
The following key items are extracted from A Unit Leader’s Guide for Current Policies and Procedures to Safe Activities. Leaders should have access to this document for additional safety topics not covered in this extract (swimming, boating, climbing, etc.). These are national policies of the Boy Scouts of America enforced by the adult Leaders of Pack.21, and violation of these policies by a boy or his parent may result in the removal of the Scout from the Pack. Repeated violations by members of a Pack can result in the revocation of the Pack Charter by the Boy Scouts of America.
Guidelines for Safely Using Chemical Stoves and Lanterns:
Use compressed or liquid-gas stoves or lanterns with knowledgeable adult supervision only and in Scout facilities only where and when permitted. Never fuel a stove, heater, or lantern inside; always do this outdoors. Never fuel, ignite or operate a stove, heater, or lantern in a tent. Do not leave a lighted stove or lantern unattended.
Flammability Warning:
No tent material is completely fireproof. The most important safeguard is to keep flames away from tent materials. For this reason, the following safety precautions are emphasized:
Only flashlights and electric lanterns are permitted in tents. No flames in tents.
Never use liquid-fuel stoves, heaters, lanterns, matches, and other flame sources in or near tents.
Do not pitch tents near an open fire.
Only use battery-operated devices in tents.
Fire Safety
Campfires must to be closely supervised by adults at all times. Cub Scouts may be allowed to start a campfire under the supervision of a qualified adult Leader.
Fireworks
The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the securing, use, and display of fireworks in conjunction with programs and activities except where the fireworks display is conducted under the auspices of a certified or licensed fireworks control expert.
Use of Knives by Cub Scouts
To earn the right to carry a pocketknife at Cub Scout functions, Scouts must be in the third grade and have earned the Whittling Chip. Please do not give your boy a knife until he has met these requirements. Pack 21 encourages this award, as we feel it teaches respect for safety and personal property.
In return for the privilege of carrying a pocketknife, the Scout must understand the rules for safe use of a pocketknife and handle his pocketknife with care. Failure to follow the guidelines will result in suspension of his carrying privilege. If a Scout has a knife in his possession, he must be able to produce his Whittling Chip upon request of an adult Leader. If the boy is unable to produce his card, but has earned it, the knife will be forfeited until the end of the activity or meeting. BSA guidelines provide that the knife must be a folding knife with a blade shorter than the palm of the boy’s hand. Approved Cub Scout pocket knives are available at the Scout Store.
CUB SCOUTS MAY ONLY CARRY POCKET KNIVES AT SCOUTING FUNCTIONS. DO NOT BRING YOUR POCKET KNIFE TO SCHOOL!
Guns, Firearms, and Archery
The Boy Scouts of America adheres to its long-standing policy of teaching its youth and adult members the safe, responsible, intelligent handling, care, and use of firearms, airguns, and BB guns in planned, carefully managed, and supervised programs.
Gun-shooting sports are not an approved part of the Cub Scout program except at council-approved Cub Scout camps. At camp, Cub Scouts may have an opportunity to take part in a BB gun (rifle) safety and marksmanship program under the direction of a trained and certified BB-gun range officer. Cub Scouts are not permitted to use any other type of handgun or firearm. Except for law enforcement officers required to carry firearms within their jurisdiction, firearms shall not be brought on camping, hiking, backpacking, or other Scouting activities.
Archery and BB gun shooting are restricted to day camps, Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camps, council-managed family camping programs, or to council activities where there are properly trained supervisors and all standards for BSA shooting sports are enforced. Archery and BB gun shooting are not to be done at the Pack level.
These programs are designed to emphasize safety and marksmanship development under the direction of trained range officers using nationally approved instructional methods.