The Committee and Leaders of Pelham Cub Scout Pack 1 are committed to providing a quality program of Cub Scouting activities. Special emphasis is placed on character development, skill development, citizenship and family.
Purposes of Cub Scouting
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) began Cub Scouting as a program for younger boys in 1910. The purposes of Cub Scouting state that Parents, Leaders and Organizations work together to achieve the following:
1. Influence the development of character and encourage spiritual growth;
2. Develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship;
3. Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body;
4. Improve understanding within the family;
5. Strengthen the ability to get along with and to respect others;
6. Foster a sense of personal achievement b developing new interest and skills;
7. Show how to be helpful and to do one's best;
8. Provide fun and exciting new things to do;
9. Prepare Cubs to become Boy Scouts.
The National Office of the Boy Scouts of America is located in Irving, Texas. Within the U.S., there are more than 278 Councils to service over 2.7 million youth scouts. Locally, the Westchester-Putnam Council http://www.wpcbsa.org/ consists of 5 Districts: Algonquin, Four Rivers, Manitoga, Mohican and Muscoot. Pelham Pack 1 is part of the Algonquin District which also serves: Edgemont, Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, Purchase, Rye, Rye Brook, Scarsdale and Silver Lake.
The Pack
A Pack must be chartered from the BSA by a local organization. These can be churches, professional organizations, government bodies, or educational, civic, business, labor, or citizens groups. Pack 1 is chartered by the Prospect School PTA and is over 55 years old, making our pack one of the oldest in New York State and the U.S.!
The Pack serves as a "parent" organization to the Dens and provides direction, program support and maintenance of the budget. The Pack is led by the Pack Committee that consists of representatives from each Den, Cubmaster and other volunteer leaders. The Pack Committee Chairperson leads these monthly meetings. The Pack Committee along with the Cubmaster leads the group in planning and organizing Pack programs.
Packs are divided into Dens of typically five to eight boys. Dens are made up of boys in the same grade and age, so they can work together to earn the appropriate Rank.
Where to Purchase Scout Uniforms and Equipment
Scout Shop, 41 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne (914) 773-1135
Liebmans, 510 Main Street, New Rochelle (914) 632-2770
Dan's Sports Center, 16 Cedar Street, Dobbs Ferry (914) 693-1754
New York Scout Shop, 48 W 37th (212) 643-0316
Cub Scout Ranks
Cub Scout ranks are divided by grade level.
Grade 1: Tiger Cubs
The Tiger Cub rank is an introduction into Cub Scouting. Each Tiger Cub must have an individual registered adult partner (usually a parent or guardian). Each Tiger Den is kept organized by a lead adult partner called the Den Leader. The Tiger Cub Den Leader helps in coordinating the Dens activities. Tiger Cubs work towards earning the Tiger Cub Rank Badge by completing three types of activities in each of 5 different themes.
Bobcat Scouts
After Tiger Cubs, each new Cub Scout, regardless of their age or grade, must complete the requirements for Bobcat Rank. This is usually done in only two or three weeks. The requirements for Bobcat (which are described in all Cub Scout Handbooks), include learning and explaining the Law of the Pack, the Cub Scout Handshake, Motto, Sign, and Salute, learning to give the Cub Scout Promise, and explaining the meaning of Webelos. After being awarded the Bobcat Badge, the Scout begins working on the requirements for the Badge of Rank for his grade.
The Cub Scout Promise
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
Law of the Pack
A Cub Scout follows Akela
The Cub Scout helps the Pack go
The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow
The Cub Scout gives goodwill
The Cub Scout Motto
Do Your Best
Grade 2: Wolf Scouts
Wolf Scouts are boys who have completed the first grade, or are eight years of age. Wolf Scouts usually meet weekly as a Den of six to ten boys, under the direction of their Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader. The Den Meetings provide an opportunity to play games, learn new skills, go on outings and tours, and to work on Achievements. Twelve Achievements must be completed in order to earn the Wolf Badge. After completing the requirements for the Wolf Badge, the Scout may continue to work on Electives to earn Arrow Points. The first ten electives completed result in earning a Gold Arrow Point. For each ten additional electives completed, Silver Arrow Points are awarded.
Grade 3: Bear Scouts
Bear Scouts are made up of boys who have completed the second grade or are nine years of age. God, Country, Family and Self are the main themes of the twelve Achievements required to earn Bear Rank. Bear Den Meetings are similar to the meetings held by Wolves. Likewise, Gold and Silver Arrow Points can be earned after achieving rank.
Grades 4 and 5: Webelos Scouts
Boys who have completed the third grade or are age 10 or 11 are eligible to become Webelos Scouts. Webelos is the last rank in Cub Scouting. It is an acronym for Well Be Loyal Scouts. Under the direction of the Webelos Den Leader and Assistant Webelos Den Leader Webelos Scouts will work to earn Webelos Activity Pins for a wide variety of hobby and career activities ranging from science to sports.
Den Meetings
Tiger Dens usually meet one or two times a month. Their Den Meetings include the Scouts and their Adult Partners. Each Den has a volunteer Den Leader, but all Adult Partners work cooperatively to plan and host the meetings. Typically each Scout/Partner team is assigned an activity from the Tiger Cub Handbook to plan and host. These gatherings are often outings to local points of interest.
Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Den Meetings are usually held once a month for one to 1½ hours, although individual dens may modify their schedules to meet the needs of the scouts and leaders as appropriate. Den Meetings can be held at a Leaders home, school, church or other venue depending on the activity. Although the Den Leader and Assistant Den Leaders are responsible for coordinating and running the Den Meetings, each Scouts family will play an active role in the Scout activities, at the meetings and at home. There must always be two (2) adults present at all meetings and activities. The activities at the Den Meetings vary widely from games, crafts, skills work, field trips, etc. The National organization sets a theme for each month and the Den Meetings may center on this theme or one of the achievements in the rank book.
Typically achievements towards earning the Wolf or Bear badges are done by the Scout with their family at home. The Den may do some achievements as part of their regular meeting, however most are oriented to be done with the family. Webelos Den Meetings typically involve completing the various requirements of the Webelos badge, activity badges or progress towards the Arrow of Light.
As achievements are completed the parent or Den Leader, depending on who it was completed with, will record it in the Scouts rank book. The Den Leader will periodically record the Scouts accomplishments on a record form to track progress towards rank badge or other award. Dens may formally meet only during the school year or during the entire year depending on the Den Leaders and familys schedule and preference.
Pack Meetings
Pack Meetings and activities are held monthly, usually on a Monday evening at 7:30p.m. Meetings are held at the Prospect School gym. Special events may be held at other local venues. The Pack Meetings typically flag ceremonies, den reports, activities or games and scout advancement and recognition.
The Pack meetings are intended for a parent and scout. It is a time for the entire pack to get together to learn and celebrate each others accomplishments over the past month. Some Pack Meetings are for special programs including the annual Blue & Gold Dinner to celebrate Scouting's birthday and the Pinewood Derby.
Leaders Meeting
A monthly Leaders meeting provides the opportunity to plan the Pack Meetings and Activities. All Scout Leaders are encouraged to attend, as well as any Adult who may have ideas, comments or concerns regarding the Pack or a particular Den. These meetings are typically held at the discretion of the Leader but usually once a month. Leaders typically rotate the hosting of the meeting.
Volunteers
Parent volunteers are always needed. Registration and training are provided by the Pack for those who are interested in helping. If you'd like to help in any capacity, please contact the Pack Committee Chairperson, Cubmaster or your son's Den Leader. All types of help are needed - driving for trips, assisting in Den Leader absence, etc. Remember that Cub Scout Packs don't exist without volunteer leadership.
Responsibilities and Expectations
Participation and expectations on the part of the Scouts is pretty straight forward. The Scouts are expected to attend all Den and Pack meetings. Scouts should arrive on time, not late and not early. If the parent or guardian does not stay for the meeting, they should return promptly at the scheduled ending time of the meeting to assist with cleaning up and pick up the Scout.
It is the Scouts responsibility to find out what was missed, especially any information that was dispersed. Good behavior is expected at all Scouting functions and activities. This includes showing respect of Leaders, adults and other Scouts, quietly listening to instructions, information and others that are speaking. Parents are expected to encourage, support and assist their Scout as they work on achievements. All parents are to share in the efforts of their Den and the Pack. The Den Leader and Assistant are coordinators. Each parent will share the work and accomplishments in providing this terrific program for the Scouts. The parents are responsible to deal with any behavior problem identified by the Den Leaders.
The Scouts and parents should expect the Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader to be prepared to work with you, and keep you informed about what is happening within the Den and Pack. All Cub Scout leaders are expected to follow all scouting rules, regulations and guidelines without exception. The National level of Scouting has policies to protect the Scouts, the Leaders and the program. They may not always be convenient, but they have a purpose and are not to be excused for any reason. Whoever participates in a Scouting activity must comply with these policies.
If you are not satisfied with the program or performance of your Den, do not sit back, contact the Cubmaster or Pack Committee Chairperson immediately. We all are responsible for timely communication of any such concern.
Thanks to Pelham Pack 4 for this web page.