PARENT GUIDE

This Parent Guide provides you with answers to questions about Pack 34’s program.  If you have any questions not answered in this brief Guide, please contact your son’s Den Leader or one of the Pack leaders.

The Cub Scouting Organization

Cub Scouting is a home and neighborhood centered program designed to support the values you teach at home.  Cub Scouts learn respect for God, country, and other people in addition to other positive skills like:     Academic accomplishment Getting along with others   Independence   Personal achievement   Physical dexterity through sports, crafts and games   Positive decision-making   Sportsmanship by “doing your best”   Appreciation for the outdoors The Cub Scout program is based on age-appropriate activities. The boys are divided into small groups of boys (called dens) according to their grade in school. Scouts work on achievements at weekly den meetings and at home to earn their ranks. Once a month, all the dens attend a Pack meeting where the whole family is invited to come! First graders and their adult partners form the Tiger Den(s). Second graders form the Wolf Cub Den(s). Third graders form the Bear Cub  Den(s).  Fourth and Fifth graders belong to Webelos Dens and take part in more challenging experiences which helps them prepare to enter Boy Scouts at the end of fifth grade. Dens generally meet 3-4 times a month.  Two or three times a month with their Den, and once a month at the Pack meeting. Cub Scout Pack 34 is made up of boys and their families from across Washington County, Maryland.  We generally meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 - 7:30 at the Christ Lutheran Church on North Cleveland Ave.

Finances and Dues

 The Boys Scouts of America (BSA), to which Pack 34 belongs, is a non-profit organization. Pack 34 receives no funding from BSA or the Mason-Dixon Council of the BSA. Pack 34 must be self-supporting and free of debt. Although all of our leadership consists of volunteers, we must ensure we have the funds to support the main activities of the Pack, including awards, Pinewood Derby, leader training, Blue and Gold Banquet, etc. We must also pay the BSA a registration fee for each boy to cover insurance costs and Council programs.

Pack 34’s annual registration dues are currently $90 per boy.  Of this amount, $25 goes to the Mason-Dixon Council for insurance and council support, and $12 for a subscription to Boy’s Life, the monthly magazine for boys. With the remaining funds, as well as funds raised through popcorn sales, the Pack provides the appropriate Scout Handbook, Pack T-shirt, patch vest, awards, craft supplies and items for other activities.

In addition to annual registration dues, there are several other costs.  Each scout needs a uniform, which is about $70 when purchased new (you can often find used uniforms at thrift stores or eBay.  A variety of optional outings have additional fees including Council Cub Scout Activities such as the Spring Fling, Cub Scout Extravaganza, and Spring Webelos Woods which usually have a small fee to cover lunch.  Other activities may have higher fees such as Scout Night at a Hagerstown Suns Game, Summer Day Camps, Camp Akela (3 night/4day camp), etc.

The Mason-Dixon Council and Pack 34 are committed to ensuring that every boy can get the Cub Scouting experience without regard to family financial circumstances. If at any time such circumstances would prevent your son’s participation in any Cub Scouting activity, please contact the Cubmaster or Committee Chair.   All requests will be treated confidentially.

The following guidelines will help you and your boy get the most out of Cub Scouting

• Be on Time. Please arrive at all meetings and events on time. Also, please be prompt to pick-up your boy from Den meetings.
• Be in Uniform. Please make sure that your boy is in uniform for all Cub Scout meetings and events. Support his accomplishments by seeing that his advancement patches promptly become part of his uniform.
• Read Your Handbook. Support your son’s involvement in Cub Scouting by becoming familiar with his advancement requirements. If you read through his handbook, you will be better prepared to support his efforts to “do his best.”
• Report an Absence Ahead of Time. Den Leaders spend a lot of time preparing for Den and Pack activities that include your son. If your son will be unable to attend a Pack or Den meeting, please let your Den Leader know as soon as possible.
• Reinforce Good Conduct During Meetings. Parents share with Cub Scout leaders responsibility for ensuring proper conduct by their boys. Please stress that good behavior is part of being a Cub Scout, and set a good example by being respectful of others during Pack meetings.
• Support Good Turns. The Pack and Dens will provide opportunities for boys to give service to the community. We ask that you support these opportunities for your boys to learn the art of giving.
• Participate. Your son will get more out of Cub Scouting if you get involved. You are encouraged to volunteer in some way during the year.