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Cub Scout Pack 57
(Belchertown, Massachusetts)
 
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Frequently Asked Questions



Joining Cub Scouting
How old (or young) can a boy be to join Cub Scouting? Cub Scouting is for boys in the rst through fthgrades, or 7 to 10 years of age. Boys who are older than 10, or who have completed the fth grade, can nolonger join Cub Scouting, but they may be eligible to join the Boy Scouting or Venturing program depending ontheir age and grade level.

How can I become an adult volunteer in Cub Scouting? Express your interest to the pack leaders—thecommittee chair, Cubmaster, chartered organization representative, or members of the unit committee. Whilethere’s no guarantee that a speci c role or position will be available—and there may be a selection processamong several candidates even if the position is currently vacant—there is usually some way in which you cancontribute. Most units are glad for any o er of help. There are many single-instance volunteer opportunities suchas popcorn chair or pinewood derby chair.

Is there a Cub Scout pack in my area? In most instances, yes. There are tens of thousands of Cub Scout packsin the United States and its territories, as well as packs that serve the families of U.S. citizens who live overseas.Go to www.beascout.org, select Cub Scouts, key in your zip code, and press the red button. You will be directedto a Google map and provided a list of units in your area. You will also be provided contact information for theBSA council serving your zip code. Contact any unit(s) or contact the council directly.

Is it possible to be a Cub Scout if there is not a pack in my area? In rare instances where there actually is nopack in your area—which generally occurs only in rural areas or overseas locations—a single youth can becomea Lone Cub Scout. He would work with an adult mentor to pursue the advancement program and participate
in activities with nearby packs when possible. You will need to check with the BSA council serving your area toverify that it supports the Lone Scout program.

Must I be a U.S. citizen to join Cub Scouting? Citizenship is not required of youth or adult members. If you liveoutside the United States and are not a U.S. citizen, it may be more bene cial to join the Scouting association
in your own nation. The World Organization of the Scout Movement provides contact information for all national
Scouting organizations on its website at www.scout.org.

The Cub Scout Program
Are Cub Scouts the same as Boy Scouts? No. Cub Scouting is a program of the Boy Scouts of America—so inthat sense, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are both members of the same organization. However, they are entirelydi erent programs: Cub Scouting is a family-oriented program designed speci cally to address the needs ofyounger boys.

How often do Cub Scouts meet? Cub Scouts meet in their dens once each week, and a pack meeting is heldfor all Cub Scouts and their families once a month. Beyond that, it depends on the den and pack. A den may holda special activity, such as a service project or visit to a local museum, in place of one of the weekly meetings or inaddition to the weekly meetings. Likewise, a pack may conduct a special event such as a blue and gold banquetas an additional event, rather than a substitute for its monthly pack meeting.

May parents attend den meetings? Cub Scout den meetings are intended to be an activity for the individualboys. They are not a family activity, and the presence of parents can be a distraction. However, parentalinvolvement is encouraged, and all meetings should be open to your participation. If you would like to bepresent at a den meeting, ask the den leader in advance so that the leader can plan a way for you to observe orparticipate in an unobtrusive manner, or talk to the pack leaders on becoming more involved.

Uniform and Supplies
What supplies and equipment are needed to participate in Cub Scouting? At minimum, each boy in CubScouting will need a uniform and a handbook. Each year, the handbook changes, as does the cap and neckerchief,but other uniform parts remain the same for at least the rst three years. When a boy enters a Webelos den, he mayneed to obtain a new uniform if the parents in the den opt for the khaki-and-olive uniform. Additional supplies andequipment may be needed for certain activities such as camping trips or eld days. What equipment is needed, aswell as whether it will be provided by the unit, will vary from pack to pack. Den and pack leaders should provideparents with information about any supplies that will be required at the beginning of each program year.

Where can I purchase BSA literature, uniforms, and other program materials? Our uniforms, literature, andother Scouting merchandise is available at your local council, Scout Shops, and other licensed distributors. Visit theSupply Group website at www.scoutstu .org to nd a list of distributors in your area. If there aren’t any suppliersnear you, you can order directly from the Supply Group by telephone.

How can I save money on the cost of uniforms and equipment? The Cub Scout pack may provide assistance tofamilies. Some packs operate a uniform exchange or uniform bank, or they may hold fundraisers to enable the boysto earn their uniforms. Also, some packs will award boys rank-speci c uniform components (hat and neckerchief)and/or the program books that the Cub Scout needs each year—so parents should inquire as to what the packprovides before purchasing the items themselves.

Advancement and Awards
If a boy joins a Bear den, may he go back and earn the Tiger Cub and Wolf badges? No. In the Cub Scoutprogram, all boys in a den work toward the same badge. If a boy joins Cub Scouting as a 9-year-old or in the thirdgrade, he must earn the Bobcat badge (all boys in Cub Scouting earn this badge), and then he will begin working onthe Bear badge with his fellow Cub Scouts. He is not required to have earned the Tiger Cub or Wolf badges. Sincethose badges are for younger boys ( rst grade or age 7 and second grade or age 8), the requirements for thosebadges are below a third grade or 9-year-old’s current level of ability, so “going back” to pick up those badges isnot permitted.

If a boy completes the Wolf badge early, may he begin working on the Bear badge? No. In the Cub Scoutprogram, all boys in a den work toward a badge that is geared to their level of development. If the Wolf badge iscompleted before the end of the program year, a boy may work on electives to earn Arrow Points, or Academic andSports belt loops and pins, Nova awards, or the religious emblem of their faith. He may not begin working on therequirements for the Bear badge. His work on the Bear badge will begin the next program year, when he graduatesinto a Bear den.

May Cub Scouts earn badges such as the 50-Miler Award or Mile Swim BSA? No, Cub Scouts are not eligible toearn these awards, which are part of the Boy Scout program. All of the awards that Cub Scouts may earn are listedin their handbooks and on this website.

When a Cub Scout earns the Arrow of Light, may he immediately join a Boy Scout troop? Boy Scouting isavailable to boys who have earned the Arrow of Light and are at least 10 years old. So a Webelos Scout who hasearned the Arrow of Light is eligible to join a troop immediately (provided he is at least 10 years old). A boy can join aBoy Scout troop if he is 11 years old whether he has earned the Arrow of Light or not.

However, many packs coordinate with a local Boy Scout troop to facilitate the transition from Cub Scouting toBoy Scouting. In these instances, it is better for the boy, his family, and both units if all Webelos Scouts make thetransition together, in a coordinated fashion, rather than having each boy leave the pack as soon as he is eligible.

How does a Cub Scout earn a Nova award? A Cub Scout, with his counselor, acquires the Cub Scout NovaAwards Guidebook. The Cub Scout decides which Nova award he wishes to work on. He will then work with hiscounselor to understand the procedure and begin completing the requirements. Once he has completed his rstNova award he will be presented the Nova patch for Cub Scouts. For each Nova award he completes after that hewill be presented a “pi” pin to put on the Nova patch.

If he chooses to work toward the Supernova award, he will need a Supernova mentor. You can contact your localcouncil for a list of mentors in your area, or someone who is quali ed can register through the council to become aSupernova mentor. This information can be found at www.scouting.org/stem.aspx.