Pack 269 Parent Handbook

Cub Scout Promise
LawOfThePack
The Cub Scout Motto
The Cub Scout Sign
Basic Scout Definitions
Cub Scout Organization
Responsibilities
Communication
Meetings And Activities
Ranks and Advancement Requirements
    Tiger
    Bobcat
    Wolf
    Bear
    Webelos
    Arrow Of Light
    Crossing over to Boy Scouts
Speial Awards
Uniform

The Committee and Leaders of Cub Scout Pack 269 are committed to providing a quality, year-round program of Cub Scouting activities. Special emphasis is placed on character development, spiritual grown, citizenship and family.

Cub Scouts are required to memorize the following pledges and motto. We seek to make them real in their lives and hope that you will encourage your son as he strives to do so.

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

The Law of the Pack

The Cub Scout follows Akela.

The Cub Scout helps the Pack go.

The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow.

The Cub Scout gives goodwill.

Cub Scout Motto

Do Your Best

The Cub Scout Sign

The Cub Scout sign is made with the right hand, the fingers forming a “V”, with the arm held straight up in the air.

The two fingers stand for the two parts of the promise, to help other people, and to obey. They look like wolf’s ears ready to listen to Akela.

This sign is also made when requesting quiet at a Cub Scout function.

Basic Scout Definitions

Cub Scout

A boy who is in grades 1 – 5 or who is 6 – 11 and is registered with the Boy Scouts of America. The Cub Scout is part of a Den within a Pack.

Boy Scout

A boy who is in grades 6 – 12 or who is 11 – 18 and is registered with the Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scout is part of a Patrol within a Troop.

Pack

The Pack is the main unit in Cub Scouting. Fredericksburg American Legion Post 651, is our charter organization. We mainly serve boys attending Fredericksburg Elementary School. However, we are open to all boys who live in the surrounding community.

Den

The Den is a group of boys in the same level of Scouting. They are usually in the same grade.

Cub Scout Organization

Council

The Pack belongs to the Buckeye Council of the Boy Scouts of America. This council serves Tuscarawas, Carroll, Stark, Wayne, Holmes, Columbiana counties in Ohio and Hancock County, WV. The council headquarters is located at 2301 13^th Street NW, Canton, OH 44708. They have a shop where Scout uniforms and related items may be purchased.

Scout Office phone number: 330-580-4272

District

We are part of the Killbuck District, which serves Wayne and Holmes Counties. The district provides leadership, training, and support for our Pack.

Pack

This is our group of boys sponsored by the Fredericksburg American Legion. A committee headed by the Pack Committee Chairman administers the Pack.

The Pack Committee

The Pack Committee consists of the following committee members and Den Leaders. They meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month to plan Pack functions and deal with any Pack business. The Pack Committee meetings are open to any and all interested parents.

Cubmaster

The Cubmaster is responsible for the program that is delivered to the boys either through the Dens or the Pack meeting. The Cubmaster is the MC of the Pack meetings and at other Pack activities and outings. Missy Sidle currently holds this position.

Committee Chair

The Committee Chair is responsible to our charter organization (Legion) to ensure that our scouting program offers the best to all who wish to join. He/she represents us to the scouting council. Randy Smith currently holds this position.

Event Chairpersons

The Chairperson of an event is in charge of the planning and execution of a Pack activity. They usually have a number of parent volunteers on their event committee. They report to the Committee on the plans prior to the event and with a summary after the event. Some events that have chairpersons are the Fall Family Festival, Lock-in, Fund Raisers, Blue & Gold, and the Pinewood Derby.

Den

This is a smaller group of boys within the Pack. Dens generally meet a few times per month in weeks other than the week of the Pack meeting or special activity. Each Den is lead by an adult Den Leader and one or more Assistant Den Leaders. Some Dens also have a Den Chief and/or Denner.

Den Leader/Assistant Den Leader

Adult responsible for the planning and implementing of Den meetings and outings, tracking advancements of the boys within the Den, and assisting the boy/parent team in achieving Scout rank requirements.

Den Chief

A registered Boy Scout who is at least 11 years old. The Den Chief assists the Den Leader(s) at the Den meetings.

Denner

A Cub Scout member of the Den who helps the Den Leader(s) by taking attendance or other assigned duties during a Den meeting. The job of the Denner should rotate at regular intervals to allow different boys the leadership opportunity.

Responsibilities

Pack

The Pack will:

Provide regular meetings, activities, and outings for the boys and their families

Communicate regularly with families regarding upcoming Pack events

Recruit parents and other adults to help with the Dens

Provide training and support for committee members and event chairpersons

Purchase rank advancements and awards

Maintain a relationship with our Chartered organization, Fredbrg Legion

Coordinate with Boy Scout troops for Den Chiefs and crossover ceremonies

Den

The Den will:

Provide a fun, safe environment for the boys

Schedule regular meetings and secure the meeting location

Participate in Pack functions

Communicate regularly with families regarding upcoming Pack events and Den activities

Track each boy’s rank advancement to ensure that he is properly recognized

Parent

The parent(s) will:

Provide transportation to/from Den meetings for their boy

Ensure that their boy is on time for Scout meetings or activities

Attend Pack meetings/functions with their boy

Review the Child Protection Guide found in each boy’s handbook. This should be completed each year, as there are different activities for each level

Provide encouragement and help for the boy to complete rank requirements

Verify in writing that rank requirements have been completed. Signing and dating the boy’s handbook when a requirement is completed.

Support the Pack by volunteering to help with at least one Pack meeting or function, or by becoming a member of the committee

Support the Den leader(s) by helping with the Den as needed

Cub Scout

The Cub Scout will:

Follow the Law of the Pack

Respect other Scouts and their property

Respect the Den leader(s) and others who are helping with the Den

Work toward his rank requirements

Attend all Den and Pack meetings and activities

Bring his handbook to every Den meeting

Communication

Den Notices

Each Den will communicate with parents and families about upcoming Den meetings and activities. The Den leader may use letters to parents, send newsletters, or email

Meetings and Activities

Pack Meetings

Pack Meetings are for the entire family, including siblings, not just Scouts. The regular date/time for these meetings is the 3^RD Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Church of Christ in the basement. There may be months where a special activity will replace the regularly scheduled meeting time (Blue & Gold Banquet, Pinewood Derby, etc.). These activities may be on a day other than Tuesday to accommodate the function. These dates are all noted on the annual schedule.

It is the parent’s responsibility to monitor the behavior of their children, including their Scout at all Pack meetings, events, and functions. This is very important for the conducting on the meeting. Parents need to set an example for their children during the Pack meetings and programs by being considerate and not talking during the meeting or program.

Special Functions

Blue & Gold Banquet

Blue & Gold are the colors of Cub Scouting. Each year in February, we celebrate the birthday of Cub Scouts by having a banquet. Usually, the main entrée is supplied by the Pack and each family is asked to provide a side dish. This is also our Father-Son Cake Auction.

Pinewood Derby Race

Each January we have a Pinewood Derby race. The boys are given kits containing a block of wood, 4 wheels, and 4 nails to use as axels. They may carve, cut, paint, decorate, etc. the cars as they wish as long as they stay within the weight and length limits. Rules are distributed with each kit.

The Pack provides the boy with his Pinewood Derby Kit at the December Pack meeting.

Den Meetings

Den Meetings are held generally twice per month except for the week of the Pack meeting. They usually last 1 – 1 ½ hours. They are planned by the Den Leader(s) and are held at regular meeting places unless otherwise notified by the Den leadership. The Den may choose to go on an outing in place of its normally scheduled meeting.

Service Projects

Cub Scouts are highly encouraged to participate in service to their community. This may be done on an individual, Den, or Pack level. Opportunities may present themselves and will be made available during the year for Scout participation. Pack 269 provides at least 3 opportunities at the Pack level for our Scouts to participate in. These are a Christmas project for the Wayne County Care Center, Food Drive, and helping the Legion with Spring Clean-up. We are always open for new ideas.

Fund Raising

To fund the programs of the Pack without charging additional fees to parents, the Pack participates in 3 fund raising activities.

These fundraisers are…..popcorn sales, cake auction, and 4^th of July pop sales and Duck Race. Families may choose to participate in 2 fundraisers each year, in exchange the Pack will pay for ½ of each scouts fees to 1 summer camp.

Ranks & Advancement Requirements

Tiger

A Tiger Cub is a boy in the 1^st grade or who is 7 years old.

The Tiger program involves the boy and a parent partner. The Tiger Cub must be accompanied by his adult partner at all Tiger Cub Den activities. The Tiger Cub Den usually meets 1-2 times a month.

The Tiger Cub badge is earned after completing five achievements grouped in three areas: Den activity, family activity, and a Go See It. After completing the rank of Tiger Cub, the boy may earn one Tiger Track bead when he completes 10 electives. There is no limit as to the number of Tiger Track beads a boy can earn. The Tiger Cub is allowed to work on his electives along with his achievements.

Advancement is displayed on a Tiger Cub totem, which is worn on the Tiger Cub belt.

Tiger Cubs and adult partners use the Tiger Cub Handbook to complete achievements and electives and plan activities.

To begin his path to the Tiger Cub rank, the Tiger Cub must learn the Tiger Cub motto (Search, Discover, and Share), the Cub Scout sign, and the Cub Scout salute. When he has accomplished these tasks, he will be awarded his Tiger Cub totem. This is a tiger paw with four strands for totem beads that he wears on his belt. The Tiger Cub belt totem will be awarded at the Pack meeting. A boy earns totem beads by working on the five Tiger Cub achievements.

The five achievements are:

Let’s Go Outdoors

Where I Live

How I Tell It

Making My Family Special

Keeping Myself Healthy and Safe

As a boy completes each part of the achievements, he will be awarded either an orange, white, or black totem bead at the Pack meetings.

A white bead for each required family activity part he completes

An orange bead for each required Den activity part he completes

A black bead for each required Go See It part he completes

Each bead is awarded and added to the boy’s totem. When the boy has earned all five white beads, all five orange beads, and all five black beads, he is eligible to receive his Tiger Cub badge. A boy can earn only one bead for each of the 15 achievement parts, regardless of how many times he may repeat a particular part.

Boys wear the Tiger Cub badge by placing it in the recessed area of the Tiger Cub belt totem.

After earning the Tiger Cub badge, a boy is encouraged to work on the numerous elective activities in his book, which are aimed at sparking his interest in a new hobby, activity, or skill. When he completes 10 electives, he ears a Tiger Track bead. His is also encouraged to being working on the requirements for his Bobcat badge.

The Tiger Track beads are worn on the fourth strand of the Tiger Cub belt totem. There is no limit to the number of Tiger Track beads that a boy may earn, however, each Tiger Track bead must represent the completion of 10 electives.

Boys may work on electives at the same time as achievements, but a boy can’t receive Tiger Track beads until he has earned the Tiger Cub badge.

If there is a cost for any Tiger Den meeting/outing, each family pays their own way.

Bobcat

When a boy joins Cub Scouting (not including Tiger Cubs), no matter how old he is, he must earn his Bobcat before he can earn any other rank. The Bobcat is only earned once. There are 8 steps to earning the Bobcat rank.

1) Lean the Cub Scout Promise and tell what it means

2) Learn the Law of the Pack and tell what it means

3) Tell what WEBELOS means

4) Make the Cub Scout Sign and tell what it means

5) Make the Cub Scout Handshake and tell what it means

6) Say the Cub Scout Motto

7) Give the Cub Scout Salute and tell what it means

8) Complete the Child Protection exercises in the handbook insert with his parent(s)

The Bobcat rank is awarded upside down. The Scout must do a good deed before he can turn the badge over and have it sewn onto his uniform.

Wolf

A Wolf cub is a boy in the 2^nd grade or who is 8 years old.

A boy in the Wolf Den must earn the Bobcat rank first.

Parents should look through the Wolf Book and familiarize themselves with the requirements for this rank. They should also read the Parent Guide, which is the 1^st chapter in the Wolf Book. The Parent Guide explains the program in far greater detail than will be described here.

There are 2 sections of the Wolf program, the Wolf Trail and the Arrow Point Trail.

There are 12 achievements in the Wolf Trail. Each achievement has several requirements that must be completed before the Wolf rank is awarded.

There are 22 elective sections in the Arrow Point Trail. Each elective has several activities. An Arrow Point is awarded for each 10 activities completed. These activities do not need to be done in any order. A boy may do as many or as few of these activities as he wishes.

Arrow Points for this year may not be awarded until the Wolf badge is received.

Extra requirements that were not needed to fulfill the Wolf Trail may NOT be counted toward Arrow Points.

Arrow Point projects are designed to broaden a boy’s horizon. Each project should reflect his best effort.

Activities completed in school or through other community involvement may fulfill achievement or elective requirements.

All activities (requirements or electives) must be done in the current school year or the preceding summer. A parent should not count an activity as complete just because a Scout did it once before in their life. It needs to be completed during the 12-month time frame that they are working toward this rank.

Bear

A Bear cub is a boy in the 3^rd grade or who is 9 years old.

A boy just entering Cub Scouts at this level must earn the Bobcat rank first.

Parents should look through the Bear Book and familiarize themselves with the requirements for this rank. They should also read the Parent Guide, which is the 1^st chapter in the Bear Book. The Parent Guide explains the program in far greater detail than will be described here.

There are 2 sections of the Wolf program, the Wolf Trail and the Arrow Point Trail.

There are 24 achievements in the Bear Trail. A boy must complete 12 of them as follows: One (1) in the section on God, Three (3) in the section on Country, Four (4) in the section on Family, and Four (4) in the section on Self. Each achievement has several requirements that must be completed.

Extra requirements and achievements that were not needed to fulfill the Bear Trail MAY be counted toward Arrow Points.

There are 24 elective sections in the Arrow Point Trail. Each elective has several activities. An Arrow Point is awarded for each 10 electives completed. These activities do not need to be done in any order. A boy may do as many of as few of these activities as he wishes.

Arrow Points for this year may not be awarded until the Bear rank is received.

Arrow Point projects are designed to broaden a boy’s horizon. Each project should reflect his best effort.

Activities completed in school or through other community involvement may fulfill achievement or elective requirements.

Webelos

The word WEBELOS is made up of the first letters of the words WE’ll BE LOyal Scouts. It is not a plural word. It should never be shortened to “Webelo”.

A Webelos Scout is a boy in the 4^th or 5^th grade or who is 10 years old.

The Webelos program is a 2-year program.

Webelos earn Activity Badges. There are 20 possible activity badges in 5 different areas: Physical Skills, Mental Skills, Community, Technology, and Outdoor.

Activity Badges each have their own requirements that must be completed.

Activity Badges are colorful metal emblems that may be worn on the front panel of the Webelos caps or pinned to the Webelos colors (ribbons worn on the right sleeve).

The Webelos Rank is awarded after the following have been completed:

The Parent has read the Parent Guide in the Webelos Book
The Scout has been active in the Webelos Den for 3 months (attending meetings, current on dues, and working on Den projects).
The Scout knows and can explain the meaning of the Webelos badge
The Scout can point out three (3) special parts of the Webelos uniform as opposed to the Cub Scout uniform
The Scout has earned three (3) activity badges (including Fitness, which is required)
The Scout has planned and led a flag ceremony in the Den
The Scout knows and understand the requirements to become a Boy Scout
The Scout has earned his religious recognition or completed the alternative activities

After the Webelos badge has been earned, the Scout may earn the Compass Point emblem and Compass Points as follows:

Compass Point emblem awarded for 4 additional activity badges.

A metal Compass Point pin is awarded for each 4 additional activity badges.

Activities Completed	Awards Earned
3	Webelos
7	Compass Point emblem
11	Compass Point emblem + 1 Point
15	Compass Point emblem + 2 Points
19	Compass Point emblem + 3 Points

The compass Point emblem is worn hanging from the button on the right pocket of the Webelos uniform.

Arrow of Light

The Arrow of Light is the highest rank in Cub Scouting. It is the only Cub Scout rank insignia that may be transferred to the Boy Scout uniform.

When a Webelos Scout is in the 5^th grade or is 10 years old, he may begin working toward his Arrow of Light.

There are 6 requirements to be completed to earn the Arrow of Light:

Be active in the Webelos Den for 6 months since completing 4^th grade or turning 10, and have earned the Webelos badge.
Know and demonstrate the requirements to become a Boy Scout
Earn a total of 8 activity pins (the Pack will pay for the first 8 activity pins)
With the Webelos Den visit at least on Boy Scout troop meeting and participate in a Boy Scout-oriented activity
Participate in a Webelos overnight campout
Have a Scoutmaster conference in preparation to join a Boy Scout Troop

Crossing Over to Boy Scouts

Boys nearing the end of 5^th grade who wish to continue in Scouts will cross over to a Boy Scout Troop at the Crossover ceremony at the end of the school year. There are several area Scout troops to choose from. They have different leadership styles, types of activities, and time commitments. The boy and his parents should visit several different troops to find the troop that best matches their personal preferences.

Special Awards

Belt Loops and Pins

Cub Scouts has a program to instruct and involve boys in different sports and areas of academic study. For each sport or academic area, a Belt Loop and a Pin may be earned. There are specific requirements for each topic.

The Belt Loop shows a basic understanding and experience with a sport or academic area and usually only has 3 requirements.

The Pin requires more in-depth activity or study and may have 5 or more requirements in addition to earning the Belt Loop.

Cub Scout Conservation Award

This award may only be earned once with a Cub Scout.

There are different requirements for the different rank levels:

Wolf – Complete Achievement 7 (Your Living World); Complete all Arrow Point activities in 2 of the 3 electives (13. Birds, 15. Grow Something, 19. Fishing). Participate in a Den or Pack conservation project.

Bear – Complete Achievement 5 (Sharing Your World with Wildlife); Complete all Arrow Point activities in 2 of the 3 electives (2. Weather, 12. Nature Crafts, 15. Water and Soil Conservation); Participate in a Den or Pack conservation project.

Webelos – Earn the Forester, Naturalist and Outdoorsman activity badges; Participate in a Den or Pack conservation project.

National Summertime Pack Award

The Pack receives this award for having an activity in each of the summer months, June, July and August.

A Den may receive a Den summertime award if it has an average attendance of 50% of it’s members at the 3 summertime Pack events.

An individual Scout may receive a summertime award pin for attending all 3 events.

Our Pack’s events (subject to change):

Summer Day Camp
July 4^th
Pack Fishing Derby

Quality Unit Award

The Pack is eligible for the Quality Unit Award if it meets certain levels of program delivery, leadership training, and boy recruitment and participation. Quality Unit Award patches are sewn on the right sleeve of the uniform underneath the Den number.

Uniform

Only official insignia can be put on the Scout uniforms. Please refer to the insignia placement guide for the correct placement of official insignia at the end of this booklet.

Patches from events may be worn on special patch vests to display patches from past events or places visited.