Cub Scout Pack 1655 - Spring, TX
Kuehnle Elementary - Klein ISD
Parent Orientation Guide
Congratulations! Welcome to the joys and satisfactions, challenges and opportunities, that will be yours in Cub Scouting. Guiding and influencing the lives of boys is a privilege and responsibility that all of us in the Pack take very seriously. Through Cub Scouting it is our hope to enrich the lives of boys and make a difference in the kind of men they will become. An exciting and rewarding experience lies ahead of you and your son. So good luck, and welcome to the wonderful world of Cub Scouting!
PACK 1655’s MISSION
It is our mission to create a fun environment as well as teach the 12 core values of Scouting and to prepare the Cub Scouts of Pack 1655 to be Boy Scouts. Every Leader in Pack 1655 works hard to help every boy in the Pack to learn to “DO HIS BEST” in scouting as well as all aspects of his life.
WHAT IS CUB SCOUTING?
Cub Scouting is a family activity. The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America, as incorporated on February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916, is to provide for boys and young adults an effective educational program designed to build desirable qualities of moral strength and character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop physical, mental, and emotional fitness.
Since 1930, younger boys have had the opportunity to be Cub Scouts in a year-round, home-centered program that helps to strengthen the family. Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA's three divisions (the others are Boy Scouting, which includes Varsity Scouting, and Venturing, which includes Sea Exploring).
Cub Scouting is for boys who are in first through fifth grade. Families, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the following:
• Character development
• Spiritual growth
• Good citizenship
• Sportsmanship
• Family understanding
• Respectful relationships
• Personal achievement
• Friendly service
• Fun and adventure
• Preparation for Boy Scouts
CUB SCOUTING’S 12 CORE VALUES
1. Citizenship: Contributing service and showing responsibility to local, state, and national communities.
2. Compassion: Being kind and considerate and showing concern for the well-being of others.
3. Cooperation: Being helpful and working together with others toward a common goal.
4. Courage: Being brave and doing what is right regardless of our fears, the difficulties, or the consequences.
5. Faith: Having inner strength and confidence based on your trust in God.
6. Health and fitness: Being personally committed to keeping our minds and bodies clean and fit.
7. Honesty: Telling the truth and being worthy of trust.
8. Perseverance: Sticking with something and not giving up, even if it is difficult.
9. Positive Attitude: Being cheerful and setting our minds to look for and find the best in all situations.
10. Resourcefulness: Using human and other resources to their fullest.
11. Respect: Showing regard for the worth of something or someone.
12. Responsibility: Fulfilling our duty to God, country, other people, and ourselves.
Like other phases of the Scouting program, Cub Scouting is made available to groups having similar interests and goals. “Sponsors” include professional organizations, government bodies, and religious, educational, civic, business, labor, and citizens groups. These “sponsors” are called chartered organizations, since they are chartered by the Boy Scouts of America to use the Scouting program. Some chartered organizations use the whole Scouting family (Cub Scout Pack, Boy Scout Troop, and Venturing Crew). Each organization appoints one of its members as a chartered organization representative, to be the liaison between the organization and the Scouting units and between the organization and the local council. Your chartered organization, through your Pack Committee, is responsible for leadership, a pack meeting place, and related materials for pack activities.
Any boy who is in first through fifth grade may join a Cub Scout pack. He is assigned to a den, which is usually made up of Cub Scouts in the neighborhood. Den meetings are held each week under the supervision of an adult volunteer den leader, a den chief (an older Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer), and a denner (a boy leader elected by members of the den). Parents or guardians are expected to assist with den activities when called upon to help. At den meetings the boys enjoy games, crafts, stunts, songs, and ceremonies. Dens also enjoy service projects, fitness activities, and field trips. Tiger Cub and Cub Scout dens work on projects related to a monthly theme such as “circus” or “outer space”. Webelos dens work on one of the 20 activity badges each month and other projects which help prepare them for Boy Scouting.
Once each month, all den families gather for a Pack meeting under the direction of the Cubmaster and Pack committee. The Pack meeting is the climax of the month’s Den meetings and activities. It gives the Dens something to look forward to and work toward. It gets family members involved in activities with their sons. It is an opportunity to provide recognition for boys, families, and leaders. And it gives the boys a chance to “show off” before their families and the other boys, things they have learned during the month. Pack meeting activities are planned around the monthly theme and Webelos activity badge for the month. Pack meetings are fun for the entire family. See Cub Scout Leader Book for more information on pack meetings.
Cub Scouting includes a plan of advancement in which a boy learns by doing. The boy works on requirements based on his grade. Sometimes advancement requirements are started in the den meeting, then completed at home with the family’s help. Family involvement is a vital part of the advancement plan. (See Cub Scout Leader Book for more information on advancement.)
The Pack is a family organization and is run by parents who volunteer as Den Leaders, Assistant Den Leaders, Committee members, Cub Masters, Assistant Cub Masters, and special event planners. In order to be successful in achieving the stated goals of Scouting, parent involvement is required. Please be prepared to volunteer for Pack and Den activities when you are asked. All of the boys, especially your son, benefit from your participation in the Pack and in the Scouting community.
"Two-deep Leadership" is required for all Cub Scout events. This means that two adults must be present for all Den or Pack events. Except when a Cub Scout is alone with his parent or guardian, the Cub Scout must never be alone with only one adult at any time during a Pack or Den event. This safe-scouting policy protects both the child and the leader.
The Pack is made up of several Dens of Tiger Cub Scouts (1st Grade), Wolf Cub Scouts (2nd Grade), Bear Cub Scouts (3rd Grade) Webelos I Cub Scouts (4th Grade), and Webelos II (5th Grade) Cub Scouts. The Pack includes not only the boys in those Dens, but also their families and their Leaders.
Monthly Pack meetings are held in the Kuhenle Cafeteria from September to May, usually on the 3rd Thursday night of the month unless it conflicts with the school’s calendar. Please refer to the Pack Calendar circulated by your Den Leader or on the Pack’s website for the exact date. Pack meetings can be attended by the entire family. These meetings consist of songs, skits, jokes, important information regarding upcoming events, activities, and Scout awards and ceremonies to present rank advancements. These meetings are usually short (about 1 hour 15 minutes) and a great time for Scouts to show off some of what they have practiced at Den meetings. Dens will take turns conducting the opening and closing flag ceremonies, and all Scouts will be encouraged to help during setup and cleanup.
In addition to its regular meetings, the Pack sponsors several special projects and events. These include community service projects (Packing Parties – Operation Independence), outdoor activities, family campouts, fundraising activities (Popcorn sales), and other fun activities (Blue & Gold Banquet, Pinewood Derby, and other various entertainment at Pack meetings).
Pack 1655 hosts two family camping trips per year: one in the fall and one in the spring. All members of the family are invited and encouraged to attend. These camping trips are usually held at state parks within a few hours driving distance, or occasionally at a BSA owned camping facility. Each family is responsible for their own gear, food and entertainment. Some Dens organize a Den meal during the campout. There are usually activities planned for the pack as well as free time to allow families to spend time with each other. There is a campfire on Saturday night where we do Den skits, cheers, songs and reflect on the fun we have had. Campers camp in tents.
Scouts in our Webelos I and II Dens are permitted to go on Webelos only campouts as a Den. These campouts are usually conducted to accomplish specific Webelos achievements and to help the boys begin the Webelos to Boy Scouts transition. The boys play a large role in planning the trip and are expected to conduct most of the camping activities by themselves.
A fee is usually associated with the cost of renting camp space at a state park or BSA facility. Those fees are paid by each family.
Pack 1655 participates in many events planned by the Polaris District and many other events planned and held by the Pack. All of these events are held for the purpose of having fun and teaching the Cub Scouts valuable lessons consistent with the purposes of scouting.
Pinewood
Pinewood
Blue and Gold Banquet
The Blue and Gold Banquet is held in February to honor Scouting’s Birthday and the boys’ achievements during the year and to bid farewell to those Webelos II scouts that are “crossing-over” into Boy Scouts. Each year the banquet theme changes and the Dens are encouraged to make decorations relating to the chosen theme. Adult attire is informal; the Scouts should wear their uniforms.
Raingutter Regatta (optional event)
Raingutter Regatta is a race of model boats built by the scout/adult from a kit purchased from the Scout Shop. The Pack does not provide these kits. The boats are placed in raingutters full of water and propelled by the scout blowing through a straw into the sail.
The Boy Scouts of America have always worn uniforms. While there are many reasons for this, one reason stands out above all the rest. We wear our uniforms to identify ourselves openly with the principles to which we are committed: character development, citizenship training, and physical and mental fitness. The uniform is not intended to hide our individuality. It assists us in giving each other strength and support. The uniform represents a bond that unifies us in spite of our differences.
The official field uniform consists of the Blue Shirt for Cub Scouts and Tan Shirt for Webelos, the proper rank neckerchief and slide holding the neckerchief, Cub Scout belt, the Sam Houston Area Council patch, Pack and Den numerals, and the World Crest. (See each rank for specific information regarding that uniform.) Our Pack does not require Cub Scout rank caps, official shorts or pants, and Cub Scout socks.
The Pack provides all the badges and pins that the boys earn and any other special uniform patches earned by the Pack that can be displayed on the uniform shirt or on the red vest.
There are certain rules about how and where the uniform should be worn. There is a correct place on the uniform for each badge and insignia. Refer to the front of each rank’s Handbook for those rules, or you may refer to the Uniform Inspection Sheet handed out by your Den Leader or the Cubmaster. The official uniforms (known as “field uniforms” or “Class A uniforms”) are intended primarily for use in connection with official Scouting activities and events. Field uniforms should be worn to all Den and Pack meetings and to all Flag Ceremonies occurring at camp outs. The field uniform may also be worn while participating in a Pack fund-raising project if approved by the Sam Houston Area Council. Pack 1655 expects your uniform shirt to be complete (with neckerchief and slide) and tucked into your pants during the Pack meetings. For most other Pack activities and events held outdoors, the Pack T-Shirt (also known as the “Class B Uniform”) may be worn.
You may also choose to purchase a Cub Scout red “brag” vest on which to sew the numerous patches the Cub Scout will earn during his career. This vest is available at the Scout Shop, or you may make them out of red felt. If you get the vest when the Cub Scout is a Tiger, Wolf, or Bear, you will want to purchase a vest that is too large to allow enough room to grow in. The Scout will want to wear the vest at the end of his career as a Webelo II to show off all the patches he has earned during his many years as a Cub Scout.
Sewing Assistance
It will be necessary to sew the various badges, patches, and awards onto the uniform. Please refer to each rank’s Handbook (see below) or the Official Uniform Inspection Sheet handed out by your Den Leader or the Cubmaster for the proper placement of all items onto the uniform shirt. If you would like help with the sewing many dry cleaners will do this for a very nominal price per patch.
Every rank from Tigers to Webelos uses a Handbook that describes the various achievements and electives applicable to each rank. These Handbooks are available at all Scout Shops.
Uniforms, Handbooks, and many other Scouting and Camping items may be purchased at any of the various Scout Shop locations in the
The Cub Scout Den is the basic unit of Cub Scouting. Dens are typically composed of five to eight boys of the same age or rank. Dens meet between one and three times per month depending on rank from September through May. Meetings are conducted by the Den Leader(s), Assistant Den Leader(s), and parent volunteers. A Boy Scout from a local Troop may assist as a Den Chief. The Dens work on achievements, electives (also called arrow points), and activity pins, depending on their rank. You may plan field trips to facilitate the completion of an achievement or just for fun! Two adults must be present at every activity.
Dens meet at a time and location to be determined by the Den Leaders. Some Dens meet after school, some in the evening and some on the weekend. Field trips usually take place outside of Den meetings. You may choose your meeting location. Den meetings can be held in homes, at
Advancement: General Information
Advancement challenges a boy to work on skills that match his ability and interest level. Scouts are not expected to be perfect, but to simply do their best. Scouts are motivated to try a lot of different activities.
Bobcat (1st year of Scouting) All Scouts earn the Bobcat rank. Regardless of what year a boy joins Scouting, he must complete the Bobcat requirements first.
Tiger Cubs (1st Grade) Boys can join Scouts in September at the "Join Scouting Night" or “Rally Night” held at Kuhenle Elementary.
Wolf Cubs (2nd Grade) Tiger Cubs graduate to Wolf Cubs in the spring of their 1st grade year. They may begin working on Wolf achievements as soon as they have been awarded the Tiger Badge. However, many boys don't join Scouts until their 2nd grade year. Their first assignment is to earn the Bobcat badge regardless of when they joined Scouting. Once the boys have earned their Wolf badge they may continue to work on electives from the Wolf handbook until the May Pack meeting.
Bear Cubs (3rd Grade) Wolf Cubs graduate to Bear Cubs in May of their 2nd grade year. They may begin working on Bear achievements as soon as they have been awarded the Wolf Badge. Bear graduation in Pack 1655 is during spring Rank Ceremony Pack Meeting. Once the boys have earned their Bear badge they may continue to work on electives from the Bear handbook until the May Pack meeting.
Webelos (4th & 5th Grade) Bear Cubs graduate to Webelos I in the spring of their 3rd grade year. They may begin working on Webelos achievements as soon as they have been awarded the Bear Badge. Webelos is a two-year program. We refer to the 4th graders as Webelos I and the 5th graders as Webelos II. Webelos II graduation in Pack 1655 is held during the February Arrow of Light and Crossover Ceremony for 5th grade Scouts. Once the boys have graduated from Webelos in February, they are no longer Cub Scouts and therefore they no longer participate in Pack 1655’s Cub Scout Program. They continue in Scouts by joining a Boy Scout Troop and participate in that Troop’s program at that time.
Advancement Requests Den Leaders submit an Awards Form to the Advancement Chair indicating the achievements that have been completed by each member of his or her Den. The Advancement Chair then orders the appropriate pins, badges, patches, and awards. The Cubmaster will present these awards at the appropriate Pack meeting. Other awards and patches earned for participation in Pack activities are also presented at Pack meetings. Den Leaders must submit their rank and award forms to the advancement chair by the deadline set by the chair so that necessary awards and badges may be purchased before the Pack meeting.
Fees and Dues – Pack 1655 is funded by dues and fees and by the proceeds from the annual fundraisers held by the Pack. All Scouts of Pack 1655 are expected to pay their dues and fees.
Dues – Each Den has the option of collecting dues with which to purchase materials for the Dens programs and activities. The amount and how often these dues are collected is a decision for the leaders and parents of Dens.
Fundraisers – All Scouts of Pack 1655 are also expected to participate in the sale of popcorn and pansies to raise funds for the Packs programs. Scouts earn prizes from the Sam Houston Area Council based on their sales of Popcorn. Pack 1655 retains only a very small portion of the annual fees collected by the Pack; the large majority of the fees go to the Council and National levels in which we also participate. Therefore, it is necessary to raise money for the Pack through these fundraisers.
The following links provide very helpful information regarding lots of BSA programs:
Baloo's Bugle (www.usscouts.org/usscouts/bbugle.asp) - your online Cub Scout Roundtable featuring monthly program hints for Cub Scouters.
The Virtual Cub Scout Leader's Handbook (http://www.geocities.com/pack215) - Variety of Cub Scout related information can be found at this site.
Cubmaster.org (usscouts.org/cubmaster/index.asp) - resource for Cub Master and Cub Leaders
Cub Scout.net (www.cubscout.net) - providing resources and links for Cub Scouts
Scouting Forms (www.scouting.org/forms/index.htm) - National BSA site that offers all the current forms needed by Scouts and Scout Leaders
Scoutmaster.org (www.scoutmaster.org) - an excellent resource for Scoutmaster and Scout Leaders
The MacScouter (www.macscouter.com) - Scout resources online (Note: this web site may require you to re-enter the Polaris District web site address in order to return back to this site.)
