Welcome to Cub Scouts! We know that plunging into something new can be overwhelming. Here is a guide to help provide some info on the program and our specific pack to get you going.

Why Cub Scouts?

There are a lot of pulls on your son or daughter for time and energy.  Academics and athletics are, typically, the two that we most frequently think of.  Cub Scouts, a division of the Scouts America, is a little different.  It is well summed up by the Scout Law.

A Scout is:

Trustworthy	Loyal	Helpful	Friendly
Courteous	Kind	Obedient	Cheerful
Thrifty	Brave	Clean	Reverent

We think that these things are, in the end, what really counts.  We believe that these lasting character lessons will help develop boys and girls into young men and women capable of making good decisions for themselves and our society.

The Pack

Cub Scout Pack 552 is an active organization that accepts boys and girls in kindergarten through 5th grade.  Our home school is Cottage Lake Elementary, but membership draws heavily from other neighboring elementary schools that lack their own packs including East Ridge, Hollywood Hill, and Wellington.  Pack membership also includes youth from other local public and private schools, with families most often drawn to the organization due to the strength of the programming offered.

The pack is constructed of a set of “dens”, which consist of small groups of scouts that share the same grade level.  The pack is run by a leader, called a “Cubmaster”.  The den programs focus on scouts working together and with their families to earn rank accomplishments.  Each accomplishment earned helps teach and practice the Cub Scout values, which center on duty to community, others, and self. The program is designed to encourage youth to do things and go places, so that learning takes place through participation.  Dens may visit a fire station or zoo; build a bird house or pinewood derby car; or learn about first aid, the outdoors, cooking, or community service during a den meeting or outing.

A bit more details on each of the grade programs:

• Lions (Kindergarten) – Lions is a newer program (introduced in 2016) that is meant to be an introduction to scouting. The scouts will always have their adult partner (usually a parent) with them at all events.  Their activities are simple, quick, and fun.
• Tiger (1st grade) – Tigers is a program that focuses around a scout and his adult partner (usually a parent) doing things together. The den will hold meetings and field trips based around Cub Scouting’s idea of “fun with a purpose”.
• Wolves (2nd grade) & Bears (3rd grade) – Wolves and Bears are both focused on moving the scout from experiences with his adult partner to experiences with his peers. The scouts will work on achievements and skills with his den.  You know your son or daughter best and will always be the one to “sign off” his work when you feel that it is completed to the standard of the Cub Scout motto: “Do Your Best”.
• Webelos (4th grade) & Arrow of Light (5th grade through March) – Webelos moves the scouts from being responsible to their parent to being responsible to the Den Leader(s).  The activities here are more challenging and often can’t be completed in <1 hour at a meeting.  The scouts will be challenged here to move forward both with their den and on their own.  We “bridge” the scouts over to Scouting America, in March of their 5^th grade year so that they have an opportunity to get settled into Scouting America before all the awesome summer activities begin.
• Scouting America (6th grade – age 18) – Scouting America is a youth run program. The “leaders” here are all youth.  The scouts choose what they want to do, organize, and do it.  The older scouts also teach the skills and sign off the younger scouts.  The adults act as mentors, safety, and transportation.  Scouting America will have both male and female Troops.

The pack is a 100% volunteer run organization, with an engaged group of adult volunteers that help run den events, pack meetings, and outings.  To support the pack there is a Pack Committee that works to organize what the pack will be doing as well as working on all the “behind the scenes” business of running the pack.  The committee meets monthly, typically the first Wednesday of the month, and all parents are encouraged to attend and help plan how to make Cub Scouts more exciting for our youth.

Time Commitment

This is one of the most frequent questions asked by families considering joining Cub Scouts.  During the school year, most dens utilize the following monthly activity schedule:

• Den Meeting: Each den will meet once or twice a month, where small groups of scouts work on age-appropriate rank requirements such as completing a craft or learning a new skill. These meetings usually last about an hour and are held at a place and time that works best for the parents in the den.  The sponsor Chartered Organization for the pack is Bear Creek United Methodist Church, and many of the dens choose to meet in their classroom space.
• Den Activity: Each den will also meet about once a month for a special activity, which is typically a field trip of some sort that ranges from “visiting a fire station” for the younger scouts to “Klondike Derby” winter games in the snow for older scouts.
• Pack Meeting: Each month the entire pack (K-5th) will meet, most commonly on the third Thursday of the month. Scouts will get together and participate in a fun set of activities and games.
• Pack Activity: The pack also typically has one or two pack outings a month. For more details on these activities check out the section below.

So, in summary, a typical month is 2-3 evenings and 1-2 other events (often Saturdays).  The majority of pack events are family friendly, and where possible younger siblings are also encouraged to join in on the fun.

Unlike what you may be used to with sports, everything is optional.  With today’s busy schedules and variety of activities available to families, the pack understands that balance is important, and most scouts are also involved with other activities.  However, remember that the youth who get the most out of scouting and have the most fun are typically the ones that attend the most events.

Pack Activities

The pack works hard to provide a variety of year-round events for Scouts and their families.  A typical year includes:

Pack meetings:  Monthly meetings each have a theme and provide some of the classic Cub Scout experiences.  Some annual favorites include the Pinewood Derby, Blue & Gold Banquet celebration, Rocket Derby, Cub Cart races and BBQ, Advancement Ceremony, and the Cub Olympics.

Overnights & Camping: The pack offers a variety of overnight events throughout the year.  This year’s events have included Summer Resident Camp; winter cabin camping; spring, summer, and fall camping trips; and Parent-Pal weekend camps. In addition to these events, the pack also slept overnight at the Museum of Flight, on a real Submarine, and in the outfield of a professional baseball stadium.  The Chief Seattle Council owns multiple amazing camp properties that the pack leverages, along with other local favorite camping spots such as Mountain Meadows in Duvall.

Scout Adventures: A variety of fun field trips are scheduled in a typical year.  Activities have included a sailing trip to Blake Island; learning at special Scout programs hosted by the Seattle Zoo, Cedar River Watershed, and Seattle Tunnel Project; Council day camps including “Camp Halloween”; attending the annual “Fish Drop” scout event; participating in Scout Summer Day Camps; attending Scout Nights at the Mariners, Silvertips (ice hockey), and Aquasox (baseball) games; pack bowling, snow tubing, and bike adventures; and much more.

Community Service: The pack looks for opportunities to give back to the community throughout the year while also teaching Scouts the importance of service.  The pack participates in the Scouting for Food annual drive, helps with service projects in the community, participates in the national Community Serve Day events, helps develop camp properties, and more.

While this is just a sampling of some of the many activities offered recently, the pack is continually looking to try out new activities each year and provide new experiences for the scouts and their families.

Costs

Pack dues for the school year are ~$275 for new scouts and $225 for returning scouts.  With this, you will get a neckerchief, slide, pinewood derby car, and more.  This money also covers Scouting America fees, registration, insurance, & new scout join fees; pack meeting expenses including some meals; and all awards the scouts earn throughout the year.

In addition to the annual dues, you will need to buy a uniform for scouts in 1st – 5th grade.  (This costs ~$50 if you want new.  Used are frequently at Value Village and other stores.)  You should try to get this by the November pack meeting.

For Lions dues include a lion shirt, hat, book, pinewood derby car, and all awards.  Lions do not typically sell popcorn or wear the official scout uniform.

Some events have a cost (for instance, hockey tickets or camping registration fees).  Those are dealt with as you sign up to attend any particular event. Normal pack and den meetings do not have associated costs.

Finally, Scouting America publishes a monthly magazine called “Scout’s Life” which is age appropriate and very popular with the Scouts.

*If cost is a challenge for you, please meet with the Cubmaster or any leader privately and we will work out alternatives.  Money should never be a reason that a youth misses out on Scouting.

To Recap:

• $275 for new scouts, K through 5^th graders
• $225 for scouts returning to the pack
• +$15 if you want Scout’s life (highly recommended)
• Uniform and optional events as they come up

Uniform

Scouting America sells lots of uniform parts.  Very few packs wear the whole ensemble.  For our pack, you will want to get: Blue uniform shirt, neckerchief, and slide. A hat and belt are recommended. Uniform patches are Chief Seattle Council patch, World Crest, Pack 552, den number 552.  Official Pants/shorts and socks are optional (most scouts wear jeans or shorts with belt loops).

More Information

For additional general information about the Cub Scout program please visit this site.