Frequently Asked Questions
When do the cub scouts meet? The pack meets once a month on a Monday night at Winn Brook School at 6:30PM to 8:00PM, the dens (see below) meet 2-3 times per month for about an hour depending on age group.
I'm a parent and have never been a cub scout or boy scout, what do I do? Don't worry about it. Scouting America has made the program manageable i.e. "Bite Size". Through the scout book or corresponding online links, everything is spelled out and explained for non-scout parents. Cubs learn as they go - so do parents. Pack 377 understands we have "Newbie" parents to Eagle Scouts all who want their kids to have a great experience. . Feel confident, we all move forward together and help one another to bring the program to the cubs.
Do parents have to attend all meetings? Yes, cub scouts is not a "drop-off" activity.
Does the pack camp? Yes, we camp at Scouting America camp grounds in Milton MA and in New Hampshire. All parents are required to attend and camp with their child. Cubs do not camp alone.
As a parent, do I have to volunteer? Unlike a sports team that have coaches that do it all. Scouting in a volunteer program. We ask the parents to step up and join leadership and if they cannot do that, we ask them to run a den meeting or coordinate an extra activity. Everything we do is clearly explained in the scout book and preparing for a den meeting is very little work.
What does a Den Leader do? Den leaders are parents that organizes the den program for the year by setting the schedule and asking the other parents in the den to signup to run a den meeting.
What do I have to do to become a Den Leader? The Scouting America organization has an extensive process to register, do back ground checks, run the Safe Youth Training online program and den leader training program. This definitely involves a few hours of your time, but can be completed in short sections. This process is done once but pack leadership has to renew their Safety Youth Training certification by taking the 90 minute online training course annually.
Please watch this video which explains what it is to become a den leader. The application and training process is the most time consuming part of being a Den Leader. We need parents to help otherwise we cannot form dens. Please watch this video and considered becoming a den leader: https://vimeo.com/1012801338?fl=pl&fe=sh
NOTE: We ask all Den Leaders to wear a uniform to all scouting events i.e. pack meetings, den meetings and pack activities. It shows the cubs we have structure and they are part of a group.
Den Leader Resources: https://www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/leader-resources/den-meeting-resources/
Den Leader Tips and Tricks: https://www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/leader-resources/den-meeting-resources/den-leader-tips-tricks-video-series/
What is a den? Dens are the small groups of cubs all in the same grade who meet to complete the requirements of their rank badge.
What is a pack? The pack consists of all the dens from grades 1 to 5 and meets once a month.
What is an Adventure Loop? Cubs can work independently on activities to receive recognition for working on an activity they choose themselves. Its independent work with their home Akela. These are listed in the back Adventure Loop section. Scouting America knows what cubs like so there are many loops to choose from.
Who is Akela? Ultimately, it's the cub's parents. In a den setting, it's the Den Leader and in a pack setting, it's the Cubmaster. When a cub works independently, a parents is Akela. Akela stands for "teacher".
WHAT IS THE MISSION AND PURPOSE OF SCOUTING AMERICA?
The official Charter of the Boy Scouts of America states:
"The purpose of this corporation shall be to promote, through organization and cooperation with other agencies, the ability of boys to do things for themselves and others, to train them in Scoutcraft, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues, using methods which are now in common use by the Boy Scouts."
The Mission of the Boy Scouts of America:
"It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping to instill values in young people and, in other ways, to prepare them to make ethical choices during their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The values we strive to instill are based on those found in the Scout Oath and Law."
For more information, please follow this link: http://scoutingbsa.org/Programs/BoyScouts/Principles_of_Scouting/Oath_Law_Slogan_Motto.html
Scouting America and Religious Principles:
In its Charter and Bylaws, Scouting America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God. No matter what the religious faith of a member might be, this fundamental need of good citizenship must be kept before the member. Although Scouting America recognizes the religious element in the training of a member, it is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training. Scouting America does not define what constitutes a belief in God or the practice of religion. Scouting America does not require membership in a religious organization or association in order to join Scouting but strongly encourages membership and participation in the religious program and activities of a church, synagogue, or other religious association. Scouting America respects the convictions of those who exercise their constitutional freedom to practice religion as individuals without formal membership in religious organizations. When a Scouting unit is associated with a church or other distinctly religious organization, no members of other denominations or faiths shall be required, because of membership in the unit, to take part in or observe a religious ceremony distinctly unique to that organization or church. Only people willing to subscribe to these declarations of principles shall be entitled to certificates of leadership in carrying out the Scouting program.