FAQ

Cub Scouts is a youth program designed for boys and girls in grades K–5. Its part of Scouting America and focuses on character development, outdoor adventures, and fun activities.

Dens are small groups of Scouts organized by grade level/rank.
Each Den has its own adult Den Leader who guides the Scouts through activities and adventures.
Lions (Kindergarten) and Tigers (1st) are organized to work as partners with their parents

Our pack meets twice a month during the school year, with typically an optional extra fun activity.
Check our calendar for specific dates, times, and locations.

We participate in service projects (mulching the school, collecting food), outdoor adventures (camping, canoeing, hiking, fishing, etc.), and other fun activities.
We work on adventures, learn new skills, and have fun at pack meetings.

We have two different uniforms depending on the activity
1. Field Uniform (Class A) - Scouts wear the official Cub Scout uniform, which includes a shirt, and neckerchief. Uniform pants are optional, most scouts just wear blue jeans or something with belt loops.
2. Activity Uniform (Class B) - This is the pack t-shirt or at least a scouting t-shirt
Uniforms can be purchased at the Scout Shop or online or hopefully from the scout closet (see below).

There are a bunch of different ways to make a difference, both in official roles and unofficial roles.
1. We encourage parents to volunteer as Den Leaders, Committee Members, or in other roles.
Your involvement makes our pack stronger!

It helps other families access affordable uniforms.
A Scout Closet is a way for families to swap or purchase uniform pieces that their Scouts have outgrown.
1. Swaps occur if there is a uniform piece available in your scout's size. Otherwise, a credit will be made to your account.
2. Non-swaps will be discounted well below what would be found at the scout shop.
A leader (This could be you!) will bring the closet to the first few meetings and by request afterwards.

Make sure your email is up to date in Scoutbook, we'll do all communication via that email.
1. Scoutbook defaults to a single adult. If you'd like to add a second one please follow these instructions.
Add the .ics files to your personal calendar (found here)
Periodically check back on the website.

Check the Contact Us section on our website for leader names and email addresses.

Not really. All the requirements (and suggestions for activities) are online at Scoutbook+. Some kids like the books as a method to look at what they will be doing or pick out optional activities. Some parents like it to have one less screen required.

Your scout's Den leader will have a plan for your scout to achieve 80% of all the requirements to get the eight activities required to their their rank. There are certain activities related to religion and youth protection, which as a Pack, we have deemed best to occur between child and guardian. Your den leader will let you know what is required and you can either tell them or mark it complete in Scoutbook+

At least two optional adventures will be organized with your den so the scout will earn their rank.
Other adventures are just that, optional. These are usually fun activities which introduce a child to something new. You can do these on your own or offer to host an event for your den.

The term comes from other parts of Scouting where the rank doesn't rely on the age or grade. Hence a scout can move up to the next rank at any point in the year, and immediately start working towards their next rank.
Cub Scouts is organized by grade/age. The term indicates when a cub scout has received all of the requirements to earn the rank designated to that grade. In Pack 773 we award the rank to any scout at the end of the year picnic since they can't start working on the next rank until June 1st.

Per the uniform regulations a scout should only wear the loops they have earned during their current scouting year to show progress towards their rank.
Many in Pack 773 wear every belt loop they have ever earned. Let your scout choose.
Note: Those scouts who joined in Lions might run out of room. Some places online make display mechanism if a scout is really passionate about their achievements.

Technically a scout should only wear a single activity patch on their field uniform at a time. They can be hung/sewn on the front right pocket. There's no harm in wearing more than one, it just starts looking cluttered.
There are a few traditions in scouting about these patches. Some scouts wear the one most special or meaningful to them. Other times they wear the latest one. It's up to the scout (or parent!) on how often they want to swap these out.
A red felt vest can also be purchased for a scout to show off all their patches.

Scouting is for kids. However, there are certain awards and recognition which target adults. These can recognize achievements they had as a youth (Eagle Scout or Arrow of Light) or they can be for meeting specific training or leadership requirements.
Here's a good blog article about them.
The only knot a cub scout can earn is the youth religious knot. These differ by religion and the requirements can be found here.

Fill out this help form and we'll get right back to you. We'll also add your question and answers here for future parents.

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