CUB SCOUT
PACK 502
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Does Pack 502 have a
web-site?
Yes. www.leaguelineup.com/pack502
Our web-site is very active and information oriented. Every attempt is made to keep it current with
calendars for the Pack and each den. It
also includes event descriptions and storage of the most recent Pack email and
available handouts.
How often
does Cub Scouts meet?
Cub
Scouts is divided into two sections, the Den level and the Pack. Our grade level Dens each meet
once
early in the month and the Pack (all grades together) meets the 3rd
Thursday of the month. Many months the
Pack also offers an additional, optional, family outing/activity.
Will my
son have home projects?
Yes. Throughout the school year the boys will need
assistance from their adult partner to be prepared
for
Pack meetings/derbies and to complete the achievements required to earn his
advancement at year end. Each Den level book clearly lays out what is expected
of the boys. The Tiger achievement is
very basic and is almost completely covered during Den meetings but as the boys
increase in age the achievements have more steps and the boys will need to work
on more things at home.
What is
the membership year?
BSA
has its membership year set up for January 1-December 31. They offer a pro-rated rate depending
on
what month of the year a boy begins scouting.
Our Pack runs on the school year.
We ask families to commit for the school year by paying dues in the
fall. First year scouts pay registration
fees for the
balance
of the current calendar year and the following calendar year. The second year of scouting the registration price
drops because they only need to pay for one calendar year when they re-commit
in the fall.
Boys
receive membership cards from their den leaders via the Council. New boys get one 60 days or so after joining
and again in January. Renewals get a
card each year in January. Several
outdoor
equipment
retail stores in the area offer discounts to members of the Boy Scouts of
America. Many of
those
stores require proof of membership in order to receive the discount. The membership card in the hands of the youth
or adult is their proof of membership.
What does
it cost to be a Cub Scout?
There are three or four costs associated with
participating in Cub Scout Pack 502:
*BSA-Registration, Liability Insurance and Boy’s Life
Magazine Subscription
Spring New Boys
June 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007
$12.95 +22.00= $ 35.00
Fall New Boys
Sept, 2007 - December 31, 2008 $
30.00
Returning Boys
January 1- December 31, 2008 $
22.00
*Uniform and den level handbook (see below)
*Pack Activities (optional) throughout the year (see
below)
*Friends of Scouting contribution or pledge
(optional)
How are
Pack decisions made?
The
Pack is led by the parents of the boys involved. The Pack Committee meets the 4th
or 5th Monday of each month to further the goals of the Pack. All
parents are welcome, and encouraged, to participate.
Do my
spouse and I have to volunteer?
Yes.
We expect each Pack 502 family to pitch in.
Having organized, fun events for all the boys to attend
is
our goal and it takes assistance from all families to make it a reality. There are three levels of commitment needed
to make the Pack successful.
*short term roles- planning and executing events (see
the sign up sheets and email requests)
*Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders who work
directly with the boys
*Pack Committee positions including Cubmaster, Pack
Committee Chair, Assistant Cubmaster, Rechartering/Advancements, Treasurer, Registrar,
Communications and Event Coordinators
What is a
Quality Unit?
Boy Scouts of America has
developed a set of criteria that is used for encouraging top programming and
leadership standards from Packs across the United States. Every Pack is evaluated annually to determine
if they have met the criteria for the Award.
Pack 502 was honored to receive the Quality Unit Award for 2006. Each 2006-2007 Pack 502 boy and leader now
wears the Quality Award patch with pride on the right shirt sleeve.
Do the boys wear uniforms?
Yes. Pack 502 requires that the boys wear uniforms
for all Den meetings and Pack meetings unless otherwise specified. We also encourage the boys to wear their
uniforms (minus their hat) to school on meeting days. The shirt can be used for 1st -
3rd grade. In the 4th grade
boys can choose to stick with their blue shirt or purchase a new tan Boy Scout
colored shirt as they begin their transition process (1 1/2 years) to Boy
Scouting. The boys cap/hat, neckerchief,
slide and book change each year. The
uniform consists of:
Den Level Book Tiger
$4.25; Wolf & Bear $5.30; Webelo (use for 2 years) $6.50
Short Sleeve Navy Shirt (buy short sleeve and big) $22.95
World
Scout Crest Emblem (purple circle patch)
$ 1.50
Council
Shoulder Patch $2.00
Unit numbers (502) 3 x .90 = $2.70
Den
Level Cap $11.80
Den
Level Neckerchief $5.10
Den
Level Neckerchief Slide $2.40
Blue
Jeans in good condition or navy pants
Where do I purchase a uniform?
Purchases made at the Chief
Okemos Council store support local scouting and can be made at 4000 W. Michigan Ave.,
just west of Waverly behind the video store. Purchases can also be made at
Holden-Reid Attic, mail order at 800-323-0732 or on-line at www.scoutstuff.org.
Are there used uniforms available?
Maybe. As a rule boys use their shirts for multiple
years so there aren’t many used ones available.
Sometimes families have neckerchiefs and hats that they would like to
pass along. Check the Pack Uniform box
and see what is available then be sure to return it when your son is done.
Can we just drop off our first grade son?
No. BSA is very specific
about first grade Tigers needing an adult partner at every Cub Scout Den and
Pack meeting or function. Families who
can’t meet this requirement may want to think about waiting until second grade
to join Cub Scouts when boys can be dropped off for Den meetings and some Pack
activities.
Does DeWitt have more than one Pack?
Yes. There are three Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
units serving the DeWitt community. Pack
502 and Pack 277 both serve boys in grades 1st - 5th and Troop 77
serves 6th-12th grade boys. All three
units are part of the Migisin District of the Chief Okemos Council.
Does my son attend Pack activities by himself?
No. Our Pack activities are designed to be family
events. We select outings that are fun
enrichment experiences for the boys and their adult partner or family. 2006-2007 activities included: Golf Scramble
at Prairie Creek Golf Course, Andy T’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze, Cub Scout
Olympics at Camp Kiwanis
in Mason, Snow Snake Tubing in Harrison, Winter Fun Overnight at Northwoods
Camp, Computer Recycling Session, Board of Water and Light Tour, DeWitt Scout
Family Jamboree, Webelo Woods at Camp Kiwanis, and overnight at Oldsmobile Park. Occasionally, due to facility limitations we
need to place limits on who can attend.
BSA requires all Cub Scouts on overnight trips to be accompanied by
their adult partner.
How do we sign up for a Pack activity?
To simplify life for our
wonderful volunteers please take into consideration these points when signing
up for events.
*Consider paying by check only. If you do happen to pay by cash -- request a
receipt.
*Only include one event in each check hence making the refund process much
simpler, if necessary.
*Be prepared to pay at monthly meetings/activities so that you don’t have to
make a special trip to the coordinator’s home using their family time and your
own family time.
*Give payment only to the activity coordinator rather than den leader; Pack
leadership etc.
*Don’t mark yourself paid on a sign up sheet when you haven’t in fact paid.
This really messes up the bookkeeping!!
*When collecting payment/sign up for an event/activity be sure to arrive early,
have your sign up sheet prepared and have adequate help recruited to make the
process go smoothly. When delivering funds to Pack Treasurer have funds tallied
and balanced.
What is a Den level Trip?
Each year Cub Scout Pack 502
plans for a den level trip for each boy. We remain committed to the following trips
so that the boys have one more thing to look forward to as they progress
through the Cub Scout ranks. The amount
of money the Pack is able to allocate for the den level trips varies from year
to year (2005-2006 allocation was $35/boy) depending on the results of the fall
popcorn sale fundraiser. Participating
families supplement the Pack funds depending on the cost of the individual trip. BSA policy requires all Cub Scouts
must be accompanied by their adult partner on overnight trips. Boys must
participate in the den level trip to get their allocation. Any remaining
den level trip funds revert to the Pack general budget for reallocation.
1st Grade Tiger Den-Bavarian Inn Cub Scout
Day, Frankenmuth
2nd Grade Wolf Den-Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum
Overnight Camp-in
3rd Grade Bear Den-Air Zoo Rocket Overnight
Program, Kalamazoo
4th Grade 1st year Webelo Den-USS
Silversides Overnight Encampment Program, Muskegon
5th Grade 2nd Year
Webelo Den-COSI
Science Museum
Overnight Camp-in, Toledo
How is the Pack funded?
Almost $25,000 moves through
the Pack 502 checking account each year.
The majority of the funds are pass through monies. All the funds collected during fall
registration are passed fully to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for insurance,
publication and programming. Families
pay activity fees throughout the year which are then passed on to the hosting
facility, etc.
Funds raised through our
annual popcorn fundraiser actually pay the Packs operating expenses. These funds are used to cover expenses such
as adult training, book resources, registration and recognition, leader
participation in Migisin District banquets, advancement badges, arrow points,
pins, ribbons, etc., PineWood Derby cars and event expenses, Blue and Gold
Banquet expenses, Space Derby rockets/Raingutter Regatta sailboats and Derby expenses, Year End
Celebration expenses, equipment and supplies.
Parents making purchases on
behalf of the Pack must have pre-approval, provide a copy of the sales receipt,
and complete a reimbursement form.
Through its relationship with Redeemer U.M. Pack 502 has sales tax
exempt status for its purchases.
Do we have to participate in any fundraisers?
Yes. During the month of October Cub Scouts sell
popcorn-- all kinds of varieties. We ask
that each Pack 502 family take this effort seriously. Boys can choose between traditional order
taking/delivery and show and sell where they carry product with them. It’s our
experience that even first year Tiger Cubs can easily sell over $400 worth of
popcorn without much effort. People in
the DeWitt community are very supportive when the boys are out selling. Also, to bolster the Pack’s results and
encourage new sellers the Pack organizes store booth sales which count towards
the individual boy’s sale tally. Trail’s End popcorn provides a good profit/return
to Chief Okemos Council and our Pack. The Pack also opts to have Trail’s End provide
prizes that the boys really like!!
What’s the connection between the Pack and Redeemer ?
Redeemer is the chartering
organization for Pack 502. Each BSA unit
must be chartered by a local organization.
This organization approves leadership of the Pack and basically looks
out for the well being of the Pack. The
relationship between the Pack and the chartering organization must be formally
renewed each year. Redeemer
United Methodist
Church sees the Pack as
part of its Scouting Ministry which is part of Redeemer’s efforts to positively
impact the lives of DeWitt youth. Each
year the Pack does a couple of service projects for the Church including
collecting food for its public pantry and helping with the spring yard clean
up.
Do we have to be Methodists for my son to join the Pack ?
Absolutely not. Pack 502 certainly has a significant core of
Redeemer U.M. members who are very invested in seeing the Pack be successful,
but, many of the families in the Pack are affiliated with different congregations
including the Catholic Community of St. Judes or do not have a church home.
Does my son have to start Cub Scouts in 1st grade?
No. Each Cub Scout programming year is a stand
alone year. Boys can start at any grade level.
Each year has a separate advancement goal that doesn’t interrelate with
the other years.
Will my son get to participate in a PineWood Derby?
Yes. Each year Pack 502 holds a PineWood Derby
where boys compete against each other with cars that they have made at home
(using a provided kit) with their adult partner. We also hold a Space Derby (balsam wood
rockets raced on a guide wire powered by a wound rubberband) or a Raingutter
Regatta (boy wind powered sail boats) each year.
What does it take for me to be my son’s Den leader?
Ideally, we need 2 den
leaders for every 6 or so boys. The
number of willing leaders and interested boys ultimately dictate the size of
the Dens. Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
defines two positions for each den: Den
Leader and Assistant Den Leader. Pack 502
pays the registered adult fee for each of its leaders. Den leaders are asked to
represent their Den at Pack Committee meetings (4th or 5th
Monday of the month) and to purchase and wear a leader uniform.
Required steps are:
*Express
interest to Cubmaster and/or Pack Committee Chair
*Complete
on-line Cub Scout Leader Fast Start Training (less than 60 minutes)
www.chiefokemosbsa.org
Adult leader
resources…Training…Cub Scout Leader Training…Fast Start Training
*Complete
on-line Youth Protection Training (70 minutes)
www.chiefokemosbsa.org
Adult leader resources…Training…Youth Protection Training
*Complete
leader application and return to the Committee Chair
--Application
must receive approval from Redeemer United Methodist pastor
(Chartered
Organization CEO)
--Background
check must be completed by Chief Okemos Council
*Attend
Basic Leader Training through Council (3 hours-week night)
*Attend
Cub Scout Position Specific Training (3 hours-week night)
*Sign
up for Council Newsletter monthly email reminders at www.chiefokemosbsa.org
What is the “Friends of Scouting” Campaign?
In 2007 Pack 502 families
contributed over $3,000 to the annual Friends of Scouting Campaign. Volunteers from the tri-county area come to
speak with our group about the true costs of scouting. The Chief Okemos Council will invest $120 per
youth member to provide one year of Scouting programs. Donations are an optional investment and can
be paid at the time of the presentation or pledged for payments throughout the
year. Also, many employers have matching
funds and volunteer hour programs that benefit the Chief Okemos Council.
What is the Migisin
District?
Chief Okemos Council is
divided into districts. DeWitt is part
of the Migisin District which covers Clinton
County. The District holds informational meetings
where Pack leadership can get programming ideas each month. Migisin is a word from the Chippewa Indian
language that means “little” or “young” eagles.
The Migisin District believes every scout in the district should have
their eyes focused on attaining the rank of Eagle, the highest honor in Boy
Scouting.
What Grade Is Bobcat
?
The Bobcat Advancement is
not a specific grade level. This is the advancement that covers a boys basic
knowledge of the Cub Scout program. They are responsible for earning their
Bobcat advancement at the beginning of their first year they are
enrolled in the Cub Scout program. They must earn their Bobcat
emblem prior to earning their grade level advancement/emblem. The Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelo books all
have a section which outlines the Bobcat requirements.
Do Cub Scouts Camp?
Yes. While totally optional Pack 502 really
believes in the value of the summer camp experience. Each summer Chief Okemos
Council offers three different weeks of day camp. Our leadership selects one week to attend as
a Pack. The boys love the 4 day
camp. We carpool from DeWitt each
morning with the required adult supervisors (walkers) for that day as the drivers.
The boys can plan on BB Gun Training, Archery, Handicrafts, Water Activities,
Field Sports, learning Scout Skills, Storytelling, Songs, Skits and Stunts and
some years a climbing wall. It’s a great
way to get a jump start on achieving the next year’s den level requirements.
Cost is generally $45. For summer 2007
Pack 502 was able to provide a $35 camp scholarship to every boy that sold
popcorn in the fall 2006 sale.
Parent/Son weekend camps are
offered at Northwoods (near West Branch) and Camp Kiwanis
(Mason) each summer which are great parent/son bonding experiences and fill
quickly!!
What
are Loops?
BSA offers a supplemental
program at the Cub Scout level called, Academic
and Sports Program. A book detailing
the program and the requirements for each loop and pin is available for purchase
at the Council store. Pack 502 has made
a decision to not participate in this program as a Pack in order
to focus our efforts and advancement funds on the den level rankings. Families can choose to complete some of these
and purchase the belt and earned loops or pins at the Council store.
What do I do with my
Son’s Activity Patches?
Patches that are distributed
for participation in races and attendance at events are different from the earned
den level emblems which are worn on the uniform. Aside from sticking them in a drawer, each
family has several choices for how they handle their son’s collection of activity
patches.
·
Boys can display
one activity patch on their right uniform pocket. You can buy a plastic pouch which hooks on the
shirt pocket button at the Council store and switch out the patch being
showcased as the year progresses.
·
The Scout Post
offers the following collection methods…
o Red patch vests, 100% acrylic
o Red patch blankets, 100% acrylic
o Custom plastic sleeves for notebooks (like are used
for baseball cards)
What is a Religious Award?
Pack 502 encourages (but
does not require) its boys to participate in scouting religious award programs
that are offered in the community. The
Pack pays for the purple religious knots earned by the boys. Class registration and other desired
pins/medals are parent pay.
God and Country Program–Protestant
version
God and Me for 1st-3rd graders
God and Family for 4th/5th
graders
God and Church for 6th-8th
graders
Offered
by Redeemer staff-odd number years, January-April time window
Same program used for Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Boy
Scouts
Classes taught by a person approved by the national level
program
Attendance with a parent and follow-up home projects
Redeemer
has an award presentation during the service on Scout Sunday or Scout can
make other arrangements with
their home church.
Catholic Religious Award
Light of Christ Award
for 1st and 2nd graders
Parvuli Dei Award for 3rd through 5th
graders
Coordinated by a parent volunteer from one of DeWitt’s
Cub Scout Packs
Catholic program for Girl Scouts is different.
Home
program done between parent and child using purchased workbook
Program suggests one hour per week over a 5 week period.
Participating boys meet with Father to have their
completed workbooks reviewed
Those
completing paperwork with the Catholic Committee on Scouting can participate in
an awards ceremony held in
Lansing.
502-FAQhandout 3/08/07
