Scouting 101

Cub Scouting is a year-round program uniquely designed to meet the needs of young boys and girls (kindergarten through fifth grade) and their families. The program offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness. Family involvement is an essential part of the program, and parents are encouraged to play an active role. Cub Scouting helps parents make the most of the time they have to impact the lives of their children.

Cub Scouting is for girls and boys in kindergarten through fifth grades, or 5 to 10 years of age. Kids who are older than 10, or who have completed the fifth grade, are eligible to join the Scouts BSA program.

The official beginning of the scouting “year” coincides with the beginning of the school year but your child may join at any time during the school year.

Each Cub Scout is a member of a Den. A Den is a group of kids of the same grade level and Cub Scout rank. The Den is run by a Den Leader and an Assistant Den Leader, typically parents of a child in the Den. The Den is the primary unit where Cub Scouts work on rank requirements. Dens meets once or twice a month. Each den is associated with the rank the scout will achieve at the end of the scouting year (June 1).

The Pack is a complete collection of Dens encompassing all the ranks of Cub Scouts. The Pack meets once a month for a Pack meeting or other major Pack event. At the Pack meeting your Scout receives their awards, interacts with kids of different ages, learns about the world around them and participates in fun activities. The Pack meeting is run by the Cubmaster and the Assistant Cubmaster.

Administration of the Pack is performed by the Pack Committee. The Committee is chaired by the Committee Chair and is made up of various adult leaders from the Pack. These leaders include the Committee Chair, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Popcorn Kernel, Assistant Popcorn Kernel, Cubmaster and Assistant Cubmaster. The Committee plans the Pack events and makes sure that the Dens are staying on track to advance rank. The Committee performs record keeping, manages Pack finances, orders badges, maintains Pack equipment, helps train leaders, and plans activities.

The Pack is owned by a Chartering Organization. The Chartering Organization supports the Pack and ensures that the Pack is run in accordance with the policies set forth by BSA. The Chartering Organization also provides a Charter Representative to assist the Pack as needed. Our Chartering Organization is Broadneck Scouting Association, Inc.

You only need to be willing to help.

Scouting operates through volunteer leadership. Volunteering is an example of Scouting’s principle of service to others. Naturally, parents are a primary source of leaders in the Scouting program. Adult volunteers not only serve Scouting, but also serve their children and their friends, and have an opportunity to be a positive influence on the youth in our community. This may be as a Den leader, Pack leader, Committee member or simply helping where you see an opportunity. Volunteering and supporting the growth and character of our Scouts is a very fulfilling and rewarding experience. Our Pack will only be as excellent an experience as we make it for our kids. No parent should consider this a “drop off” activity. We need your involvement.