Cub Scout
Pack 379
is in the Matinecock
District
of the
Dear Parent:
Welcome to Pack 379. We’re so
glad that you’ve chosen to enroll or re-enroll your son in our Pack. We know that
you and he will be so glad you did. We've planned an exciting year and your son
will have a great time learning, advancing and
playing.
The Pack Leaders in Pack 379
seek to provide activities which provide opportunity for physical fitness and
educational value. Many of our planned activities can be enjoyed by every
member of a Cub Scout’s family.
Much time and energy goes
into planning and working out all the details of our events. From den meetings
and pack meetings to all our outside activities. As you may know, everything
does not always go as we plan or hope, but we will try to do our best to make
things right and keep you informed.
The leaders of our pack are
very busy, but still find time to help our boys become great scouts and prepare
for the future. All the time and physical labor that is given freely by our
leaders is much appreciated, but we need help from the parents, too.
Cub Scouting is a family
program and not a baby sitting service! We understand that things happen and
you may not be able to attend all functions with your son, but PLEASE make
arrangements with another parent or leader for your son prior to the event.
Also, we MUST know who will be picking up your child and how to contact them.
If there is an emergency or an event ends early, we MUST be able to contact a
parent or guardian.
As leaders we cannot do it
all and cannot please everyone all the time, but we will do our best! This year
our leaders will be asking parents for help with various activities. We really
appreciate the help, but your son will appreciate it even more!
This document will provide an
overview of our program. If you have questions or concerns about our program or
leaders, please call on us or on your son's Den Leader.
Thanks again and Welcome!
Yours in Scouting,
Mark
Cubmaster
Asst. Cubmaster
David
Committee Chairperson
The Committee and Leaders of
Cub Scout Pack 379 are committed to providing a quality, year-round program of
Cub Scouting activities. Special emphasis is placed on character development,
spiritual grown, citizenship and family.
Cub Scouts are required to
memorize the following pledges and motto. We seek to make them real in their
lives and hope that you will encourage your son as he strives to do so.
The Cub
Scout Promise
I promise to do my best
to do my
duty to God and my Country
to help
other people and to obey the
Law of the Pack
Law of
the Pack
A Cub Scout follows Akela
The Cub Scout helps the Pack go
The Pack helps the Cub Scout
grow
The Cub Scout gives goodwill
The Cub
Scout Motto
Do Your Best
The Boy Scouts of America
began Cub Scouting as a program for younger boys more than 50 years ago. The purposes
of Cub Scouting state that Parents, Leaders and Organizations work together to
achieve the following:
¨
Influence
the development of character and encourage spiritual growth
¨
Develop
habits and attitudes of good citizenship
¨
Encourage
good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body
¨
Improve
understanding within the family
¨
Strengthen
the ability to get along with and to respect others
¨
Foster
a sense of personal achievement in developing new interest and skills
¨
Show
how to be helpful and to do one’s best
¨
Provide
fun and exciting new things to do
¨
Prepare
Cubs to become Boy Scouts
Like every effective
organization, Cub Scout Packs have a structure. Understanding this structure
and how it works will increase your son's enjoyment of the program (and leave
the parent far less confused).
Groups
of 8 to 10 boys meet 2-3 times a month together as a Den. Each den is led by a
Den Leader and an Assistant Den Leader. A Boy Scout, known as a Den Chief, may
also work with your son’s den. Dens in Pack 379 try to meet on the same day
each week.
Dens
are organized by age groups. We have one or more Dens for each group of 1st
Graders (Tiger Cubs), 2nd Grades (Wolf), 3rd Graders (Bear), 4th Graders (Webelos - 1st yr.) and 5th graders (Webelos
- 2nd yr.).
The
Pack consists of the Dens and their Families. Pack 379 meets monthly and for
special activities. The Pack serves as a “parent” organization to the dens and
provides direction, program support and maintenance of the budget. The Pack is
led by the Cubmaster. He plans and directs monthly
pack meetings and other special activities.
The
Pack Committee consists of representatives from each Den and other volunteer
adults who are charged with managing the pack and its programs. Parents are
encouraged to volunteer to serve on the committee and attend regular meetings.
Meeting dates are shown on the Pack Calendar. Along with the Cubmaster, the Committee Chairman leads the group in
planning and organizing the Pack program. The Committee is also responsible for
maintaining Pack funds and planning its budget. A copy of the budget is
available for interested parents.
Boys age 6 years (1st Grade) to 10 years are eligible to join
Pack 379. Boys work toward a specific rank during each year in the Pack:
¨
First Grade boys
are Tiger Cubs
¨
Second grade boys
work toward their Wolf Rank
¨
Third grade boys
work toward their Bear Rank
¨
Fourth grade boys
are Webelos and work on their Webelos
rank
¨
Fifth grade boys
are second year Webelos and work on Cub Scouting’s highest award, the Arrow of Light
Registration for membership
in Pack 379 is $55. The registration fee pays for registration with the
Boy Scouts of America, a yearly subscription to Boys Life magazine, all pack advancement patches and awards, and
unit insurance. Den leaders will also charge a dues to
cover the costs of den projects. Boys must, during his first year in the
Pack, complete a registration form for the Boy Scouts of America. Parents are
also asked to complete a parent/boy registration form to provide some
additional information to the Den Leader.
Should fees or any costs
become a problem for your family, please contact the Cubmaster
or the Pack Committee Chairman. Scholarships are available and all requests
will remain confidential.
Parent volunteers are always
needed. Registration and training are provided by the Pack for those who are
interested in helping. If you'd like to help in any capacity, please contact
the Pack Committee Chairman, Cubmaster or your son’s
Den Leader. All types of help are needed¾driving for trips, assisting in Den Leader absence,
etc. Remember that Cub Scout Packs don’t exist without volunteer leadership and
it is essential to the vitality of the pack for you to do your part when asked.
An essential component of Cub
Scouting is the uniform. Cubs are made to feel part of a group and have a place
to display their awards when they wear their uniforms. Your Den Leader will
provide you with specific information about what is needed. All uniform items
can be purchased at the Scout Shop located in
Pack 379 plans a very busy
calendar year. Although we don’t expect every boy to attend every function, we
encourage him to be as active as he (and his parents) wants to be. Pack outings
and special events will be led by two or more leaders and parent volunteers.
Permission slips will be sent home for outings and special events.
The Pack Calendar is the current calendar of events for
Pack 379 for the 2005-2006 year. We realize that boys and families have different
needs and we’ve attempted to plan a program that meets as many needs as possible.
It is not expected that each boy will attend each and every event. Please
note that dates are subject to change as we get closer to events. Announcements
of special events and calendar updates will come home with the boys from Den
meetings, will be announced at Pack nights and will be posted on our web site.
If you have suggestions for our program, please let a Leader know. Our major
calendar planning is done in June and July and you are welcome to attend our
planning sessions.
Pack Meetings are held each
month at the
Pack 379 and Cub Scout Packs
all over the
Twice each year the boys of
Pack 379 participate in fund raising activities. We sell Trails End Gourmet
Popcorn in the fall and candy in the spring. Prizes are awarded to top sellers
and top selling dens. Funds raised from these two activities go to defray Pack
program expenses. All boys are encouraged to participate but parents may choose
otherwise. We always want to respect the wishes of the parents without making
the boy feel bad for not participating.
The Pack plans a variety of
other special programs that assist the boys in advancing and provide an
opportunity for a good time. These events may be hikes, tours, or service
projects. As mentioned before, parents and other family members are always
invited to attend.
Several events are scheduled
by the local council (
Pack 379 does not close down
during the summer. Special activities and meetings are planned and boys are
encouraged to remain active. Picnics, swimming, outdoor games and other
activities have been held in the past and will be planned again.
When joining Pack 379, each
parent or adult family member agrees to support their son in the following
ways:
1. See that he has the proper uniform and handbook;
2. Assist him in attending weekly Den meeting and monthly
Pack meetings;
3. Work with him to complete achievements for his rank
award;
4. Return information forms and permission slips as asked;
5. Support his Den Leader as a resource person or
substitute as asked;
6. Agree to serve in some leadership capacity as called
upon;
7. Provide input to the Den Leader or Pack leadership with
regard to Pack or Den programming.
Thank you for your
involvement and Happy Scouting!