New Parent Orientation 2010

The Purpose of Cub Scouting

• Character Development
• Spiritual Growth
• Good Citizenship
• Sportsmanship and Fitness
• Family Understanding
• Respectful Relationships
• Personal Achievement
• Friendly Service
• Fun and Adventure
• Preparation for Boy Scouts

Cub Scouts is the largest branch of the Boy Scouts of America.  The Cub Scouts are broken into Councils that usually represent one or more states.  The Councils are then further divided into Districts.  Our pack belongs to the Prairie Lakes District of The Northern Star Council.  These organizations provide us with support, training, information, guidance and outings. 

However, most day-to-day activities start with the pack.  Our pack is made up of roughly 40 boys.  We come together once a month as a pack to celebrate the achievements of the Cub Scouts over the past month, learn as a group and pass along messages about upcoming events.  The pack meetings usually take place the first Thursday of each month at Rosemount United Methodist Church.  Make sure to check our calendar on the Welcome page to see actual meeting times and locations.

The smallest organizational unit is the den.  The dens are organized by the school year of each boy.  Each den has between 6 to 12 boys and usually meets twice a month.  These meetings are more interactive than the pack meetings and allow the boys to work on activities that will move them to the next rank.  The ranks that the boys are working on are as follows:

• Bob Cat - Rank earned by all boys who join Cub Scouts.
•  Lion - Kindergarten. This is a new program that will hopefully continue to grow.
• Tiger Cub - 1st Grade. There are five Tiger Cub achievement areas. The Tiger Cub, working with his adult partner, completes 15 requirements within these areas to earn the Tiger Cub badge. These requirements consist of an exciting series of indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy in the first grade.
  
• Wolf - 2nd Grade. To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must pass 12 achievements involving simple physical and mental skills.
• Bear - 3rd Grade. There are 24 Bear achievements in four categories. The Cub Scout must complete 12 of these to earn the Bear badge. These requirements are somewhat more difficult and challenging than those for Wolf rank.
• Webelos - 4th and 5th Grades. This is the transition time for a boy to move from the Cub Scout pack to the Boy Scout troop. As he completes the requirements found in the Webelos Handbook, he will work on activity badges, attend meetings led by adults, and become familiar with the Boy Scout requirements.

See the Welcome page to find the appropriate meeting times and places for each den.  Also check the What's Up page for a quick view of events outside our normal routine.  Visit the Contact Us page to locate the den leaders if you have any further questions.

Uniform

The uniform is a big part of the scouting experience.  It is where the scouts get to show off all that they have accomplished in scouting.  Most of our parents get scout uniforms from the Burnsville Scout Shop.  All you need to know is our pack number (Pack 295) and the den number (visit the Contact Us page to locate the correct den number) and the Burnsville Scout Shop will do the rest.  Check out the Uniform Checklist at the bottom of this page, the Scout Shops document for area scout shops, and the Important Links page (near the bottom) for a map of where the Burnsville Scout Shop is located. 

Cub Scouting Ideals

The Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, the Tiger Cub motto, and the Cub Scout sign, handshake, motto, and salute all teach good citizenship and contribute to a boy`s sense of belonging.

Cub Scout Promise

I, (name), 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.

Cub Scout Motto

Do Your Best.

Tiger Cub Motto

Search, Discover, Share.

Law of the Pack

The Cub Scout follows Akela. The Cub Scout helps the pack go. The pack helps the Cub Scout grow. The Cub Scout gives goodwill.

Colors

The Cub Scout colors are blue and gold. They have special meaning, which will help boys see beyond the fun of Cub Scouting to its ultimate goals.
The blue stands for truth and spirituality, steadfast loyalty, and the sky above. The gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness.

Camping

Age-appropriate camping programs are packed with theme-oriented action that brings Cub Scouts into the great outdoors. Some camping programs may be for the day, others may be camp outs of 2 to 4 days. If you have not experienced any Cub Scout outings, check the Scout Pictures to see other outings we have attended to get an idea of what will be in store. Also, if you are going on an overnight outing, check out the Going Camping page for helpful hints. This is a great opportunity for parents to interact and experience things with their boys. Together you will enjoy camping in local council camps and other council-approved campsites. Camping programs combine fun and excitement with doing one`s best, getting along with others, and developing an appreciation for ecology and the world of the outdoors.

Service Projects

We participate in several service projects that make our environment and community a better place.  We donate time to food shelves, do food drives, do clean up projects, donate time to various groups and more.   Each year we plan different projects so check the calendar on the Welcome page to see what we have planned. 

Volunteer Leadership

Thousands of volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Cub Scout program. They serve in a variety of positions, as everything from unit leaders to pack committee chairmen, committee members, den leaders, and chartered organization representatives.

We want the boys to grow as contributing citizens and feel that one must teach by example. We expect parents to be involved in a leadership position or in planning and executing either service projects or outings and ask that each parent lead at least one activity a year. Do not worry, we all help to make sure our projects and outings are successful even when others are leading.

Publications

Volunteers are informed of national news and events through Scouting magazine. Boys may subscribe to Boys` Life magazine. Both are published by the Boy Scouts of America. Also available are a number of youth and leader publications, including the Tiger Cub Handbook, Wolf Handbook, Bear Handbook, Webelos Handbook, Cub Scout Leader Book, Cub Scout Program Helps, and Webelos Leader Guide.

Who Pays For All This?

Groups responsible for supporting Cub Scouting are the boys and their parents, the pack, the chartered organization, and the community. The boy is encouraged to pay his own way by contributing dues each week. Packs also obtain income by working on approved money-earning projects. The community, including parents, supports Cub Scouting through the United Way, Friends of Scouting enrollment, bequests, and special contributions to the BSA local council. This financial support provides leadership training, outdoor programs, council service centers and other facilities, and professional service for units.

We also host fundraisers to offset some expenses.  Check out the Fundraising page to see current fundraising activities.

Still Have More Questions?

Visit the Contact Us page.  Any and all questions are welcome.  Scouting has been a great experience for our parents and boys and we want to make sure that it is for you as well!