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Cub Scout Pack 157
(East Meadow, New York)
 
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Pack 157 East Meadow New York


The Committee and Leaders of Cub Scout Pack 157 are committed to providing a quality, year-round program of Cub Scouting activities. Special emphasis is placed on character development, skill development, spiritual grown, citizenship and family.

 

Purposes of Cub Scouting

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: 

1. Influence the development of character and encourage spiritual growth;

2. Develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship;
3. Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body;
4. Improve understanding within the family;
5. Strengthen the ability to get along with and to respect others;
6. Foster a sense of personal achievement b developing new interest and skills;
7. Show how to be helpful and to do one's best;
8. Provide fun and exciting new things to do;
9. Prepare Cubs to become Boy Scouts.

The National Office of the Boy Scouts of America is located in Irving, Texas. Within the U.S., there are more than 350 Councils to service over 1,500,000 Cub Scouts. Here in NY, Theodore Roosevelt  Council is divided into 4 Districts that are sub-divided into Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops. 

 

The Pack

A Pack must be chartered from the BSA by a local organization. These can be churches, professional organizations, government bodies, or educational, civic, business, labor, or citizens’ groups. Pack 157 has been chartered by Calvary Lutheran Church.

 

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 Pack Committee that consists of representatives from each Den, Cubmaster and other volunteer leaders. The Pack Committee Chairman leads these monthly meetings and we encourage parents to participate. Meetings can be found on the Pack calendar. The Pack Committee along with the Cubmaster leads the group in planning and organizing Pack programs.

 

Packs are divided into Dens of six to ten boys. Dens are made up of boys in the same grade and age, so they can work together to earn the appropriate Rank.

 

Cub Scout Ranks

Cub Scout ranks are divided by grade level.

Grade 1 - Tiger Cubs

The Tiger Cub rank is an introduction into Cub Scouting. Each Tiger Cub must have an individual registered adult partner (usually a parent or guardian).  Each Tiger Den is kept organized by a “lead” adult partner called the Den Leader. The Tiger Cub Den Leader helps in coordinating the Den’s activities. Tiger Cubs work towards earning the Tiger Cub Rank Badge by completing three types of activities in each of 5 different themes.

 

Bobcat Scouts

After Tiger Cubs, each new Cub Scout, regardless of their age or grade, must complete the requirements for Bobcat Rank. This is usually done in only two or three weeks. The requirements for Bobcat (which are described in all Cub Scout Handbooks), include learning and explaining the Law of the Pack, the Cub Scout Handshake, Motto, Sign, and Salute, learning to give the Cub Scout Promise, and explaining the meaning of Webelos. After being awarded the Bobcat Badge, the Scout begins working on the requirements for the Badge of Rank for his grade.

 

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

 

Grade 2 - Wolf Scouts

Wolf Scouts are boys who have completed the first grade, or are eight years of age. Wolf Scouts usually meet weekly as a Den of six to ten boys, under the direction of their Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader. The Den Meetings provide an opportunity to play games, learn new skills, go on outings and tours, and to work on Achievements. Twelve Achievements must be completed in order to earn the Wolf Badge. After completing the requirements for the Wolf Badge, the Scout may continue to work on Electives to earn Arrow Points.  The first ten elec­tives completed result in earning a Gold Arrow Point. For each ten additional electives completed, Silver Arrow Points are awarded.

 

Grade 3 - Bear Scouts

Bear Scouts are made up of boys who have completed the second grade or are nine years of age. God, Country, Family and Self are the main themes of the twelve Achievements required to earn Bear Rank. Bear Den Meetings are similar to the meetings held by Wolves. Likewise, Gold and Silver Arrow Points can be earned after achieving rank.

 

Grades 4 and 5 - Webelos Scouts

Boys who have completed the third grade or are age 10 or 11 are eligible to become Webelos Scouts. Webelos is the last rank in Cub Scouting. It is an acronym for “We’ll Be Loyal Scouts.” Under the direction of the Webelos Den Leader and Assistant Webelos Den Leader Webelos Scouts will work to earn Webelos Activity Pins for a wide variety of hobby and career activities ranging from science to sports.

Den Meetings

Tiger Dens usually meet two or three times a month. Their Den Meetings include the Scouts and their Adult Partners. Each Den has a volunteer Den Leader, but all Adult Partners work cooperatively to plan and host the meetings. Typically each Scout/Partner team is assigned an activity from the Tiger Cub Handbook to plan and host. These gatherings are often outings to local points of interest.

 

Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Den Meetings are usually held once a week for one to 1½  hours. Den Meetings can be held at a Leader’s home, school, church or other venue depending on the activity. Although the Den Leader and Assistant Den Leaders are responsible for coordinating and running the Den Meetings, each Scout’s family will play an active role in the Scout activities, at the meetings and at home. There must always be two (2) adults present at all meetings and activities. The activities at the Den Meetings vary widely from games, crafts, skills work, field trips, etc. The National organization sets a theme for each month and the Den Meetings may center on this theme or one of the achievements in the rank book.

 

Typically achievements towards earning the Wolf or Bear badges are done by the Scout with their family at home. The Den may do some achievements as part of their regular meeting, however most are oriented to be done with the family. Webelos Den Meetings typically involve completing the various requirements of the Webelos badge, activity badges or progress towards the Arrow of Light.

 

As achievements are completed the parent or Den Leader, depending on who it was completed with, will record it in the Scout’s rank book. The Den Leader will periodically record the Scout’s accomplishments on a record form to track progress towards rank badge or other award. Dens may formally meet only during the school year or during the entire year depending on the Den Leader’s and family’s schedule and preference.

 

Pack Meetings

Pack Meetings and activities are held monthly, usually on the 4rd Tuesday of the month beginning at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are held at Calvary Lutheran Church and local camp grounds. Special events may be held at other local venues. The Pack Meetings may include award ceremonies, Den Skits, guest speakers, activities or special outings.

 

The Pack meetings are intended for the entire family. It is a time for the entire unit and their families to get together to learn and celebrate each other’s accomplishments over the past month. Some Pack Meetings are for special programs including Paper Airplane Derby, the annual Blue & Gold Banquet to celebrate Scouting’s birthday, Pinewood Derby and Space Derby.

 

Pack Meetings occur during the entire calendar year. Although each Den may not meet during the summer, we encourage each Scout family to attend the Pack Meetings held during the summer. Typically summer meetings are held outside and include events such as a picnic, and the like.

 

Family Events

The Pack may also participate in special “Family Events” throughout the year. These extracurricular activities are not under the official Scouting umbrella, but are rather an opportunity for Scouting families to enjoy some activities together. Past events have included: family campouts, local sporting events, or other field trips. Each Scout must be accompanied by a parent to participate in such “Family Events”.

 

Leaders Meeting

A monthly Leader’s meeting provides the opportunity to plan the Pack Meetings and Activities. All Scout Leaders are encouraged to attend, as well as any Adult who may have ideas, comments or concerns regarding the Pack or a particular Den. These meetings are typically held on the second Tuesday of the month, at 7:00 p.m.

 

Other Activities

The Roosevelt  District and Pack 157 participate in many special activities throughout the year. A schedule of coming events will be communicated through the Dens on a regular basis. These activities range from service projects to help the community to special Council sponsored camp days.

 

Fundraising

Typically the Pack participates in a popcorn fundraising activity in the fall of the year. This single fundraiser is our means to help defray the costs associated with Scouting activities throughout the year. 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. Please don't hesitate to let us know what you want.

 

Fees

Registration for membership in Pack 157 is about $75.00 for a calendar year. Our fiscal year is in September so you may be required to submit a prorated amount depending on when you join. The registration fee pays for registration with the Boy Scouts of America, unit insurance, an annual subscription to Boys Life and helps to pay for the awards and supplies for each boy. 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 blank to provide some additional information to the Den Leader.

 

Depending on the activities, Dens Leaders may ask for an activity fee to cover the costs associated with the particular activity. This may include craft supply fees, admission fees, or the like. These will be kept to a minimal and will be announced ahead of time. Some Pack events may also require a nominal activity fee. Family events are usually the responsibility of those who choose to participate.

 

Scholarships

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.

 

Uniforms

Pack 157 requires a full uniform for all Cub Scouts (this will link you to another site). The Tiger Cub Uniform consists of an orange T-Shirt and Tiger Cub Cap. Wolfs, Bears, and first-year Webelos wear a uniform that consists of an official blue uniform shirt, cap, belt, neckerchief with slide and all required patches.

 

All Cub Scouts are required to wear navy blue dress pants or shorts and dark socks (Frankly, regular dress pants are only about ½ the cost of official uniform pants and look just as good, so we will not require you to buy something you may already have or can acquire at much less expense.) Please note, unless specifically authorized for a special event, blue jeans are not permitted.

 

 

Volunteers

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 needed - driving for trips, assisting in Den Leader absence, etc. Remember that Cub Scout Packs don't exist without volunteer leadership.

 

Responsibilities and Expectations

Participation and expectations on the part of the Scouts is pretty straight forward. The Scouts are expected to attend all Den and Pack meetings. Scouts should arrive on time, not late and not early. If the parent or guardian does not stay for the meeting, they should return promptly at the scheduled ending time of the meeting to assist with cleaning up and pick up the Scout.

 

It is the Scout’s responsibility to find out what was missed, especially any information that was dispersed. Good behavior is expected at all Scouting functions and activities.  This includes showing respect of Leaders, adults and other Scouts, quietly listening to instructions, information and others that are speaking. Parents are expected to encourage, support and assist their Scout as they work on achievements. All parents are to share in the efforts of their Den and the Pack. The Den Leader and Assistant are coordinators. Each parent will share the work and accomplishments in providing this terrific program for the Scouts. The parents are responsible to deal with any behavior problem identified by the Den Leaders.

 

The Scouts and parents should expect the Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader to be prepared to work with you, and keep you informed about what is happening within the Den and Pack. All Cub Scout leaders are expected to follow all scouting rules, regulations and guidelines without exception.  The National level of Scouting has policies to protect the Scouts, the Leaders and the program.  They may not always be convenient, but they have a purpose and are not to be excused for any reason.  Whoever participates in a Scouting activity must comply with these policies.

 

If you are not satisfied with the program or performance of your Den, don’t sit back, contact the Cubmaster or Pack Committee Chairman immediately.  We all are responsible for timely communication of any such concern.