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Pack722ParentHandbook2018
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Pack 722

Parent Handbook

www.Pack722Wakefield.com

CubScoutPack722Wakefield@gmail.com

Contents

About Our Pack...............................................................................................................        3

Joining Pack 722 ............................................................................................................        3

Cub Scouts and the Family.............................................................................................        3

        Role of Parents .........................................................................................................        3

                Work With Your child on Projects .........................................................................        3

                Help Your Cub Scout along the Advancement Trail.............................................        3

                Participate in Monthly Pack Meetings ..................................................................        4

                Be an Active Participant in the Pack Committee..................................................        4

        Role of Siblings .........................................................................................................        5

        Parent Volunteers......................................................................................................        5

Structure of Cub Scouting...............................................................................................        6

        Den ............................................................................................................................        6

        Pack...........................................................................................................................        6

        Pack Committee.........................................................................................................        7

        Chartered Organization .............................................................................................        7

        District........................................................................................................................        7

        Local and National Councils......................................................................................        7

Uniforms..........................................................................................................................        8

        Field Uniform .............................................................................................................        8

        Activity Uniform .........................................................................................................        9

        Where to get the Uniform...........................................................................................        9

        Insignia Placement ...................................................................................................                9

Advancement..................................................................................................................        10

        The Handbook .........................................................................................................        10

        Who is Akela? ..........................................................................................................        11

        The Ranks.................................................................................................................        11

        Other Awards............................................................................................................        12

Pack 722’s Yearly Program............................................................................................        12

        Meetings ..................................................................................................................        12

        Derbies and Other Special Events ...........................................................................        12

        District and Council Activities....................................................................................        12

        Community Service Projects.....................................................................................        13

        Summer Program ....................................................................................................        13

        Pocketknife Policy....................................................................................................        13

Financing Cub Scouting ................................................................................................        14

        Popcorn Sale.............................................................................................................        14

Appendix A – Uniform Checklist ....................................................................................        15

Appendix B – Camping Trip Packing List for Cub Scouts .............................................        16

        Things to Bring .........................................................................................................        16

        Nice-To-Have...........................................................................................................        16


About our Pack

We meet monthly, unless otherwise noted in advance, at the church hall. See Google Calendar:  Link to Calendar  

The pack maintains a website. You can check this website for calendar updates, resources and pictures: www.Pack722Wakefield.com.

Joining Pack 722

Cub Scouts and the Family

Role of Parents

Cub Scouting is a family-centered program that will give you opportunities to take part in activities with your child that you might not normally do. It provides a positive way for parent and child to grow closer together, and encourages you to spend quality time together. There is even an opportunity for families to earn a Scouting award together (the BSA Family Award). In this way, Cub Scouting is a program for the entire family, and your involvement is vital to the program’s success.

Some specific things you can do to help your child in Cub Scouting are:


Work With Your Child on Projects

Scouts often begin projects at den meetings and finish them at home with the help of a parent. Such projects become the catalyst for parents and scouts – frequently joined by siblings and friends – to interact with each other in a relaxed way.

Because the purpose of a project is to teach a scout new skills, a project will challenge a Scout to do tasks that they have not  already mastered. It is not uncommon, therefore, for a scout  to need help from his family to complete some of his projects. In Cub Scouting, scouts are not expected to do things entirely on their own. So long as a child does his best to do as much as he’s capable of, it’s perfectly acceptable for a parent or sibling to help them.

Help Your Cub Scout along the Advancement Trail

The advancement plan is designed for parents to use to create a learning environment in their home. With the Cub Scout handbooks as a resource, parents and scouts work together to complete the achievements required for each badge. The advancement plan provides fun for the scout, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with scouts on advancement projects.

While Cub Scouts learn skills and begin projects in their den meetings, the parent remains at the center of the advancement program. As each task is done or each skill is demonstrated, the parent signs the Cub Scout’s handbook to record its completion. It is also important for the scout to take his handbook to den meetings to allow the Den Leader to see the parent’s sign-off on the achievements. And when the scout has completed all of the requirements to earn an award, the completion is acknowledged before the entire Pack of scouts at the Blue & Gold Banquet.

Participate in Monthly Pack Meetings

The pack meeting is a monthly showcase for all that the scouts have worked on in their den meetings. Craft projects are on display, skills are demonstrated, and skits are performed to show the scouts’ command of the monthly theme. While scouts at this age seem to be struggling toward independence, having the approval of their parents and other adults whom they admire remains important to them – so your presence at these meetings is critical to underscore the importance of the lessons your child has learned.

Be an Active Participant in the Pack Leadership

scoutScouts is a scout-led program; Cub Scouts is a parent-led program. As the parent of a Cub Scout, you have a responsibility to be an active member of the Cub Scout pack. Attending the monthly Pack Committee Meeting is an excellent way to help guide the entire pack and impact your child’s scouting experience.


Role of Siblings

Pack 722 runs a family-centered program. Therefore siblings are always welcome at all meetings and activities unless otherwise noted. We will try to have supplies on hand to accommodate siblings for crafts and other activities. Participation by siblings will depend on their age and the activities involved. Younger siblings may not be able to handle the activities of the more advanced ranks. When this happens, please bring things for your child (ren) to enjoy while the meeting is taking place. Your scout’s Den Leader can tell you in advance when this may occur. Parents are responsible for looking after siblings during activities.

Parent Volunteers

Adult volunteers are the essential ingredients in running a quality Cub Scout Pack program. It is hoped that each parent will volunteer in some capacity for at least one activity. There are many, many needs – volunteer activities range from planning a specific activity at the Den meeting, coordinating a Pack activity, to leadership in a Pack Committee position. These volunteering opportunities are not a heavy burden since they always involve other parents from the pack and den and also provide an excellent opportunity to get to know other parents. Parents are asked to sign up for one or more of these Pack leadership positions and committees when you register your Scout:

Committee Chairperson

Cubmaster

Assistant Cubmaster

Treasurer

Secretary

Popcorn Kernel

Fundraising Committee

Advancement Chairperson

Tiger Den Leader, Assistant Den Leader

Wolf Den Leader, Assistant Den Leader

Bear Den Leader, Assistant Den Leader

Webelos Den Leader, Assistant Den Leader

Pinewood Derby Committee

Event Committee

Blue & Gold Committee

Pack Trainer

Publicity Coordinator; Webmaster; Bulletin Board; Scrapbook

At-Large Committee Members

For a description and responsibilities of each position, please see the Cubmaster.


Structure of Cub Scouting

Den

A den has between 4 and 12 scouts of the same age who work together on age appropriate activities. Den Leaders are responsible for coordinating den activities; however, parents will be called upon to assist as needed. This may mean helping with a den meeting or one of the other den activities, gathering materials for a craft project, or providing snacks. A den will be more successful if the Den Leader has parents organize and lead individual events. This gives the scouts opportunities to experience different types of leadership styles and keeps parents involved in the program.

The Den Leader is assisted by an Assistant Den Leader(s) and/or a Den Chief (an older ScoutScout). The dens are organized by rank. Each year the pack will have one of more of the following dens:

LION DEN

Kindergarten or 5 years old

TIGER DEN

1st Grade or 6 years old

WOLF DEN

2nd Grade or 7 years old

BEAR DEN

3rd Grade or 8 years old

2 WEBELOS DENS

4th Graders – Webelos 1

5th Graders – Webelos 2,  Arrow of Light (AOL)

Please note that BSA Youth Protection Guidelines state that no den meeting may take place without two-deep adult leadership. This means one registered Scout volunteer and at least one other adult must be present at any den activity. There are absolutely no exceptions to this rule.

Pack

The Pack is made up of all the dens and their families. A Pack Meeting is held once a month, unless scheduled to coincide with another special event. The Pack Meeting is the peak of the month’s den meetings and activities. There will be games, skits, stunts, songs, ceremonies, and presentations of awards the scouts earned that month. Special Pack events also occur occasionally throughout the year and may include activities such as the Pinewood Derby, the Blue & Gold Banquet, sports activities, or other Pack outings.

The Pack serves as the parent organization for the dens and provides direction, program support, leader training, and maintenance of the budget. The Pack is led by the Cubmaster and the Pack Committee Chair. The Cubmaster acts as the Master of Ceremonies at the monthly Pack meetings and other special activities. Several Assistant Cubmasters may also help with these events.


Pack Committee

The Pack Committee is made up of volunteer adults from the Pack who manage the Pack and its programs. The Pack Committee Chair runs the committee meetings and is the primary leader of the Pack. Along with the Cubmaster, the Pack Committee Chair leads the group in planning and organizing the Pack program. The Pack Committee also plans the Pack budget and maintains the Pack funds. The Pack Committee meets monthly. Parents are encouraged to serve on the Pack Committee and are welcome to attend committee meetings. If you have ideas or know of opportunities for fun, please let us know. All parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend and assist in the decision making process, even if you are unable to join the committee.

Chartered Organization

The Pack is owned by the Chartered Organization. The Boy Scouts of America does not directly own or run any of its member units. Instead, the units are run by Chartered Organizations. Pack 722’s Chartered Organization is First Parish Congregational Church. The Chartered Organization approves leaders, provides a meeting place, and operates the pack within the guidelines and policies of the chartered organization and the BSA. The Chartered Organization selects a Chartered Organization Representative who serves as a liaison between the Pack and organization.

District

Pack 722 is a part of the Flintlock District. The Flintlock District comprises the towns north and west of Boston along the Route 128 loop. In addition to Wakefield this includes Bedford, Burlington, Carlisle Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Winchester and Woburn.

A district is a geographical area of the council determined by the council executive board to help ensure the growth and success of Scouting units within the district’s territory. Each district has a paid professional Scouter called the District Executive that helps the units in the area get the help and resources it needs. The district also sponsors Summer Day Camp, district-wide campouts, leader roundtable meetings, leadership training and other events. The district is governed by the district committee, which is composed of volunteers from the leadership of the units in the district, as well as volunteers not affiliated with a scout unit.

Local and National Councils

The larger organization that governs the districts is the local council. Our local council is The Spirit of Adventure Council, with administrative offices in Woburn, MA. The council is responsible for maintaining and growing a successful scouting program in its locality. The council sponsors council-wide campouts, and resident camping experiences such as Webelos Woods, Cub Scout and Boy Scout Summer camps.

The Spirit of Adventure Council owns and operates The New England Base Camp at Camp Sayre in Milton, MA, Lone Tree Scout Reservation in Kingston, NH, Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservation in Northwood, NH and T. L. Storer in Barnstead NH. These facilities are where the council campouts and resident camping experiences are held.

The council is overseen by an executive board of paid professional Scouters and volunteers with the Council President, Council Commissioner, and Scout Executive/CEO in the primary leadership roles. The administrative offices are located at:

600 West Cummings Park Drive, Suite 2750

Woburn, MA 01801

(617) 615-0004

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30-4:30

New England Base Camp

411 Unquity Rd.

Milton, MA 02156

(617) 615-0004

Monday - Friday 8:30 to 5:00

The National Council is the corporate membership chartered by the United States Congress to operate the program of the Boy Scouts of America. The program of the National Council is directed by the National Executive Board and administered by the Chief Scout Executive and a staff of professional Scouters at the national office and in other locations.


Uniforms

As a Cub Scout, you belong to a special group of people, you give service to your community, and you have made a promise to do your best to be one of the “good guys.” Wearing your uniform is a way of saying these things to everyone who sees you. As we wear the uniform in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, we stand together and encourage each other to live by those principles. Scouts and adults alike should take pride in belonging to this program and wear the uniform correctly. The scout uniform is also a display case for a scout’s individual accomplishments and recognitions.

See Appendix B for a uniform checklist that you can take with you to the Scout Shop.

Field Uniform

Sometimes referred to as the Class A uniform, the Field uniform is worn to all Pack Meetings, Den meetings, and any activity away from the grounds unless otherwise noted prior to the event. The parts that make up your Cub Scout uniform are these:

The Cub Scout shirt, with long or short sleeves and all appropriate patches (see uniform guidelines below)

A neckerchief that matches the color of your cap

A blue belt with Cub Scout buckle

Dark blue pants or shorts (no jeans - preferred)

A cap that shows your rank—orange for Tiger Cub Scout, yellow for Wolf Cub Scout, blue for Bear Cub Scout, and plaid for Webelos and AOL Scout (optional)

Because Webelos Scouts are close to becoming Scouts, some Webelos choose to wear the tan and olive uniform similar to the one that Scouts wear (tan shirt, olive shorts/slacks, olive socks). If your Scout is a Webelo, and needs a new shirt, buy a tan one. Otherwise, the blue shirts are perfectly acceptable for any Webelos Scout.


Activity Uniform

The activity uniform consists of:

Any official Scout t-shirt. This can be the Pack 722 t-shirt that can be distributed by the pack, any of the activity shirts can be purchased from the Scout Shop, or any Cub Scout Day Camp or district/council campout t-shirt.

A cap that shows your rank in Cub Scouting—Blue and yellow for Lions, orange for Tiger Cub, yellow for Wolf Cub Scout, blue for Bear Cub Scout, and plaid for Webelos Scout, or other official Scouting cap (optional)

The activity uniform can be worn to any Den meeting, unless the Field uniform is required in advance, or to activities and outings where the uniform is likely to get dirty. These will be announced in advance. When going on outings, we encourage everyone to wear the Pack 722 tee shirt to identify ourselves as a group.

Where to get the Uniform

The Scout Shop is located within the West Cummings Office Park in Woburn.  

Boy Scout Store

600 West Cummings Park #1250

Woburn, MA 01801

 You can also order items online from http://www.scoutstuff.org.

Insignia Placement

Right Sleeve. Wear U.S. flag, den numeral, and Quality Unit Award (if earned) as shown. Webelos Scouts may wear den emblem (“patrol patch”) instead of den numeral. Only the most recently earned Quality Unit Award may be worn. Wear the Webelos colors immediately below and touching the U.S. flag if no den numeral is worn. If den numeral is worn wear colors below and touching numeral. Wear activity pins on the colors.

Left Sleeve. Wear council patch and pack numeral as shown. The veteran unit insignia bar (25, 50, 55 or 60 years) is worn centered below the council patch and above the numeral, and touches both. A Denner cord or Assistant Denner cord is worn over the left shoulder.

Right Pocket. Temporary insignia are not necessary in uniform inspection. But if worn, must be centered on the pocket. Progress towards Ranks (with thong and beads) for Cub Scouts or Compass Points emblem for Webelos Scouts is fastened to the button under the flap of the right pocket and flap buttoned. The National Summertime Award is pinned centered on the right pocket flap.

Left Pocket: Cub Scouts wear badges of rank as shown: Tiger Cub, Bobcat, Wolf, and Bear. Gold Arrow Points are worn beneath the pocket and below the badge for which they were earned. Silver Arrow Points are worn below the Gold Arrow Points in double rows Webelos Scouts wear only current badge rank (Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos badge) centered on the pocket. The Arrow of Light Award is worn centered below the pocket. Wear medals just above pocket seam, and service stars centered just above medals or knots, or 3⁄8 inch above seam if no medals are worn. Gold background disks are worn with service stars for Cub scouting. No more than five medals may be worn.

Wearing a sequence for medals or knots is at the wearer’s discretion. The only knots worn by Cub scouts are the religious emblem knot and a lifesaving or meritorious award knot. The World Crest is worn centered between the left shoulder seam and the top of the left pocket.

Olive/Tan Webelos Scout Uniform. Webelos Scouts electing this option wear blue shoulder loops, Webelos neckerchief and Webelos cap. Blue (preferred) or olive belt may be worn. Academics and Sports belt loops will fit only on the blue belt. Badge placement is the same as for blue uniforms.

Advancement

Scouts can join Cub Scouts at any age between 6 (1st grade) and 11 (5th grade). All scouts must obtain the Bobcat Rank before working on their grade level rank. Scouts who join Scouts after 1st grade may not go back and work on the prior ranks. Completing the requirements for rank is not necessary to advance with the den, but it is encouraged.

Within each den, the scouts will complete seven adventures to earn their badge of rank, including a family-based "Duty to God" adventure that will be done at home with their own family. The number of required and elective adventures for each rank is listed below:

● Tiger: Six required adventures and one elective adventure

● Wolf: Six required adventures and one elective adventure

● Bear: Six required adventures and one elective adventure

● Webelos: Five required adventures and two elective adventures

● Arrow of Light: Four required adventures and three elective adventures

The Handbook

Each level of Scouting has its own Handbook. This Handbook is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL for your Scout, as it spells out the requirements for advancement. It is also referred to as the Scout’s “trail.” The handbook can be purchased at the Scout Shop.

For Tigers, Wolves and Bears, the parent signs off on the achievements that are done at home. For Webelos, the Den Leader signs off on all achievements. The Webelos Scout is still expected to work on some achievements at home but they must “show what they know” to the Leader before they  will sign off on the achievement.

Parents should assist the Den Leader in tracking their child’s advancement toward earning each rank. The Den Leader has the responsibility of reporting all awards to the pack Advancement Chair. Please make sure that your Scout receives all the awards that They have worked so hard to earn. It is the parents’ responsibility to report advancement credit to the Den Leader. Award information must be given to the Den Leader by the end of the month in order to receive recognition at the next Pack Meeting.


Who is the Akela?

Akela (ah-KAY-la) is the term for the leader(s) that guide the Scout along their trail. At home, this is the parent. At the den meeting, Akela is the Den Leader. While at a Pack meeting, Akela is the Cubmaster. At school, Akela is your Scout’s teacher. The important thing to remember is that in order to complete each requirement, the Scout must do their best to complete each achievement.

Do not sign off on a track if you know that your child did not do their best. In Cub Scouting, scouts are judged against their own standard, not against other scouts.

If a scout has a disability or other reason why they cannot accomplish an achievement, bring this to the leader’s attention as soon as possible.

The Ranks

The Cub Scouting program is for scouts in the first through fifth grades. Scouts who have finished kindergarten may join on June 1st. The program is broken into ranks, and the scouts work to earn a specific rank each year in the pack.

Tiger:  are scouts in the first grade or 6 years old. They join with an adult partner. All of the adult partners share in the leadership of the Tiger Cub den with the guidance and support of the Tiger Cub den leader. The Tiger Cub program is a simple and fun introduction to the excitement of Cub Scouting.

Wolf:  Scouts who have completed first grade or are 7 years old work towards the Wolf rank. To earn their Wolf badge, scouts must complete twelve achievements involving simple physical and mental skills. The scouts meet as a den under the leadership of a Den Leader. While they no longer have adult partners with them all the time, parents are still welcome and encouraged to attend den meetings with their child.

Bear:  When a scout  has completed the second grade or is 8 years old, the  begin working towards their Bear rank. There are 24 Bear achievements in four categories (God, Country, Family, and Self). The Cub Scout must complete twelve of these to earn the Bear badge. These requirements are somewhat more difficult and challenging than those for the Wolf rank.

WEBELOS:  Scouts are scouts in the fourth and fifth grades or 9 years old. The Webelos program focuses on more challenging and independent activities and begins the transition to Boy Scouts. By the time the scout begins the fifth grade, they should be ready to work on their Arrow of Light. This is the highest award in Cub Scouting and the only one that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform. By the Spring of fifth grade, the Webelos Scout will be ready to cross over into Boy Scouts and join a Boy Scout Troop.


Other Awards

Besides the ranks listed above, there are many other awards that the scouts can earn while in Cub Scouting. Many of these are tied in with the rank requirements so that if the intent is to earn a specific award, some, if not all, of its criteria can be applied toward rank requirements. Conversely, when working on a particular rank requirement a scout may be able to go a little bit further in the activity to earn one of the other awards.

Pack 722’s Yearly Program

Meetings

Den meetings are held at the discretion of the Den leaders but typically bi-weekly. At the discretion of each den leader, a den may cancel or move a meeting to another time and/or location to fulfill the requirements of the rank or other award. We will occasionally hold Den meetings on a Saturday or Sunday to do activities more appropriate for daytime hours.

Pack meetings are typically held once a month. We will occasionally combine a Pack meeting with another event. Awards earned during the previous month are handed out at each Pack meeting.

Derbies and Other Special Events

Each year Pack 722 holds a Pinewood Derby. This is a pack activity where the scouts and their parents can design and build a car from a kit and race them against each other. Siblings are also invited to participate in these activities. Depending on participation, there is usually a family race after the Scout race.

We also hold two overnight campouts in mid fall and early spring. We refer to these as Car Camping as you usually camp near your car. This is designed as a pack activity that allows those new to scouting, who may have never camped before, to have an overnight experience that is close to home and stores in case something needed can be obtained quickly.

There will also be plenty of experienced campers on hand to help with pitching your tent and to answer any questions you may have.

The culmination of the “Scouting Year” is the Blue & Gold banquet. This is held in the spring and is the big meeting where we hold a Birthday like celebration or a potluck dinner, hand out awards and have some sort of entertainment.

District and Council Activities

The District and the Council hold several activities throughout the year in which Pack 722 participates, normally at Camp Sayre in Milton. The council also puts on the annual Scout Expo as well as other special events that are more of a one-time activity.

Community Service Projects

Pack 722 believes that Scouts “give goodwill” We participate in several service projects throughout the year. Things we have done in the past include  beautification projects around the Church, Christmas caroling at a retirement home, collecting food for the Food Pantry, and decorating veterans’ graves at Memorial Day. We are always open to new ideas for service projects, so if you know of a way that the scouts can help perform community service, please let us know.

Summer Program

Pack 722 provides a year-round program of activities starting with many of its scouts attending Cub Scout Day Camp. If you have an idea for a summer activity, please come to a committee meeting and share your ideas.

Pocketknife Policy

Cub Scouts are encouraged to learn safety rules and the proper use of a pocketknife. Bear and Webelos may earn the right to carry a pocketknife to designated Scouting functions by completing requirements for the Whittling Chip card. Cub Scout-age scouts may not use sheath knives. Cubs should wait until they become Scouts before they use any other woodworking tools.

When Cubs complete the requirements they will be awarded a Cub Scout Whittling Chip Wallet Card and/or Patch.

Cub Scouts in Pack 722 may carry and use pocket knives only when they obey the following rules:

Financing Cub Scouting

The annual registration fee does not stay entirely with the pack. Because of this, we must participate in fundraising activities in order to take care of pack expenses. These include:

Fundraising Sales (Varies depending on year/Leadership)

Our fundraising efforts are centered on our annual primary sale. The fundraiser happens each Fall. More details on this are provided in the pack meetings

The most important and most successful part of the campaign is the individual sales, where the scouts go door-to-door in your neighborhood. Not only is it the most financially rewarding portion for our Pack, it also helps to raise awareness of Scouting in the general public.

As a reward for fundraising, we hold a celebration night for those who take part in the fundraiser.

Specific information about this and other incentives will be outlined at the annual kickoff meeting that is normally held in conjunction with the September Pack Meeting. 


Appendix A – Uniform Checklist

You will need the following when purchasing your uniform from the Scout Shop

Uniform Shirt

Council Patch

Den Numeral (Ask your den leader)

Scouting World Crest Emblem

Pack Number

Also purchase the appropriate Den-specific supplies for your Scout:

Rank Appropriate Neckerchief

Rank Appropriate Neckerchief Slide

Cub Scout Belt

Cap – Optional 

Tigers

Wolf

Bear

Webelos

Rank Neckerchief

Neckerchief Slide

Cap


Appendix B – Camping Trip Packing List for Cub Scout

The Pack will provide Water, Paper Towels Dishes and Eating utensils

Need to Bring

Tent – Pack has a few available to borrow.
Sleeping Bag

Mattress pad – air or foam

Pillow

Toiletries

Flashlight, preferably headlamp

Chairs for Campfire

Clothes

Bring extra clothing to match the weather

Multiple layers are better than a single massive jacket, because layered clothing is adaptable to a wide range of temperatures.

Gloves

Hats

Close-toed shoes, hiking boots are good

Extra Socks (WOOL)

Rain gear – jacket and pants

Personal First-Aid Kit

Sunscreen

Insect repellent

Nice to Have
Camera

Musical Instrument

Repair kit

Fishing gear

Guide Books

Animal, Plant keys, Geology, Stars, Etc

Pocket Knife or Multitool – if Scout has earned Whittling Chip

Extra roll of toilet paper is nice.

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Update 2024-04, AG