Cub Scout Pack 56
Parent’s Handbook
As of October 2004
Cub Scout Pack 56 Parent’s Handbook
As of October 2004
Welcome
to Pack 56! We have a long tradition of providing fun activities for young boys
and their families. Our Pack is a fairly large pack, and has typically had
between approximately 75 and 100 Cub Scouts associated, mostly from
This handbook is designed to provide an overview of Cub Scouting topics that may be of interest to parents. It will be located on our Pack 56 Cub Scout web site (www.cubs56.org) so that this useful information will be located at your fingertips. It should be noted that there are many, many superb Scouting information resources on the web that have been assembled by outstanding Scouting organizations. Pack 56 appreciates the knowledge and experience that these resources bring to our fine Cub Scouts and Families. This handbook contains information on the following topics:
Pack Organization
Parent roles
Volunteers
Meetings
Purpose of Cub Scouting
Ranks and Advancement
Uniforms
Fund Raising and Fees
Boy Scouts of American Safe Scouting Policies
Contacts
Pack Organization
Pack 56 is made up of first grade through fifth grade boys. Boys meet in small groups (dens) of approximately 5 to 9 boys. Each den has at least two adult leaders (usually a Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader) and consists of boys in the same grade. First graders are Tigers, second graders are Wolves, third graders are Bears, and fourth and fifth graders are Webelos, which stands for We Be Loyal Scouts.
Pack 56,
together with 30 other Cub Scout packs and 30 Boy Scout troops in
Each Pack is
sponsored by an organization. Our chartered organization is the Fairbrook
Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). We are greatly indebted to
The Pack is
run by the Committee, which meets the first Tuesday of each month at
The Cubmaster is in charge of the Pack meetings and reports to the Committee. Our Cubmaster plays a major organizational role in uniting Pack 56. As well, he serves as a mentor, a leader, an inspirer, and a role model—just to name several attributes--for our Cub Scouts. It is a very critical job that the Pack 56 Cubmaster--and the Pack 56 Committee--take very seriously.
The Den Leaders do the majority of the work, and have the most fun. They lead the smaller Den-sized groups of Scouts through many activities that help ensure their growth, teamwork and advancement. All adult leaders must attend Youth Protection and Scouters’ Training, a one-day training course organized by the Tecumseh Council. This training applies to Den Leaders as well as other Pack 56 Committee members and any other interested adult volunteers. Den Leaders plan and organize den meetings, keep track of the boys' advancements and attend Committee meetings. Den Leaders have their hands very full working to ensure that they provide the best Den programs for their Scouts. They will work to involve the Scouts’ parents in the Den meetings to the greatest extent possible. We request that parents stay close to your Den’s activities, and pitch in to assist the Den Leaders and Scouts wherever possible.
If you want to learn more about each Pack leadership role, please click on this Virtual Cub Leader’s Handbook web link: (http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/leadership.html). Keep in mind that the roles covered here are guides and not hard-and-fast rules. And, if you are interested in contributing even a small amount of your valuable time to helping to organize and execute any of Pack 56’s many Cub Scout activities, please contact the Committee Chairman or any other Committee Member for more information.
Parents
Cub Scout Program is a program for Families, not just for boys.
As parents you are Akela (Ah-kay-la). Akela is the Wabelos Scout name for a good leader. Scouts are taught that the people that fit the definition of Akela are such people as their Father, Mother, Teacher, Den Leaders, Cubmaster, and anybody else who is a good leader. Scouts are encouraged to hold Akela in high regard. Parents play a critical role in helping to ensure their Cub Scout’s growth, teamwork and advancement. As such, they are asked to assist Den Leaders and Pack Committee members as much as they can. As your son progresses from Tiger Cub to Boy Scout, your involvement in his Scouting career evolves just as he does. Every Scout Handbook has a parents’ guide at the beginning. Please read and follow this guide.
As Tiger Cubs, parents attend all meetings with their Scouts, and participate in all activities. As your Cub completes his advancement requirements in his Scout Handbook, parents sign off on each signifying that the requirements have been adequately satisfied. Many of the activities required to ensure that the requirements have been adequately satisfied will be facilitated and orchestrated by the Den Leaders at Den Meetings. A parent’s role at the Den Meetings is critical in that the parents help the Tiger Cub Den Leader as well as their sons with advancements, understanding and reinforcing things learned, etc.
The parents of Scouts in Wolf and Bear dens are also primarily responsible for assuring their sons complete the requirements for their rank and sign off on the requirements in the Scouts’ Handbook. Parents are encouraged to attend den meetings and to assist Den Leaders with activities, chaperoning field trips and arranging special events.
The parents of Webelos Scouts are the support system for the Webelos Den Leader. As Webelos Scouts work on individual activity badges, parents serve as resources to help the Den Leader teach the skills the Scout learns in order to earn the badge. For instance, a parent who has construction experience would serve the den very well by volunteering to be the activity badge counselor for the Craftsman Badge.
The leaders of Pack 56 do our best to provide a quality program. All the leaders in Pack 56 are volunteers and have many other obligations. We depend on parents to help provide the high quality program we offer. Your sons’ successful Scouting experience is directly tied to the participation of parents in the life of the pack. There is a role for every parent in Pack activities.
In addition to assisting with den activities, parents have a great role to play in the success of the Pack. We ask every parent to help the pack in some capacity. You can help with den meetings or a Pack activity (e.g. Pinewood Derby or a campout). A parent should attend the pack meetings together with the Cub Scout.
There are no secrets in Cub Scouts; parents are welcome to participate or just observe in any and all organizational meetings…at the pack, district or council levels. When it comes to Pack 56, the Committee Chairman will make himself available to interact with parents who desire to make inputs to, or receive inputs from, the Pack 56 Committee. In addition, if parents desire to be on the Committee Chairman’s email distributions for Pack 56 information that is sent to Den Leaders and other Committee Members, please provide your email addresses to him.
Volunteers
Pack 56 appreciates all of those who want to volunteer. Den Leaders and other volunteers who work directly with the scouts must fill out the Boy Scouts Adult Leadership application and agree to a background check. This check is another means to ensure the safety and well-being of our Cub Scouts. The Committee Chairman will answer any questions that you may have concerning this application, and will assist in getting it processed through the Tecumseh Council Scout Shop and Service Center (link: http://www.tecumsehcouncilbsa.org/information.htm)
The Boys Scouts of America and Pack 56 have high standards that determine who is eligible for leadership. The goal of these standards is to ensure the safety of the Scouts. As parents, we want you to be confident that adults who are working with your sons are providing a safe and well-run program. To make sure this is the case, all registered leaders must attend Cub Scout Leader Training (link: http://www.tecumsehcouncilbsa.org/CSfaststart.htm will get you to the Fast Start On-Line Training…the Council offers the additional Scouters’ Training designed to qualify adults to lead Cub Scouts) and Youth Protection Training (link: http://www.tecumsehcouncilbsa.org/Protect.htm).
Meetings
Den meetings: Most dens meet weekly, (except when there is a Pack meeting). At least two adults are required to be present at all times to oversee the boys. Boys Scouts of America policy requires at least one adult present to have completed the requisite Youth Protection Training.
Pack
meetings: The entire Pack meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Pack
meetings are for all the boys of Pack 56 and their families. And, generally
speaking, siblings are welcomed to participate in the Pack Meeting activities
such as the Pinewood Derby, Halloween Costume Contests, etc. Unless otherwise announced, Pack meetings are
at the Fairbrook Elementary School Gym at
Pack meetings are the highlight of each month's Scouting activities. Pack meetings include such activities as songs, skits, den demonstrations, and award ceremonies. As Scouts complete advancement requirements and activities, they receive recognition at the Pack meeting among their fellow Scouts and Families. Such advancements and recognition promote self-confidence, self-reliance, knowledge for future use and other character-building traits in our Scouts.
Your son will be proud of what he has worked on with you and with his fellow Cub Scouts in his den meetings. He will also be proud of the awards he has earned as a result. It means a great deal to a scout to have his family attend pack meetings and share in his participation and his recognition. Since parents (especially Tigers, Wolves and Bears) are intimately involved in their sons’ advancements, we include parents in presenting all rank badges. For this reason, parents need to attend pack meetings in order to participate in their sons’ recognition. Siblings are, again, encouraged to attend Pack meetings as well.
There is
much literature available on Cub Scouting at the Scout Shop and
Special
Events: Each year, our Pack participates in many special events, including
family campouts, summer camp, Scouting for food, Blue-Gold Banquet, family fun
night at
Pinewood
Blue and Gold Banquet: In 1933, Pack 1 of Michigan City started a tradition of pot-lucks where the dads were brought utensils made of wood, whittled by the Cub with his dad’s support. In the 1930s, father and son 'bean dinners' and 'Cub family dinners' began to become commonplace. Finally, in 1943 the name "Blue and Gold Banquet" first appeared in BSA literature, and became synonymous with "celebrating the birthday of Scouting."
Today, the Blue and Gold banquet is one of the highlights of the program year. It brings together your Pack's families for a dinner, an evening of fun and very special award ceremonies and the “cross over” for boys graduating from Webelos to Boy Scouts. The meal is important, but even more important is the warm, congenial atmosphere created as families enjoy each other's company, as they celebrate the advancement of the boys to the next higher levels of Scouting.
Purpose of Cub Scouting
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 by
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.
Ranks and Advancement
Boys work their way through Cub Scouts doing activities that are fun and challenging. The activities are carefully chosen to be age-appropriate and emphasize learning by doing. Sometimes advancement requirements are started in den meetings and are completed at home with the help of family members. Other requirements are completed by the Scout with his family. Adult involvement is a vital part of advancement!
Cub Scouts are required to memorize the following pledges and motto. We seek to make them real guides in their lives and hope that parents will encourage their Scout as he strives to do so.
The Tiger Cub Promise
I promise to love God, my family, and my country, and to learn about the world.
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
The 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.
Cub Scouts joining as first grade boys enter the Tiger Cub Program. Tiger dens meet twice a month and attend Pack meetings. The Tiger program introduces boys and their adult partners to the excitement of Cub Scouts, as they "Search, Discover, and Share" together. The Tiger Cub program is meant to be simple and fun. Pack 56 welcomes its Tiger Cubs to all Pack activities. Boy Scouts of America requires an adult join his/her Tiger Cub in every activity. If you want to learn more about Tiger Cubs, please use this link: (http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/tiger.html).
All boys who have earned the Tiger Badge, or are in second grade or above, begin by earning the Bobcat Badge. After earning the Bobcat Badge, the boys proceed to work on advancements specific to their age level. As part of the Bobcat Badge requirements, boys must learn the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto. If you want to learn more about the Bobcat badge, please use this link: (http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/bobcat.html).
In the second grade, Cub Scouts work toward the Wolf Badge, then toward a Gold Arrow Point and one or more Silver Arrow Points. The requirements for these badges are found in the Wolf Cub Scout Book. Boys working toward their Wolf Badge are called Wolf Cubs. If you want to learn more about the Wolf badge, please go to this website: (http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/wolf.html). If you want to learn more about the Wolf badge and arrow points, please click on this link: (http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/wolf-electives.html)
In the third grade, Cub Scouts are called Bear Cubs and work toward the Bear Badge, after which they work toward earning a Gold Arrow Point and Silver Arrow Points. The requirements for these badges are found in the Bear Cub Scout Book. Boys joining in the third grade must earn their Bobcat Badge before working toward the Bear Badge. If you want to learn more about the Bear badge, please go to this website: (http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/bear.html). If you want to learn more about the Bear badge and arrow points, please use this link: (http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/bear-electives.html)
The Webelos Program is an eighteen month program for fourth and fifth grade boys. The boys earn Webelos Activity Pins in twenty different areas. Fourth grade boys work toward the Webelos Badge. After earning the Webelos Badge, boys work toward Compass Points by earning additional Activity Pins. After earning the Webelos Badge, boys can earn the Arrow of Light. The Arrow of Light is the highest rank in Cub Scouts. It is one of only two Cub Scout Badges that may be worn on a Boy Scout uniform. After receiving this award, he is eligible to become a Boy Scout or he may join a troop at age 11 (or when he completes the 5th grade). If you want to learn more about the Webelos badge, please use this link: (http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/webelos.html ). If you want to learn more about the Webelos Activity Pins, please use this link: (http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/activity-badges.html). If you want to learn more about the Arrow of Light, please click on this link: (http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/arrow-of-light.html)
Sports and Academic Program: In addition to the activities that contribute to advancement in rank, the boys can earn belt loops and pins in the optional Sports and Academic Program. These awards encourage Scouts to try new activities and learn new skills, or to improve the skills they already have. Cub Scouting is not meant to be a competitive program, instead the boys are encouraged to "do their best". If you want to learn more about each Sports or Academic belt loop or pin, please use this link: (http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/academics-sports.html ).
World Conservation Award: Any Wolf, Bear or Webelos Scout can earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award. If you want to learn more about this award, please use this link: (http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/world-conservation.html).
Religious Knot: Scouting activities and rank requirements promote respect for religion and God. Pack 56 encourages Cub Scouts to seek religious training at their place of worship and/or in their home and earn their religious knot, which can be transferred to their Boy Scout uniform. Many religious groups have their own religious emblem for boys to earn (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, and others). We will assist each of the boys in their religious program desires by providing a source for the materials and in helping to find the appropriate religious leader. If you want to learn more the religious knots, please use this link: (http://www.scouting.org/nav/enter.jsp?c=xds&terms=religious+emblems)
Handbooks: Cub Scouts need to purchase their Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos books. We encourage parents to read the books for their child's age group and follow and/or facilitate their boy’s progress carefully. Every handbook has a Parent Guide at the beginning that Pack 56 would like parents to read and use.
Recruiting: If your boy has a friend who is interested in Cub Scouts, bring him to any Pack or Den Meeting. Please don't wait for the next year's membership recruitment. Any Cub who gets a friend to join earns a Recruiter Patch.
Uniforms
One of the first things a new Scout generally asks his parent is, “How soon can I get my uniform?” It is typically one of the things that attracts him to Scouting and he wants the feeling of belonging it provides. The uniform makes us all feel part of the group. It erases any differences between us. In uniform, we are all Scouts and Scouters, regardless of financial situation, religious persuasion, age, gender or race.
The uniform shirt is the only place on which Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts may properly display rank advancement.
Cub Scouts buy their own uniform, including the Tecumseh Council patch, and pack and den numerals. The pack provides rank badges and awards. Tiger Cubs now wear the blue Cub Scout uniform as opposed to their uniform of the past--an orange Tiger T-shirt. Wolf and Bear cubs wear the blue Cub Scout uniform, while Webelos can choose to wear either the blue Cub Scout uniform or the tan and olive Boy Scout uniform. The Scout Shop experts will help you buy the right articles including the right color caps and neckerchiefs. Pack 56 is a full uniform Pack. Once a year, Pack 56 inspection and scores each boy’s wearing of the uniform. This inspection is only intended to help instill the proper wear of the uniform in our Scouts.
Uniforms,
reference materials and other scouting equipment and clothing can be bought at
the Springfield Shop and
Fund Raising and Fees
Fund Raising: Once each year, the boys of Pack 56 sell Trails End Gourmet Popcorn. Prizes are awarded to top sellers. Funds raised from popcorn sales defray Pack program expenses. All boys are encouraged to participate. 35% of all popcorn sales stay with our Pack, 35% of all sales stay with our Tecumseh Council, and the remaining 30% goes to the national offices of Boy Scouts of America and to pay for the popcorn.
Registration: Annual Cub Scout dues are $40.00 per
Scout. This includes a subscription to
Boys Life Magazine. Pack 56 pays the
registration fees for its volunteer adult leaders. Should fees or any costs
become a problem for your family, please contact the Cubmaster or the Pack
Committee Chairman for assistance.
Scholarships are available and all requests will remain confidential. And, Pack 56 also works closely with our Cub
Scouts to incentivize their salesmanship…it refunds 10% of each boy’s popcorn
sales to the Scout up to a maximum of $40.
That $40 may then be used to offset the $40 registration fee paid. Many of our Scouts are able to sell enough
popcorn to cover their annual registration dues during this fund raiser. The funds raised are used to provide the most
fun and educationally robust Scouting program that Pack 56 can.
Boy Scouts of America
Camping
Pack 56 has a history of 2 or 3 family camping trips each year, and often more for the older Webelos Scouts. The scout and his entire family are encouraged to attend. We follow The Boy Scouts of America guidelines for camping activities.
A Cub Scout may participate in overnight camping when supervised by his mother or father. If a parent cannot attend, the boy's family must make arrangements for another adult relative to be a substitute for a parent at the campout. Cub Scouts are limited to boy-parent excursions or camping designed for the entire family.
When staying in tents, no youth will stay in the tent of an adult other than his or her parent or guardian. There are no exceptions for Webelos Scouts at approved outings.
Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use and Abuse
The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at all activities that occur on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members.
Adult leaders should support the attitude that young adults are better off without tobacco and may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants. All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities are conducted on a smoke-free basis, with smoking areas located away from all youth participants.
Fireworks
The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use and display of fireworks in conjunction with programs and activities except where the fireworks display is conducted under the auspices of a certified or licensed fireworks control expert.
Guns and Firearms
The Boy Scouts of America adheres to its long-standing policy of teaching its youth and adult members the safe, responsible, intelligent handling, care, and use of BB guns and archery equipment in planned, carefully-managed, and supervised programs. And, as always, parents are most welcome to participate in the oversight of their sons’ involvement in these activities.
Gun-shooting sports are not an approved part of the Cub Scout program except at Council-approved Cub Scout camps. At camp, Cub Scouts may have an opportunity to take part in a BB gun (rifle) and archery equipment safety and marksmanship program under the direction of a trained and certified BB-gun range officer.
Cub Scouts are not permitted to use any other type of handgun or firearm.
Except for law enforcement officers required to carry firearms within their jurisdiction, firearms shall not be brought on camping, hiking, backpacking, or other Scouting activities.
Transportation
Seat belts are required for all occupants. All drivers must have a valid driver’s license that has not been suspended or revoked for any reason. Passenger cars or station wagons may be used for transporting passengers, but passengers should not ride on the rear deck of station wagons. Trucks may not be used for transporting passengers except in the cab. All vehicles must be covered by automobile liability insurance with limits that meet or exceed requirements of the state in which the vehicle is licensed. Do not exceed the speed limit.
If the vehicle to be used is designed to carry more than 15 persons, including the driver, the driver must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). A Pack 56 Adult Leader must be in charge and accompany the group. The driver must be currently licensed and at least 18 years of age.
Internet Guidelines
We maintain a current Pack calendar and lots of useful information on our web site. We follow the Internet guidelines of the BSA and the Tecumseh Council. The basic guidelines are as follows:
No last names for the boys are used on the site.
Pictures are identified by the event only and no
names (first or last) are associated with photos. No pictures are posted
without a parent’s signed consent.
The web site is administered and managed by
registered leaders of Pack 56.
Contacts
Scout Shop and
The
326
Office: (937) 325-6449 / Fax: (937) 325-6574
email: tecumseh@bsamail.org
WEB: http://www.tecumsehcouncilbsa.org/
Please contact the Pack 56 Committee Chairman, Rich Caltabellotta,
to request phone numbers/email addresses of the following Pack 56 Contacts
Pack 56 Leaders:
Stu Cart Pack 56 Commissioner
Fred Rosenbaum Former Pack 56 Cubmaster, Committee Member
Jodi Thomson Fairbrook PTO President & Chartered Org Rep 426-9113
Kent Rosenbaum Pack 56 Cubmaster 426-2554
Rich Caltabellotta Committee
Chair (rcaltabellotta@woh.rr.com) 429-1258
James Nees Pack
56 Assistant Cubmaster
Chris Thompson Pack
56 Assistant Cubmaster, Pinewood
Chuck Forsythe Pack
Trainer, Publicity Chair
Pack 56 Leaders
(Continued):
Joe Otto Recruitment Chair,
Summertime Activities Chair,
4th of July Parade, USMC Toys for Tots,
Summer Camp Coordinator
Ginger Jabour Photographer, Public Relations Chair
Margaret Ringle Advancements Chair, Advisor to Pack 56 Unit Leaders
Jack Donnelly Treasurer
Tony Cali Membership Chair
Ray Crowell DataBase Manager
Mendy Morris Social Secretary
Edward Meyer Webmaster
Greg Best 2004 Popcorn Fund Raiser Chair
Toni Davis-Nilsen Blue and Gold Chair
Den Leaders:
Tony Cali Tiger
Den 2 Leader
Vacant Tiger Den 2 Assistant Den Leader
Jeff Staten Tiger Den 3 Leader
Vacant Tiger Den 3 Assistant
Den Leader
Vacant Tiger Den 4 Leader
Vacant Tiger Den 4 Assistant
Den Leader
Loftus/Susan Loftus Wolves Den 15 Den Leaders
Greg Parker Wolves Den 15 Assistant Den Leader
James Nilsen Wolves Den 5 Den Leader
Gary McFarland Wolves
Den 5 Assistant Den Leader
Ray Crowell Bears Den 8 Den Leader
Keith Wolford Bears Den 8 Assistant Den Leader
Bruce MacLeod Bears Den 14 Den Leader
Jeff Briley Bears Den 14 Assistant Den Leader
James Nees Bears
Den 6 Den Leader
Greg Larson Den
6 Assistant Den Leader
Chris Thompson Webelos
1 Den 11 Den Leader
Joe Otto Webelos 1 Den 1 Den Leader
Dana Shaw Webelos 1 Den 1 Assistant Den Leader
John Pfander Webelos 2 Den 7 Den Leader
Don Elsbernd Webelos 2 Den 7 Assistant Den Leader
Carol Bernard Webelos 2 Den 10 Den Leader
Deanna Meyer Webelos 2 Den 10 Assistant Den Leader
Ginger Jabour Webelos 2 Den 9 Den Leader
Larry Schoppe Webelos 2 Den 9 Assistant Den Leader
