Why Join Cub Scouting?

Your time is valuable. More than ever, today’s families strug-

gle to find time to spend together. Cub Scouting helps to

support your family by providing ready-made opportunities

for you and your children to do things together.

Your son/daughter needs to belong to a group of boys/girls

their own age. Through this sense of belonging, they build

self-esteem and leans to get along with others. As a parent,

you want to be assured that the groups that your child joins

will teach values consistent with good citizenship, character

development, and physical fitness. The Boy Scouts of Ameri-

ca has been weaving these lifetime values into fun and edu-

cational activities since 1910.

In a society where your child is taught that winning is every-

thing, Cub Scouting teaches them to “Do Your Best” and to

be helpful to others.

Scouting teaches family values and works to strengthen your

relationship with your child. Scouting activities can bring

added value to the time you already have with your son/

daughter.

They will learn to live by the code of “On My Honor”.

But we know that youth do not join Cub Scouting just to get

their character built. They join because it is fun!

Training For New And Returning Cub Leaders

September 14, 2019 Cub Scout Basic Leader Training Tallahassee, FL September 28, 2019 Cub Scout Basic Leader Training Thomasville, GA November 15-16, 2019 Cub Scout Basic Leader Training BALOO and IOLS Camp Wallwood February 8, 2020 University of Scouting The University of Scouting is designed to help you Be Prepared, to further your knowledge, grow your skills and enhance your network so you can deliver the Promise of Scouting. This is the largest single day training event for adult and youth in the Suwannee River Area Council. You will have the opportunity to meet and share ideas with other like-minded individuals. We encourage you to use your time between classes for networking – meet up with old friends, make new friends.

On-line Training is also available: my.scouting.org

You do not have to be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America to take Youth Protection Training.

To take Youth Protection Training go to My.Scouting.org and create an account.

From the My.Scouting.org portal, click Menu then My Dashboard from the menu

list. The My Training page displays to take Youth Protection training and other train-

ing opportunities. Upon completion, please print the certificate at the end, photo-

copy the YPT certificate (save the original), submit the photocopy along with your

Adult Application.

Upcoming Events And Activities

September 14, 2019 Lion Growl

Just for Lion Scouts and Adult Partner www.suwanneeriver.net/Upcoming%20Activities

October 5, 2019 Tiger Prowl

Just for Tiger Scouts and Adult Partner www.suwanneeriver.net/Upcoming%20Activities

October 18-20, 2019 Cub Family Weekend Come out and camp for the weekend at Wallwood Boy Scout Reservation

and enjoy this Council-wide Cub Scout Camporee with a Pirate theme. Cub

Scouts, parents and siblings are all invited to attend. You can find more

information on the Council website:

www.suwanneeriver.net

2019-2020 Program Year

For Boys and Girls

Kindergarten - 5th Grade

A Parent’s Guide To Cub Scouts

Welcome to the Adventures of Cub Scouts!

2032 Thomasville Road; Tallahassee, FL 32308

Office: 850 576-4146 FAX: 850 575-6991

www.suwanneeriver.net

How Does Cub Scouting Work?

The Family is the basis of Cub Scouting. Cub Scouts exists to support your family and help enrich

your family time together. Scouts have a different handbook at each grade level, with suggested

activities that are age-appropriate for their developmental level. As your son/daughter advances

through these books by working on the activities with you, they will earn badges and other recog-

nition they may wear on their uniform. Your child’s success in Scouting depends on you!

Your child will be a part of a den: a small group of boys or girls in the same grade level who meet

on a weekly basis. All dens, from grades K through 5 make up a Pack. Once a month, the Dens ,

with their families, come together at the Pack meeting, where youth show off the new skills they

have learned and are recognized for the adventures they have achieved.

Dens

Lions, the BSA’s Cub Scout program for kindergarten-age youth.

The youth and his parent join the den together and attend

meetings and activities together. Usually meet 1-2 x a month.

The Tiger Den (Grade 1). The youth and his parent or guardian

join the den together and attend all meetings and activities to-

gether. The den is made up of 3-10 of these parent-child teams.

Each Den also has a Tiger Den Leader (usually one of the parents)

who helps coordinate the meetings. The parent-child teams take

turns running the activities and planning meetings with the Tiger

Den Leader. The Cub Scout program invites a boy to complete

seven adventures, some defined and some elective. After com-

pletion of those seven adventures, a boy has earned his badge of

rank—and more fun electives await! They attend the monthly

Pack meeting (for a total of four meetings per month.)

The Wolf (Grade 2) and Bear (Grade 3) Dens. Parents are vital

to the Cub Scout den, both in the role of home support and to

help the den leader, but their child is beginning to be more inde-

pendent, and not every youth needs a parent at every meeting.

The den consists of 3-10 boys with 8 as the ideal number, a den

leader and assistant den leader (usually parents of some of the

youth), and often a Den Chief (an older Boy Scout). They meet

once a week at a regularly scheduled time and place, and also

attend the Pack meeting with their families.

Webelos Scout (Grade 4&5) Dens.. The Webelos Den is much

like other dens, but there is more emphasis on the youth learn-

ing to take on leadership roles and on preparing to become Boy

Scouts. Do you know the meaning of “Webelos”?

Pack Meetings

The Cub Scout Pack is made up of all the Dens, Scouts, Leaders, Parents and families.

The Pack meets on a monthly basis, led by the CubMaster. This is the climax of the

monthly Den meetings and activities. There are games, skits, songs, ceremonies,

and presentations of badges that youth have earned during that month. This is

where families—not just parents, but siblings too—can see the achievements of

their Cub Scout. A Pack meeting can also be a special event, such as:

• PineWood Derby - build and race a model car with your child

• Blue and Gold Banquet - Cub Scouting’s birthday party - for all Pack members and their families - usually in February.

• Camping - Overnight and Day Camp opportunities introduce your family to the camping experience.

• Service projects - Packs may participate in food drives, conservation projects, or other community activities.

• Field trips and special outings - Great way to learn more about the people and places in your community.

How much Does Scouting Cost?

Registration Fee - the annual fee for youth and adults is $33.00 per year, or $2.75

per month thru December 31 plus $7.00 insurance. Boy’s Life Magazine is optional,

but recommended, $1.00 per month. Thus:

August = $ 20.75 w/ BL = $ 18.75 September 18.00 15.00 October 15.25 11.75

Pack Dues - The amount varies by Pack, depending on the success of the annual

popcorn sales, camp card sales and other fundraising events. It is recommended

Den dues be paid weekly. Scouts learn a value by paying their own way.

Uniform - A full uniform will cost around $100.00. The shirt and handbook are the

most important parts. Uniforms may be purchased at the Scout Shop in Tallahassee

or delivered via mail —see the Scout Shop flyer.

Other Costs - campouts and/or special event expenses are usually passed on to the

participating family and are highly variable. Example: Disney World is a very expen-

sive trip compared to a campout in a local park where the main expense will be

food. Your Pack Committee controls the decisions of the Pack’s annual program

plan. You can impact this plan by taking on a leadership role within the Pack.

How Can You Help?

The most important help that you, as a parent, can give

your child is to work with them on his Cub Scouting activi-

ties. His handbook is full of age-appropriate activities that

you will enjoy doing together at home. When they com-

pletes an activity or project, it is your responsibility to sign

the book to verify that they have done their best. And

then it is all-important for you to attend the monthly Pack

meetings with them, so that you can celebrate their

achievement. Your role as a parent is the secret to a successful Cub Scouting pro-

gram!

The Den and Pack also rely on parent’s participation to run a successful program.

Cub Scouting operates through volunteer leadership. Consider volunteering as a

member of the Pack leadership team. Volunteer leaders are an example of

Scouting’s principle of service to others. By volunteering in Scouting, you are also

giving your child the gift of your time. What could be more valuable? You will

have an opportunity to be a positive influence in the lives of your child and their

friends. Here are some of the ways you could volunteer:

Den Leader - leads the Den at the weekly Den and monthly Pack meetings.

Attends the monthly Pack Committee meeting. On-line training available.

CubMaster - helps plan and carry out the Pack program with the help of the

Pack committee and Den Leaders. Emcees the monthly Pack meeting and

attends the Pack Committee meeting.

The Pack Committee - the Pack Committee is the administrative body - they

make the decisions for the Pack:

Committee Chair—presides at all Pack Committee meetings. Helps recruit

adult leaders and organize their involvement in the Pack.

Advancement - Maintains advancement records for the Pack. Orders and ob-

tains all badges and insignia. Attends the Pack Committee meetings.

Treasurer - keeps the financial records including the checking account.

Attends the Pack Committee meeting.

Membership - manages the transition of new Scouts into the Pack and coordi-

nates orientations for new Scouting families. Attends the Pack Committee

Meeting.

Secretary - Takes notes at the Pack Committee meeting and communications

to the families of the Pack. Attends the Pack Committee meeting.

Pack Trainer - promotes leader training opportunities (see back panel of this

brochure and on-line opportunities) and RoundTable attendance.