Cub Scout Pack 61 Parents Information

Welcome to the fun world of Cub Scouting! We would like to inform you of some basics about Cub Scouting as it relates to our Pack.

Registration Fee & Dues

The registration fee and pack dues are $50.00. This includes the national BSA registration fee, a subscription to Boy’s Life magazine, our insurance premiums, and helps to provide resources and training for your Leaders. The fee also includes your Pack Dues for the first year ($25.00). Dues help pay for activities, supplies, and the awards each Scout earns throughout the year.

Pack Organization

Pack 61 is sponsored by American Legion Post 159. We are the oldest Cub Scout Pack in Hunterdon County, entering our 57th year serving the youth of the Flemington area. We are part of the Hunterdon-Arrowhead District (covering all of Hunterdon County), which is part of the Central New Jersey Council, BSA. Our council includes Warren, Hunterdon, Mercer and Middlesex Counties.

The Pack is organized into Dens of between five and ten boys of the same grade level. Dens are led by at least two registered leaders (typically parents of the boys in the den, but not always). One will be the Den Leader and another will be the Assistant Den Leader. Dens meet at least twice per month at a location and time arranged by the Den Leader. Dens usually charge nominal dues to cover craft materials, resources, etc. The amount of each den’s dues is up to the Den Leaders.

Ranks

The program each Scout is in depends on his grade level. First grade boys are Tiger Cubs, second graders are Wolves, third graders are Bears, and fourth and fifth graders are Webelos. All new Cub Scouts start by earning the Bobcat Badge, which introduces them to the world of Cub Scouting. Each program is designed to grow with the Scout’s maturity level. Although the Scouts will earn many of their achievements in the Den meetings, parent participation at home is necessary for the boys to advance.

Tiger Cubs

First grade boys are in the Tiger Cub program. Tigers operate a little differently than the other Cub Scout programs. Boys must register with an adult partner (usually a parent). The registration fee for Tiger Cubs covers both the Scout and the Partner. We suggest that Tiger Cub dens include a field trip or outdoor activity for one of their den meetings each month.

Pack Meetings

The Pack meets once a month, usually on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00PM at American Legion Post 159. The Post is located on the southbound side of Rte. 31 just north of the Church Street intersection. Our first Pack meeting will be Thursday, September 19th. A parent/guardian is expected to attend Pack meetings with their son. At the Pack meeting, Cub Scouts are presented advancement awards they have earned. They may also share their projects, sing songs, and participate in other fun activities. Important information about upcoming activities is shared at the Pack Meeting.

Pack Activities

The pack organizes activities throughout the year. They may include day trips, overnight camping trips, parades, baseball games, a Pinewood Derby Race, our annual Blue & Gold Dinner, and our summer family picnic. We encourage families to participate in these events. A Pack Calendar, listing meetings and activities, is available on the Calendar tab of this web site. Be sure to check regularly for calendar updates.

District and Council Activities

There are several district activities and camping opportunities during the year. All Pack members are invited to attend the Fall Camporee, Klondike Derby, Cub Scout Resident Camp, Cub Scout Family Camp, and Cub Scout Day Camp. Participation in these events is encouraged, but not required. A parent or Legal Guardian must accompany all Scouts when camping overnight. Parents are responsible for their own children during a campout. For Pack Overnights, each family generally supplies their own equipment (tents, sleeping bag, cooking equipment, etc.). Many families who join Cub Scouting have never camped before which makes this an outstanding opportunity to learn how to camp with others who have never camped. Pack leaders will provide more information about camping at a later date.

Uniforms

Scouts are expected to wear full uniforms for all Den and Pack activities unless otherwise directed by your Den Leader (for Den meetings) or Cubmaster (for Pack meetings and activities). A list what you’ll need to get started along with the local Scout Distributors who stock official uniforms and equipment is available on the “What do I need?” page. It is understood that for the first month, some may have difficulty buying the complete uniform. We hope that you will be able to have the complete uniform by the October Pack meeting.

Set the Example

One of the goals of Scouting is to provide positive role models for the boys. For this reason, smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and the use of profane language is unacceptable at all Scouting functions. We expect parents to follow these guidelines, just as the leaders do. Remember that the boys notice how we talk about and treat each other, whether they appear to be paying attention or not.

Scouting is a Family Affair

One goal of Cub Scouting is to strengthen families. This is done by having family-oriented activities and by having the parent or guardian participate in the Scout’s advancement. The Pack is run by volunteers. We need your help to “Deliver the Promise of Scouting.” We expect each family to volunteer for one leadership position or to help with at least one pack event. Please be sure to complete a Family Talent Survey form, complete the Driver Information Form, and volunteer as a Den Leader, Assistant Den Leader, event coordinator, or just to lend a hand. Volunteer needs are posted regularly on the pack web site. Parent participation is essential to providing a quality Scouting program for the young men of our community.

The Basics of Cub Scout Ranks

An example calendar of advancement by scouts for the information below is available - the timeline shown is typical but each scout and Den set their own pace, click here.

Bobcat

This is the first rank that EVERY boy MUST earn when entering Cub Scouts. It is earned by teaching the boys the cub scout promise, law of the pack, handshake, salute, sign, motto and the meaning of "Webelos". All boys must earn the Bobcat Badge before they can earn any other rank.

Tiger Cubs

Tiger Cubs is a program designed for 1st grade boys and their adult partners. Tiger Cubs and their partners work together at home and at den meeting to complete the advancement requirements. Tiger dens participate as full members if the Cub Scout Pack and wear the blue uniform with an orange neckerchief. Dens usually meet once or twice per month and have a "Go See It" field trip. Once the requirements are completed, the Tiger Badge is worn on scout uniform and the boys go on to earn their Bobcat Badge.

Wolf

2nd grade boys are in this program. To earn the Wolf rank a Cub Scout must complete 12 specific requirements offered. These activities are primarily done at home and signed off by the parent after the boy has completed each task of a requirement. Once he has earned his Wolf Badge he can work on Electives in order to earn Arrow Points.

Bear

3rd grade boys are in this program. To earn the Bear Badge, a Cub Scout must complete 12 achievements out of a possible 24. The achievements are grouped into 4 major areas, God, Country, Family and Self. Within each group a required number of achievements must be completed. Once he has earned his Bear Badge he can work on Electives to earn Arrow Points.

Webelos

The name stands for "WE'll BE LOyal Scouts" - a transitional program in scouting for boys in the 4th and 5th grades. Webelos graduate into Boy Scouts. The Webelos Scout learns about Boy Scouts and may participate in Boy Scout meetings and activities.
In both years, they work toward earning Webelos Activity Pins in twenty different areas, arranged in five groups. After earning the Webelos Badge, boys build to their Compass Point Emblem and earn metal Compass Points as they achieve additional Activity Pins. Boys may also earn the Arrow of Light - the ONLY badge that a Boy Scout may wear on his uniform earned during Cub Scouts - the highest honor for a Cub Scout and parent alike.

Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program

Throughout the boy's Cub Scout years, he can work on the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program. This optional program allows the Cub Scout to work on improving skills they already have or to learn a new skill in a variety of academic subjects and sports. They are awarded belt loops that they can wear on the Cub Scout belt to display their achievements.

For even more information on your Scout's advancement through ranks, covering these and more topics, click here .