Folsom Pack 735 - Parent Handbook
What Is Cub Scouting?
In 1930 the Boy Scouts of America launched a home and neighborhood centered program for boys 9 to 11 years of age. A key element of the program is an emphasis on caring, nurturing relationships between boys and their parents, adult leaders, and friends. Cub Scouting is currently the largest of the BSA's three membership divisions. (The others are Boy Scouting and Varsity Venturing.)The Purposes of Cub Scouting
Cub Scouting has nine purposes:- To influence the development of character and encourage spiritual growth.
- To help boys develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship.
- To encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body.
- To improve understanding within the family.
- To strengthen the ability of boys to get along with other boys and respect other people.
- To foster a sense of personal achievement in boys by helping them develop new interests and skills.
- To show boys how to be helpful and do one's best.
- To provide fun and exciting new things for boys to do.
- To prepare boys to become Boy Scouts.
Organization
Cub Scout Pack 735 is made up of approximately 30 to 40 boys, mostly from Oak Chan Elementary school. The boys meet in small groups (dens) of 5 to 9 boys. Each den has at least two adult leaders.Pack 735, together with 16 other packs and 15 troops, is in the Rio Del Oro District of the Golden Empire Council. There are over 300 councils in the United States. Visit the Boy Scouts of America web pages for more information on the national program.
Our youngest cubs are the Tiger Cubs. Tiger Cubs are first graders. Tiger Cubs form a team with an adult partner.
The Wolf dens have our second grade boys. 3rd grade boys form the Bear dens. 4th and 5th grade boys advance to being Webelos (We'll Be Loyal Scouts).
Webelos after obtaining the "Arrow of Light" award will join the Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts are organized into troops and patrols. For many, the most important concept of Boy Scouts is that the youth will lead themselves.
Meetings
Den meetings
Most dens meet weekly, (except when there is a pack meeting). At least two adults are required. In Pack 735, each den has a designated den leader and an assistant den leader.Pack meetings
Pack Meetings are generally on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7 PM, at Oak Chan Elementary school. Pack meetings are for all the boys of Pack 735. We expect a parent or the whole family to attend the pack meeting. Check out our Pack calendar for the official schedule.Special events
There are many special events, family campouts, pot lucks, good turns, a Pinewood Derby as well as council events like camporees, ScoutORama etc. We may have up to one special event per month.Committee meetings
Leaders of Pack 735 discuss organizational matters, future events and exchange ideas. The meeting is held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. All parents are welcome.Roundtables
On the second Thursday of each month from 7:30-9 pm scout leaders in the Rio Del Oro District come together to learn new activities and exchange ideas. Information is also provided about training in other districts and district and council activities. There are sessions for Cub Scout Den Leaders, Webelos Leaders, Cubmasters, Commissioners and Boy Scout Leaders. Leaders are encouraged to attend roundtables. Parents are also welcome. These are on the second Thursday of every month, at an LDS church at 2400 Cordova Lane, Rancho Cordova.Advancements
Advancements challenge a boy to work on skills that match his ability and interest level. A boy is not supposed to be perfect, but to do his best. Boys will be exposed and motivated to try out a lot of different activities.All Cub Scouts must earn the Bobcat rank first, and later the rank appropriate for their age level.
Tiger Cubs earn 5 beads in each of three categories (Family, Den Activities, and Go-See-Its) to earn their Tiger Cub badges. After they earn their Tiger Cub badges they can earn addition beads for every 10 elective activities they complete.
Wolf cubs earn the Wolf rank by completing 49 tracks in 12 achievements. After the Wolf badge they can earn Arrow Points.
Bear cubs earn the Bear rank (Choice of 12 achievements out of 24 available) and then Arrow Points.
Webelos (4th and 5th graders) earn the Webelos rank and can earn additional pins to get compass points. The second year, Webelos can earn the "Arrow of Light" which is the highest Cub Scout honor.
Wolf and Bear advancements are signed by the parent, Webelos advancements are signed by the den leader.
Belt loops are awarded for trying out many sports and academic subjects. Sport and academic pins are awarded for more serious participation.
Who is who
| Akela | A name given for a parent, a leader, or a role model. In the "jungle-book" story, Akela is the leader of the pack. |
| Cubmaster | Responsible for the program. Reports to the pack committee. |
| Committee | Supervises the pack. In Pack 735, if you are an adult leader you are a committee member. |
| Committee Chair | Person in charge of the committee. |
| Den leader | An adult in charge of a den. |
| Den leader coach | Resource person, a "friend of the den leaders". |
| Den chief | An older Boy Scout who helps to lead a den. |
| You | Current or future leader or committee member. |
Paperwork, Fees, Uniforms
Application to join the pack
2008/2009 fee is TBD.Uniforms
Pack 735 abides by the "belt up" uniform policy of the BSA, which in short means the boys do not have to buy uniform pants, only the shirt, neckerchief, slide, and belt. Cub Scouts (and Den Leaders) buy their own uniform, including all standard uniform patches. The pack provides all rank and award badges as well as belt loops as the boys earn them.Tiger Cub, Wolf and Bear scouts use the blue Cub Scout uniform. Webelos can choose whether to wear the blue Cub Scout uniform or the tan boy scout uniform shirt.
These documents will help in determining the patches you need to buy, and where to place them on you uniform for both the Cub Scout Uniform, and the Leader Uniform
There are two stores in Sacramento at which you can buy your uniforms and handbooks. The official scout shop of the Golden Empire Council and Kid-E-Korral, a children's store that carries scout materials.
Golden Empire Council Scout Shop
251 Commerce Cir
Sacramento, CA 95815
Telephone (916) 649-1800
Hours of Operation:
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9am - 5pm
Wed 9am - 6:30pm
Sat 10am - 4pm
Kid-E-Korral
3194 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
Telephone: (916) 483-7331
Hours of Operation:
Mon - Sat 10am - 6pm
Sun 10am - 5pm
The employees in both stores can also help you buy all the right things for the uniform if you find the uniform documents a bit confusing. They will need you to know the number of the Pack (735) and of your Den. Everything else is standard.
Handbooks
For each rank there is a handbook providing the necessary information for the boy to earn his rank and many elective opportunities for earning additional beads and patches. We recommend that parents read the books for their child's age group cover to cover.
Parents
We leaders will do our best to provide a quality program. But all the leaders in Pack 735 are volunteers and have many other obligations. We depend on parents to help provide the good program we have. We ask every parent to help the pack in some capacity. The most important (and most fun) job is den leader. However, there are many other areas where your help in running the pack is appreciated.You should take your share in organizing den meetings, working with the den leader of your son's den.
A parent should attend the pack meetings together with the Cub Scout.
If your boy has a friend who is interested in Cub Scouts, bring him to any pack or den meeting. Don't wait for the next year's membership night.
There are no secrets in Cub Scouts; parents are welcome in any organizational meetings of the pack, district or council.
All parents who will be attending Cub Scout activities are now required to fill out an Adult Leader Form, pay the $10 processing fee that pays for the background check done upon receipt of the form, and to complete Online Youth Protection Training. This is to ensure can run both an enjoyable and safe program for all our boys.
Den Leaders
This job is best described simply as leader of the den. You should make sure that regular den meetings are organized, and be present at the den meeting most of the time. However, you should not do everything yourself. In Pack 735 we think all the parents should take turns in organizing den meetings.We need your leadership help when organizing pack meetings. Sometimes we need flexible people in charge of activities, or, to keep the den together. At each pack meeting one den should do the flag ceremony, at least one den should perform a skit, and at least one den should lead a song.
Please keep a record on what award the different Cub Scouts have earned. Awards requests are turned in to the advancement coordinator several days before the pack meeting. The deadline will be announced at that month's committee meeting. You should watch the fast start CD movie (we have copies). You should attend Youth Protection and Cub Scout Leader Basic Training, a one day training course organized by the council.
Don't hesitate to ask for help. The Cubmaster is very willing to lend an ear or a hand. You can also ask your fellow den leaders how they handle things, and, tell others about what works well in your den.
In Pack 735 all den leaders and assistants are members of the pack committee. You try to participate in most leader meetings and some roundtables. Try to recruit an assistant den leader (or share the job with a co-den leader).
The Cub Scout Promise
I promise to do my bestTo do my duty to God and my country,
To help other people, and
To obey the Law of the Pack.
The Cub Scout Law
The Cub Scout follows Akela.The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill.