Cub Scout Pack 540

Stoneham, MA
Affiliated with:

Flintlock District
Boston Minuteman Council
Boy Scouts Of America

 Parent Handbook

Cub Scouts Pack 540

Hi, and welcome to Cub Scouts Pack 540! Here’s hoping the information and guidelines presented to you in the next few pages will help you get off to a good start for the coming year. Please keep this packet as a handy reference for future information needs regarding Pack policy and uniform information. Thank you.

To begin with, your son is a member of Pack 540, which is in the Flintlock District, belonging to the Boston minuteman Council. The Pack is made up of Dens, which is a group of boys usually in the same grade as that of your son. Each Den has a specific numeral attached to it. Collectively, we are Cub Scouts, and are members of the National organization, the Boy Scouts of America.
All Packs have a Chartered Organization which acts as a ‘sponsor’, and ours is the St. Patricks Parish  located at 9 Pomworth Street.
The Pack is run by the registered BSA Adult Leaders of the Pack who make up the Pack Committee, which includes a Committee Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Event coordinators, Awards coordinators, Den leaders, Assistant Den Leaders, and others. All parents of a Cub Scout in Pack 540 are welcomed and encouraged to become a Committee Member. Our committee meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 8:00pm at 6 Victoria Lane and is open to all parents of Scouts in Pack 540.
Den meetings are held monthly at a date and time designated by your sons Den Leader.
Unless previously announced, our Pack meetings are always the Third Friday of every month at
either St. Pat’s “Our Lady Hall” or Robinhood School Cafeteria at 7:00 p.m. 

Den Meetings

 

     Lots of Cub Scouting happens in the den. Please remember that your son’s Den Leader is a volunteer putting forth his or her time and effort to help your boy ‘do his best’ to earn his badges, participate in the fun, and gain all the positive values that the Cub Scout program offers. Please assist them in the following ways.

• Please have your son to den meetings on time. Your den leaders have lots of activities planned and it is important to have the whole group together to begin the evening’s fun and projects.
• Please pick up your son from den meetings on time. Your den leader has places to go and kids that they have to put to bed, too. Better yet, ask your den leader if they could use an extra pair of hands that night and stay. Not only will your help be appreciated, but also you can see what your son is working on.

Tiger Cubs must have an Adult Partner with them at all meetings, trips, etc. Enjoy the time together!

• Please pay your den dues promptly. Your den leader or other parents will be purchasing various items for craft projects, supplies, snacks, etc., and it sure helps to have the money ‘on hand’. Also, please make sure your son has his handbook, and anything else he needs for the meeting before leaving the house.
• Be an active parent. Everybody has some special abilities and ‘know how’ that can be of great help in matters relating to Cub Scouts. Please make sure you have completed the Parent Talent Survey Sheet and return it to your leader. In addition to the boys learning new skills from you, I promise that you will have a good time helping them.

 

Pack Meetings

Whereas at monthly Den meetings the boys might do activities towards earning rank badges and awards, the monthly Pack meeting is where these awards are presented. It is an important part of the program, as it allows the boys to receive their recognition in front of the group as a whole, inspires the younger scouts to strive towards achieving future ranks, and brings everybody together for the big night!

At Pack meetings, the Cubmaster will ‘do their best’ to make sure that each Den has a chance to display that special craft they made, song they learned, skit they’ve rehearsed, or interesting place they visited. In addition, there might be a drawing, advancement ceremony, or other themed event planned for the evening.

Please observe the followings guidelines in regards to Pack meetings.

• Please accompany your son to his Pack meeting. Pack meetings are a family event - brothers, sisters, grandparents, but most of all, YOU! We require you there not only to help keep order at the meeting (things can get a bit rowdy), but also because in Scouting many awards are presented to the parent who then presents it to the Scout. Cub Scouts is a family program.
• Please arrive to Pack meetings on time.  Plan on arriving at least ten minutes early to confer with your son’s Den leader about upcoming things, chat with friends, etc., as the meeting needs to begin on time. If your son is helping out as a member of a flag ceremony, or assisting with other Pack meeting activities, it is imperative to have him there on time. Thank you.
• Your son has a uniform, the Pack meeting is definitely the place to wear it.
  Class A - Shirts tucked in - looking sharp!

      Most of all, we hope to make Pack meetings entertaining, enriching, and FUN!!!

 

$$$$$$$$$$      Pack 540 and B.S.A. Dues    $$$$$$$$$$

Throughout the Scout year, your Den leader or Pack Treasurer will be collecting money for various Pack functions and activities.  These will be addressed in the monthly newsletters that will be handed out at Pack Meetings, and also via monthly information given to you at Den meetings. The following is a reminder of what two fees are required for your son’s involvement in the Pack.

B.S.A. Dues   $11.25  This annual fee must be paid by the Pack in January from every registered Scout and Adult leader for the annual rechartering of the Pack. This fee includes the $10.00 yearly membership to B.S.A. and $1.25 for the insurance issued to cover the boys and Adult Leaders at all Scout functions. The deadline for this is at the time of your sons registration.

Pack 540 Dues   $64.00  This fee goes towards the cost of your son’s Pinewood Derby car, a subscription to Boy’s Life magazine and the many awards that will be presented to him throughout the year. The deadline for this is at the time of your sons registration.  If you just signed up on Join Scout Night, you’ve already paid this.

The Pack maintains a separate bank account with records being kept by a Pack Treasurer.

Fund Raisers

Throughout the year there will be various fund-raisers. Some of these might go to benefit the Pack for a trip, outing, or needed supplies, and some to benefit the Scout, Pack, and Boston Minuteman Council. As Cub Scouts, we will always try and make sure to emphasize the fun in fundraising.   The Pack 540 annual fundraiser is the Popcorn drive.  Thank you.

Cub Scouting and You

When your son earns his Bobcat badge he learns the Law of the Pack. One of these laws states
“ The Cub Scout Helps the Pack Go”. Throughout the year there are banquets, fund-raisers, Scout shows, parades, derbies, camping trips, and many other activities and functions. Ambitious as they are, a Cub Scout still needs your help in implementing the program and thereby giving us the chance to keep our promise in the part of the Law that states “The Pack Helps the Cub Scout Grow”.
Remember, the Pack is all of us working together... leaders, parents, and Scouts.
Unlike other programs your son might enroll in, Cub Scouting involves the whole family, no matter what size or parental make-up exists in the home. In Tigers, you are your son’s Adult Partner. In Wolves and Bears, you are Akela, the wise leader of the tribe of Webelos, and the final judge of your son’s efforts. At the Webelos rank, you are the Activity Badge counselors that could help influence a boy’s career direction
Throughout the year you will be asked to assist on different committees, and at different events. Please volunteer freely, and give of yourself when called upon to help.  You will find it a rewarding experience, and one in which you and your son will remember that you did together. Thank you.

Uniforms, Patches, and Accessories

Scouts in uniform are more conscious of their role in Cub Scouting, and feel a sense of pride and belonging when wearing one. A uniform provides a proper place for the display of badges earned and a way for him to ‘show the world’ that he has been rewarded for his achievements.
In addition, Scouts in uniform create a strong, positive, visible image in the community that helps to strengthen the important ties between the public and the Scouting organization.

Where to Buy 
Uniforms, patches and accessories are available at The Scout Store located at 400 W Cummins Park on Washington Street in Woburn. Their phone number is (781) 937-4282, and they will be happy to assist you.
In addition to uniforms, they carry everything you see in the Scout Catalog and then some. Enjoy the time spent there! Your son will love it!
Also, the Pack might have some ‘experienced’ uniforms for sale. Please see the Pack Secretary for details.

 

Shirts and [Shorts / Pants]

The main article of the uniform is the shirt, as it displays the rank of the Scout, and identifies him as belonging to a certain Den, Pack and Council. When purchasing a new uniform, remember that your son is growing and if, for example, he is now a newly signed up Wolf Cub, get an extra size or two larger, so he can wear it for his Bear year as well.
Although a complete official uniform for your son is strongly encouraged, if cost is an object, many of the large discount stores sell [shorts / pants] in colors that closely resemble those of the official uniform.
Pack 540 also has ‘Class B’ Pack T-shirts for sale to older scouts for many of our outdoor activities and all new scouts will receive their “Class B” shirt at the Blue & Gold banquet.

Patches

In addition to the purchasing of a uniform, there will be many patches that need to be sewn on your son’s shirt. Please pay close attention as to where on the uniform these need to be placed. (Please refer to uniform insignia placement on the next page).

It is important that when your son receives a badge that is to be a part of his uniform, you affix it to his shirt as soon as possible. He earned it, and he deserves to have it displayed. Thank you.

A uniform is something that a Scout can help pay for himself by assigning him various chores around the house, or helping out with other home projects. Also, keep in mind that uniforms, Scout accessories, camping supplies, and other ‘Scout stuff’ make excellent birthday and holiday presents for your son or the Scouter in your family.

What to Buy
Tiger Cub Adult Partners

• Orange Tiger Cub T-shirt

Tigers, Wolves and Bears

• Tiger, Wolf or Bear Handbook (provided by Pack 540)
• Blue Cub Scout Shirt with U.S. flag – [(short sleeve / long sleeve)]
• Boston Minuteman Council Patch
• Pack 540 (red and white numerals)
• Your son’s Den Number Strip
• World Crest Emblem (purple patch with the fleur-de-lis symbol)
• Tiger (orange) Wolf (yellow) or Bear (blue) Cub Scout Neckerchief and Cub Scout Slide
• Official Tiger, Wolf or Bear Hat
• Cub Scout Web Belt And Buckle (These are designed to fit the Belt Loop awards that Scouts can earn)

Optional Items:

• Official Cub Scout [Shorts / Pants]
• Official Tiger (orange stripe) or Cub Scout (yellow stripe) Socks
  

Webelos

• Webelos Handbook (provided by Pack 540)
• *Tan Boy Scout Shirt with U.S. Flag - [(short sleeve / long sleeve)]
• Boston Minuteman Council Patch
• Pack 540 (red and white numerals)
• Your Den Number Strip
• World Crest Emblem (purple patch with the fleur-de-lis symbol)
• Checkered Webelos Neckerchief and Webelos Slide
• Blue Shoulder Loops for tan shirt
• Official Webelos Hat
• Cub Scout Web Belt and Webelos Buckle (These are designed to fit the Belt Loop awards that Scouts can earn. The Webelos / Boy Scout green belt is wider and Belt Loops must be expanded to fit)
• Webelos Colors (optional) Activity Badge pins may be worn on the Webelos Hat or the Webelos Colors

Optional Items:

• Official Boy Scout Socks to match shirt worn 
• Official Boy Scout [Shorts / Pants]

*Note: A Webelos Scout may wear either the Blue or Tan shirt. If you are just signing on as a Webelos, it is recommended to purchase the Tan uniform.

Uniform Insignia Placement

 

 

A Brief Summary of Scouting  and the Cub Scout Program

Scouting has been around a long time. The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910, and became federally chartered with the United States in 1916. Cub Scouts came into being in 1930. Millions of boys have worn the uniform, cooked over an open fire at a campsite, earned their Bobcat, raced their Pinewood Derby cars, worked on service projects, and made new friends under the umbrella of Scouting.
Flowing underneath all this fun and excitement is a character-building program that encourages making good ethical choices, family strengthening, physical fitness, and citizenship skills in the lives of our boys.

Scouting utilizes an advancement system that requires a boy to ‘do his best’ to fulfill and complete the requirements outlined in his handbook so that he may earn his rank badge. After receiving his badge, these Scouts can go on to earn other awards by completing a series of electives. Please keep in mind that although there are lots of awards and recognitions in Scouting, Pack 540 will strive towards the end that these are earned through significant, meaningful methods that your son will remember for a long time.

At the Tiger, Wolf, and Bear ranks, Cub Scouting centers around monthly themes that have lots of appeal to boys at this age. During den meetings, the boys will be playing games, building craft projects, learning songs, etc. relating to this theme. In doing so, these boys will be improving on different skills as they learn to get along with others, become more resourceful, and participate in new activities and venues.

At the Webelos level, in lieu of the monthly theme, the boys are introduced to several diverse Activity Badges and, within the framework of the Webelos den, they work on completing these badges.
If you’ll notice, there are Webelos 1’s (4th graders) and Webelos 2’s (5th graders). At the first level, after earning their Webelos badge, Webelos 1’s continue to earn additional activity badges and gain new knowledge and skills in these areas. The Webelos 2’s, though maybe still earning Activity Badges, also begin focusing on completing other requirements for their Arrow of Light award and will be conducting activities with various Boy Scout Troops.

Pack 540 follows a ‘Scout year’ of September to June and upon nearing the end of the school term, all the boys ‘cross over’ into the next rank. During the summer, Den meeting work on achievements may be suspended as the Pack will meet monthly at fun outings such as a bowling derby, fishing derby, kite derby, baseball game, Pack swim, etc. that goes toward the boys earning their Summertime Award pin.

There are many, many events offered in Scouting. In addition to the events at Den meetings, Pack 540 will have family camping trips, Pinewood Derby races, a Blue and Gold dinner, and much more.
In addition, there are District events, which unites us with hundreds of Scouts, and Council events that can have thousands of Scouts in attendance. Your participation at these functions will definitely add to your son’s Scouting experience.

Thank you for taking the time to go over this handbook with your new Cub Scout! With your help, this will be an exciting, rewarding experience for you, your son, your family, and your Pack.
We’re glad you’ve joined us! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Yours in Scouting,                 

Pack 540 Parent Committee