Want to Join Cub Scout Pack 464

Online application

Follow this link to fill out an application online.  https://bit.ly/joinpack464
 
 

What Is Cub Scouting?

If you are a boy in first grade through fifth grade—or you’re 7 to 10 years old—then Cub Scouting is for you. It’s for your family, too. This is the first and the biggest of the three Scouting programs (Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing) from the Boy Scouts of America.
 

Cub Scouts Belong to Pack and Den

Every Cub Scout is a member of a Cub Scout pack. A pack is a large group of boys.  The pack is divided into smaller groups called dens. Each den has about six to eight boys. All of the Cub
Scouts in a den are about the same age. 
 

Cub Scouts Do Things and Go Places

Cub Scouting means “doing.” You have lots to do as a Cub Scout—crafts, games, sports, songs, stories, and puzzles, to name a few things. Much of the fun happens right in the den and pack. The den usually meets 2-3 times per month, and the pack meets once a month.  Cub Scouts also go to events like the annual Blue and Gold Banquet, field contests, and derbies such as the Pinewood Derby. They go on field trips. They go camping and have other kinds of outdoor adventures. They take part in community events. Cub Scouts do all sorts of exciting stuff!
 

Cub Scouts Earn Awards

While you’re having fun, you’ll also be earning badges and awards. You’ll work on projects with your parents or other adults in your family, and all of you will feel good about the things you accomplish. When you have earned a badge, you and an adult member of your family take part in a ceremony. The badge is given to the adult, and he or she then gives it to you in front of the whole pack. This is a way of saying “thank you” to your family for their help in earning your award.
The most popular awards for Cub Scouts are the advancement awards. Boys do requirements to advance and earn their badges of rank: Tiger Cub, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and the Arrow of Light Award. 
The Cub Scout Academics and Sports program is popular, too. Cub Scouts get to learn about favorite subjects such as art, math, science, and citizenship. Or they play individual and team sports such as archery, gymnastics, skating, or soccer. You don’t need to be a star athlete to play Cub Scout Sports. You’re a winner when you do your best.
 

Cub Scouting Has a Purpose

There is a reason for everything boys do in Cub Scouting. Apart from the fun and excitement, the aim of Cub Scouting is to help boys grow into good citizens who are strong in character and personally fit. This is why we say that Cub Scouting is fun with a purpose.
 

Scout Participation: Scouts are expected to:

Participate in pack and den activities
Be honest and always tell the truth
Use good manners
Be positive
Be kind and considerate to others
Take care of the environment
Listen when others are talking
Wait their turn
Keep their turn
Always offer to help, particularly with clean up
Be a team member
Do their best and be a scout wherever they are.
 
 

I'm interested, please have someone contact me.

FAQ: Joining

I would like my son to have friends in the unit he joins. Will there be many kids from my son's school?

We have a couple thoughts detailed here: Which Pack do I join?

Joining a unit will allow your son to make more friends.   Most our our scouts are in either Walnut Trails Elementary or Jones Elementary schools from the Minooka School District.  We do have scouts that attend school in the Troy District and the Channahon district as well.  There are two packs that are based in Minooka.  We share the area and help each other out when we can.  

Where are the meetings generally held? And also wondered if you know what days they are normally held?

Our pack currently meets at Walnut Trails School in Shorewood.  Pack night meetings are typically the 1st Friday of the month.   
 
The Tiger scout den (1st graders) also meet once as a group, and then they also typically do a Go See it / Field Trip.   There are also other optional family fun activities planned.
The Wolf  (2nd grade), Bear (3rd grade) and Webelos (4th & 5th grede) den typically has two meetings a month (in addition to pack night).  These meetings vary depending on the leaders availablity.
This year (2014-2015) we are scheduling one of the den meetings for all the dens on the same day.  This will be held on the third Thursday of the month.  Time is to be determined.
 

My spouse and I have schedules that vary week to week, and have younger children, what if we can't make it to every meeting?

Scouting is a family event. Currently, I believe every scout in our unit has a sibling.  And almost everyone of us have brought siblings (many younger) to meetings or events.  Last year at our pack meetings, a few of the younger siblings would play together during the meeting. We have a monthly planning meeting for parents, and there were a number of meeting where the youth tagged along and kept busy while we met in the school library.  I guess what I am saying is we understand everyone has a busy schedule and often do not have enough hands to take care of all our kids at the same time, and we don't think of that as a concern not to join.
 
We will be sad if you miss a meeting, but that is not a deal breaker.  Our leaders will share what was accomlished at the meeting you missed so you can help keep your son on track with the advancements.
 
The Cub Scout Motto is "Do Your Best", and as parents, we should do our best to get our sons to everything we can, but its not always possible.

Does a parent need to attend every meeting?

Scouting is a family program.  The month Pack night meetings is a chance for the boys to be recognized for their achievements and advancements. We strongly suggest a parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, family friend, etc. attend the meeting and share his moment in the spotlight.   We also talk about the upcoming activities and answer any questions you may have.

Den meetings are a different story.  Some meetings are at the school, other are leaders houses.  Parents are invited to stay and watch, participate take photos, etc.  If you have a couple errands to run, just make sure your sons den leader knows what time you will be back.

The Tiger Cub (1st grade) program is designed around having a one on one experience.  The adult partner is their to help guide the boy and answer questions.  We also find that adult partners are very helpful for keeping them focused on whatever is happening.

This sounds like a fun program. My son may have a friend who would be interested. How does he join?

Scouting is indeed a fun program.   Scouts who have friends (or make friends) in the unit tend to stay active longer and learn more.  Have your son invite his friend to the next den or pack meeting or activity.  Please give your sons den leader a heads up to expect another boy.

If his friend joins our unit, your son will receive a "recruiter" patch to wear on his uniform.

How many of the meetings / events are mandatory to attend?

You get out what you put into the scouting program. None of the events are mandatory. Typically the meetings are focused on fun or educational projects related to advancement requirements.   The other activities we have planned are optional. In the past these have included a family camp-out, hikes, Joliet Slammers game, Chicago Wolves Hockey game, trips to the planetarium, bowling alley,  and a pumpkin farm to give you an idea.
 
We understand families are busy, kids get sick, and occasionally everyone needs a day off.  We will be sad if you miss a meeting or an event, but that is not a deal breaker.  Of course, if would be great to know that you are not able to attend an event so we aren't waiting around.

What happens at parent meetings?

Discussions and planning of upcoming events, decisions on budgets, registration fees, fundraising requirements and many more topics related to the operation of our unit.   Come have a voice, your input is welcomed and you will be on top of what is happening in our unit.

Your calendar has plenty of meetings, but not many activities. Why don't you do fun things?

Yes.  I am aware there are not many "fun" activities on our calendar.  There are a couple of reasons. Our council, Rainbow Area Council did not have their calendar year fully planned out when we created our calendar.   We left weekend open as the year progresses to be filled in with council related activities. Last year we were a small unit, and often found that events planned months in advanced did not develop as we anticipated.  Our parent committee discuss new opportunities for events at each meeting and get them on our calendar as soon as we have semi-firm details.

Oh... everything we do is fun!