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| Welcome to Pack 133.
As
a parent, you want your son to grow up to be a person of worth, a self-reliant,
dependable and caring individual. Scouting has these same goals in mind for
him. Since 1910, we have been weaving lifetime values into fun and
educational activities designed to assist parents strengthening character,
good citizenship and physical fitness in youth. However, Cub Scout age boys do not join just to build character. Boys join Cub Scouts because "IT'S FUN!" SCOUTING IS FUN WITH A PURPOSE! Cub Scouting is a PROGRAM for boys in the first through fifth grade, through which quality time between the child and his parents can be realized. The Cub Scouts are part of the National Boy Scouts of America. (BSA) In this program the Cubs will learn about nature, citizenship, behavior, reverence as well as enhance his physical and mental skills. He is taught that doing one's best is what is important. How is the program structured? The Cubs are assigned to DENS based on their grade level. These DENS meet once a week where various activities are led by a REGISTERED LEADER and an ASSISTANT LEADER. Occasionally there will also be field trips taken by an individual Den. Each Den must have at least two adults present who are not of the same family (ex. husband and wife). A REGISTERED LEADER is a parent who has VOLUNTEERED their time to serve in this roll. They must be 21 years of age, and of good moral character. Each applicant is screened and must be approved by BSA regulations. All of the DENS combined form the CUB SCOUT PACK. In our case, our PACK number is 133. Once a month all the DENS and their families meet for a PACK MEETING. Pack meetings are run by the CUBMASTER, and generally are utilized to showcase the work done by the Dens during the previous month. The meetings are filled with songs and skits, and ceremonies to recognize individual advancements in rank. What about Pack Support? The Pack is supported by a CHARTERED ORGANIZATION. The pack is "owned" by the chartered organization. BSA has the right to revoke a charter, and both BSA and the Chartering Organization can remove individuals who do not follow the rules and directives of BSA or who have compromised their charter in some way. The chartered organization selects a representative to serve as liaison between the pack and the organization. Our Pack is part of the MOBILE AREA COUNCIL, which is subdivided into DISTRICTS. Our district is SPANISH TRAIL. Through both the Council and the District levels of BSA, many avenues of support are provided: training, resource materials, resource personal, and various activities and programs throughout the year. What should I do, as a PARENT ? 1. Encourage yourself and your child to attend the meetings regularly. Many of the programs and activities are spread over the whole month. Missing one or two of the den meetings really puts your child at a disadvantage. Try reading a book where you skip every other chapter. When you're finished, you likely will not understand many of the things you read, if you don't get discouraged and quit before you finish. 2. Attend the monthly PACK MEETINGS with your son. Our Pack Meetings are fun and are for the entire family. This shows the boys that we are truly proud of their accomplishments and advancements. 3. GET INVOLVED, Cub Scouting is a lot of fun for everyone. Give whatever time you can. The Cub Scouting program is family oriented, activities are intended for the whole family. You will work with your son on his advancement requirements The purpose is to increase communication in your family, and to give your Scout the valuable experience of spending one-on-one time with you. As parents you are Akela (Ah-kay-la) - the good leader, and share the responsibility with his den leader. Many of the skills he will learn are family oriented. As your son progresses from Tiger Cub to Boy Scout, your involvement in his Scouting career evolves just as he does. In addition to assisting with his den activities, parents have a great role to play in the success of the pack. You will see other parents serving on the Pack Committee, as den leaders, and on committees for special events and activities. None of these functions will be a success without the participation of parents, who after all, are the "owners" of the pack. While not every parent feels he or she is patient enough to be a den leader or organized enough to be the treasurer, there is a role for every parent in pack activities. Your son will appreciate the fact that you care enough about him and his Scouting experience to become involved in a committee, or pack position. It may be, that if not enough parents sign up to fill all the spaces available, parents will be assigned to committees. However, we doubt that this will be necessary. We are confident that all parents want to make a contribution to the pack, so that they can demonstrate to their Scout the importance of being part of the community. There are many resources available to help you with your committee activities, including training, available from the pack and from the council. You want your son to get as much out of Scouting as is possible. A healthy pack is one which offers Scouts many opportunities. Active parents are the key to a successful pack. PACK VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP: Cubmaster: Helps plan and carry out the Pack program with the help of the Pack Committee, MC's the monthly pack meeting, and attends the Pack Leaders meeting. Den Leaders: Lead the dens at weekly Den meetings and the monthly Pack meetings. Attends the monthly Pack Leaders meetings. Pack Committee members perform administrative functions of the Pack. The positions on the Pack committee are as follows:
1. Popcorn SalesADVANCEMENT Cub Scouts motto - "Do Your Best" Advancement is the heart of Cub Scouting. It is the process by which a boy progress from badges to badge, learning new skills as he goes. The responsibility for a boy's advancement in Cub Scouting lies with the family and not with the pack. Some requirements are done at den meetings, but most are completed at home with the family. The rank badge is presented to the boy when he has completed all the achievements for that rank. The order of ranks that can be earned if a boy joins at the earliest age possible is as follows: Tiger Cubs - 1st grade "Search, Discover, Share" The Tiger Cub program is designed to introduce first grade boys and their adult partners to Cub Scouting. The Tiger Cub badge is for boys who have completed all 15 parts of the five achievements, that is 5 family activities, 5 den activities, and 5 Go See It outings. Bobcat All boys, regardless of age, must first earn the Bobcat badge by learning the Cub Scout Promise, Law of the Pack, handshake, salute, sign, motto and the meaning of "Weblos" The purpose is to instill in the Cub Scout, the 7 basic tenets of Cub Scouting. Wolf - 2nd grade Wolf cubs must complete 12 tracks to earn the Wolf badge. During their work at home and in the den, they earn beads as evidence that they are "progressing toward rank." Once they earn the Wolf badge, they can earn arrow point badges. Bear - 3rd grade Like Wolves, Bears too must complete 12 tracks, but they can select from a total of 24. These achievements are categorized into God, Country, Family and Self sections. They receive "progress toward rank" beads and can earn arrow points once they are awarded the Bear badge. Webelos I - 4th grade Webelos II - 5th grade These older Cub Scouts prepare for the transition into Boy Scouts. They earn activity badge pins in up to 20 activity areas that introduce them to a myriad of career possibilities. More independence is evidenced as the boys complete most of their activities in the den setting. Besides the Webelos badge, these boys can earn the Arrow of Light badge, Cub Scouting's highest honor. Then, on to Boy Scouts. FINANCES Pack fees are subject to change on an annual basis depending on the condition of the Pack's Treasury. Pack 133 fees will be sufficient to cover the following:
Pack fees for new Scouts are paid by the parents at initial registration into the pack. Pack fees for returning Scouts must be paid no later than October 1st. Registration entitles the member one (1) year membership in Pack 133. Our Pack Charter Year begins in January. National Registration fees are not refundable. Fundraising In order to raise money the Pack may conduct fundraisers. The Pack Committee is responsible for finances. Fund Raisers are not limited to but may include Trails End Popcorn sales. Re-Chartering Each year the Pack renews it's membership with the national Boy Scouts of America office. This process is called re-charter. The Charter Year for Pack 133 extends from February 1 to January 31 of a given calendar year. Pack 133 funds are used to pay all re-charter fees. Prior to the October Pack Meeting, each Cub Scout and Scouter who intends to continue their membership with the Pack must formally declare that intention. This helps the Pack keep accurate records in membership and also assists in the application of the proper fees. This may be done by notifying the Den Leader or Cubmaster. All annual Pack fees are due on or before October 1st. Those individuals who do not submit their annual Pack fee by the deadline, will be dropped from the re-charter listings. Once dropped from the Pack Charter, a new Pack Application or Adult Registration Application must be submitted with the appropriate fees to reinstate membership. The Cubmaster, Committee Chairperson and Treasurer are responsible for fulfilling all requirements necessary for Pack Charter renewal. |
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