FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cub Scouting?
Cub Scouting is a year-round program uniquely designed to meet the needs of young boys and their parents. The program offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness. Service projects, ceremonies, games, and other activities guide boys through the core values and give them a sense of personal achievement. Through positive peer group interaction and parental guidance, boys also learn honesty, bravery, and respect. Family involvement is an essential part of Cub Scouting and parents are encouraged to play an active role in the program. Through interaction between parents, leaders, and friends, boys learn citizenship, compassion, and courage. This family-and community-centered approach to learning means that Cub Scouting is truly time well spent.
Why Join Cub Scouting offer my Son?
Cub Scouting offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness. Service projects, ceremonies, games, and other activities guide boys through the core values and give them a sense of personal achievement. Through positive peer group interaction and parental guidance, boys also learn honesty, bravery, and respect.
What are the requirements to Join?
Pack 946 serves Bledsoe and Allen Elementary Schools. All boys entering first grade or age 7 (Tiger Cubs), entering second or third grade, or age 8 or 9 (Wolf and Bears), or entering fourth or fifth grade, or age 10 (Webelos) are welcome.
Will my son be with kids his own age?
Your son will be part of a Den. A Den is comprised of boys in the same grade usually from the same school. Dens are never made of boys in different grades, but may span both Bledsoe and Allen.
Is my son too old to join? (i.e. He's already in 3rd grade and missed his Tiger and Wolf badges, so is it too late?
Cub Scout dens are organized by grade level New 5th graders are as welcome as 1st graders. There is no need to "catch up" and earn the badges earned in the younger ranks. The boys participate at their grade level and work towards the same goals.
How does participation in Cub Scouting affect participation other activities?
The Cub Scout program is designed to compliment many other extracurricular activities. Typical time commitment is two Den meetings and one Pack meeting per month. Boys who participate in organized sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, etc, or academic-based extracurricular activities like music, art, science etc., can be recognized for these activities through Cub Scout belt loops and pins which are worn on their uniform.
What are the responsibilities of a parent?
Provide help and support for the den and pack.
Work with your son on advancement projects and activities.
Attend pack meetings with your son and present his advancement awards to him at the pack meeting.
Attend and assist with den outings.
Attend Cub Scout Family campouts with your son
Do Cub Scouts go camping?
Yes, but they ease into it. They may go camping with a parent, or even with the entire family. See our pages on the Family Campout in November and Cub World Family Campout in April.
How much is it going to cost?
If joining in September, Pack 946 dues are $41.10 which covers such items as the National registration fee and a subscription to Boy's Life magazine through February. In February you'll pay for the next 12 months, and then be on a 12 month cycle from that point forward. You will need to purchase a uniform and a Scout Handbook, and you may wish to buy a Pack T-shirt. There may be some small fees for campouts, end of year banquet, and some dens have nominal dues to cover supplies when doing larger craft projects.
How often are the meetings?
Cub Scouts usually meet in their Dens twice each month, and a Pack meeting is held for all Cub Scouts and their families once a month. Beyond that, it depends on the Den and Pack: a Den may hold a special activity, such as a service project or visit to a local museum in place of one of the weekly meetings or in addition to the weekly meetings. Likewise, the Pack may conduct a special event such as a rocket launch, campout, or service activity as an additional event, rather than a substitute for its monthly Pack meeting.
What if we can't make it to a meeting?
Our members are busy individuals who also take part in sports, music and other activities. All members occasionally miss meetings or possible activities. There is no mandatory attendance at any of our activities, though the more one attends, the more fun he has, of course!
Who do I contact to join or if I have additional questions?
Contact our Cubmaster Chris Backus chrisbackus@yahoo.com or any of our leaders listed on the contacts page.
There is also a special Join Scouting Night Tuesday September 6th from 7:00 pm-8:00 pm at Allen Elementary for those boys attending Allen and Thursday September 8th from 7:00 pm-8:00 pm at Bledsoe Elementary School for those attending Bledsoe or for anyone who wasn't able to make it on Tuesday at Allen.