How old do you have to be to join Cub Scouts?
You can join Cub Scouts from 1st through 5th grades or at ages 7 to 10 years old. Ranks are as follows: Tiger Cubs (entering first grade or age 7, they can join in the Spring of their Kindergarten year), Cub Scouts (entering second or third grade, or age 8 or 9), Webelos Scouts (entering 4th or 5th grade, or age 10).
What does 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.
We have soccer, baseball or football...can we still benefit from joining Cub Scouts?
Yes!! The Cub Scout program is designed to compliment many other extracurricular activities and is designed to have enough activities to work with anyone's schedule. Typical time commitment is two Den meetings and one Pack meeting per month. Many activities of the program can be completed at home on your schedule. Also, scouting teaches very different skills than team sports that will stay with your scout for years to come. 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 though 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. More on Cub Scout camping can be found at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/cubscouts/activities/boys/camping.aspx
What other activities are available to Cub Scouts and their families?
Pack 19 is very active, providing a rich environment for boys and their families. Typical annual events include
Spring, Summer and Fall Campout
Fun with the Family Program
NOVA awards for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math skills (STEM)
Halloween Party Campout
Scouting for Food Drive
Holiday Party
Blue & Gold Banquet
Pinewood Derby
Memorial Day Observance
Summer Day Camp
Summer Resident Camp
Religious Awards Programs
Community Service Activities
Raingutter Regatta Races
Veteran Remembrance Service Projects
Supporting Our Troops
Hiking Club
And more!
Is joining Cub Scouts expensive??
Pack 19 has the lowest dues in the area. The annual Pack 19 dues of $50 covers such items as the National registration fee, Boys' Life Magazine, the handbook appropriate for your son's rank, Pinewood Derby kits, and all patches and awards for the year. Since the Pack 19 charter begins on January 1, new Cub Scouts may pay a prorated fee for the remainder of the year, depending on when they register. Contact us for a prorated dues schedule. Other costs include uniforms and some activity fees including those for general camping (usually less than $20 a person to cover the activity and food), the Day Camp and Resident Camps. Youth members participate in one fund-raising activity (popcorn sales), which helps to cover Den supplies, equipment, and other activities.
Where can I buy uniforms, pack and den number patches?
The Chalkboard Stores (Crest Hill& Aurora) or any Scout Shop has the items you need. More information about the store including hours and directions can be found on their Web sites.
Rainbow Council Scout Shop Deicke Scout Shop
2600 Winterbottom Rd. 155 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Morris, IL 60450 West Chicago, IL 60185
815.942.1793 630.231.3192
www.rainbowcouncil.org www.threefirescouncil.org
The Chalkboard The Chalkboard
2110 Plainfield Rd. 367 S. Rt 59
Crest Hill, IL 60403 Aurora, IL 60504
815.741.2023 630.585.8700
www.thechalkboardcatalog.com www.thechalkboardcatalog.com
Alternatively, you can order everything online from the BSA retail store at ScoutStuff.Org
How can I save money on the cost of uniforms?
Pack 19 has a uniform exchange program where as boys outgrow their uniforms, change ranks or graduate to Boy Scouts, their uniforms may be donated to the Pack. The Pack will then offer these items for sale to other Pack members at a greatly reduced price. Common items that may be exchanged include caps, shirts, neckerchief slides, and belts. Contact us for more details on the program.
How often are the meetings?
Cub Scouts usually meet in their Dens once or 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 campout or service activity as an additional event, rather than a substitute for its monthly Pack Meeting.
How can I learn more?
The best way to learn about what a Cub Scout really does is to talk with a Cub Scout who is engaged in the program. Alternatively, you can learn more about the Cub Scout program by clicking here or by selecting "Contact Our Pack" (at the top of the page) and asking questions, or leave your phone number to receive a call from us. You can also download and fill out an Application, the required Medical Forms and a Family Talent Survey Sheet from the FORMS/APPLICATIONS page on the left of the screen.