fishers pack 170

How old does my son need to be to join?
Cub Scouting is for boys in the first through fifth grades (or ages 7, 8, 9, or 10). Members join a Cub Scout Pack and are assigned to a den, usually a neighborhood group of six to ten boys. The ranks are comprised of First-grade boys (Tiger Cubs), Wolf Cub Scouts (second graders), Bear Cub Scouts (third graders), and Webelos Scouts (fourth and fifth graders).
Scholarships are available to families who can't afford the registration and uniform costs.

What are Dens, Tribes, and Packs?

A Den has about six to ten boys and meets 2 or three times a month. Each Den can be part of a Tribe. Pack 170 does not use the Tribe concept. However, a very large Pack might divide its different age groups into Tribes, and then the Tribes combine to become the Pack. Once a month, all of the dens and family members gather for a pack meeting under the direction of a Cubmaster and Pack committee. Pack 170 meets once a month (usually on the last Thursday) from 6:45 to 8:15 pm. This is when the boys receive various advancement awards they may have worked on during the month and to get together with the other Cub Scouts for a night of fun and learning.

Cub Scouting Means "Doing."

Everything in Cub Scouting is designed to have the boys doing things. Activities are used to achieve the aims of Scouting - citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness. Many of the activities happen right in the den and pack. The most important are the weekly den meetings and the monthly pack meetings. The Cub Scout Sports and Academics program provides the opportunity for boys to learn new techniques, develop sportsmanship, increase scholarship skills, and have fun. Participation in the program allows boys to be recognized for physical fitness and talent- building activities.

Camping

Age-appropriate camping programs are packed with theme-oriented action that brings Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts into the world of imagination. Day is an exciting day- long experience. Resident camping is at least a three-day experience in which Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts camp within a developed theme of adventure and excitement. Cub Scout pack members enjoy camping in local council camps and council-approved national, state, county, or city parks. Camping programs combine fun and excitement with doing one's best, getting along with others, and developing an appreciation for ecology and the world of the outdoors.

Who will lead my son's den?

You may lead your son's den, or co-lead it with another parent. The den leader is one of the parents from the den. It is not hard to do, and your son will be proud of you! Two adults must be present at each den meeting, so even if you are not the den leader, you will be assisting at some meetings.

When and where will the den meetings be held?

The den meetings are scheduled individually by each den, and are typically after school, in the early evening or on a weekend. Den meetings typically last one to one and a half hours. The best way to be sure that your den meeting time fits your schedule is to be your son's den leader! The meeting locations will vary throughout the year, and each Den will have their own way to decide on the location. Some Dens meet at a local church, others use the Delaware Township building, many rotate the meetings at the homes of the boys that are part of the Den.

What will my son be learning and doing?

Cub Scouts earn various ranks, badges and other awards. They complete "achievements." For example, for one achievement, "The Flag", the boys learn proper folding and handling of the American flag and learn about their state flag. Often a boy's activities outside of scouting will count towards part or all of a scouting achievement. For example, if your boy has played on a team sport (e.g. soccer), this will count towards part of the sportsman achievement. Some of the achievements are most appropriately done directly between the boy and his parents. For example, one of the achievements is entitled "Making Choices". It presents a wonderful opportunity for and reason to sit down with your boy and discuss making good choices between right and wrong in terms of safety, substance abuse and other topics. Cub Scouting reinforces good parenting. Welcome!

Tiger Cubs

Tiger Cubs BSA is a simple and fun program for first-grade boys and their families. Tiger Cubs introduces boys and their adult partners to the excitement of Cub Scouting as they "Search, Discover, and Share" together. The Tiger Cub program operates at two levels. First, the Tiger Cub and his adult partner meet in the home to conduct activities for the whole family. Second, the Tiger Cub and his adult partner meet twice a month with other Tiger Cubs and adult partners in the den, using the planned "big idea" (or theme) for their activity during one of the meetings. Each den meeting is hosted by a Tiger Cub-adult partner team. Tiger Cubs BSA follows a school-year cycle. Boys remain in the Tiger Cub program until they complete first grade. At that time, they graduate into a Cub Scout den and are eligible to participate in Cub Scout summer activities, including Cub Scout day camp. More on Tiger Cub Requirements.

Bobcat

The first rank, Bobcat rank is for all boys who join Cub Scouting. When a boy is between the ages of eight and eleven years old or has (at least) completed the first grade, he can become a Cub Scout. But, regardless of a qualifying boy's age, he must complete the Bobcat Trail as the first step in his Cub Scouting adventure.
In Rudyard Kipling's story, The Jungle Book, the black panther Bagheera is the mighty hunter that teaches the cubs the skills of the jungle. In Cub Scouting we use the symbol of the Bobcat. You'll find his trail in the Tiger, Wolf or Bear Cub Scout Books.
Along this trail the Cub Scout learns the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto. These are the three most important things a boy must learn because they will help him through all of the trails of Scouting. More on Bobcat Requirements.

Wolf

The Wolf program is for boys who have completed first grade (or are age 8). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must pass twelve achievements involving simple physical and mental skills. More on Wolf Requirements.

Bear

The Bear rank is for boys who have completed second grade (or are age 9). There are twenty-four Bear achievements in four different categories. The Cub Scout must complete twelve of these to earn the Bear badge. These requirements are somewhat more difficult and challenging than those for Wolf rank. More on Bear Requirements.

Webelos

This program is for boys who have completed third grade (or are age 10). A boy may begin working on the Webelos badge as soon as he joins a Webelos den. This is the first step in his transition from the Webelos den to the Boy Scout troop. As he completes the requirements found in the Webelos Scout Book, he will work on activity badges, attend meetings led by adults, and become familiar with the Boy Scout requirements - all leading to the Arrow of Light Award.

Advancement Plan

The Den - A small group of boys work together in den meetings, where they learn good sportsmanship, good citizenship, getting along with others, new skills, and to do their best.

The Ideals

The Cub Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout sign, handshake, motto, and salute --all teach good citizenship and contribute to a boy's sense of belong.

Who Operates a Cub Scout Pack?

Cub Scouting is made available to groups having similar interests and goals, which include professional organizations, government bodies, and religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor, and citizens' groups. These are called our chartered organizations. Each organization appoints one of its members as a chartered organization representative. The organization, through the committee, is responsible for leadership, the meeting place, and related materials for pack activities. Parents of the Cub Scouts generally volunteer as Cubmaster, Pack Committee Chairman, Den Leaders, and Assistant Den Leaders.

Who Pays?

Groups responsible for supporting Cub Scouting are the boys and their parents, the pack, the chartered organizations, and the community. The boy is encouraged to pay his own way by contributing dues each week. Packs also obtain income by working on approved money-earning projects. The Pack 170 Registration fees for new youth is a one time charge of $48.00. Each additional year all registered Pack 170 Scouts must pay a $10/year fee to cover the cost of the Hamilton Southeastern School Board's Facility use fee. The initial $48 fee covers the cost of the first year's BSA registration (about $11), a subscription to Boy's Life, the cost of the first year's books, neckerchief, slide (about $15) and all awards, patches, derby kits for the REMAINDER of the Scouts active registration in the Pack! In other words, pay once - that is it! Dens may set a standard meeting dues fee to assist in offsetting costs of supplies. Specific activities such as camps and trips may require additional fees to participate.
The community, including parents, supports Cub Scouting through sustaining membership enrollment, bequests, and special contributions to the local BSA council and district. This provides leadership training, outdoor programs, council service centers, and other facilities, as well as professional service for units.

The Uniform

The uniform helps build pride, encourages good behavior, provides a place for the proper display of badges, and identifies members as part of the worldwide organization of Scouting.

Where is the Scout Shop and what do we need to buy?

The Scout Shop is located at 1900 North Meridian Street, in a white building on the west side of Meridian Street, about ten blocks south of the Children's Museum. It is open M-F 8:30-6 and Sat 9-3. Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts need a Cub Scout uniform shirt, which costs about $23. Tiger, Wolf and Bear Scouts wear blue shirts; Webelos Scouts may wear tan shirts with blue epaulets. Some boys also wear a Cub Scout or Webelos hat (optional for Pack 170). Patches that are to be worn on the Cub Scout uniform are the Crossroads Council shoulder patch, the Pack numerals 170, World Scout Crest Emblem, and the Den number patch. The patches range in price from $.70 to $2 each. The people at the shop will help you. Please take this sheet with you so you will have the Pack number, or tell them you are from Fishers - Harrison Parkway Elementary School. (You may not know your Den number yet, so don't buy that.) Our boys just wear jeans, so you do not need the uniform pants. All boys will wear the rank appropriate neckerchief and slide. These two items are provided by the Pack so do not purchase them.