Welcome! Welcome to Cub Scouting, the Iroquois Trail Council, and Pack 26 in Avon, New York! You and your son are in for an exciting adventure. This brief guide to Cub Scouting is intended to be your introduction to the Scouting experience. It is intended to provide you with basic information you need to give you and your son a great start in Scouting.

We hope you and your son will enjoy a long relationship in the Scouting family. Our best advice to you is to get involved with your son in as many aspects of Scouting as you can. He needs you very much at this point in his life and you will enjoy the experience of Cub Scouting along with him. Whether you volunteer to be a leader, or help in another fashion, or simply work with your son at home, you ARE a key to his Scouting experience.

History of Cub Scouting

Click here for a brief history on Cub Scouting

Grade groupings within Cub Scouting:

Your son’s grade in school will determine which group he joins within your pack. Here is a handy key that will tell you which sections of this booklet you will want to read.

v     First Grade Boys – Become Tiger Cubs. They work on their Tiger Badge then earn their Bobcat Badge.

v     Second Grade Boys – Become Wolf Cubs. They start with the Bobcat Badge and then work on the Wolf.

v     Third Grade Boys – Become Bear Cubs. They start with the Bobcat Badge and then work on their Bear Badge.

v     Fourth and Fifth Grade Boys – Become Webelos Scouts. Webelos Scouts work on their Webelos Badge and then the Arrow of Light. Webelos stands for We’ll Be Loyal Scouts. It is a transition program between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. If they are joining for the first time, they will earn the Bobcat Badge as well.

All boys join with their current grade – there is no need to “work his way up.”

Basic Terms You’ll need to know:

v     Pack – The whole group of boys, oftentimes all Cub Scouts in a community. This could be sponsored by a school, church, or other group and usually involves all boys in grades 1-5. The Pack meets once per month as a group with their families. This is where awards earned by the boys are presented, so the entire family is invited.

v     Den - A group of 6-8 boys of the same grade. Dens usually meet weekly or bi-weekly, except for the week of the pack meeting, and work on badges, crafts, etc.

v     Den Leader - The primary leader of your son’s den. Program ideas are easily available from other Pack Leaders, District Roundtables, or the Boy Scouts of America to make this the best “job” in Scouting. Den meetings are usually set for the convenience of the den leader and the boys/parents. Other parent participation is necessary for Den meetings to occur. Enjoy your turn!

v     Cubmaster – The Cubmaster leads the pack and the pack meetings. He or she is a primary source of information for the group and will be able to answer most of your questions.

v     Council – You and your son are joining a specific Council of the Boy Scouts of America. A council is a geographic area, divided into districts that provide services to local packs.

v     District – A district is a sub-division of the council and helps deliver service to packs. You will find several district volunteers working with your pack’s leadership as well as a full-time District Executive, who is a full-time professional Scouter.

The Programs

Tiger Cubs (First Grade):

I. Each family is a member of a Tiger Cub Den that

1. Has three or more Tiger Scout/Adult Partners.
2. Meets at least twice per month in a den meeting, and has one outing a month, called a Go See It. The den also takes part in the monthly pack meetings. Each family takes a turn working with the den leader to plan and lead a den meeting and /or activity. Meetings are based on ideas taken from the Tiger Cub Handbook.
3. Works on the Tiger Badge as they progress

II. Each pack has a Tiger Cub Den Leader (or more.)

1. This person is someone from among the Tiger parents who helps organize the den and serves as a resource for activities. The den leader helps the group get organized and helps throughout the year to coordinate with the pack.
2. You could volunteer to help in this capacity. Training is available to help you have fun with your Tigers.

Wolves, Bears, Webelos (2nd through 5th grades):

I. Your boy is a member of a den that

1. Ideally has 6 to 8 boys.
2. Meets once per week or twice per month, regularly scheduled at the leader’s convenience.
3. Is led by a den leader (usually a parent) whos is assisted by another adult and often a den chief (which is a Boy Scout age youth), and a denner (a Cub Scout selected by the group.)

All Scouts (1st through 5th grades)

II. Your boy is a member of a pack that

1. Is Made up of one or more dens.
2. Meets once a month – all Cub Scout families are invited to participate.

1)     The Pack meeting is led by a Cubmaster with full group participation.

2)     The pack meeting is a climax of the month’s den meetings and activities.

3)     Pack meetings have games, skits, stunts, songs, ceremonies and presentations of badges that the boys have earned that month.

III. The pack is run by the pack committee.

1. The pack committee is made up of volunteer parents who perform the duties listed below.
2. Meets once a month or when needed.
3. Is Led by a committee chairperson.
4. The committee selects leadership, finds meeting places, performs record keeping, manages pack finances, keeps advancement records and shops for badges, maintains pack equipment, helps train leaders and support pack den and webelos leaders.

IV. The pack is owned by the chartered organization.

1. Charter organizations include schools, parent/school organizations, religious organizations, service clubs and other organizations interested in youth.
2. Charter organizations approve the leaders in the unit, help to secure meeting places, and keep the pack within their own and Boy Scouts of America policies.

The Advancement Plan:

The responsibility for a boy’s advancement in Cub Scouting lies with the family, and not with the pack. Some advancement requirements are done at den meetings, but many are completed at home with the family.

Teachers and other educational authorities have long known the benefits of visual demonstrations. Learning occurs faster and easier when the student sees the lesson being performed in addition to reading about it in a book. Cub Scouting is therefore full of fun hands-on learning.

As a parent, much of what your son will do is “old hat” to you. You will be his expert. Remember, for him it is often the first time. Share your knowledge and enjoy the excitement.

Bobcat

All scouts earn the Bobcat badge upon joining, They learn the Cub Scout Promise, Law of the Pack, handshake, salute, sign, motto and the meaning of “Webelos.” After receiving the Bobcat Badge, the boy works on requirements based on his grade or age.

Tiger Cub

Earning the Tiger Cub badge involves knowing the Tiger Cub motto, and more about the Tiger Cub program. You’ll find the requirements in his handbook.

Wolf

A Wolf Scout works on 12 achievements to earn the Wolf Badge. After he earns his wolf badge, he may work on electives in different areas and earn arrow points. For every 10 electives a boy completes, he earns an Arrow Point. A Cub Scout may earn as many arrow points as time and inclination allow.

Bear

A Bear Scout completes 12 of 24 achievements to earn the Bear Badge. After he earns his Bear Badge, he may work on electives in different areas until he is old enough to begin work on the next rank. For every 10 electives a boy completes, he earns an Arrow Point. A Cub Scout may earn as many arrow points as time and inclination allow.

Webelos Scouts

Webelos scouts work on requirements for the Webelos Badge, 20 activity badges and the Arrow of Light Award (the highest award in Cub Scouting) which prepares him for Boy Scouting.

Arrow of Light

When a boy earns the Arrow of Light or reaches 11 years of age, or is in the fifth grade, he may graduate from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting in an impressive graduation ceremony. It is our desire to see every boy who joins graduate into a Boy Scout Troop.

Available Special Programs (Ask your Cubmaster for details):

Pinewood Derby:

A parent/son project in which the team builds a race car made from a block of wood. Cars race at the pack and, in some cases, district level. Look forward to it!

Scouting for Food:

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in the Council participate in a canned food drive in the fall to benefit local food pantries.

Blue and Gold Banquet:

It’s a celebration for the birth of Cub Scouting. Most often it is a dinner, but is occasionally a dessert. A special program or entertainment is customary.

Day Camp:

This exciting summer activity includes crafts, games, nature, sports, songs and skits. It is inspected locally to meet 68 national standards for safety set by the Boy Scouts of America. These camps run three to five days during the summer in different locations. Watch for further information.

Resident Camp:

A summertime camping experience comprising four days and three nights offered at various times and at various Camps. The programs may include crafts, bb guns, archery, outdoor skills sessions, campfires, activity badge work and team-building programs.

Religious Award Program:

This program is designed to recognize Cub Scouts who demonstrate faith, observe the creeds or principles of faith and give service as listed in the booklet for their faith. Cubs Scouts work with their own religious leaders and receive the award from their own religious group.

Popcorn Sales:

Many packs raise their funds through the risk-free Council Popcorn sales. Each boy can earn prizes while selling a terrific product. Ask your Cubmaster if your pack participates. Selling popcorn helps a boy’s development because he talks to a variety of people and learns the value of salesmanship at an early age. Besides, he’ll like the prizes!

Selling Popcorn

Boy’s Life Magazine:

Is an official publication of the Boy Scouts of America and is written in three demographic versions. Your son will receive a copy written at the Cub Scout level or Tiger Cub level. Interesting features include Scouting topics, sports, hobbies, magic, science and U.S. history. There are also jokes, comic and short stories.

Boy's Life

How can you help?

You can volunteer! Don’t be afraid of that word. Scouting is a volunteer run organization with lots of places to help out. We’re all busy and parental help is needed. Whether you take on the role of Den Leader or simply bring treats to a pack meeting, there is a need for your participation. Find an area that you like and think you can fit in. . and say “yes.”

Types of parent involvement opportunities available in

most packs:

• Den Leader or co-den leader
• Pack parent’s committee
• Song Leader
• Awards Committee
• Membership Committee
• Pinewood Derby Planner
• Scouting for Food Planner
• Blue and Gold Banquet Coordinator
• Cubmaster or Assistant Cubmaster
• Friends of Scouting Coordinator
• Popcorn Sale Coordinator
• Cub Camping Coordinator
• Tiger Cub Den Leader
• Holiday Party Coordinator
• Webelos Leader or Assistant Webelos Leader
• Newsletter Committee
• Treasurer
• Transportation Coordinator
• Youth Protection Trainer
• Pack Trainer

What do you receive in return?

Being a volunteer in Scouting is fun and challenging, but also very rewarding. Volunteers find that their experiences help them become better parents and allow them to have more influence on their own children as well as their children’s friends than parents who don’t volunteer. The following are some of the many rewards that will enrich your life as you dedicate the time, talent and enthusiasm that you are able to dedicate to your son’s Scouting program:

• Fun and fellowship with other parents as you share your time and your pride in the boys’ accomplishments.
• The privilege of helping enrich and strengthen other families.
• A chance to help your son and others to learn good citizenship and shape them into men who have strength and character and are sensitive to other’s needs.
• The opportunity to influence the children your son spends time with.
• A code to live by which will set a worthwhile example for both boys and adults.
• The satisfaction of being a member of a worldwide movement, and pride in being publicly identified as a member of the Boy Scouts of America – an organization that is nearly 5 million members strong.

Position Descriptions (Suggested. May vary between packs.):

(Click here for a more detailed description of Leader Roles)

Den Leader and/or Assistant Den Leader:

· Give leadership to carrying out the Cub Scout program in your assigned den.

· Lead the den in its participation in the monthly pack meetings.

· Use Boy’s Life Magazine, and Program Helps as sources of ideas. They’ll help you plan the den meetings.

· Encourage the boys to advance, keep accurate records and see that the boys are recognized for their achievements.

· Keep accurate records of badges earned and report them to the Pack Advancement/Awards chairman.

· Collect dues weekly from each boy and keep accurate records for the pack treasurer.

· Establish a good relationship with the parents of the boys in your den and utilize their resources as much as you can.

· Participate in the monthly pack leader meetings.

Webelos Den Leader and/or Assistant Den Leader:

In addition to the above Den Leader responsibilities, the Webelos Den Leaders will:

· Plan and carry out a year-round program of activities for the Webelos Den.

· Establish a good relationship with the Boy Scout Troops. Try to get every Webelos in your den to join the troop of their choice.

Cubmaster or Assistant Cubmaster:

· Lead the planning and operation of the Cub Scout program for the pack. Serve as Master of Ceremonies for the monthly pack meeting.

· Work with the parent’s committee (pack committee) on program ideas, selecting and recruiting adult leadership and establishing the pack budget plan (a document available from the Council.)

· Guide and support the den leaders. See that they, and you, receive the appropriate training for their position.

· Help the Webelos Dens to graduate into a Boy Scout Troop.

· Maintain a good relationship with the parents of your Cub Scouts. Encourage their participation in the program.

· Attend, or send as many representatives as possible, to the monthly district roundtables.

Pack Committee Chairman:

· Organize the pack parent’s committee and assign responsibilities.

· Recruit parents to the committee as needed or desired.

· Schedule and preside at the monthly pack committee meetings.

· Recruit pack leaders as needed. Approve leadership for the pack.

· Maintain a close relationship with the chartered organization through the chartered organization representative.

· Assist in the re-registration of the pack on an annual basis.

Pack Treasurer:

· Keep up to date records of pack finances and report monthly to the pack committee.

· Promote and carry out the pack’s budget plan – which is available from the Council.

· Maintain the pack bank account and petty cash. Ensure that two signatures (spouse not recommended as second signature) are required for your pack’s account.

· Keep an inventory of pack equipment and properties.

· Supervise money-earning projects such as the popcorn sale. Find someone to coordinate these important projects.

· Establish and monitor a unit account with the Council Service Center and Scout Shop.

Pack Advancement/Awards chairman:

· Keep records of individual Cub Scout advancements for the pack. These will come to you from the den leaders.

· Secure the monthly advancement report from den leaders and purchase the badges and awards from the council service center. If you are unavailable to pick them up, order by phone or send another parent.

· Familiarize yourself with the publication “Ceremonies for Dens and Pack.”

· Be responsible for presenting Cub Scout awards at the pack meetings along with the Cubmaster.

Pack Outings Chairman:

· Assist dens as needed in planning and conducting outdoor programs.

· Recruit and assist special event coordinators within the pack – Blue and Gold, Pinewood Derby, Popcorn, Wreath, etc. or fill in yourself.

· Recruit key planners for summer activities with the assistance of the Cubmaster. These would include Day Camp, Resident Camp, Webelos Weekends, etc.

· Promote participation in council and district events.

· Keep parents informed of future den and pack events.

Resources Available to All Leaders:

 You are not alone!

v     There is a full-time staff of professionals and support staff available to answer questions at the council service center. Simply call during regular business hours and we’ll either answer your question or tell you where to find the answer.

v     Your area is served by a full-time district executive. Roundtable, a monthly leaders’ meeting for all adult volunteers in your area is not only fun, but free and full of ideas.

v     Program Helps is a publication with planned meetings for the boys and come to registered den leaders through Scouting Magazine – a bi-monthly publication for all registered Scout leaders. Program Helps is also available for sale in the Scout Shop.

v     Most packs have a well-stocked library of Scouting literature to assist leaders like yourself. Ask your Cubmaster.

v     Your area has a group of experienced volunteers called the district committee that plans and conducts quality activities for packs to participate in.

v     There is another volunteer team in your district called Commissioners who are well-versed in Cub Scouting and who can provide advice and counsel to pack parents and leaders.

v     Training is available at a low cost. You should attend to learn and have FUN!

A Few Words About Training:

Training is available and encouraged for each Scouting position. It begins with a video called Fast Start which demonstrates the basic needs of each position in Cub Scouting in under an hour.

 The next step is to attend New Leader Essentials which will guide you in the Scouting program in three hours or less. Then you should attend Leader Specific Training, which will give you what you need for whichever position in Scouting that you serve.

 Attending your district’s Roundtable will keep you informed and give you the chance to meet with other Cub Scout leaders in your area and share their expertise. These free sessions are well worth the time. Ask your Cubmaster about when and where your roundtables occur.

 Pow Wow or Roundtable:

Once you’ve been trained, you’ll want to attend a Pow Wow or the monthly roundtables. Pow Wows, if offered by your Council or District, occur one day a year and is chock full of supplemental training and ideas. Learn new crafts, meet new people and more at Pow Wow! Although our council does not hold a Pow-Wow, other neighboring councils do. Learn more about it at roundtable and watch for more information when available.

Roundtables occur monthly and are organized by your District. At roundtables leaders discuss upcoming events and share Den meeting, Pack meeting, and other ideas. Oftentimes roundtable organizers offer craft and activity ideas for Dens and Packs.

What Does My Son Need to Get Started?

He’ll need the handbook appropriate to his grade, and you’ll need you to pay the pack dues of $15.00 per year – which generally includes a BSA Registration fee of $10.00.

He’ll want a uniform which includes:

Ø      Blue shirt – for Cub Scouts (Wolves & Bears) & Tiger Cubs

Ø      Tan shirt – for Webelos Scouts

Ø      Pack specific T-Shirt, if available (Class B Uniform)

Ø      Neckerchief – appropriate to his grade. The Scout Shop can help.

Ø      Neckerchief slide – holds the neckerchief together. You might want to buy two. Boys lose these often.

Ø      Scout pants (Optional) – blue for Cubs, green for Webelos. The Scout Shop can help.

Ø      Belt – appropriate for his group.

Batavia Service Center

45 Liberty Street Suite 2

Batavia, NY 14020

(585) 343-0307 | (800) 592-0242

8:30 AM - 5:00 PM ( Mon - Fri)

Summer Hours: ( May 2 8 - Sept . 2 )

8:00 am - 5:00PM ( Mon - Thurs)

8:00 am - 1:00 pm ( Fri)

Lockport Service Center

7121 Rochester Road

Lockport, NY 14094-1625

(716) 434-2851 | (716) 434-2899 FAX

9 :0 0 AM - 5 :0 0 PM ( Mon, Wed, Fr i only)

( Closed for lunch 1 1 :3 0 - 1 2 :0 0 noon)

CLOSED JUNE 2 4 THROUGH SEPT. 2

Scout Shops

Available at both Service Centers or:

Otetiana Council Service Center

474 East Avenue

Rochester, NY 14607

(585) 241-8551 | (585) 244-9403

     9:30 AM - 6:00 PM ( Mon - Fri)

     Tuesdays until 7:00 PM

     Saturdays 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

     Closed Sundays

Summer Hours: ( July & August )

     10:00 AM - 5:00 PM ( Mon - Fri)

     Tuesdays until 7:00 PM

     Closed Saturdays & Sundays

Five Seasons Gift

1901 Route 332

Canandaigua, NY 14424

(585) 396-2021

     Call for store hours.

Boy Scouts of America National Supply Group

P.O. Box 7143

Charlotte, NC 28241

(800) 323-0736

http://www.scoutstuff.org

     8:00 AM - 7:00 PM ( Mon - Fri)

My Council is: Iroquois Trail Council

(585) 343-0307 or (800) 592-0242
http://www.itcbsa.org

My Pack number is 26 (4026 may appear on paperwork)

My Pack is chartered by the Avon Rotary Club

My Cubmaster’s Name is Ron Blood, (585) 226-2108

My Pack meetings are usually the last Wednesday of every month, but the Pack publishes a schedule that gives more details.

My Pack Meeting Location is usually the High School Cafeteria, but sometimes a different location must be used if the Cafeteria is not available.

My Pack’s Pinewood Derby is usually held at the American Legion/VFW Hall in East Avon, more details in the Pack  schedule.

My Den Number is                                                                        

My Den Leader is                                                                          

My Den Leader’s phone #’s are                                                 

My Den Meets                                                                                 

My Den Meeting Location is                                                       

My District is Letchworth, which includes communities in Livingston, Sothern Wyoming, and Northern Allegany Counties

My District Executive is Harold Teller (to talk with him simply call the Council Office and ask for him)

My District’s Roundtable is usually held at 6:45 pm on the Second Thursday of every month from September through May at the United Methodist Church in Geneseo