Parent Handbook

The Cub Scout Promise:

"I promise to do my best
To do my duty to God and my country,
To help other people, and
To obey the Law of the Pack."

The Cub Scout Law:

"The Cub Scout follows Akela.
The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill."

Cub Scouts should foster self-esteem while teaching cooperation and the meaning of healthy competition through games, crafts, sport, skill building, recognition, special activities, camping and lots of fun. Cub scouting is a family activity.

• Organization.
  Cub Scout Pack 23 is made up of approximately 100 boys, from the West Point area.  The boys meet in small groups (dens) of 5 to 12 boys.  Each den has an adult leader.  Pack 23, together with several other packs, is in the Hudson Valley Council.
  Our youngest cubs are the Tiger Cubs.  Tiger Cubs are first graders.  Tiger Cubs form a team with an adult partner.  Tiger Cubs wear the blue uniform, but unlike other Cub Scouts, have fewer den meetings and parents share den leadership.  Tiger Cubs earn Totem Beads for Family, Den and field Trip Activities.
  The Wolf has our second graders.  3rd graders form the Bear dens.  4th and 5th graders advance to being Webelos.  Wolf and Bear wear blue uniforms.  Webelos wear tan uniforms.
  6th graders and older, or, Webelos after obtaining the "Arrow of Light" award will cross over and join the Boy Scouts.  The Boy Scouts are organized into troops and patrols.  One of the most important concepts of Boy Scouts is that the Troops are boy led with adult Scoutmasters.

• Meetings

  • Den meetings:  Most dens meet bi-weekly, (except when there is a pack meeting).  Each den has a designated den leader, and many dens have either an official or unofficial assistant den leader.

  • Pack meetings:  Pack meetings are for all the boys of Pack 23.  We expect a parent or the whole family to attend the pack meeting.  When not announced differently, pack meetings are at the West Point Elementary School Cafeteria building the last Friday of the month at 7:00 pm.
    There are many special events: good turns, pinewood derby, space derby, raingutter regatta, kite derby, as well as district events like family camp, cub day camp, cub resident camp, and camporees.

  • Leader Meetings (sometimes also called committee meetings):  Leaders of Pack 23 discuss organizational matters, future events and exchange ideas.  All parents are welcome.

  • Roundtables: Idea exchange and announcements for leaders of the whole district. Leaders are encouraged to attend roundtables.  Parents are welcome.

• Advancements
  Advancements challenge a boy to work on skills that match his ability and interest level.  A boy is not supposed to be perfect, but to do his best.  Boys will be exposed and motivated to try out a lot of different activities.

  • Tiger cubs earn belt totems and beads by participating in activities.  All other Cub Scouts earn the Bobcat rank first, and later the rank appropriate for their age level.

  • Wolf cubs earn the Wolf rank by completing 49 tracks in 12 achievements.  After the Wolf badge they can earn Arrow Points.

  • Bear cubs earn the Bear rank (Choice of 12 achievements) and then Arrow Points.

  • Webelos (4th and 5th graders) earn the Webelos rank and can earn additional pins to get compass points.  The second year, Webelos earn the "Arrow of Light".  The parent signs Wolf and Bear advancements; Webelos advancements are signed by the Den Leader.

• Belt loops are awarded for trying out many sports and academic subjects. Sport and academic pins are awarded for more serious participation.

• Who is who/terms

  • Akela:  A name given for a parent, a leader, or a role model.  (In the "Jungle-Book" story, Akela is the leader of the pack).

  • Cubmaster:  Responsible for the program; reports to the pack committee.

  • Committee:  Supervises the pack.  Consists of a minimum of Chairperson, Treasurer, and Secretary.

  • Committee Chairperson:  Person in charge of the committee.

  • Chartered Organization:  Each Cub Scout pack is sponsored by some organization. Our charter organization is the ???

  • Chartered Organization Representative:  Liaison between the A??? and Pack 23

  • Commissioner:  Not a member of the pack but assigned by the council, gives advice.  A "friend to the Cubmaster."

  • Den Leader:  An adult in charge of a den.

  • Den Leader Coach:  Resource person, a "friend to the den leaders."

  • Den Chief:  An older Boy Scout who helps to lead a den.

  • Denner:  One of the cubs scouts elected by his den to help the den leader and den chief.

  • You:  A parent and either a current or future leader or committee member or someone who helps out where ever needed in the Pack.

• Application
  The application for scouting is a short form that asks the normal questions. The back of the last page consists of health and contact information. This information is very important for the pack to have for the safety of your son.

• Handbooks:
  Cub Scouts can buy their handbook at the Scout store.  We recommend that parents read the books for their child's age group cover to cover.

• Uniforms:
  Cub scouts buy their own uniform, including council patch, pack numbers and Den number strip. Tiger, Wolf and Bear cubs use the blue Cub Scout uniform.  Webelos can choose whether to wear the blue Cub Scout uniform or tan Boy Scout uniform.  The clerk in the store can help you buy the right uniform and insignia including the right color for the neckerchief.  You will still need to get some patches from the district office.  If you have any problems with getting your scout uniform together, contact your den leader.
  Our pack allows the wearing of blue jeans with the uniform shirt. Most scouts in Pack 23 have short sleeve shirts, but sleeve length is your choice.  Belts are cut to fit.

• Parents
  We leaders will do our best to provide a quality program.  But all the leaders in Pack 23 are volunteers and just like you, have many other obligations.  The success of our program is totally dependent upon parents who contribute the time needed to make Cub Scouting a fun and exciting experience for our Cub Scouts.  We ask every parent to help the pack in some capacity whether helping with an activity, serving on one of the committees or supporting one of the Dens.  One of the most important (and most fun) jobs is den leader.  However, there are many other areas where your help in running the pack is both needed and appreciated.  If you are not sure where to begin, contact our Committee Chairman ????.  Whether experienced in scouting or not there are many activities in the Dens and behind the scenes where volunteer support is needed.  The more volunteers we have to share in the planning, organization and execution of our activities, the better our program becomes.  Come and join us today and see how you can make a difference in the lives of our Cub Scouts here at West Point!
  A parent should attend the pack meeting together with the Cub Scout.
  You might notice that every handbook for boys has a parent guide at the beginning.  We also have a child protection videotape which you can watch together with your boy. 
  There are no secrets in Cub Scouts; parents are welcome in any organizational meetings of the pack, district or council.

• Tiger Cubs
  Tiger Cubs are organized somewhat differently than the other Cub Scouts: as a Tiger Cub parent you should just enjoy and be a partner of your boy.
  Tiger Cubs have two monthly den meetings and a "Go see it" field trip.  There are no achievements to be completed and the whole activity should just be simple and fun.  The Tiger Cub motto is Search, Discover, Share.
  The "den leader" is more correctly called Tiger Den Coordinator, (because all parents are expected to share in the den leadership).  The Tiger Cub Coach or Cubmaster will help to set the den up, and will later act as a friendly resource.  Pack 23 welcomes its Tiger Cubs to all pack activities.

• Den Leaders
  Thanks for volunteering to be a den leader.  This job is best described simply as leader of the den.  You should make sure that regular den meetings are organized.  However, you should not do everything yourself.  In Pack 23 we think all the parents should help in organizing and conducting den meetings.
  We need your leadership help when organizing pack meetings.  Sometimes we need flexible people in charge of activities, or, to keep the den together.  At each pack meeting one den should do the flag ceremony and one den should perform a skit.
  Please keep a record on what award the different Cub Scouts have earned.  Turn in awards requests several days before the pack meeting.
  You should watch the fast start tape.  You should attend Youth Protection and Cub Scout Leader Basic Training, a one-day training course organized by the council. 
  Don't hesitate to ask for help.  The Cubmaster is very willing to lend an ear or a hand.  Ask your fellow den leaders how they handle things, and, tell others about what works well in your den.
  In Pack 23 this makes you a member of the pack committee.  You try to participate in most leader meetings and some roundtables.
  Each Den should have at least one assistant den leader (or 2 or more leaders could serve as co-Den Leaders).  This is important because in a military community some of our leaders may have to be absent from time to time based on exercises or travel and having an assistant ensures our boys don’t miss out on any activities.

• Pack Committee Members
  The purpose of the Pack Committee is to do all the behind the scenes work to ensure the boys have a first class program in which to learn and grow in Cub Scouting.  The Pack Committee Structure is made up of the following committees of volunteers:

  • Treasurer - Coordinate all funding issues

  • Public Affairs - provides publicity

  • Training - Coordinates training for new leaders and other events

  • Secretary - Record minutes from monthly meetings and handles any correspondence

  • Awards - Coordinates the awards program for the boys to ensure they are received and presented in a timely manner.

  • Membership - Coordinates membership activities including annual registration and keeping records of all members

  • Cubmaster - Leads the Pack

  • Programs - Coordinates with activity leaders for the events and activities scheduled throughout the year including:
    Space Derby, Pinewood Derby & Raingutter Regatta
    Bowl-a-Thon
    Cub Day Camp & Resident Camp
    Columbus Day Parade
    Blue & Gold Banquet
    Veteran's Day/Memorial Day
    Christmas Pack Meeting
    
    As you can see there are many different areas where volunteers are needed and essential to plan, organize and execute the best possible programs for our Cub Scouts. If you are not already involved in a Den, contact the Committee Chairman or Cubmaster to find out where you could help make a difference in our Pack.