New Parent Guide to Scouting

Which Program Would My Son Join?

Tiger Cubs The Tiger Cub program is for first-grade (or age 7) boys and their adult partners. There are five Tiger Cub achievement areas. The Tiger Cub, working with his adult partner, completes 15 requirements within these areas to earn the Tiger Cub badge. These requirements consist of an exciting series of indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy in the first grade.

Wolf Cub Scouts is a year-round family- and home-centered program that develops ethical decision-making skills for boys in the second grade. Activities emphasize character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

Bear Cub Scouts is a year-round family- and home-centered program that develops ethical decision-making skills for boys in the third grade. Activities emphasize character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

Webelos Scouts is a year-round family- and home-centered program that develops ethical decision-making skills for fourth- and fifth-grade boys. Webelos Scouts participate in more advanced activities that begin to prepare them to become Boy Scouts.

Boy Scouting A year-round program for boys 11 through 17 designed to achieve the aims of Scouting through a vigorous outdoor program and peer group leadership with the counsel of an adult Scoutmaster. (Boys also may become Boy Scouts if they have earned the Cub Scouting Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10 years old.)

Venturing A year-round program for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age to provide positive experiences through exciting and meaningful youth-run activities that help them pursue their special interests, grow by teaching others, and develop leadership skills.

Your scout is not required to attend all events. It is a wonderful experience if they are able. Attending den meetings and pack meetings are very important for your scout to advance and keep his active status.

We understand that times are tough and most of us do not have the extra money in our budget. This is where our fundraisers really help. The more they sell the more money the scout earns for these activities. Also, we have set up a program that will give a discount or pay all expenses if you chair a committee for one of our events. DON’T PANIC!!! We have guidelines to follow and plenty of experienced people that will help.

Fundraisers

Popcorn Sale – This is our biggest fundraiser. Scouts earn money for activities and camps. September-October.

Candy Bar Sale – This fundraiser is an opportunity for scouts to earn money to pay their dues for the next year.

The Boy Scouts of America has always been a uniformed body. There are many reasons for this. But one reason stands out above all the rest. We wear the uniform because it is a means of identifying ourselves openly with the principles to which we are committed- character development, citizenship training, and physical and mental fitness.

We stand together, not alone in encouraging others to live by these same principles. Boys and adults alike should take pride in belonging to such a movement and wear the uniform as it is intended.

Lord Baden-Powell on "Wearing the Uniform":
The Scout kit (Unit, Patrol, Crew, Den, etc.), through its uniformity, now constitutes a bond of brotherhood among boys across the world.

The correct wearing of the Uniform and smartness of turnout of the individual Scout makes him a credit to our Movement. It shows his pride in himself and in his Unit.

One slovenly Scout, on the other hand, inaccurately dressed may let down the whole Movement in the eyes of the public. Show me such a fellow and I can show you one who has not grasped the true Scouting Spirit and who takes no pride in his membership of our great Brotherhood.

Uniforms can be purchased at the Gerald R. Ford Boy Scouts of America council. This is located on Walker Ave. right next to the 96 W exit. The staff will be able to help you with what you need.

We have our Pack numbers to purchase from our finance committee, so do not buy them from the council.

Awards and Belt loops

Your son will be spending his time in meetings and at home working on advancing to his next rank. These require your time and attention and some interactions that only take place at home.

Also, scouts are able to earn belt loops for their uniform belt as a reward for completing various activities from sports to academics, see your den leader for details. All awards are given during Pack meetings and at various ceremonies throughout the year.

It is important to keep your den leader informed of completed activities so they can ensure your scout is advancing appropriately and receiving earned awards on time.

Pack Meetings are an opportunity for all of the dens to get together to have fun and to celebrate their accomplishments of the month. Parents should make every effort to attend these meetings which are generally held on the last Tuesday of each month (see Calendar for specific dates and times).

At each pack meeting individual dens will be responsible for a part of the meeting: Set Up, Gathering Activity, Presenting of the Flags, Song or Skit, Closing Ceremony, and Clean-Up.

Den Meetings are where your scout will spend most of their time. Meetings are generally held once per week and are run by the Den Leader who is certified and trained by the Gerald R. Ford Council.

Meetings contain a variety of activities and will be held at varying locations depending on the activity to be completed.

Tiger cubs require an Akela partner, generally a parent, but can be another adult partner, to attend all activities and meetings with them.