Welcome to Cub Scouting!
As a parent, you want your son to grow up to be a self-reliant, dependable and caring individual. Scouting has these same goals in mind for him. Since 1930, Cub Scouts has been weaving lifetime values into fun and educational activities designed to strengthen character, good citizenship and physical and mental fitness. This is a year-round family program designed for boys in the first through fifth grades (or 6 to 10 years of age.)
However - We know that the 1.7 million boys in the U.S. didn't join Cub Scouts to get their character built…
They join because it is fun!
Pack 102
Cub Scout Pack 102 serves boys from schools throughout Westford. All boys 6 to 10 years old are welcome to join! We are a Quality Unit; a designation for select Scouting units with a strong program, well-trained leaders and a well-organized program that help boys develop.
Purpose of Cub Scouting
Boys, parents, leaders and sponsoring organizations work together to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting:
• Positively influence character development and encourage personal growth
• Help boys develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship
• Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body
• Improve understanding within the family
• Strengthen boys' ability to get along with others and respect other people
• Foster a sense of personal achievement by helping boys develop new interests and skills
• Show how to be helpful and do one's best
• Provide fun and adventure
• Prepare boys to further develop as Boy Scouts
Communication
Pack 102 relies heavily on e-mail and our web site to communicate with pack members. When you join Pack 102 your e-mail will be added to the pack e-mail distribution list and you will start to get announcements about Pack activities.
Pack Web Site: http://www.westfordpack102.com
District and Council Web Site: www.yccbsa.org
Pack E-Mail address: westfordpack102@gmail.com
Activities and Outings
Boys most often learn by doing. Cub Scouting helps boys develop by having them do new things and actively participate in new activities.
Many of the activities happen with the den and the pack. The most important are den meetings and monthly pack meetings. There also are other exciting Cub Scout activities around our District and Council.
Monthly Pack Activities – In addition to the pack meetings the pack also sponsors monthly pack activities. These are optional activities that give the scouts and their families (siblings and parents are usually invited to join in) to interact with other pack members and enjoy challenging activities.
Pinewood Derby – You and your son work together to build a miniature gravity-powered race car. We get together for the big race in January of each year. This is a fun and popular event.
Pack Camping - Pack 102 does camping and other overnights at least twice a year, hopefully more. This is family camping that gets your son outdoors with your family and others, located within a convenient drive, in areas that will provide lots to do. Webelos will go on additional campouts with their den.
Child development research suggests that children who spend time outdoors are less likely to have attention-deficit challenges and more likely to be physically and mentally fit. Campouts often include other activities, such as a fishing derby, outdoor games and hikes, nature investigation or simply time to explore (within safety limits, of course.)
Service Projects - We don't just talk about helping, we do something about it. Your son will participate in projects to help the less fortunate. The Pack is always looking for new ways to serve and improve the community we live in.
Day Camps and Residence Camps
Day Camp - During late summer, there are week-long Cub Scout day camps - convenient to Westford -with archery, BB guns, nature, sports, crafts and games for a fraction of what ‘for-profit’ day camps cost.
Overnight Camp - During summer, overnight Cub-and-parent camps of a few days offer a variety of outdoor activities. The District publishes a camping brochure in the spring covering what will be available during the upcoming summer.
How Cub Scouting is organized
Wolves travel in Packs. Geese gather in gaggles. But, what do you call a bunch of Cub Scouts? Here's a brief overview of the organization you're joining:
The Den. Your son is a member of a den. A den typically consists of four to ten boys all in the same grade. The den usually meets 2 to 4 times per month and is led by a parent (adult) called a Den Leader and one or more assistants (also parents). Den Meetings typically last one hour and consist of games, crafts, stunts, ceremonies, and lots of fun. Dens also have outdoor activities and field trips.
The Pack. A pack is made up of several dens. The pack meets once every month for a Pack Meeting. These Pack Meetings, which all Cub Families attend, let the boys show off the skills they have learned at the den meetings. At the Pack Meetings scouts receive badges and awards they have earned. The Pack will also host an activity - usually outdoors - every month. The Cubmaster is responsible for the Pack program. Pack 102 usually communicates with families through meetings, e-mail and the always-updated Pack website.
The Pack Committee. The Pack Committee is comprised of the "board of directors." This group of parents and leaders plan pack meetings and other activities, manage the pack's money, order badges and supplies, and take care of other behind-the-scene tasks. The Pack Committee Chairman presides over the committee.
The Charter Organization. Scouting Units are "owned and operated" by a local community organization. Pack 102 is “chartered” by the Westford United Methodist Church.
The District and Council The district is the organization that coordinates scouting activities across multiple Packs and Troops (Boy Scouts) spanning several area towns. We are members of the Greater Lowell district of the Yankee Clipper Council. Pack 102 scouts have opportunity to participate in district and council sponsored activities throughout the year.
Advancement Plan
Recognition is important to young boys. The Cub Scout advancement plan provides age-appropriate fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement projects. For all but the Webelos, a parent can serve as Akela, or leader to approve completion of advancement requirements.
Tiger Cub: The Tiger Cub program is for first grade (or age 7) boys and their adult partners. The Tiger Cub, working with his adult partner, completes 15 requirements within 5 achievements 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 first grade. Parents share leadership of the Tiger Cub Den.
Bobcat: The Bobcat rank is for all boys who join Cub Scouting. Working to earn this award helps the new Cub learn the basics of Cub Scouting.
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.
Bear: The Bear rank is for boys who have completed second grade (or are age 9). There are 24 Bear achievements in four categories. The Cub Scout must complete 12 of these to earn the Bear badge. These are somewhat more challenging than those for Wolf.
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.
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.
There also are award programs that encourage exploration of your religious faith, nature conservation, public service and new skills, subjects and sports.
The Dollars and Cents of Cub Scouting
Compared to other youth programs, Cub Scouting is a bargain. (Cub uniform cost and fees are comparable to those of many soccer programs and about half of baseball and football programs.) But it's not free.
Pack expenses include awards and recognition, outdoor events, camping trips, program materials, equipment, insurance, and leader training. Some programs like Cub Scout Day Camps and many summer programs are designed to be self-supporting.
Who pays?
Families - Boys and their parents pay for uniforms, and annual registration fees. Families also pay for many of the monthly pack activities.
Pack - Pack 102 covers event costs through event specific fees and covers other expenses by conducting an annual fundraiser each fall. We focus on fund raising at the beginning of the school year so that we don't have to raise funds again during the year!
Community - This fundraising also supports the District and Council. Local individuals, community groups and businesses support us through their contributions to the Friends of Scouting. Scouting gets no direct support from any government entity.
Registration Fee
A yearly $60.00 fee covers the council registration fee, pack expenses, your Cub Scout handbook and a subscription to the Cub Scout edition of Boys' Life. The subscription to Boys' Life provides features on Scouting, sports, hobbies, magic, science and history, as well as jokes, comics and short stories.
If costs associated with scouting pose a hardship for your family, talk to the
Cubmaster or Committee Chairman about help with fees and expenses
Making Scouting Work for Your Family
1. Look through your son's handbook. Become familiar with the advancement requirements that he'll need help with and be aware of school and other activities that may count toward these.
2. Make sure your son's Cub Scout experience is exceptional by volunteering to help. Offer your home for a den meeting, help gather materials for an activity, or coordinate meeting places or communication with other parents.
3. In a few hours each month, you can help as a registered leader and make the experience better for every boy. More than 470,000 men and women in the U.S. are Cub Scout Leaders.
Here are just a few of the ways you can help:
Den leader: Plans the den meeting and activity schedule. Coordinates the den's participation in the pack. Attends Pack Leader Meetings and Round-table sessions.
Assistant Den Leader: Helps plan den meeting and activity schedules. Fills in as needed and helps arrange for the meeting needs and communication with parents.
Pack Committee member: Responsible for a small part of the Pack program, usually with other parents.
Parent helper: At times, all parents are called to pitch in and help, such as setting up and cleaning up around Pack meetings, helping supervise programs, etc.
Volunteering? You're not alone!
The Pack succeeds when people pitch in and help it go. There is an immense force of people working to help you succeed as a volunteer by providing:
Training - You start at your own pace with short, easy-to-follow online training about Scouting and Youth Protection. Then you can attend short, focused training programs presented by experienced scouts.
Peer Support - Pack 102 has experienced leaders who will help you get started so that you can make a difference without it interrupting your life.
Program Helps - This booklet is full of ideas for den and pack meetings and events, including meeting plans, games, activities, crafts, even field trips.
Roundtables - Once a month experienced Cub Scout leaders gather to present a fun program with new ideas for Cub Scout leaders.
Leader Guides - there is a library of guides for Cub Scouts with ideas, suggestions and checklists. This includes the Cub Scout Leader Book and Cub Scout How-to-Book.
What He Will Need for a Uniform
Tiger, Wolf, Bear & Jr. Webelos Scouts
(1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade)
Blue Shirt, Short Sleeves
Neckerchief (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos)
Neckerchief Slide (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos)
Hat
Scout Belt
World Crest
Council Strip (Yankee Clipper Council)
Den Number Strip
Pack Numbers (102)
Sr. Webelos (Fifth Graders)
Tan Shirt, Short Sleeves
Neckerchief
Neckerchief Slide
Hat
Scout Belt
Webelos Colors
World Crest
Council Strip (Yankee Clipper Council)
Den Number Strip
Pack Numbers (102)
The store staff can help with any questions you will have on uniforms. Badges can be sewn on or iron on adhesive products are available at the scouting stores.
If costs associated with scouting pose a hardship for your family, talk to the
Cubmaster or Committee Chairman about help with fees and expenses.
Where are the Scouting Stores?
THE NEW ENGLAND SCOUT SHOPS are a chain of stores that are owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). These stores stock everything that you will find in the BSA Supply Catalog. All New England Scout Shops have the following hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-6:00, and Sat 9:30-3:00. They accept phone and fax orders, accept credit cards and ship via UPS. Here's a list of their locations:
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New England Scout Shop (at BSA Camp Sayre) 411 Unquity Road Milton, MA 02186 |
New England Scout Shop 1980 Lunenburg Road Lancaster, MA 01523-2735
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New England Scout Shop 189 North Main Street Middleton, MA 01949-1655 |
New England Scout Shop 23 Turnpike Road (Route 9) Southborough, MA 01772 |
The closest Scout store to Westford is in Lancaster
495 South to Rt. 2 West to Exit 35. Take a left at the end of the exit; go to the next stop sign. The Scout shop is in the basement of the Boy Scout of America Nashoba Valley Council building which is directly across from this stop.
You can also shop on-line at www.scoutstuff.org