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How long is the Scouting year?
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The Scouting year begins
in September and runs through the end of May. The months
of June, July, and August are filled with summertime
activities. Advancement can continue until the
next school year. |
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What school
kids can attend Pack 287? |
Are boys are
welcome at Pack 287. Most of the boys attend
Shepard & Sigler Elementary Schools with
some of the boys attending Messiah Lutheran Church in Plano Texas. |
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My son would
like to be a Cub Scout but he is passed 1st grade;
is it too late to join? |
No. Boys may join Cub Scouts at any age and will be assigned to a Den of same-age Scouts. 1st grade boys
are Tigers, 2nd grade are Wolves, 3rd grade are
Bears, and 4th and 5th grade boys are Webelos.
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My son is not interested in camping and hiking; can he still join Cub Scouts for the other
activities?
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Absolutely. There are no requirements that a Scout attend camping or hiking
events. Cub Scouts offers a wide range of activities
such as Rain Gutter Regatta, Pinewood Derby, summer
time activities, Pack and Den Meetings, and many
other activities. |
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What are some of the
many other activities? |
Past Summertime
activities: Rockets and Watermelons, Roller skating,
Nature hike, Biking, National Scout Museum trip, and
Swimming.
Past Spring trips have been to NASA for the Webelos
and for the entire Pack, The Lexington air
craft carrier in Corpus Christi, Texas and include a
one night sleep aboard. |
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I've heard that Cub Scouts use knives and I'm not sure that I'm comfortable with that... can you elaborate?
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Yes. Cub Scouts
at the Bear level (3rd grade) and above are eligible
to learn how to use a pocket knife in a safe manner by supervised practical experience using a
pop cycle stick and soap bar. The pocket knife
comes after safety is comprehended. The Scout
will then sign an oath (called the
Whittlin' Chip) a safety and responsibility pact between the Scout and the Pack.
Pocket knives are the only option while sheath knife
are not allowed. |
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I noticed that uniforms seem to vary from Scout to Scout... do we have to buy a new uniform for our Scout each year?
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Not really. The uniform for the Cub Scouts is essentially the same for the first three years (blue shirt/pants) and only changes in the last two years (khaki shirt/green pants) if the Scout's Den so chooses. There are some color differences in the first three years.
Each years has an accent color that is represented on the cap, neckerchief, and socks: Tigers wear orange, Wolves wear yellow, and Bears wear light blue.
Check with our leadership at the
beginning of the scout year for hand me downs. |
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Does your Pack have a fund-raiser event that we'll be expected to support?
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Yes, once a year
we sell popcorn and greenery to cover first time
scout book neckerchief and slide, awards, raingutter
boats and pinewood derby boats pack meeting facility
rental. A lump sum buy out is an option but
sales are encouraged to allow the boys additional
opportunities and awards. |
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What's a Pack, Den, Troop, and Patrol? Are these terms interchangeable?
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Confusing, huh?
Well, in Cub Scouts we assign each Scout to a Den. Each Den is usually made up of 7-8 Scouts of the same age or grade. When we talk about our Pack, we're simply talking about all of our Scouts in all of the Dens as one large group. In other words, our Pack is made up of several Dens.
In Boy Scouts, the equivalent of a Den is the Patrol, and the equivalent of the Pack is the Troop.
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What is the time commitment in terms of meetings?
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We usually hold one Pack Meeting each month from September through May; likewise, each Den usually holds one Den Meeting during each of those months. Dens often schedule a secondary monthly get together for outings of various types (hikes, tours, service projects.) During Summer Scouts there are usually no meetings (usually replaced with outdoor activities.)
Finally, if you'd like to assist us in leadership there is also a monthly Parent/Leader Meeting which meets to help guide the Pack. |
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Any other time commitments I should know about?
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Most Dens have a rotation of "hosts" for their Den Meetings throughout the year; you may be asked to host a Den Meeting (including planning and preparation) along with the assistance of the Den Leader. Also, the Scouts may earn achievements during the course of the year, and the amount of time you expend on these with your son is, of course, up to you. |
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What about financial considerations?
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In general, Pack
287 funds most equipment rental charges, camping fees, uniform patches, and awards. However, you will need to pay for an annual membership fee for your Scout that covers registration and a full year of "Boy's Life" magazine. The other significant expense is your Scout's uniform.
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What if I have other questions not addressed here? |
Not a problem!
Contact our
Cubmaster by email and
he'll be sure to get you the answers you need. |
