Who can join Pack 18?

Pack 18 is open to all boys age 7 and/or first grade through age 11 and/or 5th grade.

How can my son join Cub Scouting?

We welcome new members at any time.  To join Cub Scouting, simply come to a meeting and fill out a membership application.

How much does Cub Scouting Cost?

Membership dues for our pack are $60 per scout per year.  Dues are paid in two $30 installments: one on September 1 and the second on January 1.  There are expenses in addition to dues.  Scouts must have a uniform shirt.  Additionally, some activities, such as camp-outs, trips, summer camps, and certain den activities require additional payments.  We estimate that the cost of a year of Cub Scouting will vary from a minimum of about $100 to a maximum of about $350 depending on the activities the scout chooses.  Financial aid is available and many of our activities are subsidized through the generosity of donors including First United Methodist Church and Benchmark Insurance.

Where and when does Pack 18 meet?

Pack 18 meets each Monday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 at First United Methodist Church (next to the little HEB).  All dens meet at the same time in different locations around the church facility.  Once each month there is a Pack Meeting during which awards are presented.

What is required of parents?

Tiger Scouts (first graders) must participate with a parent or guardian.  Above first grade, little parental involvement is required (but see below).  Parents do not need to be present at den meetings.  It's nice if they come to Pack meetings but, again, this is not a requirement.  However, all Cub Scout overnight camping is family camping and scouts must be accompanied by a parent, relative over 18, or guardian.

What can parents do?

We are always in need of good adult volunteers.  Like most scouting organizations, Pack 18 is an all-volunteer association.  We need parents to act as den leaders and assistant den leaders.  We also need parents to act behind the scenes, keeping track of advancement, other sorts of record keeping, arranging outings and so on.  If you have time to volunteer, we can certainly use you.

Is Cub Scouting the same thing as Boy Scouting?

Well, yes and no.  Cub Scouts is part of Boy Scouting and both operate under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America.  However, Cub Scouting is designed for boys in first through fifth grades.  To be Boy Scout, a boy must have completed fifth grade or be at least 11.  Pack 18 does not currently operate a Boy Scout Troop, but there are several in town.  These include Troop 112, Troop 116, and Troop 1954.

What is advancement?

In Cub Scouting, boys do a series of activities to earn their rank.  So for example, A boy who is in second grade is part of a Wolf Den.  All the boys in the Wolf Den are working toward receiving their Wolf Badge.  In order to receive it, they fill a series of requirements.  A good example of a requirement is "Tools for Fixing and Building."  To fill this requirement, scouts point out and name seven tools, show how to use pliers, identify a Philips head and a standard screw. Then use the right tool to drive and then remove one from a board. Show how to use a hammer.  Make a birdhouse, a set of bookends, or something else useful.

Where do boys do their advancement requirements?

Many of the advancement requirements are done during den meetings.  However, some parts of them are done with family members at home.

What happens if a boy does not fill the requirements for his rank badge?  Can my son be left behind?

Scouts work on their badges throughout the school year.  They may receive their badges at any time during that portion of the year.  However, if they do not finish the requirements by late spring - early summer, they move to the next higher den without their badge.  So, if a  boy is in a Wolf Den all year, but in May has not finished his Wolf Badge requirements, he "crosses-over" to a Bear Den with his the rest of his Wolf Den.  He will always stay with his age and grade level, even though he may never be awarded a badge.

I thought Scouting was all about the outdoors and camping.  Do you do any of that?

Older kids in Boy Scouts camp every month.  In Cub Scouting we camp less often.  We generally have one family camping trip in the fall, and one in the spring.  We may have additional adventures as well (recently, we spent a night aboard the USS Lexington).  Individual dens may, particularly Webelos may camp more often.  Webelos generally participate in two additional camping weekends: Webelos Woods in the Fall and Camporee in the spring.  Both these are "district" events (that means they involve many Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops. Please remember that Cub Scout camping is family camping.  Your scout must participate with a parent, guardian, or other legally responsible adult.

Are there any Summer Camping experiences available to Cub Scouts?

Yes!  Each summer we participate in District summer camp.  Both day camps and overnight camps are available.  Camps last three to four days and cost between $65 and $150. Contact your leaders for additional information.

My son is a member of Pack 18 and is experiencing problems with his scouting experience.  What should I do?

Pack 18 is deeply committed to providing a high quality, safe and fun scouting experience to its members.  Pack 18 is totally opposed to all forms of hazing, bullying, and discrimination of any kind.  Pack 18 does its best to provide a encouraging, positive atmosphere for all of its members.  Should a scout experience difficulty in any of these areas, the scout or his parents should first approach the scout's den leader.  If the problem can not be solved at this level (or the den leader is the problem), parents should approach the Cubmaster.  Problems that can not be solved at that level should be brought to the Chair of the Troop Committee (see organization below). 

Lastly, for true connoisseurs, How are Cub Scout Packs run and organized.  How do they fit into the Boy Scout organization.

Here goes:  All packs, troops, and other Boy Scouts of America (BSA) units operate independently.  All are chartered to some organization.  In our case, this is the First United Methodist Church.  Churches, clubs such as Rotary, schools, even businesses can hold charters for BSA units.  More than 122,000 individual units are chartered by the BSA.

All BSA units are overseen by committees appointed by their chartering organization.  A committee must consist of at least three adults.  One of these will be the Committee Chair and another will represent the Charter Organization.

All BSA units are part of a District, a geographical unit that includes numerous units.  There are many functions that occur at the district level, including training of both adult and youth leaders, organization of events such as Camporee, and fundraising.  Our district is currently Twin Valley (however watch for a reorganization of districts in Jan 2008).

All BSA Districts are part of a BSA Council.  The Council keeps records, manages property (in our case close to 10,000 acres), coordinates events, and represents the scouts on a regional level.  Our district is a component of the Capitol Area Council.  There are more than 300 Councils nationally, serving almost 3 million scouts.