Archived Items from the Did You Know? section of our newsletter: 

• • BSA

    • The BSA (Boy Scouts of America) is a National organization made up of multiple programs.  We mainly hear and talk about two of the programs:

      • Cub Scouts (Kindergarten - 5th grade)  The overall group is known as a Pack, and smaller groups by grade are known as Dens.  Cub Scout Packs can be boys-only, girls-only, or “family” (that’s what we are). 

      • Scouts BSA (ages 11 - 17).  This is the “traditional” BSA program.  The overall group is known as a Troop, and smaller groups are known as Patrols.  Scouts BSA Troops are boys-only or girls-only.  

    • There are also programs for Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Exploring.  For more information, click here.  

• • Webelos Woods

    • Webelos Woods is an annual camping event at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp where Webelos Scouts meet with local Scouts BSA Troops.  It has traditionally been held the first weekend of November.  Webelos Scouts camp with their parents and each Scouts BSA Troop teaches the Cub Scouts a different skill - fire building, emergency shelter, first aid, cooking, etc.  The Webelos Scouts love it, and the older Scouts learn to teach younger children.  Plus, it’s a great weekend in the cool, fall weather for camping and socialization with your child’s den.  All Webelos Scouts should plan to attend this event at least once, in 4th or 5th grade.  

• • Religious Emblems

    • The BSA works with religious organizations to offer religious emblems for Scouts who would like to learn more about their faith (or in some cases, other faiths).  Your Scout can earn a religion medal/emblem by completing activities as defined by each religious organization.  For example, Catholic scouts can earn Light of Christ (Tiger/Wolf) or Parvuli Dei (Bear/Webelos).  

    • If you would like your Scout to participate in your religious organization’s emblem, you should order your faith’s activity book through the Scout Shop and work with your religious organization to complete it and purchase the award.  These awards are completed outside of normal den meetings / pack nights.  

    • If your scout receives their religious emblem award before Scout Sunday (for the Catholic award) or the Blue and Gold, we will present it to them there - just let us know!

    • For more information, see the BSA’s flier.

• • Summer Camp

    • Have you started looking into summer camps?  Baiting Hollow Scout Camp has a fun camp for Cub Scouts!  Scouts work on rank-specific adventures, swim, do arts and crafts, play games, and spend lots of time outdoors.  For more information, see: https://www.sccbsa.org/cub-bhsc and note the Bus Transportation that is available.

• • Youth Protection

    • New leaders must register with the BSA.  The registration process includes references and a background check.  The BSA also verifies that a new leader has not previously been removed from leadership for cause in a different pack or troop.

    • All leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training, yearly.  Anyone can take the training by visiting my.scouting.org to have a better understanding of the Youth Protection requirements.  Many of these requirements are discussed in the pamphlet: How to Protect Your Child from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide, which is included in the front of your scout’s book.

• • Council Events

    • Our Pack is part of Suffolk County Council (SCC), which represents Suffolk County in the BSA.  SCC runs events that are open to our scouts in Pack 354.  Many of these events are at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp.  They include seasonal events (Baiting “Hollow”een, Brunch with Santa), weekend Cub-parent camping, trips to sporting events, and shooting sports.  We do not typically attend these events together as a group, but you are welcome to sign up and attend council events individually or with your den.   

    • https://www.sccbsa.org/calendar/286/Council-Events 

• • Uniforms

    • All About Uniforms…

      • Class A vs. Class B (AKA “Field Uniform” vs. “Activity Uniform”)

        • Class A / Field Uniform: This is the official uniform, used for flag ceremonies and other formal events.  It includes the uniform shirt; pants/skort/shorts in the matching color; belt; Cub Scout rank hat and neckerchief. (For Lions, the official uniform is a Lion T-shirt and Lion hat.  Lion neckerchief is optional and earned during Gizmos and Gadgets.)

        • Class B / Activity Uniform: Pack 354 or BSA t-shirt and Pack 354 or Cub Scout rank hat.  This is worn at informal (or sometimes messy) events.  Your scout should wear this to all den meetings and Pack events when specified.

      • Blue Uniforms vs. Tan Uniforms

        • Blue uniforms are worn by younger scouts starting in 1st grade.  Cub Scouts move into tan uniforms when they are in the Webelos program and starting to learn about the Scouts BSA (FKA Boy Scouts) program.  Scouts can move into the tan uniform in 4th or 5th grade.  Once they bridge to the Scouts BSA at the end of 5th grade, the uniform will remain the same, just some patches will change.

      • Where do I put all these patches / belt loops / pins?

        • This link has a good overview of patch location on the uniforms: https://cubscoutideas.com/1276/cub-scout-uniform-patch-placement/ 

        • Belt loops are the awards in Lions - Bears.  These go on the blue belt.

        • Pins are the awards in Webelos.  These go on the Webelos Colors, and are worn on the right sleeve.  Webelos may continue to wear their blue belt with awards or switch to the green belt (belt loops will not fit on the green belt).

        • All those extra patches your scout receives from events (Scouting Sunday, Calverton, Baiting Hollow, etc.) should go in a gallon-sized ziplock bag.  You will need these when your scout bridges at the end of 5th grade for their shadowbox!