Join Pack 43

New Scout Registration

Use the following link or QR code to register online. Please note that this is for new Scouts only and not for returning Scouts.

https://my.bsa.us/055paa0043mb

Information for Prospective Cub Scouts

Thank you for your interest in Cub Scouts and for checking out Pack 43. We hope that this information answers your initial questions. If you have remaining questions, please ask one of us (contact info at the bottom of this page).

Who?

Pack 43 programming is designed for youth in kindergarten through 5th grade. Our Scouts are usually from Sutter Elementary, Eisenhower Elementary, St. Justin’s School, Monticello Academy, Stratford School and the surrounding neighborhoods in Santa Clara. Scouts may join at any grade level, and don’t need to “start at the beginning” since each grade starts a fresh new level/rank.

Joining mid-year is not a problem either.

We encourage siblings to join in on the fun. Bring the whole family and friends to pack meetings when your Scout has earned an award.

Volunteering requirements

Like all Scout units, Cub Scout Pack 43 is run by parent volunteers. We need individuals to help with activities, be on committees, and to be uniformed leaders. The family of each Scout is required to volunteer to for 1-2 jobs, depending on their size. Additionally, the Den Leader will ask that the parents volunteer to help with den activities. This is what makes Pack 43 such a great group - all parents volunteer, and all parents make an effort. Please complete the Parent Talent Survey so we can best match your interest with roles which need to be filled.

Child abuse is a serious problem in our society, and unfortunately, it can occur anywhere, even in Scouting. Youth safety is of paramount importance to Scouting. The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on providing the most secure environment possible for its youth members. Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers, leaders and Committee Members. We welcome all families to complete the training at www.My.Scouting.org and upon completion, you may print a certificate of completion to submit to your den leader.

What?

Cub Scouts helps to teach values through fun activities which are rewarded through rank advancement. Activities include games, crafts, sports, field trips, hiking, camping, Pinewood Derby, Scout-O-Rama, archery, BB guns, and community service.

Scouts are grouped by their grade level into dens of 5 to 10 Scouts. There is at least one den per grade level, sometimes two if there are enough Scouts to warrant a split. Scouts usually stay with the same den as they change school grades and advance to the next rank level together.

The pack is a collection of all the dens, usually totaling 50-60 Scouts. This interaction allows the Scouts to see the fun that others are having and the awards they receive along the way.

How much?*

Annual Pack membership dues:

• • $150 for Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos (1st-5th Graders)

  • $100 for Lions (Kindergarteners)

This covers the packs ability to provide the den handbook, neckerchief and slide, uniform patches, achievement pins and belt loops, pinewood derby car, adult volunteer leaders, supplemental accident insurance and more! A few events may have an additional cost, which we try to keep as low as possible. (e.g. Camping Trips, USS Hornet/Pampanito/Monterey Aquarium overnights, Sporting Events, etc.)

$12 dollar subscription rate for Boys’ Life Magazine which is a valuable Scouting publication specifically designed for Scouts and their families.

Pack 43 requires uniforms only from the waist up at all regular pack meetings, den meetings, council events, and occasionally at outings. The uniform consists of the official Cub Scout shirt, neckerchief, and neckerchief slide. Solid color jeans, pants, or shorts (no holes or cut offs) that compliment the uniform should be worn, or you may purchase the optional official Cub Scout uniform camp pants (long pants that convert to shorts). Camouflage style pants are strongly discouraged by the Boy Scouts of America; we are not a military organization.

~$45-60 for the uniform shirt for Tigers-Webelos (blue: grades 1-3, Khaki: grades 4-5), ~$10 for Lions (Kinders) T-Shirt. Buy these at the Scout Shop at 970 West Julian Street, San Jose or MerryMart at 33 Washington Street, Santa Clara.

Optional, but encouraged is a web belt - specific for the rank/grade level.

* Note that we do not want family financial challenges to prevent any boy from joining our pack. If you need help paying for the pack dues or other expenses please talk to the Cubmaster or Committee Chair (contact info at the bottom of this page).

When and Where?

Den Meetings

Den Meetings – weekly/2-3 per month.

• Lion Den. Scouts meet once per month for 45 minutes as a Den and also attend the monthly Pack meeting. Parent participation is required at this level and a parent must remain with the Scout at each meeting.

• Tiger Den (1st grade) meets usually weekly for 1 hour. Parent participation is required at this level and a parent must remain with the Scout at each meeting.

• Wolf Den (2nd grade) meets weekly usually for 1 hour.

• Bear Dens (3rd grade) meets weekly usually for 1 hour.

• Webelos I Den (4th grade) meets weekly usually for 1 hour.

• Webelos II Den (5th grade) meets weekly usually for 1 hour.

Den Outings

Dens also go on field trips or "Go-See-Its". Field trip destinations are chosen to enhance the program requirements as Scouts work toward their next rank. Many organizations are happy to host Cub Scout dens and will often tailor their presentations toward the specific program requirements.

Dens typically go on 1 outing per month.

Pack Meetings

The pack is the collection of all the smaller dens. The pack meets once a month during the school year.

Pack Activities

Pack 43 schedules a variety of activities throughout the year, typically about one per month. There is no requirement to attend any particular activity, but they are the core of what makes Cub Scouts fun. Here are some of the activities we take part in:

• • Fall Family Camp

  • Hiking/Orienteering/Bike Riding/Kayaking

  • Adopt-A-Spot Clean-up

  • Marching in the Veteran's Day Parade

  • Popcorn sales events

  • Scouting for Food--canned food drive

  • Pinewood Derby (a Scouting tradition where the Scouts and their parents build and race wooden cars)

  • Blue and Gold Banquet (celebrating the birth of Scouting in the US)

  • Scout-O-Rama (Council wide show case of Scouting activities)

  • Spring Family Camp

Pioneer District/SVMBC Council Activities

In addition to the Pack 43-scheduled activities, Cub Scouts are invited/encouraged to attend inter-district/-council activities such as Cub Camps, Bike Rides, Coastal Cleanups, Shooting Sports Shootouts, Baseball Games, and so on. Please see http://svmbc.org/svmbc/activities/ for lots of options.

Committee Meetings

Committee Meetings are held monthly. This committee performs the administrative functions of the pack.