Welcome Information

Welcome to Cub Scout Pack 157!

We are so excited that you have chosen Scouting for your child, and we are happy to have you at Pack 157! Cub Scouts came into being in 1930, and since then Scouts have been joining for the fun and adventure. Underneath all of that is a character-building program that encourages making good, ethical choices, family strengthening, physical fitness, and citizenship skills in the lives of our youth.

Scouting utilizes an advancement system that requires youth to “do their best” to complete the requirements toward his/her rank badge. There are many awards and recognitions available in Scouting, and Pack 157 strives to make each award earned significant and meaningful to the Scout so it will be remembered and appreciated.

The information in this Handbook is intended to answer many of your questions as you get started in Cub Scouting and will continue to be a handy reference for the future.

From a global perspective you and your child are members of Pack 157, which is in the Japeechen District of the Laurel Highlands Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The Pack is run by BSA registered Adult Leader Volunteers and the youth are separated into rank, which is generally determined by grade. Kindergarteners are Lions, 1st graders are Tigers, 2nd graders are Wolves, Third graders are Bears, 4th graders are Webelos, and 5th graders are Arrows of Light (also called AOLs or sometimes Webelos 2). These smaller groups within the Pack are referred to as “Dens.” Pack 157 does accept both boys and girls.

During monthly Den meetings, your child will play games, build crafts, go on trips, and many more fun activities, all focused on improving upon different skills as they learn to get along with others, be more resourceful, and participate in new activities. Our year follows the school year, and culminates with all of the Scouts crossing over to the next rank at our Blue and Gold ceremony. However, we do have several events over the summer months as well.

Thank you for taking the time to read over this Handbook, and for your support of Pack 157. As stated, all of our leaders are volunteers, and we can always use a helping hand. If you have an area that you excel in and think you can help out, or if you want to help but aren’t sure what to do - we certainly have a place for you! 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. We are looking forward to a wonderful, fulfilling year with you and your children.

Yours in Scouting,

Erin Berdik, Committee Chair 412-992-1509

Dave Lorence, Cubmaster 412-897-6719

Liz Fisher, Assistant Cubmaster 814-591-7551

Our Mission: Building Better Youth

Pack 157 puts our Scouts first. Our goal is to provide the best possible Scouting program for them. To do this, we emphasize quality leadership, family participation, good attendance, and a program that is both fun and focused on the ideals of Scouting. Our Pack is building better kids today for a better community tomorrow. This mission flows from the 9 purposes of Cub Scouting, as laid out by the Boy Scouts of America. They are:

•Positively influencing a child’s character development and encouraging spiritual growth

•Helping children develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship

•Encouraging good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body

•Improving understanding within the family

•Strengthening the ability to get along with others and to respect other people

•Fostering a sense of personal achievement by helping develop new interests and skills

•Showing how to be helpful and do one’s best

•Providing fun and exciting new things to do

•Preparing Cub Scouts to become Boy Scouts

Our Website:

https://sites.google.com/site/glenshawpack157/home

Please visit and bookmark our Pack website for all of the important information regarding our Pack!

How Much Does This Cost?

The fees are updated every year, and one of the leaders can give you a cost for this particular year. Fees include:

•BSA national registration

•Advancement awards/Pinewood Derby Cars etc.

•Leader materials and training

This fee does NOT cover:

•Boy’s Life subscription (optional)

•Scout Handbook

•Class A Scout uniform

•Fees for specific Pack events like camp outs

We participate in several fundraisers throughout the year to help offset the cost of Scouting. These are not mandatory, however they do usually benefit both the Pack as well as the individual Scout.

Payments for dues, activity costs, fundraising and other payments to the Pack can be made by cash, check payable to Pack 157 or Zelle to epcpack157@gmail.com

Uniforms, Patches and Accessories

The Class A Uniform represents the official uniform prescribed by the Boy Scouts of America. It is the official shirt, neckerchief and slide. It can also include the belt, pants, and hat.

The Class B Uniform in an informal uniform designed by the Pack. Pack 157’s Class B Uniform is the Pack 157 t-shirt and jeans (or casual pants/shorts). Class B Uniforms are worn for work projects, sporting activities, and other events in which the Class A Uniform might get damaged. T shirts are available for purchase from the Pack.

CHECKLIST TO BUY

Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos

_____ Blue Cub Scout shirt with US Flag (short sleeve is most practical)

_____ Cub Scout belt 

_____ Coordinating rank neckerchief (can use the free Pack neckerchief)

_____ Coordinating rank slide

_____ Official Tiger, Wolf or Bear hat (optional)

AOLs

_____ Tan Boy Scout shirt with US Flag (short sleeve is most practical)

_____ Webelos neckerchief (can use the free Pack neckerchief)

_____ Webelos slide

_____Official Webelos hat (optional)

*Keep in mind when purchasing a new uniform that your Scout is growing. It is recommended to buy a larger size so they can get the most use out of it. If your Scout is growing out of their blue uniform and is a Webelo, you can just transition them early to the tan uniform.

Lions may wear the Lion t shirt in place of class A uniform.

We do have uniform donations - where Scouts can donate their old uniforms that don’t fit anymore to Scouts who need uniforms, so please check this before buying.

Uniforms and accessories are available at Flag Plaza (1725 Bedford Ave. Pittsburgh 15219) or online at www.scoutshop.org. The employees at Flag Plaza are very helpful in finding what you need.

PATCHES

There will be patches that will need to be sewn on the Class A shirt. There is a designated place for each patch. Please refer to your Scout book for proper placement. You can get patches sewn on at Flag Plaza by the staff if you would like. Not all patches are to be put on the Class A shirt - for those you can purchase a vest, which is not mandatory.

How the Pack Runs

The Pack Committee

The Pack Committee is a group of adult volunteers who plan the program and activities. They also manage such things as record keeping, finances, leadership recruitment, and registration. The Committee Chairperson, who is the administrative head of the pack, runs this group. The Pack committee meets once a month. Committee meetings are open to all parents of the Pack, and you are always encouraged to join us!

The Cubmaster

The Cubmaster works under the guidance of the Pack Committee, and is responsible for:

•Conducting the Pack program, including leading the monthly pack meeting

•Guiding, supporting, motivating and inspiring the other adult leaders, and making sure they receive training for their positions

•Making sure all the Dens are functioning well

•Helping recruit Den leaders and volunteers

•Establishing and maintaining good relationships with local Boy Scout Troops

Den Leaders

As a parent, the Scout leader you will see the most often will be your Den leader. They are responsible for:

•Organizing and running Den meetings and overseeing and Den outings

•Involving parents in the leadership of the Den

•Working directly with each child to see that their needs are being met through Scouting

•Providing advice and consultation to Scouts regarding rank advancement, badges, and awards

•Interfacing with the Pack Committee and Cubmaster to represent the interests of the Den

•Organize the Den to execute its responsibilities at the Pack Meeting, and seeing that the Scouts exhibit appropriate conduct

You

As a parent of a Pack 157 Scout, you have a vital role in controlling the quality of your child’s Scouting experience. You do this by:

•Volunteering to assist the Pack in some way during the year

•Encouraging your child to participate in Den and Pack Meeting events

•Encouraging rank advancement and earning badges and awards 

•Supporting your Den leader by helping with meetings and den “control”

•Participating in fundraising activities

•Assist in recruitment of new families 

•Sharing your ideas and talents 

Dens

The Den is where Scouting really happens. Each Den is different and functions as it makes sense for the families in it, but here are some key points about Den meetings:

•Dens typically meet 2 times a month from September through May, usually at Elfinwild Church

•Den meeting dates and times are set up by the Committee and Den leaders before the year starts, although can be adjusted by the Den leader as needed

•Den meetings generally last from 1-2 hours

•Parent involvement is necessary for successful Den meetings

Remember that your child’s Den leader is a volunteer putting his/her time and effort forward to help your child “do their best” to earn badges, participate in the fun, and gain positive experiences from Scouts. You can assist in the following ways:

•Have your child to meetings on time

•Parents stay and actively participate in meetings

•Pay dues and activity fees promptly

Pack Meetings

Pack meetings occur once a month. Awards for work done at the Den meetings are presented during the Pack meetings. The Pack meetings are typically held at Elfinwild Church, but sometimes an outing is used as a Pack meeting. 

Pack 157 Code of Conduct

This outlines the obligations of Scouts, leaders, and parents with respect to one another. Respect for this Code is essential for the operation of the Pack. 

Cub Scouts

•Respect one another, keeping hands and feet to themselves

•Wear proper uniform - clean, neat and complete - to all Scouting events

•Demonstrate respect for all adults in authority

•Pay attention and respond to the “wolf ears” signal

•Show respect for surroundings, leaving them as good as, or better than, they found it

Parents

•Assist Scout in learning and following the Pack 157 Code of Conduct

•Act as role models, demonstrating proper behavior and language

•Treat all Scouts as individuals, respecting their unique needs and capabilities

•Assume responsibility for the safety, well being and behavior of your child at all times

•Follow Boy Scout rules regarding discipline and other matters