Parent Handbook
Cub Scout Pack 277 Welcome Packet!!!
Hello! Thank you for showing interest in the Cub Scouts of America! Cub Scouts is an organization dedicated to
bringing out the best in kids by encouraging them to learn about a variety of subjects, including the outdoors,
community service, character development, and most importantly, making new friends.
All boys and girls from Kindergarten through 5th grade can join the cub scouts. (Children older than that join
Scouts BSA.) Their grade in school corresponds to a rank in Cub Scouts:
Grade Rank
Kindergartners Lions
1st Grade Tigers
2nd Grade Wolves
3rd Grade Bears
4th Grade Webelos 1 (Webelos is short for “We’ll be Loyal Scouts”)
5th Grade Arrow of Light
We are Pack 277, one of several packs that serve the Reynoldsburg area and nearby communities.
Our pack usually has around 40 to 60 cub scouts. The “Pack” is the entire group of scouts in 277. The scouts will
also be part of a sub-group called a “den”. Dens are groups of 5 to 12 scouts of the same rank (i.e. Den 6 is a
group of ten 4th grade scouts who are Webelos 1). We generally have 1-2 dens in each grade.
Cubs will meet with their dens about two times a month. A den leader (one of the parents of a child in the den)
will have activities planned for each meeting. These activities will follow a curriculum set by the Boy Scouts of
America which teach a myriad of skills and knowledge about topics such as first aid, forestry, craftmanship,
cooking, citizenship, government, art, history, engineering, camping, and athletics.
Sometimes, instead of a normal den meeting, the den may visit a local attraction as a “Go-See-It”, which can be
a trip to a museum, the police or fire station, City Hall, or a location of historical significance. Each year, they will
work on attaining belt-loop rewards that build up to the Bobcat / Tiger / Wolf / Bear / Webelos badge. At the
end of their Weblos II year, they can earn the Arrow of Light, the ultimate Cub Scout award before moving on to
the Boy Scouts of America.
Cub scouts will also meet with the entire pack once a month. Pack meetings are a time where all the dens get
together to go over announcements, play games, do some crafts, and have fun as a whole group.
As a pack, we also have activities and outings throughout the year. See the Calendar in this packet for the full
list. Or use the following links to add to your own calendar
Google Users: https://tinyurl.com/y4zbsz28
Apple, Microsoft, Etc: https://tinyurl.com/yysjno4m
Frequently Asked Questions
How old can a child be to join Cub Scouts?
Cub Scouts is for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Our cubs usually “cross-over” to Boy
Scouts in February of their fifth grade year.
When does the pack meet?
The pack meets on Sunday nights, and usually on the fourth Sunday of the month. We schedule them
based upon the school year schedule, so we try to avoid conflicts with various school vacations (spring
break, Christmas break, etc.)
Where do the pack meetings occur?
Our pack meets at the Messiah Lutheran Church (1200 Waggoner Rd, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068). Pack
meetings are at 6:30 PM and usually last about an hour.
When do the dens meet?
Den meeting times are up to the den leader and are usually agreed upon by the parents. Usually we try
to have at least two dens per rank, so we will assign a boy to a den that is most convenient to their (and
their parents!) schedule. If something changes in the future and a previously open day becomes filled
with a different activity, changing dens is not a problem.
Where do the dens meet?
Den meeting locations are up to the den leader. The most common locations are at Messiah Lutheran
Church, Taylor Road Elementary, French Run Elementary, Summit Road Elementary, or possibly at the
den leader’s house. Den meetings usually last an hour, but some Go-See-Its can obviously last longer.
Do parents attend den and pack meetings?
Part of the joy of Cub Scouts is building a bond between cubs and their parents. We do require parents
to attend pack meetings and pack events with their scout. Parents also need to attend den meetings if
their child is in kindergarten or first grade. They are not required to participate, but can feel free to help
as much as they want. With the den leaders approval, scouts in second grade or above can be dropped
off, but parents are encouraged to stay.
Can I bring siblings to pack events / activities?
Yes! Cub Scouts is a family organization. Siblings are invited to make their own Pinewood Derby car,
attend campouts, join in pack meeting crafts / games, fish at the fishing derby, etc. There may be a few
activities (usually den activities) where a sibling may not be able to participate for various reasons, but
we generally try to include them whenever possible.
Is there a uniform?
Yes. See the Pack 277 Uniform requirements section of this packet for information about the uniform.
Are there yearly dues?
Dues are $180 per year. We also expect each scout to participate in our only fundraiser, which is selling
popcorn each fall.
How can I sell popcorn?
Every year from mid September to the first of November our pack sells popcorn.
We ask that each child in first grade and above to sell $250 of popcorn or work 6 hours by selling
popcorn in front of one of our scheduled store hours (frequently Lowes).
If you do not want to sell popcorn at all, you may choose to pay the pack and additional $180 instead.
Your yearly dues will be reduced by $10 if you sell $400 of popcorn. For every hundred after that, your
dues will be reduced an additional $10. Sell $1000 of popcorn, and you owe nothing!
If the pack sells $20,000 in popcorn, we will pay for every scout in the pack in first grade and above to go
to day camp. Day camp is a week-long event in June where boys can shoot a bow and arrow, shoot a B-
B gun, go swimming, go fishing, go canoeing, do woodworking, learn map and compass, and much
more! So, the pack could pay the $85 fee for a week full of fun.
How can I help?
There are lots of ways that you can help! We are always looking for input at our monthly Parent
Planning meeting (usually the 3rd Sunday of the month at 6:30 at Messiah Lutheran in Fritz Hall). We
also will send out signups throughout the year asking for help running various activities.
If you would like to be a den leader or pack officer, please let us know!
What is Scoutbook?
Scoutbook (https://scoutbook.com) is an online website used to for communication, event scheduling,
and advancement tracking
I don’t live in Reynoldsburg. Can my son still join Pack 277?
Yes. Your son can attend any Pack in the greater Columbus area.
What is the pack website?
http://sites.google.com/site/scoutpack277/
Is there a Facebook page?
Yes, there is a closed group. Search Facebook for “Cub Scouts Pack 277”.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cubpack277reynoldsburg/
If you have any additional questions, feel free ask and any of the den leaders or officers, and they will be happy
to answer them.
Pack 277 Committee cubpack277@gmail.com
Committee Chair: Jocelyn Spann jocelyn.spann24@gmail.com
Cubmaster: Scott Wittler scottmwittler@gmail.com
Treasurer: Lea Rospendowski lrospendowski@gmail.com
Secretary:
Member: John Rodgers chefjohnrodgers@gmail.com
Advancement Chair:
Quartermaster: Robyn Stoehr robyn_stoehr@yahoo.com
Pinewood Derby Chair:
Blue & Gold Chair:
Fundraising Chair: Samantha Edwards samedwards2532@gmail.com
Popcorn Warehouse: Samantha Edwards samedwards2532@gmail.com
Hiking Club Chair:
Training Chair:
New Member Chair:
Rechartering Chair:
We truly strive to make this the most fun and educational experience for your boy that we can. Feedback is
always encouraged. Cub Scouts is an excellent way to spend time with your child, all while they learn new skills
and makes new friends
Simon Kenton Scout Shop
807 Kinnear Road
Suite 120
Columbus, OH 43212
614-481-4270
Scout Shop Hours of Operation:
Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri | 9:00am-6:00pm
Thursday | 9:00am-7:00pm
Saturday | 10:00am-4:00pm
Closed Sunday
Pack 277 Uniform Requirements
Kindergarteners (Lions)
Lion T-shirt and The Lion Guide paperback book that can be purchased through the Scout Shop
First through Fifth Grade
Shirt – You will need to purchase a cub scout uniform shirt from the Scout Shop as part of your Class A uniform.
We suggest the short-sleeved shirt, since you may wear any color long sleeve shirt under your uniform shirt.
1st through 3rd grade should wear the blue scout shirt
4th and 5th grade may wear the blue scout shirt or a tan scout shirt. (Your scout can continue to wear the
tan shirt in Boy Scouts.)
Neckerchief – Provided by the pack
Webelos Colors – For 4th and 5th grade only. These are used to hold the Webelos pins your son will earn.
Neckerchief slide – Our pack makes slides periodically. Optionally, you may purchase one from the Scout Shop.
Belt – Optional, but useful to hold all the belt loops your child will earn.
Rank specific hat – Optional.
We do not require uniform shorts or pants, since boys tend to grow quickly. The boys can wear jean/khaki/navy
pants or shorts as part of their Class A uniform.
The pack also has a second shirt designed each year to be purchased (we call it your “Class B”) that may be worn
for certain pack activities, such as camping. We will let you know when the Class A is required versus the Class
B.
Annual Pack Activities through the School Year
Fishing Derby
See who can catch the most fish, or maybe the BIGGEST fish!
Fall Campout
Fishing, Hiking, Crafts, Games, Tent-o-Treating, Costume Contest
Pinewood Derby
You can build a wooden car and race against your pack-mates on our Derby Racetrack
Blue & Gold Ceremony
The annual party where we celebrate the Cub Scouts anniversary and play games
Winter Campout (Bears and Webelos I)
Firebuilding, Nature Hike, Woodworking, Whittling, Astronomy, Cooking, Archery, BB Guns
Spring Campout
Fishing, Hiking, Crafts, Games, and the Crossover Ceremony to your next rank, Flag Retirement
Ceremony
Flag Planting on Memorial Day
Our pack places American Flags for all the Veterans at Glen Rest Cemetery – 4000 flags!!!
Summer Day Camp
Swimming, Archery, BB Guns, Canoeing, Creeking, Nature Hike, Camp Songs, Map & Compass,
Woodworking, and much, much, more!
4th of July Parade
We march down Main Street in the yearly parade procession and hand out candy
We also arrange for additional summer activities, which changes every year.