The Pack has several policies that help us conduct our program efficiently and safely for the scouts and their families. If there are any questions, please feel free to discuss them with an adult leader. We are always willing to discuss any issues with the parents.
- A parent must accompany scout to each meeting – cub scouting is not a babysitting service, it is a program that achieves its aims by doing family-oriented activities in a fun and safe environment – the activities often require the involvement of parents.
- All parents must be present and inside meeting area during our opening ceremony and for announcements at the beginning of the meeting - Please give us your attention during this time so we can get the meetings underway and the scouts having fun as quickly as possible. Parents must let the den leader know that they are leaving the meeting (even if “stepping out” for a few minutes) - if something happens we need to know where you are and how to reach you!
- Please do not leave siblings unattended – please remember that this is a program for the scouts and our leaders must focus their attention on running meetings and activities for the scouts – we do not have the resources to take care of the siblings too. BSA INSURANCE COVERS REGISTERED SCOUTS ONLY. All siblings are the responsibility of their parents and must be supervised properly and please make sure that siblings do not disrupt the meetings.
- We are the guests of St. Francis Xavier Church and School - They are our sponsoring organization so we must make every effort to stay on their good side and keep the spaces we use CLEAN – please make every effort to help clean up after meetings. We must keep our “volume” down to a reasonable level. We are only allowed in our assigned rooms and the adjacent bathrooms - ABSOLUTELY NO ONE IS ALLOWED UPSTAIRS in either the rectory or the school without permission from a leader (note: there are security cameras in the school).
- “Signs-Up” – we use this to get attention quickly during our meetings and activities. We ask that all scouts, parents and leaders cooperate with any leader who puts the “signs-up” – this way we won’t have to yell to get people’s attention and makes our meetings run smoother.
- All BSA Youth Protection Guidelines Are Followed - Pack 162 is committed to seeing that all scouts have a safe and fun experience in our program. In order to protect the well-being of all our scouts, Pack 162 adheres to several important policies that are part of the BSA Youth Protection Guidelines:
- No one-on-one contact. No individual adult is ever to be alone with an individual scout other than the adult’s own son.
- No secret meetings. All scout meetings and outings are always open to all parents.
- Two-deep leadership. All Den and Pack meetings and outings must have at least two adult leaders present.
- Leader Screening. All leaders are subject to an extensive review process, including reference checks, interviews, and criminal records review.
- Leader training. All our Den leaders have completed Cub Scout Basic Leader training, which includes training on youth protection guidelines. In addition, all leaders are required every other year to complete a special Youth Protection Training course offered by the Boy Scouts of America.
- Reporting of Suspected Abuse. All scout leaders are obligated to report any suspicions of child or sexual abuse to the Greater New York Council.
- Parental Accompaniment of Tiger Cubs. Tiger Cubs must always have a parent or adult partner present at all activities.
- Youth Awareness. At each level of the scouts’ advancement, from the Bobcat through Webelos ranks, parents are expected to discuss youth safety issues with their sons. Please refer to the front section of any scout handbook for a guide on youth protection and safety that you should review and discuss with your son.
- Buddy rule – we use the buddy system at all times in scouting including bathroom breaks during meetings, on pack trips and while camping. If a scout needs to use the bathroom during a meeting, he must find a buddy to go with him and he must let the den leader know. If the bathroom is on a different floor (such as at the school cafeteria), he must have a buddy and two adults to go. Adult supervision must ALWAYS be “two-deep” – parents and leaders should never be alone with a scout (unless it is his or her scout) while camping, during a trip or at a meeting – the scout must have a buddy AND there should be at least two adults present.
- Youth Protection Training (YPT) for Parents – The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To help maintain such an environment, the BSA has developed an online YPT course that all leaders must take and all parents are encouraged to take it as well. Info on the online course (~15 minutes) can be found at: https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/
- Pack Trips & Activities - Pack parents&leaders are invited to organize trips and activities on behalf of the Pack but in order to qualify as a Pack event, the trip/activity must conform to BSA Youth Protection Guidelines which requires the presence of at least 2 adult Pack leaders. Also, some activities require a permit from BSA in order to be covered by their insurance policy. As a result, before making any arrangements, please discuss any trip/activity ideas with the Pack leadership to make sure there are enough adult leaders for the event and to determine the permit requirements.
The Pack leaders meet each quarter to discuss the upcoming Pack program – parents are encouraged to present their trip/activity ideas during these meetings so they can be coordinated with the leaders and with the pack calendar.
- Attendance at Meetings, Events and Activities – it is not mandatory that a scout attend every meeting and activity – we recognize that families have busy schedules and conflicts arise BUT also please recognize that the leaders spend time and effort to organize meetings and activities and expect a certain number of scouts to be present in order for them to succeed. All we ask is that the scouts make a best faith effort to attend. If attendance to meetings is very low (under 50%) and if the scout does not participate in any activities, we may have a conference with the parents to seek out a solution
- Games, Toys and Electronics – PLEASE LEAVE THEM AT HOME! They will be a distraction for your scout and the others during meetings and events – our program will keep the scouts busy enough!
- Transportation – the Pack does not have its own vehicle - Scout families are responsible for their own transportation to and from Pack activities. However, we do encourage ride-sharing when possible as long as the “buddy rule” and “two-deep” adult supervision is in effect during the trip.
- Dress code – after the scout is registered, a proper uniform must be worn at meetings and designated Pack events. Please see the uniform info page for requirements – the shirt should be tucked in.
- Notes Regarding Jewelry - In addition to not being a part of the official Cub Scout uniform, jewelry can also present a safety concern. Serious injury to the wearer and others can occur when jewelry becomes entangled during activities. The pack committee strongly urges that no jewelry be worn at pack activities regardless of whether the Scouts are in full uniform or not.
- Necklaces - Any necklace must be completely covered by the uniform shirt.
- Earrings - Earrings should be removed during scout meetings, events and activities – this is a must for any type of hoop earring.
- Bracelets - Bracelets should not be worn during scout meetings, events and activities.
- Rings - Small, plain rings with no protrusions may be permitted. Rings with protrusions which could scratch others are not permitted during scout meetings, events and activities.