Clarks Green 251 -- Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to 251!!!!
We are so excited your child has joined Scouting. It’s a great adventure for children and parents.
1. How much does it cost per year to be in Cub Scouts?
The initial registration fee to join our Pack is $125
The initial registration fee to join our Troop is $125
This covers Council Registration Fees, New Application Fees, Insurance Fees, Cub Scout Advancement Awards, and other expenses. Our membership year begins in September.
****Financial Aid is available and completely confidential.
Additional activities including camping and fun trips incur additional costs. Each Scout has an “account” with our Treasurer. The money in this account can be used for Scout camping and events. Our Treasurer maintains these records. Parents are invited to deposit money throughout the year to help cover costs. In addition, for any Scout who participates in individual fundraisers (popcorn, peanuts, spaghetti supper, camp cards, candy bars, Texas Roadhouse, etc.) a portion of the profits from all his fundraising will automatically be added to his Scout Account and a portion will be in the Pack account for awards, pack expenses, etc.
Listed below are average costs for Activities Note: all activities listed below are optional. Non-required for rank achievements:
Activities
Fall & Spring Camping Trips - Prices based on pack participation and location. Average cost is $30 per Family.
Winter Cabin Campout - Prices based on pack participation and location. Average cost is $45 per Family.
Pinewood Derby - Pinewood Derby Car Free with registration.
District Activities
Scout Night at the Rail Riders (camp out on the field) - $16 Box Seat & Camping, $17 Infield Box Seating
Parent and Pal Camp (June & August) - $45 each Person (Early Bird), $55 per Scout (After Cutoff Date)
Week-Long Day Camp - $95 per Scout (Early Bird), $110 per Scout (After Cutoff Date)
3-Day Resident Camp - $240 per Scout, $80 per Adult (Early Bird), $265 per Scout, $100 per Adult (Early Bird),
6-Day Resident Camp - $370 per Scout, $125 per Adult (Early Bird), $395 per Scout, $145 per Adult (Early Bird),
Family Camp - Age 6+ $45.00/night (under age 6 – FREE)
2. What kind of uniform do we need?
Lions (Kindergarten)
Pack Shirt (Class B Uniform) Required
Tigers, Wolves, Bears (Grades 1 through 3)
Blue Cub Scout shirt, blue pants, belt, blue socks, neckerchief, slide and hat. (Class A uniform) Required
Pack Shirt pants, belt, and hat (Class B Uniform) Optional
Webelos1 and Arrow of Light (Grades 4 and 5)
Tan Scout shirt, green pants, belt, green socks, neckerchief, slide and hat. (Class A uniform) Required
Pack Shirt pants, belt, and hat Optional
Scouts BSA (Ages 11-17)
Tan Scout shirt, green pants, belt, green socks, neckerchief, slide and hat. (Class A uniform) Required
Troop Shirt pants, belt, and hat Optional(Class B uniform)
All items can be purchased at the Scout BSA Store on Montage Mountain (72 Montage Mountain Rd, Moosic, PA 18507). The blue (Tiger, Wolf, Bear) and tan (Webelos, Arrow of Light, Scouts BSA) Uniforms are used in multiple years of Cub Scouts so you may want to buy a larger size Pack Shirts can be purchased in the beginning the scout year. Options include T-shirts, Sweatshirts, Hoodies, Hats, etc.
The tan (Scouts BSA) Uniforms are used in multiple years of Scouting so you may want to buy a larger size Shirts can be purchased in the beginning the scout year. Options include T-shirts, Sweatshirts, Hoodies, Hats, etc.
3. What kind of manuals or materials do we need?
Handbooks – Handbooks are available at the Scouts BSA store on Montage Mountain (72 Montage Mountain Rd, Moosic, PA 18507). This book will guide you and your scout through all the requirements for the upcoming year.
4. How much time is involved every month to be a part of scouting?
There are four meetings each month. Den meetings start promptly at 6:30pm at the Clarks Green Methodist Church and Scouts BSA starts promptly at 7:00pm. between September and May for about 1.5 hours. Summer meetings will be held but are optional. The Lion den meets every other week and attends the pack meeting, Lion den meetings are only 30 minutes. We have additional events that we encourage everyone to participate in as well including community service, family campouts, parades, hikes, and more. Summer activities are also available.
5. Is scouting only for my boys and his dad?
Scouting is for the any child, but they can have anyone as an adult partner (dad, mom, grandparent, aunt/uncle, etc). At the Cub Scout level, family participation is encouraged at Den meetings, Pack events, camping, hiking or anything else that might get planned. Moms and/or Dads both are very active as adult partners in our Pack. We encourage adults to volunteer at the troop level to help with troop activities, camp outs and general business.
6. Do I HAVE to volunteer to be a Leader?
No. However, 251 is run by volunteers. If you do not want to be a leader, that is fine. However, someone within your a Den will have to be the Leader. Each family is expected to have 1 actively involved parent throughout the scouting season (September – May) for cub scouts. You will be asked to volunteer within the Pack or Troop at some level as our children’s experience depends on each of us helping where and when we can. Each parent in our Pack or Troop has special experiences and skills that would benefit the child (i.e. if you are a volunteer EMT you can help with first aid, an accountant can help explain budgets to the children, if you like the outdoors you might volunteer to lead a hike, etc). Ask your Den Leader, Scout Master, Cub Master or a Pack Committee member at a pack event (generally adults found in uniform) how you can assist. Lions and Tigers do require 1 parent present at all pack meetings and events.
7. How do you learn to be a Den Leader, Scout Master or Pack Leader?
There is training available for all volunteers through Scouts BSA of America (BSA). Training is a requirement for all new leaders and can be done in-person at the Scouts BSA Training Center in Moosic or online. Also, every leader must complete a "Youth Protection Course" that can be completed online in about 30 minutes. In addition, the state of Pennsylvania requires background checks on all volunteers who work with children. If you are interested, please see the Cub master or Scout master.
8. When can we start participating with the Pack or Troop?
NOW!! You just need to complete the application form and pay the registration fee (discussed above) and that's it. Once the application is complete, we will put you in touch with the appropriate Leader and he/she will welcome you in from there. The sooner you start the more fun you will have. It’s up to you!
9. What about Fundraising?
Fundraising helps pay for Pack and Troop activities and awards. Your child will receive a portion of profits from all his fundraising to be used for Scout Activities. You do not receive these funds, but our Treasurer tracks the amounts and can let you know how much was earned. Additional fundraising opportunities are spaghetti supper, candy bar sale, Texas Roadhouse dinner night, wreath sale, etc. If a Webelos 2 scout has funds left in his scout account at the time of his crossover, his money is transferred to the Scouts BSA Troop.
10. How do I know what's going on in my Den, Pack or Troop?
Once your scout is registered you will receive an email. The pack and troop use email, group texting, website and Remind. We also have a private Facebook account for the Pack and Troop.
11. I have more questions, who can I ask?
Feel free to reach out to your Den Leader or any Committee Member for more information.
Cub master: Jen Murley – 570-878-6364 - murley.jen@gmail.com
Scout Master: Chris Kane – 570-862-1058 - chriskane73@yahoo.com