You and your child's cub scout adventure will happen through Pack Meetings, Den Meetings, Local Weekend Events and Camp-outs. At these events your child will have fun and hopefully learn some important life lessons!
There is more information on each type of meeting below.
All the scouts from all grades (K-5) meet once per month as a Pack. In the pack meetings we do larger group events and award and recognize the scouts for the work that they have done in their Dens. These are generally on the 2nd Wednesday evening of the month. Please check the calendar for the exact time for each meeting.
For more information on the pack meetings that we generally run , please expand this section.
Join Scouting Night/Bike Rodeo
Parents learn about scouting and sign up. During this the kids are participating in the Bike Rodeo! Kids bring their bikes and then we have a bike skills training and competition and then a parade around the school.
Cake Bake Charity Auction
During the cake bake auction, the scouts bring cakes that they have made and decorated. The scouts then get to bid and buy the cakes during a raucous auction. All proceeds are donated to charity. Past donation recipients include Lighthouse of Oakland County and Blessing in a Backpack.
Klondike Skills Training
The pack participates in a weekend event called the Cub Scout Klondike. During this meeting we prepare our kids.. They will learn how to race snow shoes, throw a spear/harpoon, rescue an injured person, and tie knots.
Blue and Gold Banquet
The pack holds a banquet where we honor local veterans, active duty military and first responders. The Pack brings in an entertainer (magician, juggler etc.) and we also have a potluck. The pack provides the main course and the families will bring sides.
Pinewood Derby
At the pinewood derby, the kids create a race car out of a kit that the pack provides. We provide the kits 1 month before the race and each family has 3 weeks to create their car out of the block of wood and parts contained in the kit. They can also add decorations or weight to make it go faster subject to the Great Lakes Field Council Derby Car Rules. They are available at this link. All cars are due for check in approximately 1 week before the race. At check in the cars can be tuned until they meet the rules (generally weight, wheel spacing and size). The cars are then quarantined by the Pack until Race Day.
Model Rocket Launch
At the preceding meeting the pack provides a model rocket kit to each scout. The families will build the rockets. During the pack meeting the kids get to launch their rockets using motors, igniters and launchers that the pack provides.
Arrow of Light and Bridging
At this meeting we honor our graduating 5th graders with ceremony and fanfare. Those who complete all their requirements earn the Arrow of Light award. Those who choose to go on to BSA Scouts participate in a bridging ceremony where we transfer them to their new troop.
Rain-gutter Regatta
The pack provides catamaran sailboat kits to each scout. During this meeting the kids have friendly races where the sail boats are powered by blowing air through a straw at the sails.
End of Year Picnic
We finish the year off with a picnic filled with games, food (Pack provides hot dogs and hamburgers, families bring sides etc.) and we provide advancement awards to all the kids.
Den meetings are the heart of cub scouting. Here kids get together by grade level and do activities that teach them important life lessons and skills and also earn achievements toward their rank advancement.
For more information on the dens, please expand this section.
Each den is led by one of the parents of the scouts in the den.
When and where the den meets is up to the den leader and the families in the den.
Often dens meet at one of the families homes. Other dens choose to meet at another location like a public library meeting room. The pack can also help to the den to reserve a location at the school.
Dens generally meet once per month. The pack encourages them to meet on a Wednesdays night but it is up to the families involved.
The den leader and the rest of the parents, together plan and carry out the program of activities for the den. They do so by selecting from required and elective activities in their grade level cub scout book. They need to ensure they complete all of their activities by the May pack meeting so that the scouts can gai their rank advancement during the June Picnic.
While the meetings include games and other activities that are fun for the Scouts, meaningful engagement with the kids is the main goal. Scouts participate in activities and work on projects that are related to an adventure and that help them learn the skills they need to progress in rank
While we strive to generally take up only Wednesday evenings for Pack and Den Meetings, we do have added optional events that happen on weekends. Usually these are not necessary for your child to earn achievements or advancements toward their ranks - but they usually are fun!
The events vary by year. To get more information on some of the ones that we generally participate in, please expand this section.
Popcorn Fundraising Show an Sells at Local Stores
"Souting for Food" food drive
Parades
Park Cleanups/Environmental Events/Volunteer Events
Local BSA Events
D-Bar-A Signature Events (Horseback Riding, Archery, BB-Gun Target Shooting, Crafts etc.)
Klondike Skills (Snow survival skills and competition with other Cub Scouts at Beverly Park)
Fishoree (Ice Fishing at Thelma Spencer Park)
Each year our pack will go on 2-3 camp-outs. Our kids often say one of their favorite parts of cub scouting are the camp-outs. Our camps are usually held at D-Bar-A Scout Ranch in Metamora Michigan about an hour north of Royal Oak. We also will try to schedule an "Adventure Camp" where we schedule an overnight at an interesting venue like a Zoo or Museum.
For more information please expand this section.
If you are uneasy about camping know that Cub Scout camping is NOT hardcore camping or backpacking.
For camps held at D-Bar-A Scout Ranch, your family will have the option of sleeping in your own tent (Lower Cost) or sleeping in bunks in a large communal cabin (first come - first served) with a kitchen. Food is provided by the pack (through camping fees).
Camp activities often include hiking, fishing, and games. If possible we try to arrange archery or BB Gun Target Shoots or a horse ride in a corral. Sometimes we also have the honor of performing Flag Retirement Ceremonies authorized by the American Legion.
Just come out and have fun with your child. (Each child must have a parent/guardian at the camp)
For more info visit our Fall/Spring and Winter campout pages
