Our Cub Scout pack is for ALL youth K-5 (it's not just for boys anymore!) Through the established scouting program requirements, our youth will learn some basic core skills they will build on each year.
Bobcat (learning scouting program concepts stemming back to the founder's vision to be your best self and build a better society)
Outdoors (hiking, camping, outdoor code, leave no trace)
Personal Fitness (eating healthy, staying active)
Citizenship (service to community, understanding what community means)
Personal Safety (Shout-Run-Tell, safety in numbers, trusted adults, unsafe situations)
Family/Reverence (family traditions, spirituality in your family, the meaning of reverence/respect)
Note: We accept ALL families regardless of beliefs/spirituality. Spirituality is a high-level concept covered in programming and we leave any specifics to family to cover, unless it's something they're comfortable sharing with the group for educational purposes. The strength of our pack comes from our differences, and how those differences make us a better more well-rounded unit!
There's the opportunity to explore additional "electives" that are a range of activities any scout (and their parents) will find fun, interesting and useful. Art, STEM, fun and games, shooting sports at council activities, water sports are all examples.
Cub scouting's motto is "Do your best", and we pride ourselves in helping youth build confidence and leadership skills, learn the value of citizenship and family, and creating a safe space to learn and explore interests.
Each pack has a sponsor or host organization (called a Charter) who supports the pack's needs and financial tracking. Our Charter Organization is Plymouth Church in Des Moines. For most pack meetings, we utilize the organization's Gym, and for larger events we utilize Council resources like the Maytag Center in Des Moines, or the Mitigwa Scout Reservation in Woodward, Iowa.
Den meetings are typically organized however the grouping of families for that grade level deem the best fit or most convenient.
Each year, along with monthly pack (all age groups combined) and den (by grade level) meetings, we hold annual events like a Pack Carnival, Pinewood Derby in January, a Blue and Gold Banquet in February, a Fall and Spring family campout, parades in the Summer/Fall, and are hoping to add more in the next few years! We fund these things by fundraising and through family contributions, and we strive to plan community service projects through both the den and pack levels.
Your membership also includes any council activities available through the Mid-Iowa Council. For more information on those visit the Mid-Iowa Council Calendar.
Membership Fees: $165
At the time of application, there are fees that are required that go towards the National Programming, and local Council Programming. At this time those two fees are $165 annually (and can be subject to change).
Pack Fees: $0
Our Pack does NOT charge additional dues or fees at this time, however it's extremely important that we execute successful fundraising in order to maintain this, as there are costs to the pack for the events we hold and the programming we provide.
Individual Costs: Varies
Your potential Scout will need uniform basics for the program (which they grow out of quickly over the years). A youth shirt, hat, neckerchief slide and neckerchief will cost about $80 from the local Scout Shop. Hand me downs are always an option, or consignment uniforms if you're able to find them, and the Pack tries to maintain a swap bin for any uniform pieces you may be looking for.
We know those costs can add up, so we try to offer options like swap bins, applying additional fundraising to fees, and the council has scholarship opportunities available. We never want the cost of scouting to be a barrier, so please reach out if you have concerns with this.
Our pack meetings and events are open to families who are interested in joining. If you'd like to show up and see what we do first hand or meet others in the group before committing- please reach out and we can connect you with your potential den leader and next event.
If you're ready to join, click the "Join Us!" link below and it will navigate you to the online application process. Remember to select Pack 50 (0050) so you get connected with us sooner!
We're happy to answer any questions. Please reach out to us via email and we'll do our best to help!
Yours in Scouting-
Pack 50