In 2010, Scouting established new guidelines regarding adult interactions with scouts. Each leader and/or adult member must pass background checks and complete Youth Protection Certification Training every two years. Scout leaders may not be alone with scouts. For Dens with girl cub scouts, a female leader will be present as part of the two-deep leadership. Overnight trips for Cubs require a parent or guardian to accompany their scout. As mandated reporters in Maryland, we have a strict policy for reporting threats to any child’s welfare to law enforcement.
The Policies regarding youth protection are available to the public on the scouting.org website. We also encourage you to speak with our leaders or families who have had scouts in Pack 270. Concerning physical safety, many of our leaders have current First Aid and CPR certifications, and we pay special attention to allergies (food or environmental) to help keep those scouts from inadvertent exposure. We are willing to work with you regarding whatever special needs your child may have.
Scouting is less expensive than many other youth programs. Outside of the initial uniform purchase and annual membership fees, the Pack 270 leadership strives to keep events low or no cost. Scouts are thrifty, meaning they are expected to learn about finance and money management. Our fundraisers earn money for each scout’s personal expense account. The balance can be used to pay for fees and activities. We have had some scouts who fund their entire year through fundraising alone.
Yes. Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is open to boys and girls.
Pack 270 has a Lions program for our Kindergartners, so we are very excited to include them!
Yes. Women have been leaders in US scouting for decades. And now with girls joining scouts, the need for female leaders has never been greater.
Not all of our activities are outdoors. Many of them are based around scientific topics and/or working on life-skills like cooking, budgeting, learning how to make simple repairs, etc. While we do have outdoor camp-outs, many families have never camped or fished. Experienced scouts and parents can help you set up a tent, or you can choose to go home rather than sleep out. Parents tell us they learn a lot from scouting, too. It truly takes a village, so experienced scouting families are always willing to help in any way they can.
More hands make a lighter load. If you can volunteer as an adult leader, we would love to have the support.
During the school year, scouts meet twice a month with their den for 1 hour. There is also a monthly pack meeting where all the dens attend. (This is generally an hour as well.) During summer months, we offer optional activities, such as camping, and there are day camps and/or resident camps your child is invited to attend, but these are optional.
We want our scouts to be just as well-rounded as you do! We are happy to be as flexible as we can when Scouts are involved in another activity or sport. Miss a meeting? We will work with you to catch the kids up! Need to cut a meeting or activity short due to a sporting event? Not a problem. On one particular Pack Camp-out we had multiple Scouts coming and going whenever they needed to, in order to be at baseball games they also committed to. We will certainly work with you to ensure your child can be involved in both!
While scouting is a faith-based organization, faith is mentioned in certain contexts. We rely on parents and families to discuss matters of faith as it relates to their household. For example, the Duty to God activity directs the scout to talk with parents about what faith means to their family. We do not promote one belief or creed over another and have members from varied backgrounds.
We hold an annual pinewood derby contest for the scouts as well as a parents and alumni race (with more relaxed rules). We have a first-class racetrack supported by a computerized pole position system. A long-standing Pack 270 tradition is that the scouts build and decorate their own cars (with adult help for safety). The race is so much fun for the scouts and brings out the creativity in everyone!
Please see our "Become a Member" page.
Scouts are not required to sell anything. Participation is optional, but it is important to note that much money raised through sales goes to the scout (in their scout account, which can be used to pay for camps, activities, and fees) and to our Pack (to pay for patches, advancement, derby kits, insurance, and other basic operating costs.)