Frequently Asked Questions

Our pack accepts boys and girls in Kindergarten through 5th grade. However, Cub Scouts is a family activity, so younger siblings are welcome to hang out at meetings and come along to activities. Scouts are grouped into co-ed dens based on their grade and work on activities designed for their grade level. 

No, Cub Scouts is a family activity. Especially in the earlier ranks, we expect Scouts to have an adult partner that participates in the adventures with them.

Cub Scouts discover the value of teamwork, leadership, and responsibility through hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, and community service. Families play an active role, working together on projects, outings, and achievements. The exact activities vary each year, but you can generally expect:

• Two pack meetings per month. During most meetings we split into dens and work on earning the required adventures for each den’s rank.

• Two pack campouts per year, one fall and one spring

• Three-night family adventure camp at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan in the summer

• Campfire with s’mores and skits at Heller nature center

• Community service projects

• Pinewood Derby competition in February

• Haunted Hike in October

• Visits to places like the police station, fire station, water treatment plant, Dearborn observatory

Please see the Annual Cost of Cub Scouts document in this folder for details.

We’ll miss you, but we understand! The Scouting program is flexible and meetings are not mandatory. The adventure requirements we work on as a den during the meetings can also be completed at home with family. We’ll let you know what you missed and your Scout can complete those requirements at home.

Adult partners play an important role in the Cub Scouting experience. Scouting America is a volunteer-led program. All of our pack’s leaders are parents or guardians of current and/or recently graduated Scouts. We rely on family involvement to keep the program strong and to provide every Scout with a high-quality experience.

As an adult partner, you should expect to:

• Attend pack meetings and activities alongside your Scout.

• Support your Scout in completing advancement projects and activities.

• Help with den activities.

Additionally, the pack needs registered adult leaders to function. Not only to deliver the Scouting program, but also to ensure proper youth safety. Scouting takes youth protection seriously and requires at least two registered adult leaders to be present at all activities. And because our pack includes both boys and girls, at least one of those leaders must be a woman. Volunteering to register as an adult leader helps to ensure we have sufficient coverage for our scheduled activities.

The pack participates in the council’s fall popcorn fundraiser. It is an easy and effective way to help fund our pack and our council as 70% of sales stay local. However, we do not require Scouts to participate. Those that do participate will have their $100 annual pack fee waived if they sell over $300. The fee will be prorated for sales less than $300.

Cub Scouts is the entry-level program of Scouting America, formerly Boy Scouts of America. It includes boys and girls in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Cub Scout units are called packs. Near the end of 5th grade, Cub Scouts join a troop and continue the program as Scouts BSA until they are 18.

Girl Scouts is a completely separate organization with its own history, programs, and structure that is specifically for girls.

The preferred location is our council’s local scout shop: Pauly Scout Shop within the Kasperson Center for Scouting. The Pathway to Adventure Council has a local scout shop in Arlington Heights. You can also buy online at https://www.scoutshop.org/.

Kasperson Center for Scouting

850 Forest Edge Drive

Vernon Hills, IL 60061

Arlington Heights Scout Shop

617 E Golf Rd #101

Arlington Heights, IL 60005