Frequently Asked Questions

Reference https://www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/cost-of-cub-scouting/

2025-2026 BSA Pack 882 Annual Membership Dues and Fee Payment

In addition to the annual fee, one-time fee and optional Scout Life subscription referenced at the link above, the National Capital Area Council (serving VA, DC, and MD) has an annual fee for all returning scouts. In 2023 it was $85.

Pack 882 collects a small amount for dues annually ($15 in 2023) to cover the costs of registering our leaders and unit with Boy Scouts of America

Family costs, in addition to dues, include the uniform (usually one for the entire cub scout experience), an optional handbook (one each year), and camping equipment

• Uniform and handbook costs can be estimated on the Scout Shop website - you will need a uniform shirt (plan for about $12 extra if you want the scout shop to sew on patches for you) and belt - the pack will provide a neckerchief, slide, and hat each year (as of 2021)

• If costs or equipment are an issue, please let us know as there might be ways we can help

• All other costs for material and activities is covered by the pack (there may be an occasional entry fee for a park)

Pack 882 funds the remainder of its operating costs (budget available upon request) with a single fundraising event

YES!

Scouts can start at any age - there's no penalty for missing earlier ranks and scouts will be grouped together with other scouts at the same grade level (called a den)

Scouts can (and do) start at any point in the year - our dens start working on rank requirements as early as the beginning of the school year, but requirements can be worked on at home or catch-up meetings held by the den

The cub scouting program is not a drop-off activity

Active participation is needed early in the program (K-1), with less needed as scouts get older

Parents have the opportunity to volunteer in a variety of roles that support the den and pack, depending on ability

• Den leaders and parent volunteers run activities for small groups of same-grade scouts

• Cubmasters and parent volunteers run pack meetings, campouts, and other entire-pack events

• Committee members help manage and run the entire pack

The minimum training that any volunteer takes is Youth Protection Training -- intended to keep our scouts safe

• Additional online training is available (and recommended) for den and pack leaders

• For the highly motivated, there is advanced training as well

Packs and dens normally meet at Daniels Run Elementary School

The pack generally has a pack meeting (all scouts) once per month from September through June, with various activities

Dens of same-grade scouts meet 1-3 times per month, depending on age and what else is going on that month - the younger the scout, the less often they'll meet

The pack (and sometimes dens) will meet outside of planned meetings for various activities

• Campouts in October and May (campgrounds vary, but typically pretty close to maximize participation)

• Food drive in November

• Election Day fundraiser

• Pinewood Derby in January

• Winter Outing in February

• Camp Hike in March

• Rocket Launch in June

• Independence Day Parade in July

• Pool Party in August

Campouts are twice per year

It's car camping - everyone has different levels of experience/ability

It's overnight, Saturday into Sunday

It's optional, but usually there are requirements that we can knock out on the camping trip

Parents are required to come

Most gear is provided by families, but the pack typically handles cooking

• We have a recommended gear list, and if you're missing anything, the pack sometimes has extras that we can share for new campers

Camping trips can just be dinners with the pack if you don't want to spend the night for any reason

There are opportunities for week-long overnight camps that start for rising 4th graders