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Realistically, what is our time commitment?
Realistically, what is our time commitment?
Scouting is very flexible. Your scout will meet with their den 2-3x per month or about an hour.
Pack Meetings take place once a month for about 1 hour.
Occasionally there will be optional hikes, trips to local events or activities, and in the summer the possibility of day camp or overnight camp. For some events, like camp outs, parents/guardians are required to attend.
What does my child do at Cub Scouts?
What does my child do at Cub Scouts?
Cub Scouts is full of hands-on adventures, from launching model rockets and exploring STEM projects to racing Pinewood Derby cars and building leadership through community service. Along the way, kids also learn outdoor skills through camping, hiking, and other nature activities. They make friends, gain confidence, and have fun with experiences that spark curiosity, teamwork, and a love of the outdoors.
Who are the adults in charge?
Who are the adults in charge?
Pack Leadership consists of volunteers organized into four groups:
Pack Leadership consists of volunteers organized into four groups:
Pack Leadership: Cubmaster, Committee Chair, Treasurer: Trained leaders. Run Pack meetings & helps plan & organize Pack calendar and events with Pack Committee.
Pack Leadership Committee: Trained adults who oversee & help plan and execute Pack events.
Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders: Trained leaders. One set for each den, they organize & plan den meetings and guide scouts through activities and advancement.
Pack Volunteers: Any adult who steps up to lend a hand. Many roles require only a few hours each year.
Do we have to go camping?
Do we have to go camping?
Our Pack hosts a Fall and Spring Family Camp Out, typically located within an hour drive. All Cub Scout camp outs are "family" campouts, meaning cub scouts are required to attend with their family (siblings always welcome).
Typically our campouts are one night, starting in early afternoon on a Saturday and departing Sunday morning, with planned activities Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening.
We have many families that attend for the planned activities on Saturday and return home without staying the night. Those that do stay the night provide their own camping equipment.
Webelos and Arrow of Light scouts organize their own den campouts as they prepare to crossover into Scouting. While these are still family campouts, we put more responsibility onto the cub scouts to organize the campout and help each other with a variety of tasks.
What about scheduling conflicts?
What about scheduling conflicts?
We are all parents and understand the eternal challenge of managing competing schedules. Our Pack works hard to schedule events around school calendars and give total flexibility to each Den Leader to structure their meetings according to the needs of their specific Den.
Annual Dues
Annual Dues
Annual Participation Fees total $275.
This covers dues, family camp outs, awards, derby cars, rockets and more...for the entire year!
Pack 950 is supported by strong regional and national organizations, our dues breakdown is as follows:
Scouting America: $85
National Capital Area Council: $80
Pack 950: $110
Note: When registering with cub scouts for the first time you will pay the Scouting America and NCAC online as part of the registration process. Once that is done, Pack 950 will reach out regarding the rest.
Cub Scout Dictionary
Cub Scout Dictionary
Den, Pack, Webelo…What?
Cub Scouting can be a whole new language if you’ve never been part of it before. Here are some helpful definitions:
Cub Scout: Kindergarten through 5th grade
Scout: 6th grade through 18 Year's old
Scouting America: formerly Boy Scout Association and BSA. National organization for Cub Scouts and other Scouting programs.
Council: We are part of the National Capital Area Council (NCAC). Our cherry blossom shoulder patch represents which council we are in.
District: We are part of the Loudoun District. Day Camps, District Pinewood Derby and other events are planned & run by the district and they provide additional support to Packs throughout the year.
Pack: includes all the different age and rank scouts. They meet together with their families once a month at Pack meetings.
Dens: small group organized by grade level. Dens usually meet 2-3x per month to complete adventures together and build friendships.
Rank: based on school grade level. This is the award your scout is working toward.
Lions = Kindergartners
Tigers = 1st graders
Wolf = 2nd graders
Bears = 3rd graders
Webelos = 4th graders (stands for We'll Be Loyal Scouts)
Arrow of Light - 5th graders (aka AOLs)
You can start cub scouts at any rank and we will ensure your cub scout gains all the background they need.
Uniform Guide
Uniform Guide
Belt
Navy Cub Scout belt - one for all ranks.
Note: Belt are rarely worn as part of the uniform as uniform pants are not required. Mostly belts are used to keep and display achievements which are provided via "belt loops."
Uniform Shirt
Lions: Official Lion's Tshirt (no patches - just tshirt)
Tigers thru Webelos: Official Cub Scout BLUE SHIRT
Arrow of Light: Tan Scout Shirt (will be used into Scouts)
Tip: Consider buying a shirt that will fit your child for the whole 3-4 years they are in Cub Scouts. You won’t want to buy a new one and re-sew all those patches! Yes, they will look slightly silly in a huge shirt as a Tiger Cub, but it is worth it and we all do it!
Neckerchief and slide
Lions thru Webelos: One neckerchief per rank. Rank Slide helpful but optional.
Arrow of Light: Can use Webelos neckerchief before receiving neckerchief from selected Scout Troop at Crossover
Hat
Lions thru Webelos: One hat per rank.
Arrow of Lights: No hat required, can purchase Green Scouting Hat if preferred.
Patches
Tigers thru Arrow of Light:
Council patches – National Capital Area Council
Pack Numbers – 950 (red numbers for sleeve)
World Crest (purple circle) with Scouting America inner circle patch.
Den Number - Ask your den leader before you go. Or check on Scoutbook to see your den number. HINT: You will have the same Den # from Lion through Arrow of Light.
Tip: Local stores have "pre-sewn" shirts where you can buy with everything but the pack and den numbers already sewn on, and they will sew whatever you need for a small additional fee.
The Rest
Pants and Socks: These are optional purchases. There is no pants or socks requirement for our Pack. When possible, we encourage navy blue pants or shorts to match the uniform. Tip: Some parents prefer having a dedicated uniform pants for scouting as they are tough and easy to wash.
Finding your uniform and essentials
Finding your uniform and essentials
Our advice is go in person, at least the first time. Our local Scout Shops have very helpful staff. Walk in and say "My child is a Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos Scout. What do we need?" I promise they can help.
There are Scout Shops in Springfield, VA and Bethesda, and pop up shops in Dulles Town Center Mall from late August to early October. You can always purchase online at www.scoutshop.org
The Rank Handbook is huge!
The Rank Handbook is huge!
There is a handbook for each rank that explains the activities and adventure requirements. Purchasing the handbook is voluntary. Parents can also find overviews of the handbook for each rank here. We provide all den leaders with a handbook.
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