FAQ

Financial Aid

Do you offer financial assistance?
Yes, the pack and the district offer financial assistance. Please speak to the Committee Chair for more information on this subject.

From Council 

"Our council’s Executive Board and leadership believes that every youth should have the opportunity to benefit from Scouting. But, there may be circumstances where a youth and his/her family needs a little help financially to take part in Scouting activities. To address this, our council has allocated part of its annual budget (funded through Friends of Scouting donations) to help.  There are three assistance programs: Membership Assistance, Uniform Assistance, and Camperships."  Learn more on their website, https://www.bsacac.org/resources/financial-help/

Special Needs

Can kids with special needs or disabilities join the pack?

All kids with special needs and disabilities are welcome to join scouts. " The basic premise of Scouting for youth with disabilities is full participation. Youth with disabilities should be treated and respected like every other member of their unit. They want to participate like other youth – and Scouting provides that opportunity." https://www.bsacac.org/resources/special-needs/

Dens

Which den will my child be in?
Cub Scouts works best as a grade-level-based program, so depending on your child's grade, we'd place them into the following dens:

• Lion - Kindergarten

• Tiger - First Grade

• Wolf - Second Grade

• Bear - Third Grade

• Webelos - Fourth Grade

• AOL - Fifth Grade

Kids are only meant to spend one year at each level and then they move up with their entire group/den.  This way friendships stay intact. 

The Scouting Program

When does a scouting year start and end? 
The new year starts in June.  Anything you do in the summer counts toward your new rank.  All Advancement requirements need to be completed before June 1st.  This is why our pack has our end-of-year crossover ceremony in May because it gives our kids time to complete Advancements and earn rank. 

Adventures and ranks, what does it all really mean?
While we encourage all kids to complete Adventures (these are Cub Scout versions of merit badges) and to achieve rank (complete 6 required Adventures & 2 electives), it is NOT required to remain in Cub Scouts or to move up to the next level.  Even if you do nothing throughout the entire year, a child will still move up with his/her den to the next level.  However, when you do achieve "rank", you get a level patch (Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, AOL) that goes onto your uniform and you get to cross over our bridge during our end-of-year crossover ceremony.

How do Adventures work?
While the dens work on Adventures during den meetings, all the adventures can also be done at home.  So if a scout is missing a requirement or is struggling with something, they can work on it at home with their family.  If an Adventure says to visit an art gallery, a family can: 1. visit a museum, 2. go to the library to see their monthly art exhibit, 3. view a virtual art exhibit online or do something else that "meets that requirement".  We encourage parents to take pictures of their children doing these activities.  Then parents can show them to their den leader or upload them to Scoutbook.  Once everything is uploaded to Scoutbook, those requirements can be tracked and approved.  All Adventures and Adventure requirements are listed in Scoutbook (cub scout advancement tracking software) and parents can view these requirements and make updates to them at any time. 

Can you show me an example of an Adventure?
Here's an example of an Adventure:

A Wolf Goes Fishing

• Identify the type of water you will be fishing in and what type of fish live in the water.

• Learn about the different types of bait used to attract fish.

• Demonstrate a proper cast for the pole or rod you are using.  

• Learn the rules of fishing safely. 

• With your den, pack, or family, go fishing.

How many meetings does it take to complete an Adventure?
Some Adventures can be covered in a single meeting, while other Adventures may take 2 or 3 meetings to complete.  Some Adventure requirements may need to be completed at home with the family.  

Will my child be tested on what they know? 
This is not school.  While it is great if children retain some of the knowledge we present to them, it is not necessary!  They will never be quizzed.  They are never tested.  The aim of Scouting is to expose children to the outdoors, to build friendships and to have fun.  That being said, they definitely learn along the way, because that is how the program is structured. 

Volunteering & Parent Involvement

Do I need to volunteer?

It is not mandatory for parents to volunteer with the pack.  We understand that there are seasons in life and sometimes taking on an Adult Leader role is not possible.  That being said, Cub Scouting is a volunteer-run organization.  If we do not have enough trained Adult Leaders, we can not successfully run a pack.  We encourage all of our parents to volunteer if and when they can.  No volunteering opportunity is too small.  There are many things that parents and grandparents can do to help out the pack.  Some of these volunteer opportunities include being an assistant den leader, fundraising, organizing awards ceremonies, planning a holiday party, helping with Pinewood Derby, managing social media, and arranging an outdoor activity, like a hike or campout.   Reach out to any of the Adult Leaders if you are interested in assisting. 

Uniforms, Class A's & Class B's

Where can I get a Class A uniform?
They can be purchased at BSA's official online Scout shop or at the BSA Scout shop in Austin.   You can also find used uniform shirts on Ebay or FB Marketplace.  Sometimes the pack also has used shirts available. 

Where can I get a Class B shirt?
The pack has extra Class B shirts in a variety of sizes.  They currently cost $5 a shirt.  If you would like one, please talk to Sarah Foreman (Committee Chair) or email us at RRPack345@gmail.com.

Do I need to buy the entire uniform?
No, you do not need to buy the entire uniform.  Please speak with an Adult Leader regarding which pieces of the uniform are necessary. 

Camping

Can I camp with my child at a campout?
Yes. Cub Scouts is family camping, so parents and their kids can tent together.

Other

I am not religious, can I still join your pack?
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is non-sectarian in its approach to religious training and is open to people of all faiths and of none.

Pack and den meetings are at a Catholic church, do I need to be Catholic to join your pack?
No, you do not have to be Catholic to join Pack 345.  However, the pack does have a partnership with the church, since we use their space for meetings and special events.  As scouts we should be reverent and respect the faith choice of others, including those organizations we partner with.