Pack 75 Parent’s Orientation Guide 9/05/2011 1. Introduction: Hello and welcome to Cub Scout Pack 75. This orientation guide is intended to provide parents and leaders with an overview of pack organization, operation, and policy. 2. Our Mission: Cub Scouting is a character-building organization that embraces the values of citizenship, compassion, cooperation, courage, faith, health and fitness, honesty, perseverance, positive attitude, resourcefulness, respect, and responsibility. Boys join Cub Scouting for excitement, to be with friends, and to have fun. Pack 75 upholds these ideals and promotes a family-friendly scouting program that is fun, challenging, and instructional. 3. Chartered Organization: Every Cub Scout Pack is sponsored by an organization that has been chartered by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to use the Scouting program. The chartered organization ensures the Scouting program is conducted according to BSA policy and provides the pack with adult leadership, supervision, a meeting place, and other support as needed. The pack is responsible to the chartered organization for the sound operation of its Scouting program as well as rendering service and support as appropriate. Pack 75’s chartered organization is the Peachtree City United Methodist Men (UMM) organization affiliated with the Peachtree City United Methodist Church located at 225 Robinson Road, Peachtree City, GA. 4. Finances/Dues: Packs obtain income from annual dues and from Council approved money-earning projects such as the BSA annual popcorn sale. Currently, annual dues are $75 per scout and are collected in November during the annual recharter of the pack. This covers the calendar year (Jan – Dec). Prorated dues will be collected from any scout joining after a given calendar year has commenced. Annual dues fund BSA registration and other pack expenses including badges and awards. Cub Scouts may also register for a subscription to Boy’s Life magazine for an additional $12 per year. While all pack activities are subsidized by the pack budget, depending on the cost of an individual event, additional fees may be required from participants. The Pack Committee will determine when such fees apply and communicate details to the parents prior to the event. In the event that your family is experiencing financial hardship and you need financial assistance with pack registration or den dues, please speak to the Committee Chair, the Cubmaster, or your Den Leader. All inquiries will be held in the strictest of confidence and every effort will be made to assist you and your Cub Scout. 5. Pack Structure: Pack 75 provides a scouting program for boys in the first through fifth grades. The pack belongs to the Fayette District of the Flint River Council and draws membership from families located in Peachtree City and surrounding areas. The pack is made up of individual dens of boys. Each den typically includes six to eight boys at the same grade level. Most of the Cub Scouting program and activities are completed at the den level. Currently Pack 75 is composed of eleven dens with roughly two dens per age group. Pack 75 is led by parent volunteers serving in various roles including Den Leaders, Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmasters, Pack Committee members, and special event coordinators. To ensure the best possible experience for scouts and their families, active participation by all parents is needed. Please be prepared to volunteer for pack and den activities. Pack Committee: The Pack Committee plans and runs the Cub Scout program under BSA guidelines. Committee members meet once per month and discuss Pack policies, future events and activities, coming Pack meetings, Pack administration, and review previous events. At least one representative from each Den is expected to attend and provide communication back to the Den. Leadership Positions (2011-2012): Pack Committee Chair (Douglas Utt): . Primary liaison with the chartered organization . Leads Pack Committee; presides over monthly committee meetings . Recruits volunteers for leadership positions and special events . Confers with Cubmaster on policy and program issues . Responsible for pack property, records, and finances Cubmaster (Clay Pettit): . Plan and help carry out the Cub Scout program with the assistance of pack committee and den leaders . Participate in monthly pack committee meetings to help plan meetings and events. . Lead the monthly pack meeting . Assist Committee Chair with annual pack program planning, monthly committee meetings, recruiting, and communication Assistant Cubmasters (Tommy Huffstutler, Will Harper) . Help the Cubmaster as needed. Be ready to fill in for the Cubmaster if necessary. . Participate in monthly pack committee meetings to help plan meetings and events. . Participate in monthly pack meetings. . Help with pack activities such as dinners, derbies, campouts, and service projects. Den Leaders (Jonathan Groome, Scot Worley, Kevin Nelson, Mike and LeeAura Marcum, David Gibson, Jennifer Kross, Rick Todd, Julian Robichaux, Dan Kuchenbacher) . Conduct Den meetings and other activities with assistance from scout parents. . Communicate Pack and Den activity plans to scouts and parents . Participate in monthly pack committee meetings to help plan meetings and events. . Lead the den in its participation at pack meetings and events Advancement Chair (Joy Chapman): . Maintain advancement records for each scout . Order and prepare loops, pins, and badges for presentation at monthly pack meetings. . Working with the Cubmaster, help plan and conduct advancement recognition ceremonies. Treasurer (Natalie Kohlhaas): . Work with Pack Committee Chair and Cubmaster to establish the pack budget plan. . Maintain the pack bank account, collect dues, and disburse funds for expenses approved by committee chair. . Maintain financial records and reports Membership Chair (Judy Moan): . Work with Pack Committee Chair and Cubmaster to plan and conduct annual recruitment . Submit required registration and charter forms to district and council leadership when required Unfilled positions are communicated during pack and den meetings and are listed on the pack website. Parents are encouraged to volunteer. The pack committee will decide on the succession of positions. A BSA adult leader application must be completed and submitted to the Council for all Adult Leadership positions before assuming any responsibilities. A certificate showing successful completion of Youth Protection Training must be submitted with the application. This training can be completed online at www.scouting.org. 6. Advancement: The Cub Scout Advancement program follows the school grade levels and aims to introduce new skills and areas of interest as well as to build self-esteem, self-awareness and a sense of citizenship and good sportsmanship. Parental involvement is crucial to achieve the advancement of the Scouts and responsibility for advancement in rank rests with the parents; verification and assistance of the Den Leader is secondary. Bobcat (Any age): This is the first rank advancement completed by any new Cub Scout, regardless of age. Typically completed during the first den meeting, this badge recognizes the scout’s commitment to the Cub Scouting Ideals by reciting the Cub Scout Promise, Motto, and Law of the Pack, and demonstrating the Cub Scout Sign, Handshake, and Motto. Tiger (1st Grade): Parents are most involved at the Tiger Cub level. The boy and his parent or guardian join the den together and attend all meetings and activities together. To receive the Tiger Cub Rank, the Tiger Cub must complete 15 activities in five achievement areas with their adult partner. Each achievement consists of a family activity, a den activity, and a “Go See It” activity. The Five Achievement areas include Making My Family Special, Where I Live, Keeping Myself Healthy and Safe, How I Tell It, and Let’s Go Outdoors. As each scout completes individual requirements, they earn beads showing their progress along the Tiger Cub trail. After completing all Tiger Cub achievements, the scout can earn additional beads by completing Tiger Cub electives. Wolf (2nd Grade): Parents are vital to the Wolf den, both in the role of home support and to help the den leader, but their sons are beginning to be more independent, and not every boy needs a parent at every meeting. To receive the Wolf Rank, the Wolf Cub Scout must complete 12 achievements that consist of 49 requirements in total. The Achievement categories include: Feats of Skill, Your Flag, Keep Your Body Healthy, Know Your Home and Community, Tools for Fixing and Building, Start a Collection, Your Living World, Cooking and Eating, Be Safe at Home and on the Street, Family Fun, Duty to God, and Making Choices. After completing all Wolf achievements, the scout can earn Arrow Points by completing Wolf electives. Bear (3rd Grade): Parents are vital to the Bear den, both in the role of home support and to help the den leader, but their sons are beginning to be more independent, and not every boy needs a parent at every meeting. To receive the Bear Rank, the Bear Cub Scout must complete 12 achievements out of a possible 24 that are offered. The Bear achievements are grouped in four major areas: God, Country, Family, and Self. There are a minimum number of achievements that must be completed in each area. After completing the requirements for the Bear Rank, the scout can earn Arrow Points by completing Bear electives. Webelos (4th and 5th Grades): The Webelos den is much like the Cub Scout dens (Wolf and Bear), but there is more emphasis on the boys learning to take leadership roles and preparing to become Boy Scouts. The Webelos badge is the focus of the first year and requires the completion of three activity badges. During the second year, the focus is the Arrow of Light which requires 5 additional activity badges plus other requirements. The Arrow of Light is the highest award that can be earned by a Cub Scout and the only award that can be worn on the Boy Scout or Adult Leader uniform. Compass Points can be earned by Webelos by completing additional activity badges. Optional Awards Programs (Available to any age): Cub Scouts Academics and Sports Program: Belt Loops and Pins can be earned in over 40 different Academics and Sports categories. Religious Emblems Program: This program offers the scout an opportunity to study his faith in-depth. Many faiths offer the emblems, with the activities overseen by the Scout's religious leaders. BSA Family Award: The BSA Family Award program includes a series of activities designed to help strengthen all families--whether two-parent, single-parent, or nontraditional. This program was designed to help families accomplish worthy goals while building and strengthening relationships among family members. All family members are encouraged to participate and may earn the award. 7. Group Meetings: Den Meetings: The Cub Scout Dens are the basic unit of Cub Scouting. Dens are typically composed of six to eight boys at the same grade level and meet two to four times a month. Meeting location and time varies by den. Den Leaders conduct meetings with help from parent volunteers and include fun activities such as playing games, completing crafts, hiking and other outdoor fun, practicing skits, songs, and ceremonies, or field trips to local civic or community organizations. The program is designed to complete many of the rank advancement requirements during den meetings but ultimately it is the responsibility of the scout and his parents to complete all advancement requirements as detailed in the handbook. Pack Meetings: Pack meetings are held monthly and are the gathering of the Dens where the Pack recognizes achievements, plays games, sings songs, presents skits and has fun. Dens will be asked to conduct opening and closing ceremonies, skits, demonstrations and act as greeters. Pack Meetings are usually held on the last Thursday night of the month at 7:00pm at the Scout Lodge located behind the Peachtree City United Methodist Church campus on Robinson Road. One parent or guardian must attend the Pack Meeting with the Scout unless other arrangements have been made in advance with the Den Leader. Other family members, siblings and guests are always welcome and encouraged to attend. The control of the siblings is the responsibility of the parents and not the Den Leaders. Throughout the year, Pack 75 will conduct special events instead of/or in addition to a regular Pack meeting. Typical Pack Events include: Back to School Party, Labor Day Hike, Spook-O-Ree Camping Trip, various Derbies (Pinewood, Space, Raingutter), Blue and Gold Banquet, Spring Campout, and End of Year Party. Details will be communicated in advance by Den or Pack Leaders. A schedule of planned pack events is distributed by the Pack Committee each fall and can also be referenced on the pack website www.pack75ptc.com. Any changes to the calendar will be communicated by pack and den leaders prior to the impacted event. Changes may be due to holiday, school vacation, or other Pack, District or Council commitments. 8. Uniform Guidelines: The uniform helps build pride, encourages good behavior, provides a place for the proper display of badges, and identifies members as part of the worldwide organization of Scouting. Class “A” Uniform. The Class A uniform should be worn to all pack meetings, district and council functions, unless otherwise stated by the Cubmaster or the Pack Committee Chairman. Pack 75 defines the Class “A” uniform as: . Official Cub Scout or Webelos Shirt with appropriate insignia . Official Cub Scout or Webelos Hat . Neckerchief . Pants, jeans, or shorts . Official Cub Scout Belt . Footwear appropriate for the event (no open-toed sandals) Class “B” Uniform. Den Leaders have the option to specify the Class “B” uniform for den functions. Additionally, the pack may specify Class “B” for certain special events (hikes, campouts, field trips, etc). Pack 75 defines the Class “B” uniform as: . Pack or Official Cub Scout T-shirt . Official Cub Scout or Webelos Hat . Pants, jeans, or shorts . Footwear appropriate for the event (no open-toed sandals) Adult Leaders - All registered leaders should wear the BSA uniform to scouting functions. 9. Training: A good pack is one with trained leaders, parents, and youth. The following are key training courses that parents should participate in at www.scouting.org. . Youth Protection Training . This is Scouting Registered Leaders may have additional training requirements depending on their role in the pack: . Fast Start . Leader Specific Training . BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) . Health and Safety . Safe Swim Defense . Trek Safely . Safety Afloat . Climb on Safely . Weather Hazards . Leave No Trace 10. General Pack 75 Rules and Expectations: Scouts: . Be on time. . Wear the scout uniform properly, as shown in the handbook. . When the Scout Sign is up, be quiet and listen to Akela. . Follow Akela’s instructions and help others to follow them. . Take pride in yourself, your Pack, your community, and your country. . DO YOUR BEST Parents: Cub Scouting is based on parent/son participation. The success of Pack 75’s Scouting program is based entirely on our parents – no parent involvement, no activities. Parents are expected to contribute in these ways: . Accompany your Cub Scout to Pack and Den Activities . Help organize at least one special event each year (e.g. Pinewood Derby, Spook-O-Ree, Blue and Gold Banquet, etc) . Plan and run at least one Den meeting program each year . Read your Scout’s handbook and work with your Scout on activities not covered in Den meetings. Cub Scouting is an opportunity for parents and Scouts to spend time learning and doing things together. . Assist in maintaining order during any Pack or Den activity. 11. Camping Rules: Campouts may be organized throughout the year to provide an opportunity for the cub scout and parent/adult partner to experience the joys of camping. The following rules have been drafted to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants: . BSA policy prohibits anyone from riding on fenders, hoods and trunks of cars or in open beds of trucks. . Tent Camping only; no RV’s or campers. . In accordance with the Youth Protection Policy, Scouts may not sleep in tents with adults who are not their parents or legal adult guardians. . No open flames in tents. . Knives: Only Cubs in the Bear program (3rd grade) and above who have successfully earned their "Whittling Chip" card may carry a pocketknife at Scout events. . No Cub Scout may use an axe or hatchet to cut firewood. . Buddy System: No cub should leave the camping area, even to go to the latrine without at least one "buddy" or his or her parent. . Shoes must be worn at all times in camp. . Motorized vehicles. firearms, air rifles, bow & arrows, slingshots, explosives and fireworks are prohibited. . No playing “swords” with sticks or rock throwing. No running within the campsite. . No electronics including video games, television, portable DVD, or MP3 players, should be brought to the campout. . No pets should be brought to the campout. . Excessive noise is not permitted after 10PM and before 8AM. . Campfires are allowed but confined to the provided fire ring, following BSA guidelines (highlighted below). . All trash must be placed in plastic bags and packed out. . Follow Leave No Trace Policy Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use and Abuse: The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members. Adult leaders should support the attitude that young adults are better off without tobacco and may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants. All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis, with smoking areas located away from all participants. Bathing and Latrine Privacy: In accordance with BSA Youth Protection Policies, both boy and adult privacy should be respected in a practical and reasonable way when bathing and using the latrines. In Cub Scouting, parents (or an adult authorized by a boy's parents) are responsible for supervising and monitoring the safety of their children in latrines and showers. Leaders are instructed to respect the privacy of all scouts and supervise only to the extent of ensuring health and safety, as in the event of sudden illness, accidents, injuries, dangerous horseplay or roughhousing. Children must be accompanied by 2 Adult Leaders or Guardian when using the shower. Campfire Safety Rules: . An adult must be present at all times at a campfire and is responsible for safety. NEVER leave the fire unattended. . The campfire will be built and maintained by adults only. Cub scouts are not permitted to start the fire (except under leader supervision as part of a scout achievement), and are not permitted to add wood to the fire; these are adult responsibilities. . Clear all burnable materials within 10 feet of your fire. No horse play is permitted near the fire circle. . Trees may not be cut. Only fallen wood may be gathered for campfires. . Do not play with sticks in the fire. Once a stick is placed in the fire it must STAY in the fire! . Have a bucket of water nearby in case sparks start a fire away from the fire circle. . When you extinguish the fire, make sure it is DEAD OUT. Spread the coals and ashes and sprinkle them with water. Stir and sprinkle until the site is cold. Feel it with you hand to make sure the fire is completely cold.