Welcome to Pack 279 2011 Parents Orientation Packet

Welcome to Pack 279! 2011 Parent’s Orientation Packet 1

2011 Fall Roundup – Pack 279 Objectives of tonight’s meeting: • Introduce leaders and Pack 279. • Inform parents and boys about Cub Scouting and the Boy Scouts of America. • Review Pack and Den activities. • Register boys for Cub Scouting. Go to www. joincubscouting. org or www. scouting. org for more information. Pack 279 website – www. pack 279. scoutlander. com 2

Important Information Regarding Your Son’s New Pack • Our pack number is 279 • Pack Meetings: – The third Thursday of each month at 7: 00 pm. – At St. James Presbyterian Church on Orr’s Bridge Rd. • Den Meeting times and location are established by the den leaders – you learn about this later this evening. 3

The Purposes of Cub Scouting and How Cub Scouting Works 4

The Mission of Scouting The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. 5

The Purposes of Cub Scouting • Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America has helped younger boys through Cub Scouting. • It is a year-round family program designed for boys who are in the first through fifth grade (or 7, 8, 9, and 10 years old). • Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting. • Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA's three traditional membership divisions (Boy Scouting and Venturing. ) 6

Basics of the Cub Scout Program 1 st Grade 2 nd Grade 4 th / 5 th Grades All Cub Scouts 3 rd Grade 7

The Purposes of Cub Scouting Character Development Respectful Relationships Spiritual Growth Personal Achievement Good Citizenship Friendly Service Sportsmanship and Fitness Fun and Adventure Family Understanding Preparation for Boy Scouts 8

Cub Scouting Core Values Citizenship Honesty Compassion Perseverance Cooperation Positive Attitude Courage Resourcefulness Faith Respect Health and Fitness Responsibility 9

How Cub Scouting Works Scouting is Family Oriented • Activities are intended for the whole family. • You work with your son on his various award requirements. • Many skills he will learn are family oriented. 10

How Cub Scouting Works Your son is a member of a Cub Scout Den • The den typically meets twice a month. • Tigers; Wolves; Bears; Webelos II • The den is led by a Den Leader or Co-Leaders. • Leaders can be assisted by an Assistant Den Leader, a den chief (an older Boy Scout), and a denner (a Cub Scout elected by den members) • Den meetings have games, crafts, songs, ceremonies, and lots of fun. 11

How Cub Scouting Works Your son is a member of a Cub Scout Pack • A pack meets once a month – all Cub Scouts and families attend. • The Cubmaster and Assistant Cubmaster lead the monthly pack meeting. • The pack meeting is the climax of the month’s den meetings and activities. • Pack meetings have games, skits, stunts, songs, ceremonies and presentations of awards that the scouts have earned. 12

How Cub Scouting Works A pack committee operates the pack • Parent volunteers registered with the BSA. • Pack 279 committee also comprises of the Den Leaders, Cubmaster, assistants, Chartered Organization Representative and any interested parents. • Plans pack meetings and activities, selects leaders, performs record keeping, manages pack finances, etc. • Most all Pack 279 leaders are parents of boys in the pack. • The Pack 279 committee meets on the last Monday of the each month. 13

How Cub Scouting Works A chartered Organization sponsors our Pack • Chartered organizations include education centers, parent associations, religious organizations, service clubs, and other groups interested in youth. • The charter organization approves leaders, provides a meeting place, and operates the pack within the guidelines and policies of the chartered organization and BSA. St. James Presbyterian is the Charter Organization for Pack 279 and Troop 276 14

How Cub Scouting Works Packs/Troops belong to a council New Birth of Freedom Council (NBFC) One Baden Powell Lane Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 Phone: (717) 766 -1591 Fax: (717) 795 -8721 Councils are divided into Districts • Pack 279 belongs to the Adventure District • There are nine districts in NBFC 15

About Pack 279 16

Pack 279 Volunteer Leaders • • • Rick Wagner – Pack Committee Chair Sam Reisinger– Pack Committee Treasurer Abi Givler – Pack Committee Member-Advancement Chair Steve Lange – Pack Committee Member Joe Tokarz - Quartermaster • • • Brent Vernon – Cubmaster Mike Vener – Assistant Cubmaster Jim Wickens – Webelos II Den Leader Toni Tokarz, Brian Shaffer – Webelos I Den Leaders Brian Klemz, Christina Johannesson, Jeanene Olenick – Bear Den Leaders Caroline Knisely, Tim Tomaszewski – Wolf Den Leaders OPEN – Tiger Den Leader • • 17

Pack 279 Volunteer Leaders Special One-Time Program or Event • Popcorn Committee - Lisa Furlong, Chair • Scouting for Food • Holiday Charity Event Do A Good Turn - Arlene Wickens • Blue & Gold Banquet • Pinewood Derby • Raingutter Regatta • Summer Movie & Picnic - 18

Pack 279 – Growth in Scouts Growth in Pack necessitates additional leaders to more effectively manage den and pack activities. *Each May & August count reflects Webelos II Scouts who bridged to a Boy Scout Troop. 19

Volunteer Positions in the Pack Tiger Cub Den Leader • Coordinates the Tiger Cub den to ensure they stay active and participate in pack meetings and activities. • Attends the monthly pack leaders’ meeting. Special One-Time Events/ Quartermaster’s Committee • Coordinates camping events, needs and activities. • Responsible for the pack gear – derby track, raingutter tracks and stands, camping gear, etc. • Attends the monthly pack leaders’ meeting prior to special event as needed. Scouting is a volunteer movement! 20

Volunteer Positions in the Pack Parent Help for Events • Asking for each parent to volunteer to assist in one event • These jobs are of short duration and will enable all families to assist with pack responsibilities. – Fundraisers (popcorn sale or events), Scouting for Food, Pack Good Turn events, Pinewood Derby, Blue and Gold Banquet, Raingutter Regatta, Camping programs, etc. Parent Help for Other Tasks • Activity promotion • Special skills, work place, hobby, interests • Gathering events Scouting is a volunteer movement! 21

Volunteer Positions in the Pack • Pack 279 leaders are experienced and willing to help • You will not be alone in your volunteer effort – Pack leaders have led dens and events – Pack leaders will organize parent helpers with events • BSA has many helpful tools to plan den meetings and other events • Please complete Family Talent Survey and return to a leader Scouting is a volunteer movement! 22

Pack 279 Typical Activities • • • Family Camping – October, April, June Hawk Mountain/PA Indians Festival – September/October Army Heritage Museum – Fall Flag Retirement Ceremony – November Pinewood Derby – February Raingutter Regatta – June Popcorn Sale – September/October Scouting for Food – November Holiday Charity Project Appalachian Trail Service Project – March Hiking Outings – several times in the year Sporting Events – Hershey Bears/Harrisburg Senators games Some activities have fees (cost of ticket or food). These fees are non-refundable once costs are incurred and/or after a deadline is set. 23

Pack 279 – Cost of Scouting Scout Registration: BSA Membership and Insurance Boys Life Subscription Events: Pinewood Derby car, B&G dinner for scout, Campsite fees, Raingutter Regatta and bridging over ceremony Awards: Badges of Rank, Arrow Points, Webelos Activity Pins, Neckerchiefs, Belt Loops (4 only) and other individual awards 2012 Pack Fees – $65 2011 Partial Fees – $19 24

Pack 279 – Cost of Scouting So, the average Cost per Scout is $111. But, pack fees are only $65. So how do we make up the rest? PPOPCORN! 25

Pack 279 Popcorn Sale • This is the largest fundraiser for Boy Scouts • 70% of all funds raised remains local – Pack 279 can receive between 26% and 35% of proceeds – Remainder goes to the New Birth of Freedom Council • Incentive based program leads to higher proceeds to the Pack • Pack 279 sold approximately $7, 700 in 2010 • Only 45 of 67 scouts sold popcorn and ten scouts accounted for $4, 355 of the total sales, or 56. 6% • Target 2011 sales per scout: $130 (plus bonus sales for Super. Awards) • Order forms and payment due at October pack meeting 26

Joining Pack 279 New or Transferring Scouts • • • Completed application BSA 2011 Health & Medical Record (Parts A&B Only) Family talent survey Activity Consent Form Pack dues for remainder of 2011 – $19 (new scout) Pack dues for 2011 – $65 Returning Scouts • • BSA 2011 Health & Medical Record (Parts A&B Only) Activity Consent Form Family talent survey Pack dues for 2011 – $65 All checks payable to Pack 279 – Please see Sam Reisinger, Treasurer 27

Joining Pack 279 Field (Class A) Uniform • • Tiger/Wolf/Bear – Blue Cub Scout Shirt Webelos – Tan Boy Scout Shirt; Webelos Colors Neckerchief and Slide Patches: NBFC, World Crest Emblem; ‘ 279’ Activity (Class B T-shirt) Uniform – optional; can order from the Pack Handbook for Rank New Birth of Freedom Council Scout Shop One Baden Powell Lane Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 Phone: (717) 795 -2703 Located on Rt. 114, just south of I-81 Hours Mon-Wed, Fri 8: 30 am– 5: 00 pm Thursday 8: 30 am– 7: 00 pm Saturday 9: 00 am– 3: 00 pm 28

Basics of the Cub Scout Program 1 st Grade 2 nd Grade 4 th / 5 th Grades All Cub Scouts 3 rd Grade 29

Basics of the Cub Scout Program Bobcat Badge • All scouts earn the Bobcat badge before earning their badge of rank. • Achieved by learning the Cub Scout Promise, Law of the Pack, handshake, salute, sign, motto, and meaning of "Webelos. " • Parents and leaders will work with new scouts to achieve this rank. 30

Basics of the Cub Scout Program Tiger Cubs • One-year program for first-grade boys. • Each boy participates with an adult partner in family-oriented activities. • Tigers complete five achievements in three areas: den activities, family activity and Go See It’s. • After completing the rank of Tiger Cub, boys may earn one Tiger Track bead each time he completes 10 electives. • Tiger Cubs and their adult partners also participate in the Pack Meetings and Activities. 31

Basics of the Cub Scout Program Wolf Cub Scouts • One-year program for second-grade boys • Scouts work on 12 achievements to earn the Wolf badge. • Each achievement is designed to teach simple skills and initiate family discussion on values, safety, health, etc. • Scouts may work on electives to earn Arrow Points - one for 10 electives completed. • A scout may earn as many Arrow Points as he wishes. 32

Basics of the Cub Scout Program Bear Cub Scouts • One-year program for third-grade boys. • Bear scouts work on 12 achievements to earn the Bear badge. • Bears select achievements from four different categories: God, Country, Family and Self • Bear scouts may also work on electives to earn Arrow Points – one for 10 electives completed. • A scout may earn as many Arrow Points as he wishes. 33

Basics of the Cub Scout Program Webelos • Two-year program for fourth and fifth-grade boys. • The scout works on requirements for the Webelos badge, 20 activity pins, and the Arrow of Light Award (the highest award in Cub Scouting). • Activity pins can be earned from five different categories: Physical Skills, Mental Skills, Community, Technology and Outdoor. • Requirements are designed to prepare the Cub Scout for Boy Scouting. 34

General Q&A Meet Leaders Registration 35