PACK 306 Parent Handbook

  

 

Dear Parent:

 

Welcome to Pack 306.  We’re so glad you’ve chosen to enroll or re-enroll your son in our Pack.  We know that you and he will be glad you did.  We have planned an exciting year, and your son will have a great time learning, advancing and playing.

 

The Pack Leaders in Cub Pack 306 seek to provide activities that offer an opportunity for physical fitness and educational value.  Every member of a Cub Scout’s family can enjoy many of our planned activities.

 

This page will provide an overview of our program. If you have questions or concerns about our program or leaders, please call on one of us or on your son’s Den Leader.

 

Thanks again and welcome!

 

In Scouting,

 

Pack 306 Committee

 


 

Pack 306 Mission

 

The Committee and leaders of Cub Scout Pack 306 are committed to providing a Quality, year-round program of Cub Scouting activities.  Special emphasis is placed on character development, citizenship, and family.

 

Cub Scouts are required to memorize the following pledges and motto.  We seek to make them real in their lives and hope that you will encourage your son as he strives to do so.

 

The Cub Scout Promise

 

I promise to do my best

To do my duty to God and my Country

To help other people and to obey the

Law of the Pack

 

Law of the Pack

 

A Cub Scout follows Akela

The Cub Scout helps the Pack go

The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow

The Cub Scout gives goodwill

 

The Cub Scout Motto

 

Do Your Best

 

 

Pack Structure

 

Like every effective organization, Cub Scout Packs have a structure.  Understanding this structure and how it works will increase your son’s enjoyment of the program (and leave the parent far less confused).

 

Dens

 

Groups of 6 to 9 boys meet either weekly, bi-monthly together as a Den.  A Den Leader and an Assistant Den Leader lead each den.  It is mandatory that Den leadership be at least two deep.  A Boy Scout, known as a Den Chief may also work with your son’s den.  Dens in Pack 306 meet during the school year.

 

Dens are organized by age groups.  We have one or more Dens for each group of 1st Graders (Tiger Cubs), 2nd Graders (Wolf), 3rd Graders (Bear), 4th Graders (Webelos – 1st yr.) and 5th graders (Webelos – 2nd yr.).

 

Pack

 

The Pack consists of the Dens and their families.  Pack 306 meets monthly and for special activities.  The Pack serves as a “parent” organization to the dens and provides direction, program support and maintenance of the budget.  The Cubmaster leads the Pack.  He/she plans and directs monthly pack meetings and other special activities.

 

Committee

 

The Pack Committee consists of Den Leaders and volunteer adults who are charged with managing the Pack and its programs.  Parents are encouraged to volunteer to serve on the committee and attend regular meetings.  The Pack Committee Chairperson, along with the Cubmaster, leads the group in planning and organizing the Pack program.  The Committee is also responsible for maintaining Pack funds and planning its budget.

 

Parent Responsibilities

 

When joining Pack 306, each parent or adult family agrees to support their son in the following ways:

 

  1. See that he has the proper uniform and handbook;
  2. Assist him in attending Den meetings and monthly Pack meetings;
  3. Work with him to complete achievements for his rank award;
  4. Return information forms and permission slips as asked;
  5. Support his Den Leader as a resource person or substitute as asked;
  6. Agree to serve in some leadership capacity as called upon;
  7. Provide input to the Den Leader or Pack leadership with regard to Pack or Den programming.
  8. Each parent is required to sign up for at least two positions or activities, requiring at least five hours of time during the year.  This is in addition to assisting with our primary fund raising activity, Ramsey Day water sale.

 

Hawthorne Fortitude Lodge

 

Every Cub Scout Pack must have a sponsor. Pack 306’s sponsor is Hawthorne Fortitude Lodge of Ramsey, N.J.  Although they are our sponsors, we use the Tisdale School as our meeting location.

 

  

Membership Notes

 

Boys, age 6 years (1st Grade) to 10 years, are eligible to join Pack 306.  Boys work toward a specific rank during each year in the Pack:

 

First grade boys are Tiger Cubs.

 

Second grade boys work toward their Wolf Rank.

 

Third grade boys work toward their Bear Rank.

 

Fourth grade boys are Webelos and work on their Webelos rank.

 

Fifth grade boys are second year Webelos and work on Cub Scouting’s highest award, the Arrow of Light.

 

Registration

 

Registration for membership in Cub Pack 306 is $65.00 per year.  This registration fee pays for registration with the Boy Scouts of America, unit insurance, and helps to pay for the awards and supplies for each boy.  This annual fee also avoids the hassles of monthly pack participation dues.  (This does not exclude dues for den projects and/or den events).   Parents are also asked to complete a parent/boy registration blank to provide some additional information to the Den Leader. Registration 2009-2010.htm

Volunteers

 

Parent volunteers are always needed.  Registration and training are provided by the Pack for those who are interested in helping.  If you’d like to help in any capacity, please contact the Pack Committee Chairperson, Cubmaster or your son’s Den Leader.  All types of help are needed – driving for trips, assisting in Den Leader absence, etc.  Remember that Cub Scout Packs don’t exist without volunteer leadership and do your part when asked.

 

Uniforms

 

An essential component of Cub Scouting is the uniform.  Cubs are made to feel part of a group and have a place to display their awards when they wear their uniforms.  Your Den Leader will provide you with specific information about what is needed.  Uniforms are to be worn with pride at all scouting functions.  Uniforms are to be kept clean and tidy.  Shirttails are to be kept tucked in to the boy’s trousers.  A uniform guide to assist parents is available from Den Leaders or can be found on our Pack web page.  All uniform items can be purchased at the Scout Headquarters in Oakland or the Ramsey Outdoor Store.

 

Pack Program Highlights

 

Pack 306 plans a very busy calendar year.  Although we don’t expect every boy to attend every function, we encourage him to be as active as he (and his parents) wants to be.  Two or more leaders and parent volunteers will lead pack outings and special events.  Permission slips will be sent home for outings and special events.  Boys without signed permission slips will not be allowed to participate.  We’ll do our best to help you remember but please make every effort to help us.

 

Pack Calendar

 

The Pack Calendar is the current calendar of events for Pack 306 for the 2008-2009 year.  We realize that boys and families have different interests and we’ve attempted to plan a program that meets as many needs as possible.  It is hopeful that each boy will attend each and every event.  Please note that dates are subject to change, as we get closer to events.  Announcements of special events and calendar updates will be noted in the Pack Newsletter and on our Pack Web Site.

 

Pack Meetings

 

Monthly Pack meetings are held once a month, normally on the third Friday, promptly at 7:00 p.m. in the Tisdale School gym unless otherwise announced.  The location of the meeting will be announced monthly in the Pack newsletter.  Meeting times and location do change in response to program needs.  Please watch your newsletter or check our Web Site for start time.  Meetings last approximately one to one and a half-hours.  There will be no Pack meeting during the months of July and August.

 

Attendance

 

Cub Scouting is a family program.  All leaders, Cub Scouts and parents are expected to attend all Pack meetings.  Each Cub Scout must be accompanied by at least one parent or other relative or guardian and must remain for the entire meeting.  All family members are welcome at all Pack meetings.  Den Leaders are responsible for the conduct of their den.  Parents are also responsible for the conduct of their scouts as well as siblings during Pack activities.

 

Pack Web Site

 

Our Pack Committee continues to update our Pack Web Site.  This site serves as a resource for parents and a fun place for our scouts to explore.

 

Blue & Gold Banquet

 

Pack 306 and Cub Scout Packs all over the USA celebrate Scouting’s birthday each February by hosting a Blue & Gold Banquet.  Our banquet will be held on a Sunday afternoon in February.  Please refer to the Pack calendar, mark this special date on your calendar, and make plans to attend.

 

Fund Raising

 

Each year Pack 306 participates in Ramsey Day by selling water.  Funds raised from this activity help to defray Pack program expenses.  All families are required to assist and join in with this event.

 

Special Programs

 

The Pack plans a variety of other special programs that assist the boys in advancing and provide an opportunity of a good time.  These events may be hikes, tours, or service projects.  As mentioned before, parents and other family members are almost always invited to attend.

 

Council and District Activities

 

Several events are scheduled by the local council (Northern NJ) and our district (Iaoapogh (pronounced Yaw Paw)).  Events include Adult Leader Training, Cub Scout Field Day, Iditarod, and the District Pinewood Derby.  Den Leaders are notified of upcoming dates for these events.  Dates and events will also be posted on our Pack Web Site.

 

Summer Activities

 

Pack 306 does not close down during the summer.  Special activities are planned and boys are encouraged to remain active.