Parent Information Guide

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Parent Information Guide

• 2008 2009 Scouting Year
• June 1, 2008 May 31, 2009

149 Best all the time! Contact the Cubmaster
Rich Mendelowitz rich_at_mendelowitz.com http//
cubpack149.org
703.527.4627
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Cub Scout Parents Orientation

• Welcome to the fun and Excitement of Cub
  Scouting! Where character counts and the
  adventure begins...
  
• At tonights meeting, we will
• Welcome you
• Introduce ourselves and the Pack 149 program
• Inform you and your boys about Cub Scouting
• Invite boys to join Cub Scouting
• Involve parents in the program

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Pack 149 Leadership
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So What is Cub Scouts?

• A year-round family and community-centered
  program for boys in 1st through 5th grade.
  
• Scouts can
• Camp, hike, learn about the outdoors
• Build a car and enter the pinewood derby
• Participate in charity events and volunteer work
• Rock climb, swim, shoot BB guns, bow and arrows
  and so much more
  
• All while
• Developing character, good habits, respect for
  others and citizenship
  
• Spending time with family
• Encouraging sportsmanship and fitness
• For Parents - Cub Scouts is when you set aside
  the time to share an outing together with your boy

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The Ten Purposes of Cub Scouting

• Character Development
• Spiritual Growth
• Good Citizenship
• Sportsmanship and Fitness
• Family Understanding
• Respectful Relationships
• Personal Achievement
• Friendly Service
• Fun and Adventure
• Preparation for Boy Scouts
• All structured around family participation and
  core values
  
• Citizenship, Compassion, Cooperation, Courage,
  Faith, Health and fitness, Honesty, Perseverance,
  Positive attitude, Resourcefulness, Respect, and
  Responsibility.

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Ideals

• Tiger Cub Motto (1st grade)
• Search, discover, share.
• 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
• The Cub Scout follows Akela,
• The Cub Scout helps the pack go,
• The pack helps the Cub Scout grow,
• The Cub Scout gives goodwill.
• Cub Scout Motto - Do your best.
• Webelos

• Boy Scout Law
• A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful,
  Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful,
  Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent
  
• Boy Scout Oath
• On my honor I will do my best
• To do my duty to God and my country and
• To obey the Scout Law
• To help other people at all times
• To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake,
  and morally straight.
  
• Boy Scout Motto - Be Prepared
• Boy Scout Slogan - Do a Good Turn Daily
• Tiger 1st Grade
• Wolf 2nd Grade
• Bear 3rd Grade
• Webelos 4th and 5th Grade
• Boy Scouts 5th Grade to 18 years old

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Advancement
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Things Your Son Will Gain Through Cub Scouting

• A feeling of belonging to a positive and fun
  group of boys and caring adults.
  
• New social skills that will help him get along
  with others.
  
• Develop new mental skills from reading and
  writing, to planning and organizing.
  
• A greater understanding of other people and the
  world around him.
  
• A system of values that will help him grow and
  make good decisions.
  
• A concern and caring for people, and even
  opportunities to help others.
  
• Self-confidence and stronger self-esteem.

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Cub Scout Organization

• National Council
• National Capital Area Council
• Chain Bridge District
• Packs
• Chartered Organization Cherrydale United
  Methodist Church
  
• Pack Committee
• Dens

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Pack 149 Operating Concept

• Pack
• Meetings Monthly on Mondays at Cherrydale United
  Methodist Church, 7-815PM
  
• Monthly themes used throughout all of Scouting
• Events Council, District and Pack
• Den
• Meetings in between Pack Meetings Scheduled
  locations and times by the Den Leaders
  
• Events
• Leaders / Committee Planning Meetings
• Leaders Training
• Communication
• Email
• Website http//cubpack149.org
• All meetings and events on the Pack Calendar
• Everything is always on the website

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2008-2009 Pack Program
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Sample Den Activities from past years
So much more
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Why Uniforms

• Scouts wear uniforms as a means of identifying
  themselves openly with the principals to which
  they are committed-character development,
  citizenship, physical and mental fitness.
• The fact that scouts wear uniforms does not mean
  everyone is alike.
  
• Cub Scouts Pack's are made up of boys from
  different cultural, ethnic, religious and
  political backgrounds.
  
• The uniform is a way of strength and support to
  each other.
  
• It is also a way of making visible a Scouts
  commitment to a belief in God, loyalty to country
  and helping other people.

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Uniforms

• Class A plus rank appropriate handbook Tiger,
  Wolf , Bear, Webelos Casual Adventure or Scout
  Stores in Springfield and Bethesda
  
• Costs in NCAC parent orientation guide
• Neckerchiefs and 149 shoulder numerals provided
  free to all scouts by Pack 149
  
• Class B Tee Shirt - 25 sign up tonight

A few still available tonight
New Design on Tie Dye Background
Coming to you in email soon
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Packs Obligation to your Son

• Provide a solid Scouting program that you can
  both be proud of.
  
• Provide the means of advancement in a timely
  manner for the Scouts.
  
• Provide quality trained den leaders.
• Provide the opportunity to participate in various
  outings and activities.
  
• Provide a safe Scouting environment and meeting
  place.
  
• Communicate news and current Scout events to you
  in a timely manner.

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Scouts Obligations to the Pack

• Do My Best in everything I do.
• Obey the packs rules and regulations.
• Obey den leaders and assistant den leaders and
  follow their rules and regulations.
  
• Work on my achievements and electives and advance
  in a timely manner.
  
• Participate in Scout activities whenever
  possible.
  
• Respect others, their rights, and their property
  at all times. Show respect for the BSA. Treat the
  United States Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance
  with equal respect.
• Be on time for all meetings and functions it is
  not fair for the others to have to wait for me.
  
• Call my den leader or ask my parent to call if I
  cannot attend a meeting or function.
  
• Keep my uniform clean and in good repair with all
  my insignia properly placed.
  
• Wear my uniform proudly to all events and
  functions unless told otherwise by my den leader.

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Code of Conduct

• Always attempt to be on time.
• When wearing the Scout uniform, wear it with
  pride.
  
• Always behave and follow instructions.
• Always Do Your Best.
• No use of alcohol or tobacco products is
  permitted while at Scout functions.
  
• Disruptive or inappropriate behavior will not be
  tolerated.
  
• Destruction of public, private, or personal
  property is strictly prohibited.

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Disciplinary Process

• Disruptive or inappropriate behavior will result
  in a warning, followed by a time-out or removal
  from the activity. In cases of repetitive
  behavior, guardians may be called to pick up the
  scout.
• Destruction of property will result in the
  guardian being called immediately to pick up the
  scout. Guardians of Scouts are financially
  responsible for the actions of their children.
• At the den leaders discretion, guardians may be
  required to attend den functions with their
  Scout.
  
• Den leaders have the right to exclude a Scout
  from their den for reasons of conduct

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Parent Obligations

• Work with your son on his achievements and
  electives. Scouting is a family affair and he
  cannot do it alone. If assistance is needed, ask
  your sons den leader.
• Accompany your son to the monthly pack meeting.
  One parent is required, but the entire family is
  welcome. We expect any younger siblings to be
  supervised and not allowed to cause a distraction
  during the pack meeting.
• At Pack Meetings, assist the Den leaders as
  necessary if the boys are not well behaved.
  Especially if your son is not behaving. Den
  Leaders are often involved in the Pack Meeting
  program and cannot always see to the boys
  behavior at a Pack meeting.
• Escort your son into the den meeting room. Make
  sure the leader is there and no last minute
  changes have been made. If you dont stay for the
  meeting, pick up your son on time.
• Volunteer and become involved. Every family is
  required to volunteer for one Pack level activity
  each year. When we ask for parental assistance
  there is a reason The more active and involved
  you are, the more you and your son will enjoy the
  Cub Scout experience.
• Voice your opinions, thoughts, and comments any
  leader or committee member. The only way the
  program can be improved is to know what you and
  your son wants.
• Let us know of any problems as soon as they
  occur. Dont wait. We cannot know about something
  that is upsetting you unless we are told.

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Parent Volunteers

• We need Parent Volunteers to make the Pack go
• There is no magic here. It is just us parents in
  an all volunteer Army where none of us has enough
  time but
  
• We owe our boys a quality program!!
• A Hundred Years from Now
• It will not matter what my bank account was,
• The sort of house I lived in,
• Or the kind of car I drove.
• But, the world may be different,
• Because I was important in the life of a boy.
• -- Forest Witcraft

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Volunteer Roles

• Volunteer sign-ups require registration or
  renewal payment first
  
• (see poster at back of the room for current
  status)

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What Will Scouting Cost

• Annual Pack 149 Dues 65
• This covers
• BSA Registration Fees for boys and leaders
• Accident Insurance
• Boy's Life Magazine Subscription
• All awards, pins, badges and belt loops earned
• Fees for camping, Blue and Gold Dinner, and all
  other events
  
• Fundraising (optional)
• Direct support to the Pack in the Fall
• Support to the National Capital Area Council in
  the Winter

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To Join Pack 149

• The Scouting year runs from June 1 - May 31. 
• For a new Scout to join Pack 149 please do the
  following
  
• Complete a "Cub Scout Application". Fill out only
  the LOCAL COUNCIL COPY. Make and keep a copy for
  yourself.
  
• Complete a "Photo Permission Form"
• Complete the "Personal, Vehicle, Drivers License
  and Auto Insurance Information Form".  
  
• Complete the BSA Class 1 Medical Form. Page 1
  only.
  
• Write a check for 65 made out to "Cub Scout Pack
  149".
  
• Send or bring all of the above to our Pack
  Committee Chairman, Leslie Atkins, 1001 Rochester
  St., Arlington, VA  22205. Email
  lpatkins2_at_aol.com or call her at 703.237.0668 if
  you have questions. You can also give all of the
  above to any uniformed Pack Leader
• All new Scouts receive a free uniform neckerchief
  and 149 uniform should numerals.
  
• For new Adult Leader to join the Pack
• Please fill out a "BSA Adult Application" and
  then send or bring to Leslie Atkins as in 5
  above. The Pack pays the Adult Leader fees.
  
• All new Adult Leaders receive a free 149
  uniform should numerals.

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What do I need you to do now?

• Go out to the lobby
• Register or renew
• Fill out info forms we need
• Sign up as a leader or for a volunteer slot
• Sign up and pay for the Campout

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Thank you!149 Best all the time!Contact the
Cubmaster Rich Mendelowitzrich_at_mendelowitz.com
http//cubpack149.org 703.527.4627
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Backup
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WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOWTO GET STARTED IN CUB
SCOUTING...

• Carefully review this document so you know what
  Cub Scouting is all about and how you and your
  son can get the most out of it.
  
• Update all contact information
• Fill out the BSA Cub Scout Application Form and
  write a check to Pack 149 for 65
  
• Fill out the photo permission form
• Fill out Vehicle and Drivers License information
  form (Needed for Tour Permit for Campouts and
  other outings)
  
• Fill out the Parent Volunteer Form and turn it in
  tonight so you can share your knowledge,
  experience, and skills with the boys in your
  sons den and the pack.
• Consider becoming a Cub Scout Leader of your
  sons Cub Scout den. Your sons experience in
  Cub Scouting depends on your involvement Fill
  out a BSA Adult Leader Application
• Purchase a Cub Scout Book now and begin doing
  activities in it with your son, especially those
  related to the outdoors.
  
• Find out what activities Pack 149 is doing in the
  next few months, and put them on your calendar so
  you can participate.
  
• Scouting is more fun with friends! Every boy can
  join Cub Scouts at any time, not just on Join
  Scouting Night. Talk to other parents and boys
  and have them join your sons Cub Scout den now
  to make Cub Scouting even more fun.
• Purchase a Cub Scout shirt for your son to wear
  his awards on. Be sure to get a size large
  enough to last several years as your son grows

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Volunteers Have Loads of Help

• I was never a Scout as a youth, and know very
  little about the program.
  
• There is no relationship between previous
  Scouting experience and your effectiveness as a
  parent or leader. The most important factor is
  your WILLINGNESS TO LEARN.
• The Chain Bridge District and the National
  Capital Area Council provide many training
  opportunities and supplemental materials to
  assist you in learning about the Scouting
  program
• Youth Protection Training 30 minutes online or
  monthly
  
• Fast Start Training30 minute video or web-based
  training to give you an overview of the program.
  
• Cub Scout Basic Leader TrainingA course taught
  by experienced volunteers that will give you the
  skills and knowledge you need to be effective in
  your leadership position.
• Roundtablea monthly meeting of area Cub Scout
  leaders, where you will receive general
  information and ideas on how to conduct fun and
  exciting den and Pack meetings. Ideas are shared
  on crafts, games, songs and skits, as well as
  District activities that your Pack can get
  involved with.
• Cubmailthe monthly Chain Bridge District
  newsletter for all registered adult leaders which
  includes information on Scouting events and
  activities.
• Scouting Magazine the monthly National Capital
  Area Council newsletter for all registered adult
  leaders which includes information on Scouting
  events and activities.
• University of ScoutingAnnual full day of
  school for leaders, offering classes on all
  areas of Scouting.
  
• Programs HelpsA leaders guide for planning
  monthly den and Pack meetings.
  
• Leaders GuidesNumerous books are available at
  your local Scout
  
• Center for leaders to use as references to help
  you run effective den and Pack meetings.
  
• Scout CentersOur Council Service Centers are
  staffed with professionals available to help you
  with your Scouting questions, uniforms, and
  everything else you need to be successful in
  Scouting.
• Most of all the experience of other Pack Leaders!