Welcome to Cub Scouts
We’re super excited that your family has join Cub Scouts and Pack 20 Madeira! The video below is a great starting place as it will will answer the five most frequently asked questions about Cub Scouting…
Participation
Cub Scouting can be a flexible program. There are generally three meetings per month and a handful of special weekend activities per year. Every Cub Scout is welcome and encouraged to attend all meetings with a few being “required” meetings. Any pertinent material that is missed can be made up easily by working with a family member and using the information in the rank-related Cub Scout Handbook. We want children to be able to enjoy Cub Scouts and other activities they enjoy.
Den Meetings
- Den is a group of Scouts that are the same age and grade in school. It is led by two adults (a Den Leader and an Assistant Den Leader) and often includes participation from other parents as well.
- This is the “home base” for the Scouts. They will generally stay in the same Den until they graduate to Scouts BSA after the fifth grade.
Pack Meetings
- All of the Dens in Pack 20 together once per month for celebrations, fun activities, and special events.
- This is an opportunity to engage with the larger Scouting group, across ages and genders; older scouts help younger scouts, younger scouts learn from older scouts)
- Scouts get a chance to stretch their skills by speaking in front of a group, playing games with kids of different skill sets, and participating in the overall meeting.
Special Activities
- Participate in community events such as parades, volunteer opportunities, and festivals.
- Participate in council Scouting activities such as Spook-O-Ree.
- Get outside and have fun camping, ninja warrior training, and more.
- Rewards for hard work.
Youth Expectations
- Attend when you can.
- Bring a positive attitude – We’re here to have fun!
- Pay attention to the leaders – Be the best version of yourself.
- Sell popcorn – All annual registration fees go directly to the national BSA council; selling popcorn is the Pack’s one and only fundraising event each year that’s vital to providing the funds necessary to deliver the Cub Scout program.
Parent/Guardian Expectations
- It takes a village to raise a Cub Scout and we need parents to help out throughout the year to make the magic happen.
- There are all sorts of opportunities to help from helping organize an event, teaching a skill, leading a function, and more.
- Parent participation is not just good for the Pack/Den, it’s also good for Scouts to see their families participating in something they value!
- Engage with the Pack/Den leadership – We want to hear from you! Let us know what is working, what isn’t. Do you have to make the experience better?
Pack 20 New Family Presentation
This presentation is meant to serve as an introduction to Cub Scouting for new families of Pack 20.
New Cub Scout Family Information Guide
Cub Scout Program FAQ
Cub Scouts is a program of Boy Scouts of America. Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA are both members of the same organization, however, they are entirely different programs. Cub Scouting is a family-oriented program designed specifically to address the needs of younger Scouts from Kindergarten through fifth grades. Scouts BSA is geared toward older Scouts ages 11 through 18, or in grades sixth through twelfth.
Each Cub Scout Pack comprises of boys and girls from first through fifth grade. The "Pack" is the entire group of Scouts. Each individual grade level comprises a Den. Dens meet separately throughout the year and then once a month the entire Pack comes together. Please visit our About page for additional details on each Den.
Pack 20 meets the third Tuesday of every month in September through May from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Pack meetings are held for all Cub Scouts and their families. Each individual Den meets on a schedule determined by the Den Leader and parents. A Den may hold a special activity, such as a service project or visit to a local museum in addition to or in lieu of a regularly scheduled Den meeting. Likewise, the Pack also conducts special events such as the Blue and Gold Banquet, Pinewood Derby, and Scouting For Food during the year. Check our Activities page for additional details on these fun scouting activities held throughout the year!
Cub Scout Den meetings are intended to be an activity for the individual Scouts. Parental involvement is encouraged and all meetings should be open to your participation. If you would like to contribute at a Den meeting, talk to the Den Leader in advance so that the leader can plan a way for you to participate or talk to the Pack Leaders about becoming more involved. Please note that for Lion (K) and Tiger (1st grade), an adult parent or guardian is required to attend all Den and Pack meetings and other events with the Scout.
Please refer to Uniforms FAQ section on the FAQ page as well as the individual Rank pages linked from the Advancement page for more information about uniforms for each Den.
"Webelos" is an acronym for "We Be Loyal Scouts". Cub Scouts in fourth grade are referred to as Webelos. Cub Scouts in the fifth grade are called Arrow of Light Scouts and are working toward the Arrow of Light award.
The Cub Scout program has a vocabulary all its own! If your family is just starting out, you'll hear Cub Scout terms being tossed around at every Den and pack Meeting. Below are some of the more common terms and their definitions:
- Advancement – The progression that moves the Cub Scouts from rank to rank.
- Adventure – Adventures are "collections of themed, multidisciplinary activities representing approximately two-three den meetings of engaging content." Tigers, Wolves, and Bears complete seven adventures to earn their rank badge. Webelos complete six adventures for their rank, and Arrows of Light complete five.
- Akela – Anyone who is a leader to the Cub Scout. Akela can be a parent, teacher, den leader, Cubmaster, or any other adult who helps guide the Cub Scout.
- Arrow of Light – The highest rank a Cub Scout can achieve. The Arrow of Light (AoL) badge is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform.
- Blue and Gold Banquet – Because February is the anniversary month of the Boy Scouts of America, many packs celebrate with a Blue and Gold banquet. The banquets are special events that can include games and entertainment. Cub Scouts often bring their whole families including grandparents. Some packs may choose to hold their Blue and Gold Banquet in another month.
- Buddy System – The buddy system is used to help Cub Scouts look out for each other. At Cub Scout events, especially outdoor activities, kids should find a partner. The buddies go everywhere together and know where each other is at all times. This helps ensure that the kids always have a partner to help him or her if they get lost or hurt.
- Chartered Organization – Community or faith-based organizations that own and operate Cub Scout packs. They work under a "charter" from the Boy Scouts of America.
- Class A Uniform – This is the official uniform of Cub Scouts. Lion Cub Scouts wear a t-shirt. Tigers, Wolves and Bears wear a blue shirt, while Webelos and AoLs wear the khaki Scouts BSA shirt. "Class A uniform" is not a BSA official term, but it is widely used by packs.
- Class B Uniform – Class B uniforms are Scouting-related t-shirts. They can be pack t-shirts, day camp t-shirts, or any other Scouting t-shirt. They are officially called special purpose or activity uniforms.
- Council – A council is a service center, chartered by the Boy Scouts of America, that is responsible for Scouting within its geographical area.
- Crossover or Bridging – A Special ceremony where a Webelos Cub Scout "crosses over" or "bridges" from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA. It symbolizes the Scouts' induction into their Scouts BSA troop.
- Cubmaster – A Cubmaster is the "face" of the pack. Cubmasters help plan and carry out the Cub Scout program in his or her pack. They support and motivate den leaders and parents. The Cubmaster serves as the emcee for pack meetings and other events. Cubmasters and pack committees work together to develop fun program ideas and activities.
- Den – A den is a group of Scouts who are in the same grade. They work together to advance to the next level of Cub Scouts.
- Denner – A Cub Scout who has been selected (by vote or appointment) to serve in a leadership role in their den. They have specific duties such as taking attendance, leading a flag ceremony, assisting with den activities, and conducting a closing ceremony. Serving as a denner helps develop the Cub Scout's leadership skills.
- Den Chief – An older Scout who is a member of Scouts BSA who has been selected to work with a Cub Scout den. They assist with den activities and serve as a role model (and often a friend) to the kids in the den. The den chief position is considered a leadership role by the Scouts BSA troop.
- District – The geographic territory within a council is divided into districts. Districts vary in size. Some may span multiple counties, while others are one county. There may be multiple districts within one county, depending on its size.
- District Executive – The District Executive (DE) is a paid employee of the local council. His or her role is to support Scouting in the district.
- Pack – A Cub Scout pack is a collection of dens of all ranks. The pack organizes the dens, holds monthly meetings, and conducts larger events such as the Pinewood Derby or Blue & Gold banquet. Packs belong to a community organization, such as a church or a service club, which is chartered by the Boy Scouts of America to operate the Scouting program.
- Pinewood Derby – Cub Scout racing event. With help from their parents, Cub Scouts design and build a race car using a kit that contains a block of wood, plastic wheels, and axles made from nails.
- Raingutter Regatta – Cub Scout racing event. For this race, Scouts build sailboats with balsa wood, a mast, a plastic sail, a plastic rudder and a metal keel.
- Rank – Cub Scouts are grouped by grade or age into specific ranks. Kindergarteners are Lions, first graders are Tigers, second graders are Wolves, third graders are Bears, fourth graders are Webelos, and fifth graders are Arrows of Light. Some people call fifth graders "Webelos," but they're working on the Arrow of Light rank. The Scouts work toward their rank badge throughout the year. For example, the second grader is a Wolf, but they don't get their Wolf rank badge until they complete seven Wolf adventures.
- Space Derby – Cub Scout racing event. Similar to the Pinewood Derby, Scouts build rockets that fly across a line using a rubber band-powered propeller.
- Webelos – This rank's name has special meaning. It stands for WE'll BE LOyal Scouts. Always use the S even when referring to one Webelos. So, one Webelos, not one Webelo.
- Webelos Colors – The Webelos Colors consist of a blue metal bar with the word "Webelos" on it. Below the bar are three woven streamers –one each of gold, red and green. The Scouts can display their adventure pins on the streamers. The Webelos Colors are worn on the right sleeve of the Webelos uniform.
- Whittling Chip – The Whittling Chip is an award a Cub Scout can earn that gives them the privilege of carrying a pocketknife to specifically designated events. To earn the Whittling Chip, Cub Scouts have to know how to safely use and care for a pocketknife, make a carving, and promise to abide by the knife safety guidelines and the pocketknife pledge.
Costs FAQ
One of the most frequent questions we are asked by parents/guardians of perspective Scouts is, “how much will it cost?” Since Pack 20 has a year-round program and accepts new Scouts anytime during the year, some of the costs will depend on when you join. We will attempt to explain all of the costs here and hope that after you have reviewed this information you will agree that Cub Scouting is a great value, especially compared to the costs of team sports or other activities that only operate during a portion of the year.
When new Scouts join, they will submit their application using the online BSA membership application During the application process, the BSA will collect fees that will include the annual BSA membership fee, a Council Activity Fee, Scout Life Magazine subscription fee (optional), and a service fee when paying with a credit/debit card. These go directly to the national BSA and/or local BSA Council and are non-refundable. None of this money goes to the Pack, so we have an annual Popcorn Sale fundraiser to cover the costs of awards, programming, and offsets the costs of some outings and activities. All BSA memberships are good for a twelve month period.
When new Scouts join, they will submit their application using the online BSA membership application During the application process, the BSA will collect fees that will include the annual BSA membership fee, a Council Activity Fee, Scout Life Magazine subscription fee (optional), and a service fee when paying with a credit/debit card. These go directly to the national BSA and/or local BSA Council and are non-refundable. None of this money goes to the Pack, so we have an annual Popcorn Sale fundraiser to cover the costs of awards, programming, and offsets the costs of some outings and activities. All BSA memberships are good for a twelve month period.
Pack 20 wants every youth interested in joining our Pack to enjoy the same opportunities regardless of a family’s financial situation. If any of the costs associated with Scouting will put an undue financial strain on your family, please let us know so that we can work with you directly to make arrangements.
- Pack dues or fundraising participation to cover the costs of the Pack and Den activities throughout the year.
- Official BSA Cub Scout Uniform (Class A Uniform) and Official BSA Cub Scout Web Belt. For a detailed explanation of the uniform expectations, please refer to the Uniforms FAQ Section on the FAQ page for more information. For current pricing information, please visit the online Scout Shop (Official Retailer of the BSA) or local DBC Scout Shop.
- Pack 20 T-Shirt (Class B Uniform) – This is worn for informal Pack and Den activities. Current pricing and availability to be determined.
- Activities and Outings – The cost of activities and outings will vary. Depending on the event, either the Pack, the family, or a combination of the two will be responsible for the associated costs. Summer Camp – While not required, Summer Camp is a great opportunity for Scouts. Please refer to the Dan Beard Council Cub Scout Camping page for current information.
Uniforms FAQ
Wearing uniforms has been a practice of the Scouting movement from the beginning. Decades of experience show uniforming to have many benefits including the following:
- Equality – The uniform represents a democratic ideal of equality. Children from various cultures and different economic levels wear the same uniform and cooperate as equals.
- Identification – The uniform identifies a child as a member of the Cub Scouts. Badges on the uniform tell other members that the Scout belongs to their Den, Pack, and Council. The uniform itself identifies a good citizen to the entire community.
- Achievement – The uniform displays badges and other awards so the accomplishments of each Cub Scout can be immediately recognized.
- Commitment – Wearing a uniform is a constant reminder to each Cub Scout of their commitment to the ideals and purposes of Cub Scouting: duty to God, loyalty to country, and helpfulness to others.
| Activity | Class A Uniform | Class B Uniform | Street Clothes |
| Pack Meeting | Yes | No | No |
| Formal Pack or Den Activity* | Yes | No | No |
| Informal Pack or Den Activity* | Optional | Yes | No |
| Fundraising | Preferred | Acceptable | No |
| Scout Camp – Campfires, Flag Ceremonies, Dinners | Yes | No | No |
| Scout Camp – All other times | Optional | Preferred | Acceptable |
- Formal Pack and Den Activities – Pinewood Derby, Blue & Gold Banquet, activities where we are a guest (volunteering at a church, visiting a fire department, town hall meeting, etc.), Den meetings with a guest speaker, public events, parades
- Informal Pack and Den Activities – Hikes, campouts, family picnic, physical fitness activities, service projects, fishing, boating, family fun nights
The following patches should be worn on Class A uniform shirts for Pack 20 Madeira:
- Dan Beard Council CSP
- Cub Scout Unit Numerals (20 or 3020)
- Cub Scout Den Numeral (see Scoutbook or your Den Leader for the correct Den Number)
- World Crest Scout Emblem
- World Crest Ring
Please refer to the Cub Scout Insignia guide for proper patch placement on your Class A uniform shirt. Note: Only ONE patch should be worn in the temporary patch location (right pocket).