The Boy Scouts of America began Cub Scouting as a program for younger boys more than 50 years ago. The purposes of Cub Scouting state that Parents, Leaders and Organizations work together to achieve the following:
- Influence the development of character and encourage spiritual growth;
- Develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship;
- Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body;
- Improve understanding within the family;
- Strengthen the ability to get along with and to respect others;
- Foster a sense of personal achievement by developing new interests and skills;
- Show how to be helpful and to do one's best;
- Provide fun and exciting new things to do;
- Prepare Cubs to become Boy Scouts.
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 4 to 10 boys meet weekly together as a Den. Each den is led by a Den Leader and an Assistant Den Leader. A Boy Scout, known as a Den Chief, may also work with your son's den. Dens in Pack 197 meet on those days the den agreed upon. The entire Pack meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month..
Dens are organized by age groups. We have one or more Dens for each group of 1st Graders (Tiger Cubs) , 2nd Grades (Wolf) , 3rd Graders (Bear), 4th Graders (Webelos - 1st yr.) and 5th graders (Webelos - 2nd yr.).
Advancement:
Recognition is important to young boys. The Cub Scout advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement projects.
 | Tiger Cub
The Tiger Cub program is for first grade (or age 7) boys and their adult partners. There are five Tiger Cub achievement areas. The Tiger Cub, working with his adult partner, completes 15 requirements within these areas to earn the Tiger Cub Badge. These requirements consist of an exciting series of indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy in the first grade. |
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 | Bobcat
The Bobcat rank is the first award that all boys who join Cub Scouting must achieve before earning any of the additional awards listed below. |
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 | Wolf
The Wolf program is for boys who have completed first grade (or are age 8). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must pass twelve achievements involving simple physical and mental skills. |
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 | Bear
The Bear rank is for boys who have completed second grade (or are age 9). There are 24 Bear achievements in four categories. The Cub Scout must complete 12 of these to earn the Bear badge. These requirements are somewhat more difficult and challenging than those for Wolf rank. |
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 | Webelos
This program is for boys who have completed third grade (or are age 10). A boy may begin working on the Webelos badge as soon as he joins a Webelos den. This is the first step in his transition from the Webelos den to the Boy Scout troop. As he completes the requirements found in the Webelos Scout Book, he will work on activity badges, attend meetings led by adults, and become familiar with the Boy Scout requirements. |
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 | Arrow of Light
This is the highest award that you can earn in the Cub Scout program and it is one of only two awards that may be worn on your the Boy Scout uniform when you become a Boy Scout and/or an Adult Leader. Earning the Arrow of Light is the ultimate in Cub Scouting, and should be an honor you cherish for the rest of your life. |
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Registration
Registration for membership in Pack 197 is $65.00 for a full year for the first boy, and %50 for each boy thereafter, due by September 30th of each year. For the years when we have an April membership drive, dues are $20 per boy. Checks should be made out to "Pack 197." There may be also Den dues of $35 - $50 per year, depending on the activities and the Den Leader. The registration fee pays for registration with the Boy Scouts of America, unit insurance, an annual subscription to Boys Life magazine, and helps to pay for the awards and supplies for each boy. This "once a year fee" also avoids the hassles of weekly dues. A boy must, during his first year in the Pack, complete a registration form for the Boy Scouts of America. Parents are also asked to complete a Parent Family Talent Survey to provide some additional information to the Den Leader.
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 Chairman, 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 please remember to do your part when asked.
Uniforms and Advancement Books
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. All uniform items can be purchased at the Scout Shop at our Council office in Woburn (map) or other locations ... check with you Den Leader.
Pack Program Highlights
Pack 197 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. Pack outings and special events will be led by two or more leaders and parent volunteers. Permission slips will be sent home for outings and special events. Boys without signed permission slips will not be allowed to attend. We'll do our best to help you remember but please make every effort to help us. Leaving a boy behind is something we and the boys hate to have happen.
Program Calendar
The Pack Calendar is the current calendar of events for Pack 197. We realize that boys and families have different needs and we've attempted to plan a program that meets as many needs as possible. It is not expected 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 come home with the boys from Den meetings or in the mail. If you have suggestions for our program, please let a Leader know. Our major calendar planning is done in April and May and you are welcome to attend our planning session.
Pack Meetings
Monthly Pack Meetings are generally held on the second Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 8:15, although we attempt to keep these meetings to one hour in length. The meeting gives the boys a chance to demonstrate the skills they have learned and receive the awards they've earned. Each meeting starts with a fun opening activity, has skits by each den, awards are distributed, and sometimes a special activity is enjoyed. The entire family is welcomed and encouraged to attend, and it is important that at least one parent attend each meeting when a boy receives an award.
Blue & Gold Banquet
Pack 197 and Cub Scout Packs all over the USA celebrate Scouting's birthday each February by hosting a Blue & Gold Banquet.
Summer Activities
Pack 197 does not close down during the summer. Special activities and weekly meetings are planned and boys are encouraged to remain active. Picnics, swimming, outdoor games and other activities have been held in the past and will be planned again.
Participation and expectations on the part of the Scouts is pretty straight forward. The Scouts are expected to attend all Den and Pack meetings. Scouts should arrive on time, not late and not early. If the parent or guardian does not stay for the meeting, they should return promptly at the scheduled ending time of the meeting to assist with cleaning up and pick up the Scout.
If a meeting is not attended, it is the Scout’s responsibility to find out what was missed, especially any information that was dispersed. Good behavior is expected at all Scouting functions and activities. This includes showing respect of Leaders, adults and other Scouts, quietly listening to instructions, information and others that are speaking. Parents are expected to encourage, support and assist their Scout as they work on achievements. All parents are to share in the efforts of their Den and the Pack. The Den Leader and Assistant are coordinators. Each parent will share the work and accomplishments in providing this terrific program for the Scouts. The parents are responsible to deal with any behavior problem identified by the Den Leaders.
The Scouts and parents should expect the Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader to be prepared to work with you, and keep you informed about what is happening within the Den and Pack. All Cub Scout leaders are expected to follow all scouting rules, regulations and guidelines without exception. The National level of Scouting has policies to protect the Scouts, the Leaders and the program. They may not always be convenient, but they have a purpose and are not to be excused for any reason. Whoever participates in a Scouting activity must comply with these policies.
When joining Pack 197, each parent or adult family member agrees to support their son in the following ways:
- See that he has the proper uniform and handbook;
- Assist him in attending weekly Den meeting and monthly Pack meetings;
- Work with him to complete achievements for his rank award;
- Return information forms and permission slips as asked;
- Support his Den Leader as a resource person or substitute as asked;
- Agree to serve in some leadership capacity as called upon;
- Provide input to the Den Leader or Pack leadership with regard to Pack or Den programming..
The Scouts and parents should expect the Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader to be prepared to work with you, and keep you informed about what is happening within the Den and Pack.
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All Cub Scout leaders are expected to follow all scouting rules, regulations and guidelines without exception. The National level of Scouting has policies to protect the Scouts, the Leaders and the program. They may not always be convenient, but they have a purpose and are not to be excused for any reason. Whoever participates in a Scouting activity must comply with these policies. Parents leading a den should organize a meeting once a week, except on the week that the entire pack gathers. If you've just agreed to lead a den, then your first duty is to pick a day that your entire den can meet (most weeks). Once that's settled, then your goal is to help your cub scouts work their way through the requirements which are spelled out in the book for your year boys. Pack 197 gives out new books at the beginning of every year, or you can scan the requirements online at one of the scouting web sites. Once that's settled, you should organize your meetings. Some of these are done at home, and some are at places like the local fire or police station. They've helped us before and know a lot about scouting--several police and firemen were scouts themselves, and they know exactly what to do.
In addition to planning your meetings, it's helpful to attend several committee meetings during the year--the most important is the meeting prior to the one pack meeting a year we'll ask your den to help organize. When a den is listed as organizing the meeting, then you'll need your boys to prepare to lead the pledge of allegiance and the scout oath. Most pack meetings we'll expect each den to have one skit ready to show off.
There are several resources that you will have available to you. First, there will be a training course (1 evening) to be held locally early in the fall for all of our den leaders. If you can't make that, there'll be other training courses, but you'll have to drive a little farther. Then, consider calling last year's den leader. They can tell you what they thought worked well for them and their boys. Finally, there are lots of leader books (if you decide to lead--the pack will purchase one for you) and online information.