A Parent’s Guide to ScoutingGreater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America

SCOUT IT OUT

BOY SCOUT S OF AMERICAGreater St. Louis Area Council

SCOUT IT OUT

G R E A T E R S T . L O U I SA R E A C O U N C I L

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Why Join Cub SCoutS

Scouting makes the most of right now.

The reality is that kids grow up fast—and parents have to make the most of the little time they have to positively shape the lives of their children. Scouting gives parents and kids the unique chance to make the most of right now.

Scouting’s programs and outdoor adventures give young people the opportunity and freedom to explore a world beyond the boundaries of everyday life. It presents them with chances to try new things, provide service to others, build self-confidence and develop leadership skills. These experiences not only help Scouts while

they are young, but also stay with them throughout their adult lives, growing into exceptional men and women that respect their family, community, religion, country and themselves.

Scouts do stuff. They build things. Play with purpose. Make friends and work together. Set goals and clear them. They go places. Physically. Mentally. Spiritually. These life-changing experiences — and the confidence they provide — become bricks in the wall of childhood. Bricks that eventually form a foundation. One a Scout can stand on to embrace opportunity and overcome obstacles.

Scout Law. A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

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hoW Cub SCoutinG WorkS

The Cub Scout program takes place at two levels. Your son will be part of a den — a small group of boys in the same grade level — that meets at least twice a month. All dens, from grades one through five, make up the pack. Once a month, all the dens and their families meet together at the pack meeting.

The pack meeting, conducted by the Cubmaster, gives boys the opportunity to demonstrate newly learned skills. Boys also play games, perform skits, sing songs, and receive recognition for the badges and awards they have earned. The pack meeting is a family affair, where parents and siblings can see the achievements of their Cub Scout.

The pack, including families, also participates in other special events throughoutthe year, including:

● Blue and gold banquet—Cub Scouting’s birthday party in February.● Camping—Overnight and day camp opportunities introduce your family to

the camping experience.● Service projects—Packs may participate in food drives, conservation

projects, or other community activities.● Field trips and special outings—Great ways to learn more about the

people and places in your community● Pinewood derby—You can build and race a model car with your son.

Through Cub Scouting, your son will experience:● Cooperation ● Positive Attitude ● Health & Fitness ● Responsibility ● Leadership ● Perseverance ● Citizenship ● Confidence ● Resourcefulness ● Respect ● Social Skills ● Honesty

yeAr-round ACtivitieS

In Scouting, kids can participate in activities all year long. Several times throughout the year, the Greater St. Louis Area Council holds large-scale events for all Scouts throughout its boundaries. These events are in addition to your den and pack events and are optional to attend.

Fall Fright FestThis fun, age-appropriate activity adds to the Halloween spirit. Cub Scouts and their families use the outstanding facilities of Cub World at Beaumont Scout Reservation for an evening of enjoyable and spooky activities. Included are crafts, haunted trail, storytelling, and a goody bag for each participant.

Scouting for FoodScouts take part in this annual food drive to benefit local food pantries, collecting 2 million items of food each year.

STEM UniversityEach year, thousands of Scouts invade area college campuses for a full day of classes and hands-on activities involving STEM subjects.

Memorial Day Good TurnOn the Sunday before Memorial Day, more than 4,000 Scouts gather at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery to honor veterans by decorating all 290,000 graves with an American flag.

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Cub Scouting Day OneCubs get their own day at camp in the fall at one of several locations throughout the council. With their families, Scouts can cook over a real fire, shoot a BB gun, climb a monkey bridge, explore a mud cave, make cool art projects, and much more. This is a great opportunity for new Cub Scouts to see what the Scouting experience is all about. Visit dayone.stlbsa.org for details.

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yeAr-round ACtivitieS

Summer CampThe council offers several camp experiences specifically for Cub Scouts every summer.

Day & Twilight (Evening) CampsDozens of camps take place throughout the council with at least one camp within your geographical area. Camps are open to all levels of Cub Scouts and do not offer overnight opportunities.

Grizzly Day CampsThis camp offers several sessions, each with its own theme. Activities revolve around each theme in crafts and outdoor activities.

Parent & Pal Overnight CampsThis is a weekend of fun for all levels of Cub Scouts and their parent(s)! A tent is provided for this one-night camp and meals are served in a dining hall. Parent & Pal serves as a great introduction to overnight camping.

Resident CampsResident Camps are multi-night camps for incoming Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts. Resident camp will expose younger Cub Scouts to the fun and excitement of overnight camping to prepare them for Boy Scouts.

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On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills as he goes. All new Cub Scouts, regardless of grade, should earn the Bobcat badge within the first 90 days. After that, Cub Scouts work on the rank advancement for their grade.

At each Cub Scout rank, boys must complete seven adventures. There are over 80 subjects to explore through these adventures.

Upon completing all of the requirements for an adventure, Tiger, Wolf, and Bear Scouts are awarded an adventure loop. Adventure loops are designed to be worn on the Cub Scout belt.

Webelos Scouts earn an adventure pin for completing the requirements for an adventure. Adventure pins are designed to be worn on the Webelos colors or on the front of the Webelos cap.

BobcatThe Bobcat badge is the first rank earned by all Cub Scouts, no matter what their age when they join. Boys must learn the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Show the Scout handshake, salute, sign, and motto. After earning the Bobcat badge, boys work on requirements based on their grade level.

TigerThe Tiger rank is for boys in first grade or who are 7 years old.

WolfThe Wolf rank is for boys in second grade or who are 8 years old.

BearThe Bear rank is for boys in third grade or who are 9 years old.

WebelosThe Webelos rank is for boys in fourth and fifth grade or who are 10 years old.

Cub SCout AdvAnCement

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Den Leader(s) — leads the den at weekly den and monthly pack meetings; attends the monthly pack leaders’ meeting

Cubmaster — helps plan and carry out the pack program with the help of the pack committee; emcees the monthly pack meeting and attends the pack leaders’ meeting

Committee Chairman — resides at all pack committee meetings; helps recruit adult leaders; works with the Cubmaster to assure that the pack properly provides the Cub Scout program

Advancement Chairman — track and maintains advancement records for the pack; input advancement records online to acquire rank and advancement patches from Scout Shop each month

Treasurer — maintain pack’s financial records; work with popcorn/camp card sale chairman to coordinate sale

Pack Trainer — coordinates training for adults; promotes basic leader training and roundtable meeting attendance; attends the monthly pack meeting and committee meeting

Camping Chairman — work with Cubmaster to plan and execute pack camping trips; promote summer camp activities and ensure all Scouts attend a camp

PACk LeAderShiP

Parent HelpersEach year the pack undertakes several short-term projects. Parents and other volunteers are needed for activities such as pack fundraisers (Popcorn Sale and Camp Card), Scouting for Food, Pack Good Turn, Pinewood Derby, Blue & Gold Banquet, Friends of Scouting, Pack Graduation, and Day Camp. These jobs are of short duration and enable all families to assist with important pack responsibilities.

The most important help that you,as a parent, can give your boy is to work with him on his Cub Scouting activities. His handbook is full of age-appropriate activities that you will enjoy doing together at home. When he completes an activity or project, it is your responsibility to sign his book to verify that he has done his best. And then it is important for you to attend the monthly pack meeting with him, so that you can celebrate his achievement. Your role as a parent is the secret to a successful Cub Scouting program!

Scouting operates through volunteer leadership. Volunteer leaders are an example of Scouting’s principle of service to others. Naturally, parents are the primary source of leaders in the Scouting program. You volunteer not only to serve Scouting, but also to help your son and his friends — and to have the

chance to be a positive influence on the youth in your community.

Does Scouting work? A study performed by Tufts University found that Scouting does in fact have a measurable, positive impact in the character development of young people. Participants were assessed over three years to see if and how character changes were taking place. At the beginning of the study, there was no statistically significant difference in character between those in Scouting and those who weren’t.

After three years, Scouts reported significant increases in cheerfulness, helpfulness, kindness, obedience,trustworthiness, and hopeful future expectation. The group of non-Scouts showed no significant increases.

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PArent invoLvement

Make memories with your son that will last a lifetime!

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TrainingThe Boy Scouts of America offers convenient training for everyone—parents, leaders, and youth members. Training can be taken online or in a classroom setting. Log on to myscouting.org to discover all of the courses available.

We encourage all parents to take the BSA’s Youth Protection training.

Youth ProtectionThe Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on providing the most secure environment possible for its youth members. Youth Protection Training is designed to help you keep youth safe from abuse. Learn the Boy Scouts of America’s Youth Protection Guidelines, signs of abuse, and how to report suspected abuse.

Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers. New leaders are required to complete Youth Protection training within 30 days of registering. Youth Protection training must be taken every two years.

RoundtableRoundtable is a monthly meeting for all adult leaders and volunteers in your district. You can get help with crafts, games, skits, and songs for use at den and pack meetings. It’s also a great place to ask questions and share ideas.

Cub Scout Leader Pow WowThis one-day event offers hands-on training for Cub Scout leaders, pack committee members, parents of Cub Scouts, and anyone wanting to learn more about how to have a better Cub Scout program. Training sessions are on relevant topics to help you stay up to date about the Scouting program.

trAininG

Cub Scout Leader Specific TrainingThese trainings are designed to present in-depth information for new leaders in a specific leadership position. Training includes courses related to these specific Cub Scout positions—Cubmasters and assistants, pack committee chairs and members, Tiger Cub Den Leaders, Cub Scout Den Leaders and assistants, and Webelos Den Leaders and assistants.

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Fundraisers help the pack put on a quality program.Building a strong annual program is a great way to keep Scouts active and interested in the Scouting program. Funding your unit’s program is equally important, as Scouts benefit from paying their own way while also reducing the out-of-pocket expenses for parents.

Money raised by units through fundraising has been used to cover the cost of advancement recognition, special events, and Scout equipment.

Popcorn in the fall.With a little imagination, many units fund their entire annual program from popcorn sales.

Units receive a base commission of more than 30 percent of popcorn sold, with opportunities to earn bonus commission. Scouts can earn individual prizes for sales levels in addition to an investment in a college

scholarship account. Any Scout selling $750 gets to participate in the St. Louis Cardinal’s Experience! Other bonuses include a free camp incentive and $2,500 Seller’s Club.

Camp Cards in the spring.Mention Scouting and the first thing that comes to mind is camping. Scouts can earn their way to designated camps by selling Camp Cards.

Camp Cards contain regional offers and savings — for the St. Louis metropolitan area, southern Missouri, and southeastern Illinois. Each Camp Card sells for $5, with 50% commission for the unit. Units are encouraged to use these funds to ensure that every Scout can attend summer camp, but money can also go towards items such as new uniforms or equipment.

FundinG SCoutinG

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LINCOLN

WARREN

FRANKLIN

ST. CHARLES

JEFFERSON

CRAWFORD

WASHIN

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ST.GENEVIEVE

DUNKLIN

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REYNOLDS

IRON

ST. FRANCOIS

WAYNE

MADISON

PERRY

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CAPEGIRARDEAU

SCOTT

CARTER MISSISSIPPI

NEW MADRID

PEMISCOT

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JACKSON

UNION

FRANKLIN

WILLIAMSON

JOHNSON

PULASKI

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ST. LOUIS

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Grand Towers District

Thunderbird District

Gravois Trail District

New Horizons District

North Star District

Pathfinder District

Boone Trails District

Cherokee District

Egyptian District

Kaskaskia District

Osage District

Ozark Trailblazers District

River Trails District

Shawnee District

Sioux District

ST. LOUIS (CITY)

ST. LOUIS COUNTYMISSOURI & ILLINOIS COUNTIES SERVED

04/2016

The Greater St. Louis Area Council includes St. Louis city, 26 counties in eastern Missouri, and 10 counties in southern Illinois. Last year the council had more than 47,000 youth and nearly 12,000 adult volunteers participate in its Scouting programs.

The council is comprised of 15 districts: Boone Trails, Cherokee, Egyptian, Grand Towers, Gravois Trail, Kaskaskia, New Horizons, North Star, Osage, Ozark Trailblazers, Pathfinder, River Trails, Shawnee, Sioux, and Thunderbird.

GreAter St. LouiS AreA CounCiL

My pack number is: ________________________ My den number is: ___________________

My den leader’s name is: ___________________________________________________________

My den leader’s phone number is: __________ — __________ — _________________

My den meets on (day): _________________________ at (time):___________________________

at (place): ___________________________________________________________

My Cubmaster’s name is: ___________________________________________________________

My Cubmaster’s phone number is: __________ — __________ — _________________

My pack meets on (day): ________________________ at (time):___________________________

at (place): __________________________________________________________

The Greater St. Louis Area Council is a United Way agency.

ContACt inFormAtionMacArthur Service Center & Scout Shop

314.361.0600 | 800.392.0895 | 4568 West Pine Blvd. | St. Louis, MO 63108

Ritter Service Center & Scout Shop573.335.3346 | 800.335.3346 | 3000 Gordonville Rd. | Cape Girardeau, MO

63703

Southern Illinois Service Center618.942.4863 | 888.942.4863 | 803 E. Herrin St. P.O. Box 340 | Herrin, IL 62948

BSA Outfitters Scout Shop314.984.0014 | 13347 Manchester Rd. | Des Peres, MO 63131

Visit us online atwww.stlbsa.org