Welcome to Pack 23!!

www.pack23-kumc.org

This handbook is designed to help introduce you to Pack 23, help you learn what is expected of you and your son, and to give you the resources required to allow your scout to be the best he can be.  Welcome!!!

Expectations of Scouts

Meetings and Gatherings
Meetings are held at Killearn United Methodist Church

Pack Meetings  (this meeting includes all boys, leaders and parents)
When the entire group gathers together for their monthly meeting, it is called a Pack Meeting.  The Pack Meetings are scheduled for the third Thursday of each monthstarting in August and ending in May, corresponding with the school year.   Each Pack meeting generally has a “theme” or the Pack may work on specific awards. 

Also all major awards and achievements are presented by the Cubmaster at Pack Meetings.

Den Meetings  (small age/rank specific groups)
The Pack is divided into small groups/ranks called dens:  Tigers, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos (We’ll Be Loyal Scouts).  Individual den meetings are generally scheduled on Thursday evenings using the meeting rooms at Killearn United Methodist Church.  They are usually held twice a month, based on the preferences of each den.

Pack and Den Gatherings and Events 
The Pack, as well as each individual Den, often schedule outings and gatherings.  Many times these outings are discussed at the Den and Pack meetings, so be sure to bring your calendar with you.  You can also refer to our Pack Web Site for up-to-date information:  www.pack23-kumc.org. 

Special Pack Events 
The Pack has many activities, and a few key ceremonies and events such as the Blue and Gold Banquet (February), Council spring and fall family camping weekends, pack campout, and the Pinewood Derby.  You will be surprised by how much you and your son will gain by attending these events, so be SURE to check the Pack calendar on line!

Fund-Raising to support the Pack
The Pack has one major fund-raiser a year.  This money is used to support the activities and programs created by the Pack and for the scouts.  The Annual Popcorn Sale is held once a year (September and October) so look for the information that will be provided by the Pack and Den Leaders.

The Ranks that Make Up the Pack
Bobcat. All ages and ranks become “Bobcats”.  Regardless of a boy's age or rank, he must complete the Bobcat Trail as the first step in his Cub Scouting adventure.  The Pack has a fun Bobcat Ceremony, usually in the late Fall and Spring.
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.
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 12 achievements involving simple physical and mental skills.
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.
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 Handbook, he will work on activity badges, attend meetings led by adults, and become familiar with the Boy Scout requirements all leading to the Arrow of Light Award.

Conduct and Presentation

Pack Meetings and Den Meetings
During Pack and Den meetings, the scout is expected to be in the official Cub Scout uniform (a.k.a. Class A).  At Pack 23 we ask that boys are dressed in Class A from head to waist, although caps are optional.  We also ask that boys wear blue (jeans are fine) shorts or pants with the blue uniform shirt, and tan/khaki shorts or pants with the tan uniform shirt.   Den leaders will send our specific details when the Class A is not required.   Boys should feel proud to be Cub Scout and to wear the uniform.

Outings
As a member of Pack 23, a scout represents more than simply our pack.  The scout also represents Killearn United Methodist Church, who sponsors (charters) our pack, and Cub Scouts nation-wide.  For indoor or low activity outings we expect the boys to wear their Class A uniforms.  For campouts and outdoor outings, Pack leaders will usually ask that the boys wear a Pack T-shirt (Class B), or other scouting appropriate shirt.

When attending a Cub Scout event, we ask the scouts to reflect the Cub Scout’s 12 Core Values listed below.