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Welcome to Pack 504New Scout Parent Orientation 2014-2015

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Agenda

• Aims & Missions• Pack Communication• Youth Protection • Organization - Scout• Pack and Den Meetings• Calendar• Pack 504 Structure / Volunteering• Outdoormanship / Camping• Summer Camp• Popcorn Sales

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Mission

“The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”

“Scouting is a game with a purpose”-Lord Robert Baden-Powell

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Cub Scout Promise & LawCub Scout Promise

I, (name), 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.

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Boy Scout Oath & Law

SCOUT OATH

On my honor I will do my bestTo do my duty to God and my countryand to obey the Scout Law;To help other people at all times;To keep myself physically strong,mentally awake, and morally straight

SCOUT LAW

A Scout is:TrustworthyLoyalHelpfulFriendlyCourteousKind   ObedientCheerfulThriftyBraveCleanReverent

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Aims of the BSA• Character Development• Participating Citizenship• Personal Fitness

• Character Development • Spiritual Growth • Good Citizenship • Sportsmanship & Fitness • Family Understanding

• Respectful Relationships • Personal Achievement • Friendly Service • Fun and Adventure • Preparation for Boy Scouts

Purposes of Cub Scouts

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Methods of Cub Scouting

• The Ideals • The Den• Advancement• Family Involvement• Activities• Home- & Neighborhood-centered• The Uniform• Making Character Connections

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Pack Communications

• Den Leaders• E-mail blasts

– Reminders, news, etc.

• Pack Website– Calendar, Handbook

• Web based award tracking• Monthly Committee Meetings

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Pack 504 Website

www.pack504.scoutsprout.com

• Best place for basic pack information, dates, forms, etc.

• Calendar with all pack events

• Contact information on pack committee

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Pack 504 Web based awards tracking

www.cubtrails.com

• Input and view the progress of your scout.

• Calendar with den events

• Link to pack website

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Parent/ Committee Meetings

• When: Monthly on first Thursday of the month.• Where: Trinity Lutheran First Floor• When: 7pm• What:

– Plan for upcoming events– Discuss the Den activities– Discuss state of the Pack

• NOT just for leaders– All parents are invited/ encouraged to attend

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Youth Protection

Youth protection is put into place to protect your child and to protect you and the adult leaders in the pack.

•Minimum two-deep leadership on all outings required.•One-on-one contact between adults and youth members prohibited.•Separate accommodations for adults and Scouts required.•Mandatory reporting of child abuse.

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Pack 504 Organization - Scout

• The Pack• Consists of all the dens. Pack events are ones

where all of the scouts are invited to attend.

• Dens• Organized by grade level

• First Grade – Tigers• Second Grade – Wolf• Third Grade – Bear• Fourth Grade – Webelos I• Fifth Grade – Webelos II

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The Uniform

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The UniformPatches Needed•Northeast GA Council Patch•Den Number Patch•Numbers “5”, “0”, “4”•World Crest Patch

We are a belt-up Pack (belt, shirt, neckerchief, slide, hat)

Uniforms are purchased at the Scout store (staff there will assist you….just ask)

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The Scout Store - Lawrenceville

203 Swanson DriveLawrenceville, GA 30043Phone: 770-962-2105Fax: 770-962-8004

Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pmFriday 9:00 am - 5:00 pmSaturday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

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Your role as a scout parent

• Guide your cub scout• Assist your scout with their achievements. Take

an active role.

• Attend den and pack meetings• Be on time. Participate with your scout. Be

enthusiastic.

• Support your den leader• They are a parent and volunteer.

• Help your pack – Be a volunteer

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Pack Dues

• Pack Dues - $40 per scout in 2015• What are Pack Dues used for?

– Scout Advancement & Recognition• Patches, belt loops, pins, New rank scarf at end of year

– Raingutter Regatta Boat– Pinewood Derby Car– Approved Trainings for Adult Leaders– Site Activity rentals, fees & registrations

• Camp site charges, etc.

– Helps keep costs of trips lower

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Pack Meetings

• Pack Meetings– Start at 7pm– Typically the 3rh Tuesday of the month– Held at Trinity Lutheran Church (unless otherwise noted)

• Sept. 16 (Bottle Rockets)• Oct. 21 (Gross Desserts)• Nov. 14 – Friday night

(Rain gutter Regatta)• Dec. 16 (Paper Airplanes)• Jan. 20 (TBD)

• Feb. 21 - Saturday (Blue & Gold - Crossover)

• Mar. 21 – Saturday (w/ Pinewood Derby)

• Apr. 21 (Rank Advancement)• May 19 Flag Retirement

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Pack Meeting Ettiquette• Class A uniforms are appropriate for pack meetings

– Uniform shirts tucked in, please.

– Hats remain on or held

• Buddy System at all times

– Bathroom runs require 2 scouts

• All attendees (Scouts, parents, siblings) must remain in the meeting room

– No wandering the halls

• Scouts sit with their respective dens (one or two parents should sit with the scouts)

• Scouts and parents should pay respect to those who are speaking

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Den Meetings

• Den meeting times and locations will vary depending on the den you are in. Your den leader will let you know when you are meeting.

• If you miss a den meeting, it is your responsibility to make up any achievements, etc. that you may miss.

• Please be on time

• Tiger parents are required to stay for the entire meeting. Parents of older scouts are encouraged to stay and participate but if you must drop off, please pick your scout back up on time.

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2014-2015 Calendar

• Available on pack website (www.pack504.scoutsprout.com)

• Active program 1 pack meeting per month– 2 camping trips per year.

• Fall Family Camping – Camp Rainey Mountain Oct 3-5• Spring Family Camping – Indian Springs, GA May 1-3

– One overnight winter trip• Camping on the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier Jan 24-25

– Full summer program – once per month• 2014 (Gwinnett Braves Game, Ice Skating, Pool Party)

– Activities geared toward fun, adventure and advancement• Always with the aims & methods of Scouting in mind• For most events, the whole family is invited.

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September 2015

• September 7th – Bobcat Boot camp• September 16th – Pack Meeting (Bottle

Rockets)• September 21st – Scout Day at Atlanta

Braves (Atlanta District)• September 27th – Cub Scout Fun Day

(District)

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October 2015

• October 3-5 Fall Family Camping – Camp Rainey Mountain – near Clayton, GA

• October 18th – Bike Rodeo (District)• October 21st – Pack Meeting – Gross

Desserts

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Pack Volunteers

“The Cub Scout helps the Pack go”

So do Volunteers!

We really need your help!

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Pack 504 Structure - Leaders

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Pack 504 Leaders• Committee Chair – John Weber• Asst. Committee Chair – Ben Robey• Cubmaster – Hugh Morgan• Assistant Cubmaster – Dan Brant• Treasurer – Victoria Sheldon• Assistant Treasurer – Claudia Martinez• Awards/Advancement Chair – Celeste Griffith• Camping Chair – Julie Weber• Popcorn Kernal – Julie Weber• Den Leaders

– Webelos II: John Weber, Hugh Morgan, Dan Schumm– Webelos I: Victoria Sheldon– Bears: Alvin Harper– Wolves: Julie Weber

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Pack Volunteers

• There are many critical Pack-level jobs that are either open now, or need someone for next year– Asst. Cubmaster(s) – NOW– Asst. Popcorn Kernal - NOW– Pack Secretary – NOW– Pack photographer / Historian – NOW– Tiger Den Leader - NOW

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Cubmaster• This is Mr. Morgan’s last year as Cubmaster

– John Weber will move into the Cubmaster role in February

– Our current assistant cubmaster is also in his last year, Mr. Brant. We need a new assistant cubmaster to begin in February.

• The Cubmaster/ Asst. Cubmaster is responsible for all aspects of the program– Runs the Pack Meetings– Makes sure Scouts are advancing appropriately– Guides and supports den leaders– Helps maintain good relationships with Boy Scout troops– Sets an example for all Scouts

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Committee Chair• This is Mr. Weber’s last year as Committee Chair

– Ben Robey will move into the Committee Chair role in February

• The Committee Chair is responsible for leading the business end of the pack– Presides over committee meetings– Liaison between District and Pack– Liaison between Pack and Chartered Organization– Helps maintain the organization of the Pack– The committee helps the Cubmaster plan the pack

activities– Sets an example for all Scouts

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Popcorn Kernel

• Point person for Popcorn Fundraiser• Responsibilities

– Attend Popcorn Kickoff Meetings– Order Popcorn for Show & Sells, Take Orders– Oversee “Take Order” activities

• Collect Forms• Fill Orders

• We need an assistant to help Julie this year.

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Pack Secretary

• Helps keep the pack organized and informed

• Responsibilities– Attends committee meetings.– Attends Roundtable when able– Maintains the pack email and phone lists– Maintains the pack website– Sends out routine pack communications– Takes notes at committee meetings

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Pack Photographer / Historian

• Responsibilities– Take photographs at scout events– Upload photos to share site so that parents can

download the ones of their scouts– Maintain all photos and assist with graduations,

etc. where photos or photo books might be wanted.

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Event Coordinators

• Pack Level Event Coordinators/Helpers – Raingutter Regatta Team– Parade Coordinator– Pinewood Derby Team– Blue & Gold Pack Meeting Committee– Community Service Coordinator– Winter Trip Coordinator– Camping Coordinator(s)– Pack Meeting Set-Up, Clean-Up Team– Pack Meeting Gathering Activity Coordinator

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“The best classroom of all is the great outdoors”

Outdoormanship/CampingIt has often said that “Scouting” is “outing”• Why go to the outdoors?

– Adventure– Fun– Character Development– Preparation for Boy Scouts

Lord Baden-Powell

“The open-air is the real objective of Scouting and the key to its success.”

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Outdoormanship

• What type of experience is needed?ANS: As much as you have right now

In Cub Scouts, the emphasis is getting into the outdoors and doing your best

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Outdoormanship

• How is it done?• Hikes• Pack overnighters• Outdoor pack meetings/events• Webelos den campouts• Community Service Opportunities

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OutdoormanshipWhat Do We Need?

Good News! Not Much!• Cub Scout Essentials• Sleeping Bag• Tent (if not sleeping in cabin)• Ground cover / tarp

There is an exhaustive checklist on the Pack 504 website under General Information.

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OutdoorsmanshipWeather• It is always sunny, 75°F with a 4mph wind

from the SW on Scout outings!

FALSE!!!!• Cubs go out in all kinds of weather

– Prepare with the proper rain gear, layers, footwear– The trips that the Scouts remember most are the ones

that don’t go perfectly• They also learn to cope with things that aren’t perfect – They

develop character!

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Popcorn SalesWhy do we sell Popcorn? • Pack 504’s main fundraiser

– Funds most of the activities for the pack– Dues cannot cover expenses alone

• We earn about 32% of our total sales in popcorn to our den.– We would like each scout to see $200 at a

minimum– Our top seller last year sold over $2000

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Popcorn SalesWhere does the money go? • Some goes to our local Council

– Goes to maintaining and improving the Scout properties (Scoutland and Rainey Mountain)

• Some goes to Trails-End• Some goes into our Pack to help fund our

activities

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Popcorn SalesImportant Dates

• Sept. 3rd – Unit Sales Kick-Off• Oct 26th – Last Day of Sales– The Popcorn Kernel’s order is due for the Pack.

• Nov 2nd – Units Place Order • Nov 13-14 – Product delivered to Packs• Fill It Up Drawings– 9/22, 9/29,10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, • Grand Prize Drawing – 11/3

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Popcorn SalesOnline

www.trails-end.com– Scouts create an account & e-mail to

friends/family– Buyers order directly from Trails-End

• Great way for distant relatives/friends to help

– Products will be delivered directly to the buyer by Trails-End.

– Be sure the buyer puts down the name of the Scout so the Scout can receive the credit.

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Popcorn SalesTake Order

– You must turn in order sheet before Oct 26th. • All money for your order is due when you turn in

your form• Take order sheets may be given either to the Popcorn

Kernel

– You must collect the money as you take-orders– Please include your email address, Scouts

name & Den, and phone number on order form. – Checks are payable to Pack 504.