Cub Scout Pack 451, Mesa, Arizona: index

Absolutely! Cub Scouts is about family. We encourage brothers, sisters, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, classmates, and family friends to attend pack functions, especially the campouts.

Can I drop my boy off at a meeting? What if I'm busy and can't pick him up exactly when the meeting ends?
Scouting is a family program. Please make every effort to accompany your son to every meeting. Some activities require the presence of a large number of parents. Pack meetings are for the whole family.

IMPORTANT: We are forbidden by Boy Scouts of America policy to ever have a situation where one Scout is alone with one adult. If you cannot stay for a particular meeting, NEVER drop your son off outside the meeting place and leave without checking to see if at least two adults are present. This is for your child's, as well as for the adult leader's protection.

We cannot hold a meeting if two adults are not present. Therefore you must wait until the den leader says it is OK to leave before "dropping off your boy." If a second adult is not available, the meeting will be canceled and you will have to take your son back home. By the same token, if the den leader says you don't need to stay for the meeting, make every effort to be prompt in picking your son up after the meeting.

What about spring break and other holidays? Do you still have Cub Scout meetings?
Here is the Rule of Thumb: If the school is closed for the day due to holiday or weather, we don't meet. There are one or two other days -- that we have learned from experience -- that it doesn't pay to hold a meeting. You will be notified of those days as we get to them. Also, as stated above, if there aren't two adults available (either two registered leaders, or a registered leader and a parent) we will cancel that meeting on the spot and you will need to take your son back home.

Does my son have to get the whole uniform?
"Uniform" means just that -- uniform; everybody dressed alike. Since proper uniforming is spelled out in Boy Scouts of America guidelines as one of the means of achieving the goals of Scouting, We cannot ADVOCATE anything less than full uniform. We expect all boys to be uniformed. We would like all of the leaders to be uniformed. If you don't wish to purchase the entire uniform at this time, solid colored pants or shorts that match the uniform shirt may be worn. Many parents purchase the shirt, neckerchief and maybe the cap at the beginning of the school year, then add other items such as uniform pants, belt, etc. as Christmas or birthday presents. (This is a great idea for grandparents!)

When does he get to go camping?
As of 2001, the rules have been changed to allow Cub Scouts to camp as a pack. "Family camping" is allowed for boys first through third grades at Boy Scout approved or "Council run" camps. Webelos may go camping as a den, but each boy must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If it is impossible for a parent or guardian to accompany the Webelos scout, guardianship may be transferred in writing to another parent that is going on the camping trip. This parent, by Boy Scouts of America policy, may not be the den or pack leader responsible for the camping trip. Second year Webelos are also allowed to go camping with a Boy Scout troop. This is part of the Arrow of Light requirements. When accompanying Boy Scouts, they are still required to have a parent present on the camping trip.

Where do you get Cub Scout leaders?
The leadership of this Cub Scout Pack is made up of volunteer parents (like YOU!) who want to be involved in their son's growth and formative years. We are not paid to do this. We think enough of our boys and their friends that we want to provide the best possible opportunity for them to become upstanding citizens of their community. Without den leadership, we cannot form new dens.

I wouldn't have the faintest idea how to be a den leader. What would I do? Where would I start?
Help books, leader manuals, and training sessions are available to help YOU step into the role of den leader as quickly as possible. There are monthly Roundtable meetings where leaders gather to share ideas. For more information about Roundtables, speak to the Cubmaster for details.
WITHOUT YOUR HELP IN LEADERSHIP, THIS PACK WILL FOLD!!! One or two people can't do it all!

Is there a certain time of the year when we have to join?
No. You are welcome to join at any time. We have our annual recruiting drive usually during the first month of school, but there is no requirement that you join at that time. Contact any leader for more information.

We are involved with a lot of activities besides Cub Scouts - Is it ok if we miss events?
We all have many commitments in life and we understand this reality. Our goal is to provide a full schedule of events for you and your son to participate in. You are welcome and encouraged to attend as many or all of the activities scouting offers, but we do not expect you to participate in all of them.

Two other thoughts on this subject. First, you son will be working hard to advance as a scout. Try hard to attend major events so that you don't miss award ceremonies and special scouting activities. Second, when balancing competing priorities in your childs life recall that scouting is unique among the many activities in which our children participate. To often we end up in a passive observer role, as we attend the normal collection of sporting events/practices etc. Scouting is one activity which permits us as parents to directly involved with our children in every facet of the program.

My second - fourth grade son would like to join but he wasn't a Tiger, does he have to start as a Tiger before he can advance?
No problem. Children from 1st through 4th grade are welcome to join Cub Scouts at any time. New scouts joining as 2nd - 4th graders will start as Bobcats then graduate immediately into the appropriate program - skipping any ranks as necessary; Wolf, Bear, Webelo. Starting as a Bobcat helps a boy learn about scouts and to understand to goals and values to be instilled by the program.

I'm worried that my son can't meet the advancement requirements.
The motto in Cub Scouting is "Do your best" and this is the yardstick used to determine if the boy has met the requirements. This doesn't mean that it will be easy! The Scout is expected to push for his best but we realize that there is considerable variation at this age level.

The program is flexible for boys with learning disabilities or physical handicaps. The degree of adaptation varies from case to case and there is a wide range of choices.

I've heard that Scouting is a Father/Son activity. I'm a single mother can my son still join?
Definately! The scouting movement has many boys from single parent families. Scouting in Pack 451 is a family affair and all parents are encouraged to participate. Furthermore, while at the Tiger Cub level, an adult partner is necessary for joining, at the higher ranks the boy doesn't have to have a parent with them for all activities. Just remember our "two deep rule".

How much does it cost to join Pack 451?
Each Pack answers this question differently. This year each scout will be charged $35. Pack 451 participates in various fund raising activities throughout the year to raise additional funds. The pack provides: Scout registration, Insurance for scouts and leaders, bandanas, pinewood cars, manuals, trophies, etc. This does not mean that there will be no other expenses through the year, but our objective is to minimize these costs.

Can my son wear his uniform to school?
Pack 451 scouts are encouraged to wear their uniform to school on any day they will be attending a Pack/Den meeting or any other Pack activity. Scouts should only wear their "Class A" uniform to school! Scouts should also remember that whenever they are wearing their uniform they represent Cub Scouts, Pack 451, and our Charter Organization; shirts must be tucked, collar/cuffs buttoned, and neckerchiefs worn correctly.

I can't sew. Can someone sew the badges on my son's uniform?

There's a wonderful product called Badge Magic that is available at the Scout Shop. No sewing required!!! Click here.

Are there any expenses not covered by the Pack Activity fee?
What isn't covered by the membership fee.

The fee does not cover uniform costs.
A "Class A" Tiger uniform will cost approximately $30.
A "Class A" Wolf/Bear/Webelo uniform will cost approximately $65.
Specific Pack activities and events.
- Pack events. We will charge a nominal amount to pay for food at the Blue and Gold dinner and Pack Picnic.
- Specific pack event. Example: Pumpkin picking, Sleepouts, camping, museum visits etc. will be charged based on a per scout basis depending on the total event cost.

I have more questions that aren't answered here. Who should I talk to?
Please contact your son's den leader or Click Here! to find a list of Pack 451's current leadership. Any one of these volunteers will be able to give you more information about the Cub Scouting program.


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Mesa Scout Shop

Is there a certain time of the year when we have to join? No. You are welcome to join at any time. We have our annual recruiting drive usually during the first month of school, but there is no requirement that you join at that time. Contact any leader for more information.

Are there any expenses not covered by the Pack Activity fee? What isn't covered by the membership fee.

The fee does not cover uniform costs.

A "Class A" Tiger uniform will cost approximately $30.

A "Class A" Wolf/Bear/Webelo uniform will cost approximately $65.

Specific Pack activities and events.

Pack events. We will charge a nominal amount to pay for food at the Blue and Gold dinner and Pack Picnic.

Specific pack event. Example: Pumpkin picking, Sleepouts, camping, museum visits etc. will be charged based on a per scout basis depending on the total event cost.

I have more questions that aren't answered here. Who should I talk to? Please contact your son's den leader or Click Here! to find a list of Pack 451's current leadership. Any one of these volunteers will be able to give you more information about the Cub Scouting program.

Is there a certain time of the year when we have to join?
No. You are welcome to join at any time. We have our annual recruiting drive usually during the first month of school, but there is no requirement that you join at that time. Contact any leader for more information.

Are there any expenses not covered by the Pack Activity fee?
What isn't covered by the membership fee.

I have more questions that aren't answered here. Who should I talk to?
Please contact your son's den leader or Click Here! to find a list of Pack 451's current leadership. Any one of these volunteers will be able to give you more information about the Cub Scouting program.