2. I wanted my son to get into Boy Scouts. Is this the Boy Scouts?   Cub Scouting or Cub Scouts is the part of Boy Scouts specifically geared to boys in elementary school. This is as much the Boy Scout program as Varsity Scouting or Venturing is for boys in junior high or high school.
Cub Scouting was formed in 1930 as part of the Boy Scout program due to an overwhelming demand for younger boys to be a part of the Scouting movement.

3. I have a daughter in elementary school. Can she join Cub Scouts?   No. Cub Scouts is for boys. The Girl Scouts have a program for young girls. They are not part of the Boy Scouts. We can get you information on Brownie and Girl Scout Troops in the area.

4. How often do the boys meet?   The boys are divided into "Dens" by grade: First graders are known as 'Tiger Cubs,' second graders are 'Wolves,' third graders are 'Bears,' and fourth and fifth graders are known as 'Webelos.' Tigers meet twice a month in a home, a third meeting as a field trip, plus the "Pack" meeting. Cub Scouts and Webelos meet on a weekly basis in "Den" meetings and once a month at a "Pack" meeting. There are two types of Cub Scout meetings. Each den will have one or two registered leaders and 6 to 12 boys, with 8 being the optimum number ("Eight is great!").
One meeting of the month, depending on the holiday schedule, all of the Dens meet together in a "Pack" meeting. This is where the boys show off to their parents, siblings, and to the other boys in the Pack what they have been doing during the month, and to receive any advancement or recognition awards they may have earned.
The den meetings and pack meeting are based on a monthly "theme." The pack meeting is like a party with games, skits, and songs, combined with an awards ceremony. The Cubmaster is in charge of the Pack meetings. Some months, there may be an additional weekend meeting for a field trip or some other District or Council sponsored event. Also, in any month with five Wednesdays, the fifth Wednesday will be used for an adult leader planning meeting and the boys will not meet.

5. When and where are the meetings held?   Meetings are from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. on Wednesday evenings. The Den meetings last until roughly 8:15, giving us about 15 minutes to clean up. Some Pack meetings may last a little longer, depending on the event. Pack meetings will be held the first available Wednesday (see "Cancellations" below) of each month before Winter break, and the last available Wednesday of the month after Winter break, in the Cafeteria/Auditorium at Running Brook Elementary School. Den meetings are held at the same time at Running Brook (or optionally in the home of the Den Leader) on all other Wednesdays (except fifth Wednesdays -- see above). Information about Running Brook elementary School can be found at:

6. My son is in first grade. Aren't weekly meetings a little too much for him?   First graders start out in a program called Tiger Cubs that is structured a little differently than the weekly meetings the Cub Scouts have. The Tiger Cubs meet with their adult "partner" (rather than a den leader) for two meetings a month on a rotating basis, in the homes of the families that comprise the Tiger Cub Dens (not necessarily on Wednesdays). The Tiger Cub and Partner who are hosting the meeting are responsible for planning and running that meeting. Another meeting that month is a "field trip" type of meeting, known as a "Go See It," where the Tiger Cubs (with their Tiger Partners) go someplace or do something outside the home. Tiger Cub Dens also attend the monthly Pack meetings. The Tiger Cub uniform consists of an Orange Tiger Cub T-shirt, Tiger Cub Belt (to hold his Tiger award fob) and an optional cap. It is also recommended that the Tiger Cub Adult Partner also wear the orange T-shirt. The Tiger program was just changed this year, so we area all still learning.

7. My son is (allergic to [fill in the blank], learning disabled, ADD, ADHD, physically challenged, emotionally challenged, etc.). Can he still be in Cub Scouts?   Definitely, yes! The Cub Scout program is not restricted to so-called "normal" boys. The Cub Scout program is adaptable to many special needs, and there are program and training materials to help Cub Scout leaders adapt the program to the situation. There are also programs to teach the boys to understand those that may be a little different than they are. However, it is important that the Pack and Den leadership be made aware of these cases so that we can deal with any problems or situations that may arise. We ask that you fill out a health form that stays with the pack. Please be sure to note any special needs or conditions we need to know about. You should also plan to stay for most of the meetings, at least at the beginning of the year, if your son's condition warrants it. The first couple of months are a learning and adjustment period for you, your son, and the pack leadership.

8. How early can I drop my boy off before the meeting? What if I'm busy and can't pick him up exactly when the meeting ends?   Please, Please, PLEASE! Make sure you understand this: WE ARE NOT RUNNING A BABY SITTING SERVICE!!! This is not someplace where you can drop your children off for an hour or so while you run some errands. Scouting is a family program. You will be expected to sign up as a "den assistant" on a rotating basis with other parents. 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. We realize that things will happen sometimes that may delay you, but don't show up at 9:00 week after week to pick up your son. Scout leaders are parents, too, with schedules just as hectic, if not more hectic, than yours.

9. 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. If school closes early for 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, such as the day before Thanksgiving (everyone's out of town). You will be notified of those days as we get to them. Also, as stated in number 8 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.

10. When does he get to go camping?   As of this year, the rules have been changed to allow Cub Scouts to camp as a pack. We are working on developing a camping program. "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.

11. Let's get to the bottom line. How much is all this going to cost me?   The annual registration fee is $7.00. This is sent into the National Scouting office to register your boy in Cub Scouts. Also, this membership qualifies your boy to subscribe to Boys' Life magazine for $9.00 per year, which is half of the regular subscription price. Subscribing to Boys' Life is optional. In addition, we charge an annual Pack dues of $30.00 for a Webelos Scout, $25.00 for a Wolf or Bear Scout, or $15.00 for a Tiger Cub team (Adult and boy). If you have more than one boy registered in the pack, you only pay one "Pack Dues" per family, based on the oldest boy's age (you get a "discount" for registering more than one boy!) which covers day-to-day expenses for craft materials, awards, and recognitions during the "start-up time" after our fall registration drive. The bottom line is $46.00 per year for Webelos, $41.00 for Wolves and Bears, or $31.00 for Tiger Cubs to get your son registered in Cub Scout Pack 615 (or $37.00, $32.00, or $22.00 respectively if you elect not to subscribe to Boys' Life magazine). Note: These amounts will be prorated for partial years, based on April as the start of our charter year.
To be perfectly honest, there is no way that this pack can buy all of the craft materials, awards, and recognitions during the year for just $15.00 or $20.00 a boy. The actual cost is actually over $60 per boy per year. We supplement the Pack dues by Selling Trail's End popcorn in the fall. This is usually the only fundraising event that we participate in. There may be additional costs throughout the year for special District or Council events, to be paid by those attending. Most of this is for insurance coverage. Other expenses include the Cub Scout uniform and activity book for his age level. This will run around $40-$70, depending on your son's age.

12. The uniforms are expensive. Does he have to get the whole uniform, or can he just get a shirt or a hat?   "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 expect 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, scarf 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!) However, we will not deny the Cub Scout program to anyone because of financial difficulties. If there is a true financial need, we have pack funds available for uniforms, if necessary. We also have a limited supply of used (we call them "experienced") uniform pieces available. Speak to someone in the pack leadership and we will do what we can. Everything will be kept confidential.
While on the subject of uniforms, we realize that many boys take part in a number of sporting and other after-school activities. Some times it is not possible to get home between, say, soccer and the Scout meeting. If this is the case, please try to arrange for your boy to bring his uniform and change in the rest room once he arrives for the meeting. This is especially true for Pack meetings. We will not present an advancement award to a boy who is not in uniform!

13. Where can I get Cub Scout uniforms?   Uniforms may be purchased at the Scout Shop in the Baltimore Area Council Scout Office at 701 Wyman Park Drive in Baltimore (2 blocks off of Druid Park Drive near the Baltimore Zoo). There is also a Scout Shop in the National Capitol Area Council Office on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda (across from NIH). Uniforms are also sold at Sunny's Surplus stores (the nearest is across from the Chatham Station shopping center on Route 40 in Ellicott City) and through the J.C. Penney catalogs. You can order the uniforms through the catalog center at any of their stores.

14. Where do you get these 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. Each Den should have two registered and trained leaders as well as a rotating parent assistant. Without den leadership, we cannot form new dens.

15. 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. We have a "fast start" video tape in our Pack library (or we can give you fast start training on the internet) and our goal is to sit down with new leaders and go over the video and answer any questions as soon as possible after you register. There are monthly Roundtable meetings where leaders gather to share ideas. For more information about Roundtables, speak to the Cubmaster for details. (He is the National Pike District Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner!) Additional training opportunities are available throughout 2001-02. See the Cubmaster for details. (The Cubmaster is also on the National Pike District Training Staff!)
WITHOUT YOUR HELP IN LEADERSHIP, THIS PACK WILL FOLD!!! One or two people can't do it all!

16. I have more questions that aren't answered here. Who should I talk to?    Please contact your son's den leader or one of the following and they will be able to give you more information about the Cub Scouting program:

Cubmaster: Pat Hamilton - 410-740-2594
Assistant Cubmaster: Kim Fowler - 410-521-6849