Parent Guide
Dear Parent:

Welcome to Pack 99. We're so glad you've chosen to enroll or re-enroll your son in our Pack. I know that you and he will be so glad you did. We've planned an exciting year and your son will have a great time learning, advancing and playing.

The Pack Leaders in Pack 99 seek to provide activities which provide opportunity for physical fitness and educational value. Many of our planned activities can be enjoyed by every member of a Cub Scout's family.

The information below will provide you with an overview of our program. If you have questions or concerns please call on one of us or on your son's Den Leader.

Thanks again and Welcome!

In Scouting,
The Pack 99 Volunteers

Pack 99 Mission

The Committee and Leaders of Cub Scout Pack 99 are committed to providing a quality, year-round program of Cub Scouting activities. Special emphasis is placed on Character Development , Physical Fitness, Citizenship and Family.

Cub Scouts are required to memorize the following pledges and motto. We seek to make them real in their lives and hope that you will encourage your son as he strives to do so.

The Cub Scout Promise

I 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

A Cub Scout follows Akela
The Cub Scout helps the Pack go
The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow
The Cub Scout gives goodwill

The Cub Scout Motto

Do Your Best

Purposes of Cub Scouting

The Boy Scouts of America began Cub Scouting as a program for younger boys more than 70 years ago. The purposes of Cub Scouting state that Parents, Leaders and Organizations work together to achieve the following:

1. Influence the development of character and encourage spiritual growth;
2. Develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship;
3. Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body;
4. Improve understanding within the family;
5. Strengthen the ability to get along with and to respect others;
6. Foster a sense of personal achievement b developing new interest and skills;
7. Show how to be helpful and to do one's best;
8. Provide fun and exciting new things to do;
9. Prepare Cubs to become Boy Scouts.

Pack Structure

Like every effective organization, Cub Scout Packs have a structure. Understanding this structure and how it works will increase your son's enjoyment of the program (and leave the parent far less confused).

Dens
Groups of 4 to 8 boys meet weekly together as a Den. Each den is led by a Den Leader and an Assistant Den Leader. Dens in Pack 99 meet once a week during the school year. Den meetings are not held during holiday periods.

Dens are organized by age groups. We have one or more Dens for each group of 1st Graders (Tiger Cubs) , 2nd Graders (Wolf) , 3rd Graders (Bear), 4th Graders (Webelos - 1st yr.) and 5th Graders (Webelos - 2nd yr.).

Pack
The Pack consists of the Dens and their Families. Pack 99 meets monthly and for special activities. The Pack serves as a "parent" organization to the dens and provides direction, program support and maintenance of the budget. The Pack is led by the Cubmaster who must be a trained registered adult volunteer. He plans and directs monthly pack meetings and other special activities.
 

Committee
The Pack Committee consists of representatives from each Den and other volunteer adults who are charged with managing he pack and its programs. Parents are encouraged to volunteer to serve on the committee and attend regular meetings. Meeting dates are shown on the Pack Calendar. The Pack Committee Chairman must also be a trained registered adult volunteer. Along with the Cubmaster, He leads the group in planning and organizing the Pack program. The Committee is also responsible for maintaining Pack funds and planning its budget.

Membership Notes
Boys age 6 years (1st Grade) to 10 years (5th Grade) are eligible to join Pack 99. Boys work toward a specific rank during each year in the Pack:

Registration
Registration for membership in Pack 99 is $55.00. The registration fee pays for registration with the Boy Scouts of America, unit insurance, an annual subscription to Boys Life and helps to pay for the awards and supplies for each boy. Den dues will be set by each den. Den dues will pay for den project.

Volunteers
Parent volunteers are always needed. Registration and training are provided by the Pack for those who are interested in helping. If you'd like to help in any capacity, please contact the Pack Committee Chairman, Cubmaster or your son's Den Leader. All types of help are needed - driving for trips, assisting in Den Leader absence, etc. Remember that Cub Scout Packs don't exist without volunteer leadership and do your part when asked.

Uniforms
An essential component of Cub Scouting is the uniform. Cubs are made to feel part of a group and have a place to display their awards when they wear their uniforms. Your Den Leader will provide you with specific information about what is needed and where uniform items can be purchased.

Pack Program Highlights
Pack 99 plans a very busy calendar year. Although we don't expect every boy to attend every function, we encourage him to be as active as he (and his parents') wants to be. Pack outings and special events will be led by two or more leaders and parent volunteers.

Program Calendar
The Program Calendar is the current calendar of events for Pack 99. We realize that boys and families have different needs and we've attempted to plan a program that meets as many needs as possible. It is not expected that each boy will attend each and every event. Please note that dates are subject to change as we get closer to events. Announcements of special events and calendar updates will come home with the boys from Den meetings or in the mail. If you have suggestions for our program, please let a Leader know. Our major calendar planning is done in April and May and you are welcome to attend our planning session.

Pack Nights
Monthly "Pack Nights" are held on one Friday of each month from 7:00-900pm at the The United Methodist Church of Babylon. We attempt to keep these meetings on schedule. The meeting gives the boys a chance to demonstrate the skills they have learned and receive the awards they've earned. The entire family is welcomed and encouraged to attend.

Education Programs
Several times each year Cub Scouts may participate in education activities. These activities could include information about world hunger or other issues. These will typically coincide with National activities. These programs help demonstrate the work by others and teach our Scouts to become responsible adults.

Blue & Gold Banquet
Pack 99 and Cub Scout Packs all over the USA celebrate Scouting's birthday each February by hosting a Blue & Gold Banquet. Families are asked to bring some thing special based on the theme for the particular year. The Pack provides the refreshments and the boys make the decorations. Mark this special date on your calendar and make plans to attend.

Fund Raising
Several times each year the boys of Pack 99 participate in fund raising activities. Funds raised from these activities go to defray Pack program expenses. All boys are encouraged to participate but Parents may choose otherwise. We always want to respect the wishes of the parents without making the boy feel bad for not participating. Please don't hesitate to let us know what you want.

Parent Responsibilities

When joining Pack 99 each parent or adult family member agrees to support their son in the following ways:

1. See that he has the proper uniform and handbook;
2. Assist him in attending weekly Den meeting and monthly Pack      meetings;
3. Work with him to complete achievements for his rank award;
4. Return information forms and permission slips as asked;
5. Support his Den Leader as a resource person or substitute as asked;
6. Agree to serve in some leadership capacity as called upon;
7. Provide input to the Den Leader or Pack leadership with regard to Pack or Den programming.