Dear Parent:
Welcome to Pack 373. We're so glad you've chosen to enroll or re-enroll your son in our Pack or come check out Pack 373. I know that you and your Scout will be so glad you did. We've planned an exciting year and your Scout will have a great time learning, advancing and playing. Pack 373 is a family program and the whole family is welcome to Pack Outing and Pack Meetings.
The Pack Leaders in Pack 373 seek to provide activities that provide opportunity for physical fitness and educational value. Every member of a Cub Scout’s family can enjoy many of our planned activities.
Scouting places significance on Duty to God and Pack 373 is firmly committed to teaching this important responsibility. Pack 373 is open to all boys and girls regardless of their church home. If, however, you've come to our Pack without a church home, we invite you to join us here at Sierra Madre Church. You and your children are welcome to join us for worship and Sunday School on Sunday at 9:30am and along with other activities and programs that minister to every member of the family.
This booklet will provide an overview of our program. If you have questions or concerns about our program or leaders, please call the Cubmaster or your Den Leader or the Pack Committee Chair.
At the end of this booklet is a Parent / Scout information sheet. Please complete it and give it to your Scout's Den Leader at Scouts next meeting.
Thanks again and Welcome!
In Scouting,
Cubmaster – David Sargent 2003
basargent @ earthlink.net6 2 6, 3 5 1. 8 7 1 2
Pack 373 Goal
The Committee and Leaders of Cub Scout Pack 373 are committed to providing a quality, year-round program of Cub Scouting activities. Special emphasis is placed on character development, spiritual growth, citizenship and family.
Cub Scouts are required to learn about the following
pledges and motto.
Over a the years we seek to make them real in the Scout's life.
The Scout Promise:
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and 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 trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
The Cub Scout Motto:
Do Your Best
Akela: A name given for a parent, a leader, or a other scout role model. (In the "Jungle-Book" story, Akela is the leader of the wolf pack).
Wwhat WEBELOS means:
"WE'll BE LOyal Scouts "
Purposes of Cub Scouting
The Boy Scouts of America began Cub Scouting as a program for youth in 1930. The purposes of Cub Scouting states 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 by developing new
interests
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 Members of a Scout Troop.
Pack Structure
Like every effective organization, Cub Scout Packs have a structure. Understanding this structure and how it works will increase your Scout's enjoyment of the program (and leave the parent far less confused).
Groups of 6 to 12 boys or girls meet weekly together as a Den.
A Den Leader and
an Assistant Den Leader(s) and/or Parent(s) lead each den. Dens in Pack
373 meet on Monday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. during the School
year.
Den meetings are not held during the month of December or when they
conflict
with church events. Tiger Cubs Dens meet once a Month. Dens are
organized
by age groups. We have one (or more) Dens for each group of 1st Graders
(Tiger Cubs), 2nd Grades (Wolf), 3rd Graders (Bear), 4th Graders
(Webelos
- 1st yr.) and 5th graders (Webelos - 2nd yr.). In February of the 5th
grade,
Scouts move up to Scout Troop, usually to Troop 373.
Pack
The Pack consists of the Dens and their Families.
Pack 373 meets monthly
and for special activities. The Pack serves as a "parent" organization
to the dens and provides direction, program support and budget for
Awards
and other expenses. The Cubmaster leads the Pack. He plans and directs
monthly pack meetings and other special activities. Pack meetings are
typically
held the last Monday of the month from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.
Pack Committee
The Pack Committee consists of representatives from each Den and other volunteer adults who are charged with managing the pack and its programs. Parents are encouraged to volunteer to serve on the committee.
Every Cub Scout Pack must have a sponsor. Pack
373's
sponsor is Christ
Church Sierra Madre. Christ
Church Sierra Madre (Formally called Sierra Madre
Congregational Church) has been a generous sponsor since May 1990 and
provides
a terrific meeting place and additional help. Our Charter Organization
approves Pack leaders. Troop 373 started in 1924.
Membership Notes
Boys and Girls age 5 years (K) to 10 years are eligible to join Pack 373. Scouts work toward a specific rank during each year in the Pack, the Year Start is June 1 and continues to June 1 of the next. See faq.htm for more info on or pragram. In September, we provide information about Scouting to youth in grades 1 to 5. The best time to join is at the beginning of the school year in September or anytime from March to May. But talk to us we have membership openings thru the year.
When you join the Cub Scouts, no matter how old you
are, you become
a Bobcat first.
You must complete eight steps to become a Bobcat,
these are the basics of Cub Scouts.
First
Grade Scout are Tiger and
work on the Tiger Rank
Second
grade Scouts work toward
their Wolf Rank
Third
grade Scouts work toward
their Bear Rank
Fourth
grade Scouts work on their Webelos rank
Fifth
grade Scouts are second year Webelos and work on Cub Scouting's highest
award,
the Arrow of Light
See our Web page for More in on each Rank: dens.htm
°qëTîU °qëTîU °”ÞTîU €ûÜTîU rëTîU ÐqëTîU @ ÐqëTîU Pack 373 is from $0 to $80.00 per Scouts check for this year fee. If fundraising is good one year the fee can go down (or a little up if not good). The registration fee pays for registration with the BSA - (Boy Scouts of America), Pack insurance, an annual subscription to Scout Life (was Boys Life) and for the awards and supplies for each Scout. This "once a year fee" also avoids the hassles of weekly dues. Scouts must, during their first year in the Pack, complete a registration form for the BSA - Boy Scouts of America. Parents are also asked to complete a parent / scout registration questionnaire to provide some additional information to the Den Leader.Annual fee may vary next year, depending on Pack expenses and success of our only fundraiser, popcorn sales.
Scholarships
Should fees or any costs become a burden for your family, please contact the Cubmaster or the Pack Committee Chairman. Scholarships are available and all requests will remain confidential.
Volunteers
Parent volunteers/helpers are always needed. Registration and training are provided by the Pack for those who are interested in helping/leading. If you'd like to help in any capacity, please contact the Pack Committee Chairman, Cubmaster or your Den Leader. All types of help are needed: drivers 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, if able.
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. All uniform items can be purchased at the Scout Shop, see Below for details. Uniform should be worn only to scouting functions.The Pack maintains an experienced uniform program. Families with uniform no longer needed can donate uniforms to the Pack. Families that need low cost uniforms can ask the Cub Master, to see if any experienced uniform are available.
Pack Program Highlights
Pack 373 plans a full calendar year. Although we don't expect every Scout to attend every function, we encourage Scouts to be as active as a Scout and his parents want to be. Pack outings and special events will be led by two or more leaders and parent volunteers. Permission slips will be given for outings and special events if a Scout wants to attend without his parent.Scouts without signed permission slips will not be allowed to attend without a parent. We'll do our best to help you remember but please make every effort to help us. Leaving a Scout behind is something we and the Scout hate to have happen. Lion and Tiger Cubs must have a parent or other family member over age 18 with them at all times.
Program Calendar
Current Web Pack Calendar can be found at
w-99.htm
At this web site you will also find additional information about Pack 373.Pack Meetings
See for dates: w-99.htm
Blue & Gold Banquet
Pack 373 and Cub Scout Packs all over the USA celebrate Scouting's birthday each February by hosting a Blue & Gold Banquet. Our banquet is held on the last Monday evening in February with a special Pack Meeting in which rank awards are given. The Pack provides the meal at a small cost. Mark this special date on your calendar and make plans to attend.
God & Me and God & Country Program
The Pack sponsors a religious education programs for Scouts of Protestant faiths. These optional programs are divided by age group. Scouts in the first, second and third grades can earn the God & Me award. Scouts in the fourth and fifth grade earn the God & Family award. Classes for both programs are held after February. More information and registration will be provided later in the year. Scouts of non-Protestant faiths are encouraged to earn the award designed for their faith. At completion the Pack will award the Purple knot award for the Scout. Faith.htm
Fund Raising
Once
a year the Pack 373 participates in fund raising activities. We
sell Popcorn in the fall. Prizes are
awarded to sellers. Funds
raised from this activity go to defray Pack program expenses. Scouts
are
encouraged to participate but Parents may choose otherwise. We always
want
to respect the wishes of the parents without making the Scouts feel bad
for not participating. Please don’t feel pressured to
participate. Popcorn
page
Special Programs
The Pack plans a variety of other special programs, like our monthly outings, that assist the Scouts in advancing and provides an opportunity for a good time. These events may be hikes, tours, or service projects. As mentioned before, parents and other family members are almost always invited to attend.
Scout
Expo is held around the first Saturday in June or Last Sat
of May.
Council and District Activities
Several
events are scheduled by the local council Greater
Los Angeles Area Council (was San Gabriel Valley
Council ))
and
our District San Gabriel Valley (Lucky Baldwin). Pack 373 participates
in the Council's Scout
Expo in June or May and summer Cub Day Camps, which are sponsored by
the Council.
Some of these events may be held at the Council's Camp Trask in
Monrovia
Canyon or at Cherry Valley on Santa Catalina Island. More information
and
registration forms will be sent to you as they become available.Camp.htms
Summer Activities
Den and
Pack meetings stop at the end of May and start again in September.
Pack 373 does not completely close down during the summer. Special
activities
are planned and Scouts are encouraged to remain active. Sierra Madre 4th
of
July parade, picnics, swimming, outdoors games and other
summer activities have been held in the past and will be planned again.
Pack 373 makes every effort to
send Scouts to the Council
sponsored Cub Scout and Webelos Resident Camps held at Camp Trask in
June,
July and August. Extra parent involvement is needed. We will begin
promoting
this event late in the spring, as the dates become firm.
Check the Pack web calendar for
the planned dates.
Lion Tiger Cub day camp is held
in once or two times a year.
Parent Responsibilities
When joining Pack 373, each parent or adult family member agrees to support their scout 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
when possible.
3. Work with Scout at home to complete home achievements for
Scout rank
award. (Den Homework)
4. Return information forms and permission slips as asked.
5. Support the Den Leader as a resource person or
substitute if asked
and if able.
6. If able, agree to serve in some leadership or helper
capacity as
needed.
7. Provide input to the Den Leader or Pack leadership with
regard to
Pack or Den programming.
Uniforms,
part 2
There is one way all Scouts are alike. Whenever a Scout sees
another
Scout in uniform he knows he is like that person because both have
committed
to the ideas of the Scout Promise and Scout Law. By wearing the
uniform,
Scouts and Leaders are taking an open stand for their ideas.
Tiger
Cub Uniform
See Cub Scout Uniform below. With
Official Neckerchief
Hat: (optional)
Official r Scout baseball-style cap
The
pack provides the Tiger Book to help you get started.
(and each rank after that in May)
Cub Scout Uniform (Wolf, Bear and 1st year
Webelos)
Shirt: Official Cub Scout dark blue shirt. The council patch, pack number, den number, and world scouting emblems need to be sewn on.
Neckerchiefs: Official Wolf Neckerchief is worn by second-graders. Official Bear Neckerchief is worn by third-graders. The neckerchief is rolled and placed under the shirt collar. This is provided by the Pack in May.
Slide: Official gold metal slide with Cub Scout emblem this is provided by the Pack in May or handmade neckerchief slides may be worn.
Belt: Official navy blue web belt with metal buckle and Cub Scout emblem.
BSA Hat: (optional) Official Cub Scout baseball-style cap-navy with gold front panel and Cub Scout emblem. The hat is optional, but is the only hat that may be worn with the uniform.
BSA
Socks (optional): Official navy blue Cub Scout
socks
with gold tops.
Pants: Blue Jeans shorts or long pants or optionally the
Official navy
blue Cub Scout shorts or long pants.
Wolf
Bear
Tiger
(Hat are optional) Pack 373 uses Blue Jean.
Webelos Scout Uniform:
The Webelos Scout may choose either the blue Cub Scout uniform, or the tan/olive uniform similar to the one worn by Scout Troop.. The location of badges and insignia is the same for both uniforms. Scouts who are growing out of their uniforms should replace their blue Cub Scout uniform with a tan/olive uniform.Blue uniform: The trousers, shorts, socks, and shirt are the same as those described for the Cub Scout uniform.
Tan/Olive uniform: When the tan/olive uniform is chosen official BSA tan shirt with blue shoulder patches are worn. Blue Jeans or the official BSA olive trousers or shorts and olive socks are worn.
The following parts are worn with both Webelos uniforms:
Neckerchief: Official Webelos plaid neckerchief. The neckerchief is rolled and placed under the shirt collar. Provide by Pack.Slide: Official gold metal slide with Webelos emblem or handmade slides may be worn. This is provided by the Pack.
Belt: Official Scout navy blue or olive web belt with metal Webelos belt buckle. Belt loops fit on the official Scout blue belt, so you may want to postpone using the olive belt until BSA..
Cap: (optional)Official Webelos baseball-style cap-navy blue with light blue front panel and Webelos emblem. The hat is optional, but is the only hat that may be worn with the uniform.
Scouts in Pack 373 buy their own uniform, including general patches. The pack provides advancement badges. Wolf and Bear cubs use the blue Cub Scout uniform, while Webelos can choose whether to wear a blue Cub Scout uniform or tan BSA uniform shirt. Pack 373 accepts any blue jean pants or shorts worn with the blue Cub Scout shirt.
BSA uniform can be worn only to Scouting events, with one exception. On Scout meeting Monday Scout may wear the uniform all day, as he is going to Scouts that evening.
Blue
Tan (Webelos, move to Tan is
Blue is too small,
Tan is used in Troop 373 also)
(Hata are optional) Pack 373 uses Blue Jean.
Optional Uniform pieces
The patch vest (or Jacket) is not part of the official uniform. It can be worn by Cub and Webelos Scouts for the display of temporary and other patches that have been earned by the Scouts as a part of the Scouting experience. The patch vest should not be worn with the uniform for formal ceremonies or inspections.
Uniforms and books can be bought at the BSA council store:
411 E Huntington Dr., Ste. #117 in Arcadia, CA 91006Phone – (213) 718-6227
Sunday – Closed
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday – 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Friday – 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday – 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Closed 1pm to 2pm each day for lunch
Please check to see if hours have changed :https://www.glaacbsa.org/scout_shopsFrequently Asked Questions about Pack 373 and Scouting page
Other
facts:
Akela: A name given for a parent, a leader, or a role model.
(In the
"Jungle-Book" story, Akela is the leader of the wolf pack).
BSA Membership facts:
Cub Scouting, like its Scout Troops and Exploring counterparts, follows a long-range plan to reach youth nationwide and of all ages. Cub Scout membership is currently:973,442 Cub Scouts
570,889 Pack Leaders
819,296 Webelos Scouts
53,080 Packs
303,073 Tiger Cub Teams
In 1997, Cub Scouting membership (Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts) grew to more than 2.1 million, an increase of 2.7 percent and the third consecutive year of growth.
The percentage of trained Cub Scout adult leaders increased to 40 percent, a gain of 9 percent over 1996. Cub Scout day, resident, and family camping continued to grow in popularity, with more than 38 percent of members - almost 570,000 Scouts - participating in one of these outdoor experiences.