Cub Scout Pack 3003

Welcome To Cub Scout Pack 3003

Our pack is made up of boys and their families, mostly from Michigan Ave., Hopewell and North Lee schools. Cub Scouts are part of the Boy Scouts of America, and have a long tradition of providing lots of fun activities for young boys. In Pack 3003 we believe that Cub Scouting is fun, but it is fun with a purpose. Below is some information to help you understand how Pack 3003 practices Cub Scouting

Click on the links below to learn how our Pack operates. When you've reviewed this information, use the links on the left side of the page to learn about your son's specific rank.

Pack Organization
Den And Pack Meetings
Leadership Meetings
Ranks And Advancement
Paperwork Fees And Uniforms

Pack Organization

Cub Scout Pack 3003 is made up of first grade through fifth grade boys. Boys meet in small groups called dens. Each den has an adult leader, and consists of boys in the same grade. First graders are Tiger Cubs, second graders are Wolf Cubs, third graders are Bear Cubs, and fourth and fifth graders are Webelos.

Pack 3003, together with other Cub Scout packs and Boy Scout troops make up the Ocoee District. The Ocoee District is one of 5 subdivisions of the Cherokee Area Council. There are over 300 councils in the United States.

Each Cub Scout pack is sponsored by an organization. Our chartered organization is St Therese Catholic Church. The chartered organization provides a representative who is the liaison between the pack and the organization.

The pack is run by the Pack Committee, which is headed by the Committee Chairman. The Committee meets once each month to plan pack meetings and other pack activities. Parents are always welcome at these meetings.

The Cubmaster is in charge of the pack meetings and reports to the Committee. The boys see the Cubmaster as the authority figure.

The Den Leaders are the ones who do the majority of the work, and who have the most fun. All Pack 3003 adult leaders are required attend Youth Protection and Cub Scout Leader Basic Training, a training course organized by the council. Den Leaders plan and organize den meetings, keep track of the boys' advancements, and attend leaders meetings once a month. Cub Scouting is a family activity, and den meetings are a great place for family involvement.

Parents play an important role in the pack. The leaders will do their best to provide a quality program, but all the leaders in Pack 3003 are volunteers and have many other obligations. We depend on parents to help provide the great program we have. We ask every parent to help the pack in some capacity. You should take your share in working with the den leader of your son's den. In addition, you should help with at least one pack activity a year (e.g. Pinewood Derby or a campout). A parent should attend the pack meetings together with the Cub Scout. Every handbook for boys has a parent guide at the beginning. We also have a child protection videotape which you can watch together with your boy. There are no secrets in Cub Scouts; parents are welcome in any organizational meetings of the pack, district or council.

Den and Pack Meetings

Den meetings: Dens meet weekly, (except when there is a pack meeting). At least two adults are required to be present at all times. In Pack 3003, each den has a designated den leader, but the parents sometimes take turns in organizing the weekly den meetings.

Pack meetings: Held on the last Thursday of the month are for all the boys of Pack 3003. We expect a parent or the whole family to attend the pack meeting. Unless announced differently, pack meetings are held in Breen Hall at 6:45 PM. Please arrive early so the meeting can start on time. A "gathering activity" starts at 6:30 to keep the boys occupied until the formal start of the meeting.

There are many special events: family campouts, field trips, etc. In February, the boys make small wooden race cars and compete in the Pinewood Derby. There are also council events like camporees, Scout-O-Rama etc. We try to have about one special event per month.

Leadership Meetings

Leader meetings: Leaders of Pack 3003 discuss den level matters, Pack meeting plans and exchange ideas. All parents are welcome. These meetings are generally held the first Monday of each month.

Committee meetings: Committee members of Pack 3003 discuss organizational matters, review other leader’s performance, Pack finances, future events and other Pack related matters. All parents are welcome. These meetings are generally held the second Monday of each month.

Roundtables: Idea exchange and announcements for leaders of the whole district. Leaders are encouraged to attend roundtables. Parents are welcome. These are held the second Thursday of each month.

Ranks and Advancement

Boys work their way through Cub Scouts doing activities that are fun and challenging. The activities are carefully chosen to be age-appropriate and emphasize learning by doing. They cover many aspects of life, and are designed to:

Influence a boy's character development and spiritual growth.
Develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship.
Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body.
Improve understanding within the family.
Strengthen a boy's ability to get along with others.
Foster a sense of personal achievement by developing new interests and skills.
Show a boy how to be helpful and do his best.
Provide fun and exciting new things to do.

In addition to the activities that contribute to advancement in rank, the boys can earn belt loops, pins and letters in the optional Sports and Academic Program. The purpose of these awards is to encourage Scouts to try new activities and learn new skills, or to improve those skills they already have. As in most activities in Cub Scouting, this is not meant to be a highly competitive program, instead the boys are encouraged to "do their best".

Cub Scouts joining as first grade boys enter the Tiger Cub Program. Tiger Cubs have no formal advancement or fixed requirements. Tiger Cub dens meet once or twice a month in addition to being welcome at all pack meetings. Tiger Cubs BSA introduces boys and their adult partners to the excitement of Cub Scouting as they "Search, Discover, and Share" together. The Tiger Cub program is meant to be simple and fun. Pack 3003 welcomes its Tiger Cubs to all pack activities, but council-organized activities may have different policies.

All Cub Scouts begin advancement by earning the Bobcat Badge. After earning the Bobcat Badge, they proceed to work on advancement specific to their age level. As part of the Bobcat Badge requirements, they must learn the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto.

In the second grade, Cub Scouts work toward the Wolf Badge, then toward a Gold Arrow Point and one or more Silver Arrow Points. The requirements for these badges are found in the Wolf Cub Scout Book. Boys working towards their Wolf Badge are called Wolf Cubs.

In the third grade, Cub Scouts are called Bear Cubs and work toward the Bear Badge, after which they work toward earning a Gold Arrow Point and Silver Arrow Points. The requirements for these badges are found in the Bear Cub Scout Book. Boys joining in the third grade must earn their Bobcat Badge before working towards the Bear Badge.

The Webelos Program is a two-year program for fourth and fifth grade boys. First, they earn their Bobcat Badge if they have not done so in a previous year. Then in both years, they work toward earning Webelos Activity Pins in twenty different areas, arranged in five groups, and toward one of two different cloth Badges. Fourth grade boys work toward the Webelos Badge. After earning the Webelos Badge, boys work toward Compass Point Emblem and Metal Compass Points by earning additional Activity Pins. Fifth graders, after earning the Webelos Badge, earn the Arrow of Light. The Arrow of Light is the highest rank in Cub Scouts, and its badge is the only Cub Scout Badge that may be worn on a Boy Scout uniform.

Any Wolf, Bear or Webelos Scout can earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award.

Paperwork, Fees, Uniforms

Registration: The annual dues are approximately $55. This includes a subscription to Boys Life per family. Pack 3003 pays the registration fees for its adult leaders.

Uniforms: Cub scouts buy their own uniform, including council patch, pack and den numerals. The pack provides badges. Tiger, Wolf and Bear cubs use the blue Cub Scout uniform and rank specific neckerchief, neckerchief slide and cap, while Webelos can choose whether to wear the blue Cub Scout uniform or tan Boy Scout uniform shirt. Webelos also wear a neckerchief, neckerchief slide and cap. The lady in the Scout store can help you buy the right stuff. Pack 3003 does not require Cub Scouts to wear uniform pants.

Uniforms can be bought at the scout store at the Scout store in Chattanooga. (approximately $45 for the set). Assistance is available to those who qualify.

Handbooks: We recommend that parents read the books for their child's age group cover-to-cover and follow the boy’s progress carefully. Every handbook has a parent guide at the beginning.

Recruiting: If your boy has a friend who is interested in Cub Scouts, bring him to any pack or den meeting. Don't wait for the next year's membership night. Any Cub who gets a friend to join earns a recruiter patch that is worn below the right pocket.