Join Pack 75

Thinking about joining Pack 75? Here's some frequently asked questions and things to know.

The Pack meets the 3rd Monday of every month in Dunbarton above the Library. Dens meetings are typically once a month by times and locations vary by den.

Join Now!

What's the difference between a "pack" and a "den"?

A den is a specific group of scouts sorted by grade level. For example, all kindergarteners are grouped together in to the Lion Den. All 1st graders are grouped together into the Tigers den, etc. The Pack is all of the dens combined. The pack meets once a month with all of the cubscouts in pack 75 together.

What is the adult's role in scouting?

Cub Scouting is, by design, a team effort between your Cub Scout, You (their adult partner), and the Den and Pack leadership. You are a crucial part of that team, as you support and guide them through the activities.

In Pack 75, each family supports the Den and Pack by signing up to help lead adventures, organize outings, assist with fundraising and fill other roles. Den and Pack leadership offer guidance and support to everyone. Together we are all able to run the best program possible. The younger graders require an adult to be present at den and pack meetings with their scouts.

Cub Scouting is after all, a Family Program and is designed for your family to enjoy together. It is worth noting that all of the adult leaders in Pack 75 are volunteers and parents and/or guardians like you, all chipping in to make our program successful. We are confident that every adult partner of a Cub in our Pack will contribute their time and talents to help make our Pack run smoothly and give our Cubs the best possible experience.

What do you in scouts?

Scouts work to accomplish a variety of activities centered around the outdoors, community service, building character, physical fitness and learning new skills. They earn different ranks and badges for items completed. The activities grow with the scouts and den leaders and guardians help teach the skills, with plenty of guidance from experienced scouts and adults.

The Pack

The Pack consists of multiple Dens. The Pack meets as a group once a month for themed activities, games, awards, and/or guest speakers. Some months there are also optional Pack outings like field trips, service projects, overnights or sporting events.

The Dens

Dens are grouped by grade level and led by one or two adult volunteers. They followed a program outlined in the Cub Scout Handbook specific to their Rank. They typically meet once a month for a meeting and once a month for an outing that helps complete requirements for their rank.

With so many Scouts all in one place, these meetings can get rather exciting. To keep meetings running smoothly, a Scouts adult partner participates alongside. Don't be afrait to join in! Scouts love seeing the adults having fun, too.

What activities do you do?

Throughout the year, Pack 75 participates in a variety of optional activities

Pinewood Derby - scouts use inguenity and creativy to build a car and race against fellow Scouts in March.
Fishing Derby - In May, we stock the Bow town pond adjacent to the Community Building parking lot and host a Kids Fishing Derby for the community. It's always a thrill to see kids excited about their whopper of a catch.
Scouting for Food - the Scout Troop organizes a huge food drive in town each October/November. Our Pack helps make this an enormous success by helping to collect over 10,000 items for food pantries in the area.
Blue and Gold - an annual celebrating of Scouting, the Arrows of Light Cub Scouts cross over into the Boy Scout Troop with the whole pack supporting.
Summer Camp - all Scouts have the opportunity to attend the day camp or overnight camp scouting program at Camp Carpenter during the summer. This is a Council run camp and was rated by the Boy Scouts of America as one of the best Cub Scout camps in the country!

How much does it cost to participate?

There are three main fees for our scouting program:

Annual Dues - $80 for returning scouts and $100 for new registrations.
- This is actually less than half of the cost per scout to run an effective program for the year. We are able to keep the cost of participation low because of our fundraising efforts.
Fundraising - Each Cub Scout has the opportunity to run a two hour shift at our Popcorn Store Front, participating in our annual fundraising while learning to be thrifty, earn their way, and be helpful by supporting their unit.
- To "buy out" of the fundraiser, scouts can choose to pay an annual dues of $200 instead.
- Our Pack uses the annual fall Popcorn Fundraiser to offset more than half of the per scout costs of running our programs. All scouts are strongly encouraged to sign up for storefront sales, ask friends and neighbors, and use social media to sell popcorn.
- The more we can earn as a Pack with popcorn sales, the less out of pocket expenses families will have for Scouting adventures.
Uniforms - each cub is expected to acquire a Cub Scout uniform.
- The uniform section below has more information. Cubs needing assistance paying for uniforms have the option to check out our uniform exchange.

Financial Assistance - the cost of scouting should never deter someone from joining! Reach out to the Cubmaster for financial assistance if needed. All information will be kept confidential, and we work on the honor system so you don't need to "prove" your situation.

Den and pack outings may occasionally incurred additional fees that will be outlined prior to the event if applicable.

CCo

What does dues pay for?

BSA National Registration Fee
BSA Insurance
Cub Scout Handbooks
Rank Advancement Badges
Awards and Patches
Pinewood Derby car Kit
Pack Meeting Materials
Leader Training
Scout Life Magazine Subscription

What's expected behavior at scouting events?

HAVE FUN!! We can’t stress this enough. Scouting is a wonderful time that your family can enjoy together. But even the best behaved Scout can get over excited at times.

The Scout Law is the Law of the Pack. This applies to Scouts and Adults as well. Remember, the Scouts look up to all the adults at the meetings as role models. If you are on your phone or having side conversations at the back of a meeting, the Scouts will key in that this is not a time that they need to pay attention.

Be courteous and listen when others are talking. Set an example to the Scouts and encourage them to listen too. Be helpful and assist Scouts who may need it. Please be attentive to your own Scouts needs and behaviors. If a Scout is being disruptive during a meeting, parents and guardians are expected to help them focus their attention back on the task at hand. This is not the responsibility of the Pack leadership.

Lastly, Scouting is a technology free zone. Please keep cell phones put away.

Together we can all make this Scouting experience a fun time!

Uniforms

It’s OK to attend meetings without a uniform to start, but you'll want to get properly outfitted as soon as you can. BSA provides a great guide to the different Scout uniforms uniforms: https://www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/cub-scout-uniform/

Lion Uniform - The official Lion uniform consists of a t-shirt and hat. There is also an optional neckerchief. Lion Scouts will earn belt loops.

Class A Uniform is the formal Scout uniform. This uniform is worn at formal functions like the Memorial Day Celebration, Pack meetings, Den meetings, and during fundraisers.
Tigers, Wolves and Bears - blue Cub Scout uniform. We recommend buying a shirt large enough to last through grade 3. The official Cub Scout pants are not required by Pack 75.

Webelos and Arrow of Light - tan shirts which they will continue to wear when they move up to the Scouts BSA Troop.

Where to buy your uniform?
- The staff at the Manchester Scout Shop are very helpful at finding all the required pieces to a Class A uniform. They even offer a service for sewing patches on.
- Uniforms and parts can also be purchased online from the BSA Scout Shop.