The Pack FAQ
 
Answers to some Frequently Asked
Questions about Pack 389
 
Version 1.1, last updated
9/8/07
 
Comments? Questions? Corrections?
E-mail pb.j3@cox.net or packmaster@pack389.org
or you may call Penny Brice at 644-4432
 
 

A note before we begin: This FAQ is designed to serve as a brief overview to Pack 389 for those new to the Pack, new to scouting, or both. I wrote it after researching the answers to some of my own questions about Pack 389, its goals and activities. The FAQ does not supersede any official scout publications. Additional information is available from the official Boy Scouts of America web site and from BSA publications.

Q: What is Pack 389?
A: Pack 389 is a Cub Scout organization based at the Orchard Hill Elementary School in South Windsor, Connecticut. Its members generally consist of boys who attend the Orchard Hill and Wapping elementary schools in grades 1 through 5.

Q: What is the purpose of Pack 389?
A: Like the Boys Scouts of America of which it is a part, Pack 389 aims to help its members learn about themselves, their community and the natural world while building leadership, character and teamwork.

Q: How does Pack 389 achieve its goals?
A: The Pack, under the supervision of parents and other adult leaders, works to expose members to a wide variety of learning experiences through a regular series of structured activities.

Q: How is the Pack organized?
A: The Pack is organized into five separate levels of scouting. They are:

· Tiger Cubs, the entry level reserved for first graders.

· Wolf Cubs for second graders.

· Bear Cubs for third graders.

·  Webelos 1 for fourth graders.
 
·  Webelos 2 for fifth graders.
 

Each level is subdivided into dens of about 5-7 cubs. Pack 389 currently has about 60 members.

Q: When does the Pack meet?
A: The entire Pack meets roughly once a month for general meetings and for special events, like the Pinewood Derby model car race and the Blue & Gold awards dinner. Meetings usually take place at either the Orchard Hill Elementary School or the neighboring Timothy Edwards Middle School.

Q: What about den meetings?
A: Den meetings are scheduled at the discretion of the den leaders. The frequency of meetings tends to vary with the number of achievements that cubs are expected to attain. Tiger Cubs, the youngest members of the Pack, typically meet only once per month outside of the Pack meetings. Older boys in Wolf dens, Bear dens and Webelos dens usually meet anywhere from 2 to 4 times per month.

Q: What are these achievements that you mentioned?
A: The Pack's mission of helping its members learn about themselves and others is largely carried out at the den level. There, Cubs engage in a range of age-appropriate activities that help them grow in understanding and skill.

For the young Tiger Cubs, these activities tend to be relatively free-form exposure to new places and experiences. For older cubs, these achievements are more structured and goal-oriented learning opportunities.

What follows is a brief listing of the achievements that take place at various scouting levels in Pack 389. These are described more fully in the scout manuals available for each level. Please note that den leaders have a good degree of discretion in how they structure their meetings to help cubs attain these achievements.

• Tiger Cubs
• Because Tiger Cubs represent an introduction and orientation to scouting for youngsters, the activities and achievements tend to be relatively unstructured and focused on having fun. The Tiger Cubs activity book offers 17 suggestions -- called "Big Ideas" -- for activities aimed at helping the members have fun together, get to know each other, grow together, get along together and discover together.
• In Pack 389, Tiger Cubs usually complete 7 or 8 activities, or about one a month. Click here for a more detailed description of the aims of the Tiger Cubs program and its activities.
• Wolf Cubs
• At this level of cub scouting, second-graders are working to attain their Wolf rank by completing tasks in a dozen different categories, ranging from "Feats of Skill" to "Be Safe at Home and on the Street." Many of these tasks are completed at home. Once members earn the Wolf rank, they can work to earn Arrow Points.
• Bear Cubs
• Third-graders work to earn their Bear badge by completing 12 out of a possible 24 achievements spread over four main categories.
• Webelos I and II
• Fourth- and fifth-graders begin the two-year Webelos program by working on the Webelos badge. After that, scouts can earn the Compass Points Emblem and metal Compass Points and the Arrow of Light.

A variety of other Cub Scout awards and achievements are also possible.

Q: OK, fine, but what's a Bobcat then?
A: Glad you asked, because this is a frequent source of confusion.

The rank of Bobcat is granted to any child entering cub scouts who learns a small number of things about the organization and its customs. Think of the Bobcat requirements as a kind of modest entrance exam, the first formal step on the road to scouting.

Any newcomer, from Tiger Cub, Wolf Cub to Webelos, must first attain the rank of Bobcat before becoming a cub scout.

Q: Who does all this stuff? Am I expected to help?
Both the Pack and the dens rely on parental volunteers to run virtually every activity. As a result, parental participation is essential to help the Pack run smoothly and to help the cub scouts get the most from their membership in the organization.

Parental help is especially important at the den level, where most of the Pack's activities and learning take place.

• For Tiger Cubs, a parent is expected to accompany the cub to all Pack events and den meetings.
• For the older cubs, a parent is expected to accompany the child to the Pack meeting, but cubs can be dropped off for den meetings. HOWEVER, the Pack needs parents to consider serving as a den leader for one year during their child's membership in the Pack. Not only does this spread out the workload, but with roughly five cubs per den and five years of scouting per cub, the math works out great.

That said, the Pack also looks to have at least some parents assume additional responsibilities, such as:

• Serving as packmaster
• Participating in the month "roundtable" meetings on how to improve the Pack and its workings
• Participating in the monthly den leader meeting (for those serving as den leaders)
• Assisting with one of the major Pack events (see next question)

No one has to handle all of these duties. But if everyone does just a little, it makes everything easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

Q: What are the major Pack events?
Pack 389 has a number of major events during its annual calendar. They include:

• The annual kickoff and orientation meeting. (September)
• The annual popcorn sale (our major fund-raiser) (October)
• The annual food drive to help the less fortunate (November)
• The Pinewood Derby model car race (February)
• The Blue & Gold awards banquet (March)
• The Pack Community Service Project (spring)
• The Pack Picnic (May)
• Memorial Day parade (May)

Q: If those are the major events, what are the minor events?
A: The Pack has been known to sponsor a range of optional activities that are organized, run and joined by whoever happens to be interested. Among those that have taken place in the past are: ski trips, museum trips, bowling outings, baseball and hockey games, etc.