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If you’ve never been part of scouting before, it can be difficult to catch up on all the terminology.  Please reach out to your Den Leader with any questions you have.

 

NEW PARENT FAQs:

 

  • Should parents attend all meetings?

 

Lion (Kindergarten) and Tiger (1st Grade) parents must be there the entire time.

 

Wolf (2nd grade) and higher parents can leave for part of the meeting but it is not recommended. Den leaders usually need parents to stick around and help out.  Remember, Scouting is a family event.  For more direction on this please see your Den Leader.

 

  • How much Money is Cub Scouts going to cost me?

Generally, you have two (2) dues you need to pay each year.  One is for Council and one is for the Pack.

 

Council Dues – For 2024, the Council dues are $85.  This covers a few things but mainly Insurance.  It also helps fund program curriculum and safety standards, training, Youth Protection resources, criminal background checks, technology upgrades, etc. 

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Pack Dues – For 2024, the Pack dues are $175. This covers costs that the Pack incurs such as awards, patches, achievement badges, ceremonies (like Crossover), operating supplies, pack activities/events, storage, and basically any items the Pack may ‘give’ the scout during the year. 

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You will also need to buy a uniform and a handbook for your Scout.  The book is rank specific (buy one each year) but the uniform should last multiple years.  New scouts should receive a free book.

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For more specifics on cost or expenses, please see the Pack Treasurer.   See the Leadership Tab on this site for this information.

 

  • What uniform must I buy for my Scout?

See your Den Leader for the uniform your scout will need. 

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  • How much Time is this going to cost me?

Parent involvement varies depending on the program and the age of the Scouts. In Cub Scouting (K-5) engagement is high but the time allotted is really up to the parent.  Childhood flies by!  Take the time now to build memories you'll talk about at family dinners for the rest of your lives.

 

Some of the encouragement we ask of parents is to:

1)  Make Scouting adventures family events, taking part together in events.

2)  Help your child advance through the ranks.  This can be done by working together on adventures found in your Cub Scout Book.

3)  Get involved!  If everyone pitches in a little, the experience is improved for everyone.

 

  • If my child participates in sports, will one interfere with the other?

If it turns out that you can’t make a meeting due to a sporting event, the scout can work on the achievement or elective at home. A lot of the scouts in the Pack are involved in sports.  See your Den Leader for possible options to schedule conflicts.

 

  • Are meetings mandatory?

No, but attending is encouraged.  Your Scout’s Den Leader is working to help your Scout advance.  If you do miss a meeting just get with your Den Leader to find out what was covered and you can work with your Scout at home to catch up anything missed.  Most adventures your Scout will work on can be completed at home.

 

  • There is a lot of stuff in my Scouts book.  Are they required to complete everything?

No, not at all.  There is a site called Scoutbook which you can use (on your computer or download the app) that will let you know what is required and what are electives.  Your Den leader can provide more guidance.

 

  • What is Scoutbook?

Scoutbook is a software we use to track your Scout’s accomplishments.  We can enter hiking miles, camp out nights, service projects, awards, achievements, etc.  Your Scout’s Account is also under Scoutbook.

 

  • What is a Scout Account?

A scout account is the scout’s money that he/she earns through selling popcorn and camp cards (our two yearly fundraisers).  This money is entered in Scoutbook and monitored by the Pack Treasurer.   This money can be used for yearly Dues and reimbursement of scouting supplies bought at the Atlanta Area Council Scout Shop (located at 1800 Circle 75 Parkway, SE, Atlanta, GA 30339).  If you choose to leave the pack, the money does not transfer to you.  However, if your Scout crosses over to a Troop, the money will follow him/her.

 

  • What is the difference in a Pack, a Troop, a Unit?

A Pack is what we are.  A Pack is the term used for a group of Cub Scouts (K-5).  A Troop is a term used for a group of Scouts BSA (usually aged 11 to 17).  A Unit is a generic term used interchangeably to mean with a Pack or a Troop.

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  • What is the Pack and what is the Den?

The Pack is comprised of all the Dens (K-5).  The Dens are made up of scouts from the same grade level. Pack 9161 is made up of multiple Dens and is about 40-60 scouts total. 
 

  • How can I help if I work full-time?

    Everyone you see at the Pack, Den, and Committee levels are all volunteers. Most (if not all) of our volunteers also have full-time jobs and do most of their pack duties on their off hours. There are also ‘one-shot’ activities you can volunteer for that only last for a short duration. The pack can’t function without adult volunteers.  If you want to learn more about volunteering please click on the Leadership Tab.
     

 

  • Where can I find a listing of planned Pack Events?

    Click on the Calendar Tab or see our Facebook Page.
     

  • If I can’t attend an event, can my son still go?

    Yes, see your Den Leader or event coordinator for more information but typically you will need to make arrangements with another parent, make sure the Youth Protection guidelines are met, and also fill out a release form. 
     

  • What is Youth Protection?

 

All parents must take Youth Protection Training which is free and online.  Youth Protection is for the safety of both youth and adults. There can never be one adult alone with the scouts. There has to be two adults, not related and they cannot be husband and wife, with the scouts at all times.

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  • My son wants to go camping, but we don’t have any camping equipment, should I still sign up?

Yes, the pack sometimes has tents to loan and other families have other supplies that can be borrowed. Instead of a sleeping bag, blankets can be used.  Talk to your Den Leader about options.
 

  • For uniform, what is the difference between the Class A and Class B and when do scouts wear each?

    The Class B is the pack t-shirt.   The Class A is the official scout uniform. See your Den Leader for guidance on when to wear each.
     

  • What is the Class B t-shirt, how much is it, and where do I get it?

    This is the t-shirt your den has chosen to wear for the year.  See your Den Leader for Class B T-Shirt guidance.
                                                                                                             

  • How often do dens meet?

Dens typically meet two or three times a month.  A meeting typically lasts one hour.  There are no Den meetings when there are Pack meetings, school breaks, holidays or if the leader is sick. 
 

  • Should parents attend den meetings?

    Yes, in fact Lion and Tiger parents must be there the entire time. Wolf and Bear parents can leave for part of the meeting but it is not recommended. Den leaders will need a couple of parents to stick around and help out. 
     

  • So what do I need to start?

    • Step 1

Your Cub Scout needs a uniform. Items are available at the Atlanta Area Scout Shop.

Class A uniform shirt. The short sleeve version is the most versatile. Tigers, Wolves and Bears wear the dark blue shirt, Webelos wear the khaki shirt.

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  • Patches:

    • Atlanta Area Council shoulder patch.

    • World Crest / Fleur-de-Lis (the BSA 100 Years encircling patch is optional)

    • Pack numbers – 9161

  • Appropriate rank neckerchief and neckerchief slide.

  • Blue Cub Scout belt with buckle is optional.

  • Handbook for your rank.

  • Socks for your rank are optional.

  • Clean, neat, shorts or pants and closed-toe shoes complete the uniform.

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  • Step 2

Download, complete and turn in parts A and B of the BSA medical form. This is required for EVERYONE who attends scouting events - parents, siblings, scouts, etc. Turn this form into the Pack Health and Safety Officer. 

The form can be found here:    https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/680-001_AB.pdf

  • Step 3

Go to https://my.scouting.org/, create a user account, select E-Learning and take the Youth Protection course.   Please print your certificate and turn it into your den leader.

  • Step 4

Go to https://www.scoutbook.com/, create a user account.  This is the site you can track your scout's progress through Cub Scouting.

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