Public New Parent FAQ - Cub Scout Pack 1250 (Laurel, Maryland)

What is Cub Scouting?
Cub Scouting is a year-round program uniquely designed to meet the needs of young boys and their parents. The program offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness. Service projects, ceremonies, games, and other activities guide boys through the core values and give them a sense of personal achievement. Through positive peer group interaction and parental guidance, boys also learn honesty, bravery, and respect. Family involvement is an essential part of Cub Scouting and parents are encouraged to play an active role in the program. Through interaction between parents, leaders, and friends, boys learn citizenship, compassion, and courage. This family-and community-centered approach to learning means that Cub Scouting is truly time well spent.

How much is it going to cost?
The annual Pack 1250 dues of $95 covers such items as the National registration fee, Boys' Life Magazine, the neckerchief appropriate for your son's rank, the pinewood derby kits, and all patches and awards for the year (through next January). Since the Pack 1250 charter begins on April 1, new Cub Scouts may pay a prorated fee for the remainder of the year, depending on when they register. Contact the Cubmaster for a prorated dues schedule. Other costs include uniforms and some activity fees including those for the Day Camp and Resident Camps. Youth members participate in one fund-raising activity (popcorn), which helps to cover Den supplies, equipment, and other activities.

What are the requirements to join Cub Scouts?
NEW Lions program (boys entering kindergarten or age 6)

Tiger Cubs (entering first grade or age 7), Cub Scouts (entering second or third grade, or age 8 or 9), Webelos Scouts (entering fourth or fifth grade, or age 10).

What does Cub Scouting offer my son?
Cub Scouting offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness. Service projects, ceremonies, games, and other activities guide boys through the core values and give them a sense of personal achievement. Through positive peer group interaction and parental guidance, boys also learn honesty, bravery, and respect. See the benefits of Cub Scouting page for more information.

How does participation in Cub Scouting affect other activities?
The Cub Scout program is designed to complement many other extracurricular activities. Typical time commitment is two Den meetings and one Pack meeting per month. Boys who participate in organized sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, etc, or academic-based extracurricular activities like music, art, science etc., can be recognized for these activities though Cub Scout belt loops and pins which are worn on their uniform.

What are the responsibilities of a parent?
Provide help and support for the den and pack, Work with your son on advancement projects and activities, attend pack meetings with your son, attend and assist with den outings, attend Cub Scout Family campouts with your son.

What uniform pieces should I buy for my scout?
You will need to purchase the uniform shirt, the hat, the world scouting emblem and a belt. The pack will provide a neckerchief, the council shoulder patch and the pack numbers. The pack also recommends purchasing the red brag vest and the slider. Please see the Cub Scout Uniform page for detailed information.

How are the dens organized?
The pack is structured into five scout levels with dens in each, for each grade level between one and five. The dens or small groups will meet typically twice a month. This small group is an ideal environment to learn physical and leadership skills and build confidence/self assurance. The focus is on learning values, "doing your best" and "helping other people" as embodied in the cub scout promise. Contact your den leader(s) for more information about the den such as meeting times and scheduled activities. See the Cub Scout Dens page for more information.

What happens at a pack meeting?
In the fall, we have pack meetings/activities once a month. The pack meetings involve an opening ceremony, "run-ons"-jokes, skits, recognition/advancements for the various dens, announcement of upcoming activities, games/snacks and other activities. In the winter and spring, the pack meetings are structured around the pinewood derby, Blue and Gold Honor Banquet and Bridging.

How do I contact the pack?
Please click on the "Contact Our Pack" link and send us a message. If you would like to talk to one of our leaders, just include your phone number in the email.

How does the pack work?
Scouting events happen because of active, caring parents leading these events. We welcome your participation in our pack committee. The committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month. See the Pack Leadership page for more information.

How does the pack communicate?
Pack 1250 maintains a roster, group email system, calendar and advancement tracking using an internet based system called PackMaster. We also use this website using your email identity. After you have registered with the unit, we will add you to the unit website and you will begin receiving calendar and unit information.

Can I come to a pack event?
Your family is invited to come and join us at any of our pack events.

What other activities does the pack calendar include?
We have a pinewood derby event where the boys race homemade cars. The winner in each den goes on to a district level competition. We go tubing one weekend in January/February. We have a special blue and gold banquet to honor the boys. We have a bridging ceremony in May to honor our scouts bridging into the next level. We have a family camping event scheduled in the spring and fall at local state parks.