This following FAQ is made up of the questions we get asked the most from new and perspective parents. If you have a question not covered here, be sure to reach out.
Q: When & where do we meet?
A: Pack meetings are usually the 2nd Tuesday of the month at Lord of Life Lutheran Church. We also sometimes have our pack meetings on Sunday afternoons. Check out our pack calendar here.
Q: How are the scouts organized? Are boys and girls together?
A: Boys and Girls participate together in Cub Scouts. The pack is broken in to dens made up of boys and girls in the same grade. At the end of the school year everyone moves up to the next rank together.
Q: At what age and when can we join?
A: You can join as Lions when in kindergarten and at least 5 years old. The oldest Cub Scouts can be 11 and in the 5th grade. You may join the pack at any time during the year. Earning that year's rank is not required to move up with your group to the next year's rank. (See Lions, Tigers, Bears, oh my below)
Q: How often do you camp?
A: The pack holds 2 campouts per school year and has a third overnight opportunity most years at NASA, the zoo, or a local gymnastics gym.
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: Each den sets their own calendar and most dens meet 2-3 times per month in addition to the monthly pack meeting. Most rank advancement is completed at den meetings with minimal "homework". There is also usually other optional pack events 1-2 times per month. These range from campouts to fundraising, or service projects.
A: Pack meetings are usually the 2nd Tuesday of the month at Lord of Life Lutheran Church. We also sometimes have our pack meetings on Sunday afternoons. Check out our pack calendar here.
Q: How are the scouts organized? Are boys and girls together?
A: Boys and Girls participate together in Cub Scouts. The pack is broken in to dens made up of boys and girls in the same grade. At the end of the school year everyone moves up to the next rank together.
Q: At what age and when can we join?
A: You can join as Lions when in kindergarten and at least 5 years old. The oldest Cub Scouts can be 11 and in the 5th grade. You may join the pack at any time during the year. Earning that year's rank is not required to move up with your group to the next year's rank. (See Lions, Tigers, Bears, oh my below)
Q: How often do you camp?
A: The pack holds 2 campouts per school year and has a third overnight opportunity most years at NASA, the zoo, or a local gymnastics gym.
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: Each den sets their own calendar and most dens meet 2-3 times per month in addition to the monthly pack meeting. Most rank advancement is completed at den meetings with minimal "homework". There is also usually other optional pack events 1-2 times per month. These range from campouts to fundraising, or service projects.
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Q: How can I help?
A: We are always looking for more volunteers to help deliver the pack programming, from cubmaster, den leaders, to committee and event positions it takes a little from a lot of people to deliver a quality, enjoyable program that is fun for our scouts. Each family that joins is asked to provide whatever help it can. Q: What is the difference between dens, packs, patrols, and troops? A: Dens are the most basic unit in a Cub Scout Pack, made up of kids in the same grade. Multiple dens make up a pack. Patrols and troops are for kids in Scouts BSA. Cub Scout Packs are for those in elementary and Scouts BSA Troops are for those halfway through 5th grade and older. Q: Lions, Tigers, and Bears, oh my. A: Each grade works toward a rank that is awarded at the May bridging ceremony. Lions - Kindergarten Tigers - 1st grade Wolves- 2nd grade Bears - 3rd grade Webelos I - 4th grade Webelos II / AOL - 5th grade |
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Q: I'm ready, how do I join?
A: The preferred and quickest method is to register online through our pack's beascout.org link. You will create an account first, then complete the registration steps including paying national dues for the rest of the calendar year. Pack dues will be collected separately at one of your first events.
Q: What are some of the costs?
A: Costs are split in to 3 main categories, national dues, pack dues, and supply expenses. Pack and national dues are usually paid together each fall, except for when you first join if you use the online registration system. National dues are based on the calendar year, Jan - Dec. Pack dues are paid in the fall each year and are good for the school year. National and Pack fees are usually about $170 per year. Supply expenses are things like your scout's uniform and then any additional participation fees for different events we do. Camping and special events sometimes have additional costs that we collect from only those that are going, like a museum entrance fee, etc.
Q: What about the uniform?
A: Our pack requires the Class-A blue button down uniform shirt for Tigers, Wolves, and Bears. The Lions have a tshirt and the Webelos transition in to the khaki uniform shirt that is worn in the Scouts BSA. Most people buy 1 blue button down and it lasts them the 3 years they need it, so buy a little big. We encourage uniform shorts and pants but don't require them. The pack provides neckerchief, slide, and Pack numbers for your uniform. There is a scout shop on 1960 (The Champions Scout Shop) and then another one at the Council office, on 610 @ TC Jester.
Q: What do the different fees pay for?
A: National Dues pay for the national infrastructure for scouting. Most of that helps pay for the professionals in the council offices. The pack fees pay for advancement, your scout's neckerchief, and their slide. The pack fees also cover supplies used during pack meetings and den meetings, including things like the pinewood derby kit and rain gutter regatta kit's each scout gets who participates.
Q: What if I need help?
A: It is our belief at Pack 883 that no scout who wants to participate should be prevented from doing so because they can't afford it. If you are interested in joining but have concerns over the cost, please use the contact form on this website or the email link below to reach out directly to the webmaster and they will get you in contact with the appropriate person in the pack that handles this. We have an informal system to handle this and will work closely with you to make sure that your scout can still get the benefits of scouting. We offer scholarships at varying degrees and have fundraising available to help.