Cub Scout Pack 196

Questions:

What uniform should my scout wear to the pack meetings?
Scouts should wear their class A uniform to pack meetings.

What are the annual dues for a Cub Scout?
Annual dues for each boy participating in Cub Scouts are $70.00. This includes their annual subscription to Boys Life Magazine. Dues are usually due by the October Pack meeting and should be submitted in an envelope labeled with the scout's name and rank. Checks should be made payable to "Pack 196".

What is a "class A" uniform?
The class A uniform is composed of the official, blue, button-up cub scout shirt, with appropriate patches and badges, blue pants (either long or short, jeans in good condition are acceptable), cub scout neckerchief and slide, cub scout belt, and while we don't require a hat, if a hat is worn is must be a cub scout hat. The class A uniform should be worn whenever the scouts are interacting in their capacity as Cub Scouts with the general public, or whenever the occasion is considered to be formal or official. For instance, class A uniforms are always worn at Pack meetings, fundraisers, and Cub Scout hosted festivals and events.

What is a "class B" uniform?
A class B uniform is composed of any t-shirt or sweat shirt with a cub scout logo, and the scout's choice of shorts or pants. The class B uniform is worn when the occasion is not formal, the scouts are not interfacing with the general public representing scouting, and when the scouts are expected to engage in activities for which the full uniform would be inapropriate. For instance, class B uniforms would be appropriate for a scout hike, camping trip, or athletic event.

Where is the Scout Shop?
Pack 196 is part of the Capital Area Council. The council office is located just south of the intersection of Hwy 183 and Hwy 290. The address is:

Boys Scouts of America - Capital Area Council

7540 Ed Bluestein Blvd.

Austin, TX 78723

(512) 926-6363

The office is open from 9:00 am till 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The Scout Shop is located inside the building. The Scout Shop is open 9:00 am till 5:30 pm Monday through Friday and 10:00 am till 2:30 pm on Saturday.

The Scout Shop is where you will find uniforms, t-shirts, books, gifts and more. You can also shop online by visiting www.scoutstuff.org.

What kind of training is required for Cub Scout leaders?
Properly trained leaders are a very important part of the Cub Scout and Boy Scout program. It is required that all leaders successfully complete the basic training requirements.

The first step is one that we not only require of all leaders, but strongly encourage from all parents. This course is the Youth Protection course. It can be completed online in about thirty minutes. The link for this course is http://www.scouting.org/Applications/MyScoutingFull.aspx. Simply register and when complete, print out your certificate. Please provide a copy to the Awards Chairman for our record keeping.

Secondly, for leaders, you are required to complete the "Fast Start" course. This is another online course that is easily completed. Follow the same link to complete the "Fast Start" training.

Next is the "New Leaders Essentials" course. This is a 90 minute class that is offered at the district level. This class is usually held on a Saturday morning a couple of times in the Fall and Spring. Check the pack calendar for dates.

Usually taught at the same time as the "New Leader Essentials" course is the "Leader Specific Training". This class is geared specifically for Den Leaders, Cubmasters, Committee Chairman's etc.

The next step in the training process (although not required) is the Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation class (BALOO). Each pack event is required to have a certain number of BALOO trained individuals present. Check the calendar dates for this class. It is usually a one day class.

Lastly, there are several other courses that offered online that are available to anyone that is interested. These include Safe Swim, Safety Afloat and Weather Hazards.

What is the Cub Scout Promise?
While making the scout sign, the scout says:

"I, (scout's name), promise to do my best, To do my duty to God and my country, To help other people, and To obey the law of the pack."

What is the Law of the Pack?
"The Cub Scout follows Akela. The Cub Scout helps the pack go. The pack helps the Cub Scout grow. The Cub Scout gives good will."

What is the Cub Scout Motto?
Do Your Best

What is the Tiger Cub motto?
Search, Discover, Share

What are the responsibilities of a Tiger Cub Den Leader?
The main responsibilities of the Tiger Cub den leader can be summarized as follows:

Work directly with other den and pack leaders to ensure that their den is an active and successful part of the pack.
Coordinate shared leadership among the Tiger Cub adult partners, ensuring that all adult partners help plan, conduct, and prepare for den meetings and Go See It outings on a rotating basis and that the den activities provide advancement opportunities for the boys in the den.
Attend pack leaders' meetings.
Lead the den at the monthly pack activity.
Ensure the transition of Tiger Cubs into a Wolf den at the end of the year.

What are the parts of Tiger scout's uniform?
Tiger Book, Blue Cub Scout Short Sleeve Shirt (buy a little big to last 3 years), Cub Scout Belt, Cub Scout Hat (optional), Neckerchief Slide, Neckerchief, Capital Area Council Patch, World Crest Patch, , Pack # Patches (196). We do not require the pants, we allow the boys to wear nice blue jeans.

What are the parts of a Bear scout's uniform?
Bear Book, Blue Cub Scout Short Sleeve Shirt, Cub Scout Belt, Cub Scout Hat (optional), Neckerchief slide, Neckerchief, Capital Area Council Patch, World Crest Patch, Pack # Patches (196). We do not require the pants, we allow the boys to wear nice blue jeans.

What are the parts of a Wolf scout's uniform?
Wolf Book, Blue Cub Scout Short Sleeve Shirt (buy a little big to last 2 years), Cub Scout Belt, Cub Scout Hat (optional), Neckerchief slide, Neckerchief, Capital Area Council Patch, World Crest Patch, Pack # Patches (196). We do not require the pants, we allow the boys to wear nice blue jeans.

What are the parts of a Webelo's uniform?
Webelos Book, Tan Boy Scout Short Sleeve Shirt, Webelos Scout Belt (suggest the Blue scout belt with Webelos buckle so that the belt loops earned can be worn, they do not fit on the green boy scout belt, it is your option), Webelos Scout Hat (optional), Blue Shoulder Loops, Webelos colors (optional, to display activities pins, can put in hat but sometimes fall out), Neckerchief slide, Neckerchief, Capital Area Council Patch, World Crest Patch, Pack # Patches (196). We do not require the pants, we allow the boys to wear nice blue jeans.

What are the parts of a male leader's (den leader, assistant den leader, pack management) uniform?
Tan Adult Leader Scout Shirt, Green Boy Scout Belt (optional), Boy Scout Leader Hat (optional - also choice of styles), Neckerchief slide and Neckerchief or Bolo tie (your option), Capital Area Council Patch, World Crest Patch, Pack # Patches (196), den leader or assistant den leader patch (Webelos leader patches for Webelos), Scout socks (optional). We do not require the pants or shorts – some leaders wear them, most wear jeans.

What are the parts of a female leader's uniform?
Tan or Yellow Adult Leader Scout Shirt, Green or blue Boy Scout belt (optional – if choose to buy color depends on shirt color – green with tan, blue with yellow), Neckerchief slide and Neckerchief or Bolo tie (optional), Capital Area Council Patch, World Crest Patch, Pack # Patches (196), den leader or assistant den leader patch (Webelos leader patches for Webelos), Scout socks (optional). We do not require the pants, shorts, or skirts – some leaders wear them, most wear jeans or casual pants.

When will I start receiving my subscription to Boy's Life?
It usually takes a few months. If you joined the Pack in September, you should expect them to begin arriving about December or January. Then you will get 2-3 in a 2 day time frame to catch you up!

What is the Blue & Gold Banquet?
The Blue & Gold Banquet is a an annual banquet and party held by each Cub Scout Pack. Traditionally, its held in February to coincide with the month of Scouting's birthday. In our Pack, the Blue & Gold replaces the February Pack meeting, and usually includes desserts and beverages.

How can my son join Cub Scouts?
The Cub Scout program is open to all boys in first grade through fifth grade. If your son will be starting first through fifth grade this August, then he's eligible to join. Sixth graders and older would participate as a Boy Scout.

While its possible to join at any time, the best (and easiest) time to join is during Scouting's annual recruiting drive, which takes place in September. Area elementary schools will pass out flyers and the pack typically hosts a "New Scout Night" a couple of weeks after school has started.

Even though most join at the beginning of the school year, we welcome boys at any time. We meet on Monday nights at 7:00 pm at the VFW Hall in Liberty Hill. Feel free to contact us or stop by one of our meetings.

What is the Compass Points Emblem?
After you have earned the Webelos badge, you can earn the compass points emblem. It is awarded after you earn seven activity badges: four more in addition to the three you earned for the Webelos badge. Wear your compass points emblem attached to the button on the right pocket of your Webelos uniform shirt. After you earn the compass points emblem, you'll receive a metal compass point for each four additional activity badges you earn. Pin these compass points on the emblem in the "E," "W," or "S" positions, in any order you choose. You can earn the emblem and all three compass points by completing 19 activity badges, including the three required for the Webelos badge.

Can siblings attend meetings?
In a word...YES! Pack 196 is a very family oriented group. We welcome siblings at all meetings, events and campouts.