FAQ's (Frequently asked questions)

Cub Scouting is for boys in the first through fifth grades, or 7 to 10 years of age. Boys who are older than 10, or who have completed the fifth grade, can no longer join Cub Scouting, but they may be eligible to join the Boy Scouting or Venturing program.

Express your interest to the pack leaders—the Cubmaster, chartered organization representative, or members of the unit committee. While there's no guarantee that a specific role or position will be available—and there may be a selection process among several candidates even if the position is currently vacant—there is usually some way in which you can contribute, and most units are glad for any offer of help.

If you live outside the United States and are not a U.S. citizen, it may be more beneficial to join the Scouting association in your own nation. The World Organization of the Scout Movement provides contact information for all national Scouting organizations on its Web site at www.scout.org.

Cub Scouting is a program of the Boy Scouts of America—so in that sense, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are both members of the same organization. However, they are entirely different programs: Cub Scouting is a family-oriented program designed specifically to address the needs of younger boys.

Cub Scouts meet in their dens once each week, and a pack meeting is held for all Cub Scouts and their families once a month. Beyond that, it depends on the den and pack: a den may hold a special activity, such as a service project or visit to a local museum in place of one of the weekly meetings or in addition to the weekly meetings. Likewise, a pack may conduct a special event such as a blue and gold banquet as an additional event, rather than a substitute for its monthly pack meeting.

Cub Scout den meetings are intended to be an activity for the family. We at pack 262 require that a parent or adult partner be with their child at all times.  This provides a safe and secure environment for the children.

 

At minimum, each boy in Cub Scouting will need a uniform and a handbook. Each year, the handbook changes.  From time to time the uniform may change slightly as well.  Most uniform parts remain the same for at least the first three years. When a boy enters a Webelos den, he may need to obtain a new uniform if the parents in the den opt for the khaki-and-olive uniform.

Additional supplies and equipment may be needed for certain activities such as camping trips or field days. What equipment is needed, as well as whether it will be provided by the unit, will vary from pack to pack. Den and pack leaders should provide parents with information about any supplies that will be required at the beginning of each program year.

Our uniforms, literature, and other Scouting merchandise is available at your local council, Scout Shops, and other licensed distributors. Visit the Supply Division Web site at www.scoutstuff.org to find a list of distributors in your area and to purchase directly from the scout website.

Pack 262 may provide assistance to families on a case by case basis. From time to time a child may withdraw from the scouts or otherwise no longer need their uniform and may donate the uniform to the pack.  Pack 262 also holds fund-raisers to enable the boys to earn their uniforms and other items. In addition ebay.com often has boy scout items available for a much lower price.  Take care in purchasing used uniforms.  Often times they are no longer in use by the BSA and are not authorized to be worn at scouting functions.

No. In the Cub Scout program, all boys in a den work toward the same badge. If a boy joins Cub Scouting as a 9-year-old, he must earn the Bobcat badge (all boys in Cub Scouting earn this badge), and then he will begin working on the Bear badge with his fellow Cub Scouts. He is not required to have earned the Tiger Cub or Wolf badges. Since those badges are for younger boys (7- and 8-year-olds), the requirements for those badges are below a 9-year-old's current level of ability, so "going back" to pick up those badges is not permitted.

No. In the Cub Scout program, all boys in a den work toward a badge that is geared to their level of development. If the Wolf badge is completed before the end of the program year, a boy may work on electives to earn Arrow Points, but he may not begin working on the requirements for the Bear badge. His work on the Bear badge will begin the next program year, when he graduates into a Bear den.

Cub Scouts are not eligible to earn these awards, which are part of the Boy Scout program. All of the awards that Cub Scouts may earn are listed in their handbooks.

Boy Scouting is available to boys who have earned the Arrow of Light and are at least ten years old, but, is not required—so a Webelos Scout who has earned the Arrow of Light is eligible to join a troop immediately (provided he is at least ten years old).

It is the desire of the pack to ensure that all boys enjoy the benefits of camping and attending other functions.  From time to time the pack does provide financial assistance to families that otherwise can not afford the required fees.  This is done on a case by case basis.  If you know of a scout that can not provide the required fees for a particular function, please contact the Cubmaster or Committee Chair.

 

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