Pack 1776
Atlanta Area Council
Foothills District
Marietta, GA

Scouting

1. What is the Purpose of Scouting?

   The Purposes of Cub Scouting
Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America has helped younger boys through Cub Scouting. It is a year-round family program designed for boys who are in the first through fifth grade. Parents, leaders, and the BSA organization work together to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting. Currently, Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA’s three traditional membership divisions. (The others are Boy Scouting and Venturing.)

2. What will my son learn in scouting?

   Scouting's activities and achievements have the following 10 purposes woven through them:

   • Character Development
   • Spiritual growth
   • Good Citizenship
   • Sportsmanship and Fitness
   • Family Understanding
   • Respectful Relationships
   • Personal Achievement
   • Friendly Service
   • Fun and Adventure, and
   • Preparation for the Boy Scouts.

   Along the way, your son will get the opportunity to do things that he may not get to do otherwise and form friendships that will help him in school, in his neighborhood, and in his church. Most importantly, he will have fun while doing it!

3. What is the Scout Motto?

   The Cub Scout Motto is "Do Your Best!"

Membership

1. How Do I join?

   Joining is easy: submit an application, medical form and Pack dues. ($60/year for Pack 1776). Your new Scout will placed into a Den of eight to ten same-aged boys: Tiger Cubs (1st Grade), Wolf Cub Scouts (2nd Grade), Bear Cub Scouts (3rd Grade), and Webelos Scouts (4th & 5th Grade). All boys in a den are working towards the same rank advancement. For example, all 1st grade scouts are working towards earning the Tiger badge. The Den meets a few times per month to work on activities that will help earn their next rank and build character. The Pack, on the other hand, is comprised of all these dens. Once a month, all of the Dens and family members gather for a Pack meeting under the direction of a Cubmaster and Pack committee. The committee includes parents of boys in the Pack and members of the chartered organization. Where Den meetings provide an opportunity for the boys to learn a new skill or enjoy a fun activity, Pack meetings are held to award the boys with badges, belt loops and other merits and achievements. You didn’t ask but... ... Packs and Troops are organized geographically into Districts. Pack 1776 is in the Foothills District. ... Districts are organized into councils. Our Pack is overseen by the Atlanta Area Council. You can find a lot of great information about Scouting at either website.)

2. Is Cub Scouting primarily a father-son organization?

   No. Cub Scouts encourages all parents and family members to participate. Beginning with the Tiger Cubs, at least one adult partner must be present with the child at all Cub Scout functions. An adult partner can be a parent, relative, or friend who is at least 18 years old. As your child ages up through the grades, parents and guardians will not be required as much as your child becomes more independent.

3. What are the dues?

   The annual dues are $60. A check can be made out to “Pack 1776”. Dues should be paid at the time that you submit your son’s registration application, if you are new, or at the August Pack Meeting if you're returning. You will receive a pack t-shirt and pack number 1776 badge when the dues are paid. You will also want a scout uniform at the Scout Store near Delk Rd and Cobb Pkwy-41. The address is 1800 Circle 75 Pkwy. Atlanta, GA 30339

4. What do I need to buy to start?

   The Handbook for your son’s rank is the most important thing that you need. Please pick it up as soon as you can and begin familiarizing yourself with its structure and content.
Your child will also need a uniform. Tigers, Wolves and Bears begin with a blue uniform. Webelos 1 and 2 will have the tan/green uniform. Ask at the Scout store for the specifics. They are very helpful.

   The following uniform parts are listed in order of importance, but buy what you can:

   Minimum: Shirt, Hat, Neckerchief & neckerchief slide keeper and the all important Scout Belt.

   Optional: Socks, shorts, pants, etc. The Scout Shop now sells pants with zip off legs. This is a great savings because you can use it in both winter and summer.

   Note 1: we have a uniform exchange for “experienced” uniform items at the first pack meeting – sometimes you can get lucky.

   
   Note 2: you can find less expensive new uniform items on the web (eBay, et.al.)

5. Where can I buy scouting materials?

   The Atlanta Area Council has a Scout Shop inside their facilities. Their address and phone number are 1800 Circle 75 Parkway, SE, Atlanta, GA 30339, Phone: 770.989.8820

   You may also purchase supplies online at http://www.scoutstuff.org/

6. Can my son?s friend join our pack if they are not affiliated with St. Ann or Shallowford Falls Elementary School?

   Absolutely. Boys are not required to join the closest pack to their home or school. We welcome boys from all local elementary schools and our pack is home to families of many different faiths. We also have private and home schooled children. If you’re close enough to drive to Pack and Den meetings, we welcome you.

7. What paperwork do I need to complete?

   You need to complete

   • a BSA registration application form for your child before he can attend any function. If an adult partner does not live with the child, they will also need to complete an adult application as well. We have these forms for you.
   • a Medical Form. We need a new one every year. This is easy (very easy) to fill out on your computer since it's a PDF form.  You can save this from on your computer and print it out next year when you need to again.

8. Does my son need a physical before he can join?

   A physical is not required. But the above mentioned medical form is required to be filled out and submitted before camping or field trips.

9. How can I get more information about scouting on my own?

   Google it! If you want more information, google “Cub Scouts” and you will be busy for days and days and days …

   You may also also contact us through this website or contact Mike at: mikemenn13@gmail.com or 678-551-2552

Meetings

1. What are some examples of Pack Events?

   Pack 1776 hosts many exciting events. Some examples of past and upcoming events include:

   • Family Camping
   • Space Camp
   • Service Projects
   • Pinewood Derby
   • Space Derby
   • Raingutter Regatta
   • Scouting for Food
   • Blue and Gold Banquet
   • Memorial Day Flag Placement  & Parade Participation
   • Popcorn Fundraising
   • Pool Parties
   • Summer Day Camp
   • Police/Fire Station Tours
   • Community Clean Up
   • Cub Olympics
   • Day at the Races
   • Day at the Braves, Hawks, Thrashers, etc.
   • Radio Station, Bank, Pet and Grocery Store Tours
   • the list goes on……………………………… 

    

2. Where are the Pack meetings?

   Pack meetings are currently held at The Catholic Church of St. Ann's. We meet in a building behind the offices called LaSallete Hall. This 1 story building is across the street (Bishop Lake Road). Look for mailbox 4905 on it and drive behind to find the Hall.

3. How much of a time commitment will this be?

   As a pack, we meet once a month usually on the 2nd Friday evening of the month. As a den, the meeting times and frequency are up to the Den Leader. They could meet 2 or 3 times a month depending on what is going on during the year and the pack. And then there are many other events that will be offered including the pinewood derby, over nighter trips to cool destinations and a lot of camping.

Activities and Camping

1. What is a Tiger Scout Adult Partner?

   Because 1st graders need more supervision and are also new to scouting, the adult partner must attend all den meetings, pack meetings, outings and activities with his Cub. You'll be expected to help your Scout through activities and possibly help host, plan and/or lead a den meeting yourself. The den is managed on the principle of shared leadership. It is the job of the den leader to maintain continuity and support the adult leader. If it is not your time to lead, you can support the leaders by helping with specific tasks.

2. When is the first camping event?

   The first official Pack camping trip will be in the fall in the October timeframe. The pack calendar will be published in August.

3. What do I need to buy?

   The pack or den leader will provide a checklist for your preparation. Your child and adult partner will need a tent, sleeping bags, and basic camping supplies. Most supplies can be purchased at Wal-mart, Target or Sears to minimize your investment at first.

4. What is the cost to camp?

   There will be a nominal cost for food and activities per person for food for the trip. The cost is usually $10 per person per day for food, plus $10 for each child participating in activities.

5. How do we get to the event?

   You will need to drive yourself and your child to the camping site. You may carpool with other families. The pack does not provide transportation.

6. Can other family members go on the camping trip?

   Absolutely. As mentioned above, Scouting is a family experience. We would love to see siblings, grandparents, and other family members at the event. Note that they, too, must submit a medical form and pay to cover the costs of food and activities.

7. What about family members that may have disabilities or cannot walk long distances?

   This is “dump” camping, which means that we do not hike long distance to the campsite with packs. We unload our cars at the site and then park them a short distance a way. This makes it easier for all family members to participate, but please check with your den leader for your situation.

Leader Requirements

1. Can I be a leader?

   Absolutely. In fact, our Den Leaders are Dads and Moms with children in that den. Pack 1776 strongly recommends that each adult take some part in helping either as a registered leader or helping with some event throughout the year. You do NOT need any prior scouting experience. The leadership team will help you get up to speed and teach you how to get organized.

2. What training is required of a scout leader?

   Each scout leader is required to complete training appropriate for their position. We also train in Youth Protection, an area very important in Scouting. When we go on over nighters or camping, there are other training we have to take to ensure the safety of the Scouts and the group.

3. Are background checks run on scout leaders?

   Yes! Background checks are performed on all leaders. References are requested and Youth protection training is required for adult leaders.  It is also encouraged for all scout families to participate in BSA youth protection training, which is available on the national Boy Scouts of America website free of charge.