Even if you were a Scout many years ago, Scouting can still be a little confusing. We promise that if you give it a year, it will all begin to make sense.

We hope this page will answer some of your basic questions about Scouting and our Pack. If you don’t find it here or elsewhere on the web, please don’t hesitate to drop the leadership an email.

First, we want to emphasize that The Boys Scouts of America is committed to keeping our youth safe. To this end they have developed specific, detailed instructions and training for Scouting leadership. Most is this is in the “Guide to Safe Scouting” which is primarily for our Leadership to know, but you are more than welcome to read it. You may also want to read some of the many other safety information here.

Part of Pack 1776’s dues is a subscription to Boy’s Life magazine.

Our Cubs often advance into Troop 1776 which is a Scout-led unit also sponsored by the Catholic Church of St Anns.

What is advancement and all those ranks?

1st graders are Tigers
2nd graders are Wolves
3rd graders are Bears
4th graders are in Webelos 1 and
5th graders are in Webelos 2

All of these dens form one Pack. Pack 1776 in our case.

Cub scouts advance in rank by completing requirements specific for each level. These requirements can be found in their respective handbooks. Some are done with their Den and Pack; some are done at home with their family. As the boys grow, the requirements become more challenging. In addition to their advancement requirements, they can complete electives which will earn them additional awards. Many of the Den meetings will focus on completing a requirement or elective as well as letting them have fun while they do it.

For the full details please visit this page at the US Scouts website or ask any leader in the Pack.

What does the Pack do?

  • The will do several activities as a whole over the course of the year. We’ll go camping twice, have our Pinewood Derby event and a yearly banquet and cross-over picnic. See our Pack Calendar link at the top.
  • The Pack meets once a month to recognize each Cub’s achievements, go over future Pack events and to have fun. Dens, on the other hand, meet several times a month and collectively work on their advancement requirements.

What about uniforms? We have two uniforms:

  • Class A: This is the full official BSA Cub Scout uniform: shirt, pants, hat, scarf, scarf slide and belt. Wear this to Pack meetings, Den meetings, when traveling to and from Camps.

Wolves and Bears wear a blue uniform while Webelos wear the Boy Scout green/tan one. You might want to wrap a rubber band around the scarf to help hold the slide on. The Pack will give you the Pack number 1776 patch. It is better looking than sewing on individual patches for each of 1, 7, 7, 6 numerals that you can buy at the Scout Shop. Note that Webelos still wear the blue Cub Scout belt and NOT the tan Boy Scout belt. This is because belt loop achievements only fit on the smaller blue belt.

  • Class B: This is a T-Shirt designed by the pack and is more comfortable for the scout to wear when not in his Class A. The scout can wear this when doing casual Den activities and while camping.

Both of these are in youth and adult versions.

There are lots of optional uniform items you can get such as patch vest, camping hats, sweat shirts, etc.

The Pack runs a uniform swap at meetings so drop off uniforms that you have outgrown and pick up one that you need.

Finally, if your Cub does not want to wear his uniform, read this.

Where do I get this Scouting stuff?

You can go to the local Scout shop at 1800 Circle 75 Parkway Atlanta, GA 30339 (770) 989-8820. A map and directions are here. If you cannot find it locally they may be able to order it, otherwise the national online store is at http://www.scoutstuff.org/

Medical Form:

Any time the Pack or Den travels, it is required that we have medical forms for every person attending, i.e. all parents, Scouts, siblings, grandparents, etc. The medical form was revamped for 2009. It is incredibly easy to fill out on your computer. Download the form, complete sections “A” and “C,” digitally-sign it on your computer, print it and then save it for future printings. You’ll need a new one every year. If you’re son is a Webelos, we need two copies. Here’s the link: http://www.scouting.org/FileStore/pdf/34412.pdf

May my son’s friend join even if they are not affiliated with St. Ann’s or Shallowford Falls Elementary School?

Yes … yes, yes, yes, yes! Our Pack (as most packs) welcomes all boys from the area. We have children from private schools and home schools. Yes, by all means. Invite them to join! In fact, if they are the same age, we’ll make sure they are in the same den. And if your son is the one who does the inviting and they join, he’ll receive the much coveted RECRUITER patch to wear on his uniform.

Is Pack 1776 Catholic because they meet at St. Ann’s?

Not at all. St. Ann’s is the Chartered Organization for Pack 1776. They merely provide a clean, safe facility for the kids to meet. Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are not tied on any level to any particular religion. Scouting does promote reverence to God. We encourage each child to worship, pray, and act according to their family’s faith, whether it be Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, etc.

We need your help!

This is a volunteer organization. We need all families to volunteer for something over the course of their son’s time in Pack 1776. Its a great opportunity to spend time with your boy and help us all out too.  As the Cubs grow up and move out of the Pack, we have a constant turn over in adult leaders. So please consider donating a little time in some capacity.

Consider being a Den Leader or other regular registered leader. You have to drive them to the meeting then pick them up, its nearly as much time as being the leader yourself and training is provided. You can start out as an Den Leader Assistant and get your feet wet with someone else who will be there to help you along.  There are also district run training courses.  If you cannot commit to being a registered leader consider helping out in a one-time event. We need parents to coordinate trips and campouts. See our Committee page link to the left.

Finally, do you have any skills or hobby/family/job related stuff that can enhance our Pack’s program? We have had parents take us to constructions sites, organize events with outside special interest clubs where the Cubs got to participate in cool things, etc.

Got more questions?

We’d love to hear them and maybe even post them here. Feel free to ask any leader in Pack 1776 and we’ll do our best to get your right information.

Questions? Call or email your Den Leader.