• Pack – The whole group of boys, oftentimes all Cub Scouts in a community. This could be sponsored by a school, church, or other group and usually involves all boys in grades 1-5. The Pack meets once per month as a group with their families. This is where awards earned by the boys are presented, so the entire family is invited.
• Den – A group of 6-8 boys of the same grade. Dens in our pack usually meet weekly, except for the week of the pack meeting, and work on badges, crafts, etc.  Also, when school is out, so is Scouts!
• Den Leader – The primary leader of your son’s den. Program ideas are easily available from other Pack Leaders, District Roundtables, or the Boy Scouts of America to make this the best “job” in Scouting. Other parent participation is necessary for Den meetings to occur. Don't be shy, jump in a lend a hand.  Your son will love the fact that your there and helping! 
• Cubmaster – The Cubmaster leads the pack and the pack meetings. He or she is a primary source of information for the group and will be able to answer most of your questions.
• Council – You and your son are joining a specific Council of the Boy Scouts of America. A council is a geographic area, divided into districts that provide services to local packs.  Ours is the Occoneechee Council, based out of Raleigh.
• District – A district is a sub-division of the council and helps deliver service to packs. You will find several district volunteers working with your pack’s leadership as well as a full-time District Executive, who is a full-time professional Scouter.  Our District is called the Cape Fear District.

Your son’s grade in school will determine which group he joins within your pack.

First Grade Boys – Become Tiger Cubs.They work on their Bobcat Badge then earn their Tiger Badge.

Second Grade Boys – Become Wolf Cubs. They start with the Bobcat Badge and then work on the Wolf.

Third Grade Boys – Become Bear Cubs. They start with the Bobcat Badge and then work on their Bear Badge.

Fourth and Fifth Grade Boys – Become Webelos Scouts. The first year of Webelos they will be in the Webelos Den, then they will move on to the Arrow of Light Den.  Webelos Scouts work on their Webelos Badge and then the Arrow of Light. Webelos stands for We’ll Be Loyal Scouts. It is a transition program between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. If they are joining for the first time, they will earn the Bobcat Badge as well.

All boys join with their current grade – there is no need to “work his way up.”

The responsibility for a boy’s advancement in Cub Scouting lies with the family, and not with the pack. Some advancement requirements are done at den meetings, but many are completed at home with the family.

Teachers and other educational authorities have long known the benefits of visual demonstrations. Learning occurs faster and easier when the student sees the lesson being performed in addition to reading about it in a book. Cub Scouting is therefore full of fun hands-on learning.

As a parent, much of what your son will do is “old hat” to you. You will be his expert. Remember, for him it is often the first time. Share your knowledge and enjoy the excitement.

 All scouts earn the Bobcat badge upon joining, They learn the Cub Scout Promise, Law of the Pack, handshake, salute, sign, motto and the meaning of “Webelos.” After receiving the Bobcat Badge, the boy works on requirements based on his grade or age.

  Earning the Tiger Cub badge involves knowing the Tiger Cub motto, and more about the Tiger Cub program. You’ll find the requirements in his handbook.

 A Wolf Scout works on 12 achievements to earn the Wolf Badge. After he earns his wolf badge, he may work on electives in different areas and earn arrow points. For every 10 electives a boy completes, he earns an Arrow Point. A Cub Scout may earn as many arrow points as time and inclination allow.

  A Bear Scout completes 12 of 24 achievements to earn the Bear Badge. After he earns his Bear Badge, he may work on electives in different areas until he is old enough to begin work on the next rank. For every 10 electives a boy completes, he earns an Arrow Point. A Cub Scout may earn as many arrow points as time and inclination allow.

      Webelos scouts work on requirements for the Webelos Badge, 20 activity badges and the Arrow of Light Award (the highest award in Cub Scouting) which prepares him for Boy Scouting.

    When a boy earns the Arrow of Light or reaches 11 years of age, or is in the fifth grade, he may graduate from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting in an impressive graduation ceremony. It is our desire to see every boy who joins graduate into a Boy Scout Troop.  Pack 757 does their Crossover Ceremony in June at a fun Family Camp Out.