Welcome to the Cub Scouts, and Cub Scout Pack 349!
The leaders of Pack 349 are committed to providing an exciting, fun and educational program for our scouts. We have two main goals: to teach the boys to be good citizens, and to have fun. Special emphasis is placed on character development, outdoor activities, sports, citizenship, and family. We have lots of great activities planned – for your scout, and for your whole family. Scouting is a family activity!
Cub Scouting Overview & Philosophy
In 1930, the Boy Scouts of America launched a home and neighborhood-based program for boys up to age eleven. The program focused on nature, hobbies, games, preparation for Boy Scouts, and above all, character development.
The Cub Scout Promise is
I 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.
The "Law of the Pack" is
The Cub Scout follows Akela.
The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill.
Cub Scout Motto
Do your best!
Organization
Cub Scout Pack 349 is made up of boys from Woodcliff Lake in grades 1 through 5, divided by age into "dens."
Tiger Cub Den - 1st graders (Tigers work “as a team” with their parent or guardian)
Wolf Cub Den - 2nd graders
Bear Cub Den - 3rd graders
Webelos - 4th and 5th graders. Once they complete the Webelos requirements, 5th graders are encouraged to work toward the "Arrow of Light," the highest award in the Cub Scout Program. In March of their 5th grade year, the boys will “bridge” to Boy Scouts. Boys from our pack usually “bridge” into Troop 349, but they are allowed to select any local troop to join.
Pack 349 is part of the Northern New Jersey Council of Boys Scouts of America. Within the council, we are part of the Twin Valleys District. In addition to our pack and den activities, we also participate in council and district events.
Den Meetings: In Pack 349, our Dens usually have at least one meeting each month, directed by a Den Leader, in a classroom after school. Many times, the Den Leaders will ask parents to lend a helping hand in organizing the Den meetings. Or the parents can take turns organizing the monthly meetings. For 1st Graders (Tigers), parents are expected to stay at the den meeting with their scout, unless they work and cannot be there. Siblings are generally welcome to participate.
Pack meetings: We usually have one Pack meeting per month, which includes all the cub scouts in town. We require a parent to attend the pack meeting with their sons. Please arrive on-time.
Our Pack meetings are held at the Christ Lutheran Church, 32 Pascack Rd., which provides the large, open space needed for our monthly meetings, but has no religious affiliation or influence on the pack.
Annual dues are $65 per scout ($45 for a second boy in the same family.) Checks should be made payable to “Cub Scouts Pack 349.” The dues and enrollment forms should be given to cubmaster, or handed in to the office during Sept. & Oct.
If you would like your son to receive Boys' Life Magazine (featuring scouts and their activies), please add $15 to your check.
Uniforms
Cub Scouts buy their own uniform, which includes a shirt, neckerchief, slide and belt (the belt is optional, although you may want to purchase it so your scout can display his belt loop awards.) We do NOT require trousers, hats or socks. Boys can wear jeans, but shirts must be tucked in and neat. Tiger, Wolf and Bear cubs use the blue Cub Scout uniform. We recommend buying the short-sleeve blue uniform shirts in a youth medium (for a typical boy age 6-8), since your scout will be wearing this for multiple years.
Webelos can choose to wear either the blue Cub Scout uniform or the tan Boy Scout uniform shirt.
Uniforms are available at Ramsey Outdoor Store, or at the “Scout Shop” located at the Boy Scout Council office in Oakland (approx. $50). The staff at each store can help you buy the right items, including the correct neckerchief and slide for your rank, and appropriate patches and Pack numerals (349).
*note about belts: avoid the one with the tiger cub on the buckle, since your scout will wear it for multiple years.
Uniforms are worn to all Pack meetings, den meetings and any outings in which the boys are recognized as representing cub scouts. Leaders may instruct them NOT to wear uniforms if they're not appropriate for a certain activity. Most of the boys take pride in wearing them. Uniforms give them a sense of belonging to a group, and help remind them of the expectations of that group.
Handbooks
Parents should purchase the rank appropriate cub scout Handbook -- either the Tiger, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos Book. These are also available at Ramsey Outdoor. The handbook outlines the activities and requirements for a scout to achieve his rank badge. We recommend that parents read the book for their child's age group, cover to cover.
The Cub Scout program uses advancements to challenge the boys to work on skills that match their ability and interest level. Again, the boys are not supposed to be perfect, but are encouraged to do their best. Because of our varied activities, the boys are motivated to try out lots of different activities.
All scouts will earn the Bobcat award first. They will then work toward the rank appropriate for their age level.
· 1st graders earn the Tiger rank by participating in age-appropriate activities
· 2nd graders earn the Wolf rank by completing 49 tracks in 12 achievements. After completing the requirements for the Wolf badge, they can earn Arrow Points for elective activities.
· 3rd graders earn the Bear rank (choice of 12 achievements) and then Arrow Points.
· 4th and 5th graders earn the Webelos rank and can earn additional pins to get Compass Points. In their second year, Webelos may earn the "Arrow of Light."
Belt Loops - Academics and Sports Program
Scouts may also work towards belt loops and pins, to be displayed on their uniforms, for completing certain activities in the Academics and Sports Program Guide.
Useful Resources
The council website www.nnjbsa.org has interesting information about the Scout program.
Another great website is www.theboyscouttrail.com.
Camping
Few things are more symbolic of scouting than camping. We hope to invite all boys to camp at least once each year, but all scheduling depends on the boys’ maturity level, and what we think they can handle. For the Tiger and Wolf Cubs, any overnight trip would require the participation of at least one parent per scout.
Pack 349 also participates in the Council Day Camp and Resident Camp summer camp programs. Please ask for more information on this toward that season.
Popcorn Fundraiser
Our main fundraiser is the popcorn sale in September and October. Money raised from the popcorn fundraiser helps cover the cost of special activities for the scouts, such as archery and rock climbing. Thanks to strong sales in the past, we’re able to have parents pay little or nothing toward these activities. Please help us make this fundraiser successful once again.
Parents
Parent involvement is crucial for the pack, to give the boys the best scout experience possible. From helping your scout in the age-old tradition of building his first Pinewood Derby Car, to cooking over a campfire, Cub Scouts is meant to be a family experience.
Informal ways you can help:
- Offer to arrive early to set up displays or demonstrations
- Organize games and activities for the boys as they arrive at pack meetings
- Decorate the meeting facility for parties
- Help with craft projects or demonstrations as directed by the pack leaders
- Help keep boys focused and engaged in activities
Formal roles:
-
Asst. Cubmaster
- Advancement Chairman
- Popcorn Chairperson
- Pinewood Derby Chairman
- Bike Rodeo Committee
- Skit & Games Director
Our ongoing success is dependent on having a dedicated group of leaders and parents. Each year, we must engage “new” parents who believe in the value and benefits of the program and are committed to its success. The most important (and most fun) job is that of the Den Leader. However, there are many other areas where your help in running the Pack is needed and very much appreciated.
To Join:
Click "Youth Application" in the left column. Print page 5 and return the completed application and dues to the Dorchester office (during Sept. & Oct.)
or mail to:
Carrie Perricone
20 Martha St.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
We hope that your son has a fun experience and decides to continue scouting for many years.
Carrie Perricone
Cubmaster Pack #349