Last revised October 1, 1995
This document provides an overview of Cub Scout Pack 759. It is intended for use as an orientation guide for new parents as well as a record of pack policies and procedures. It is intended to be an evergreen document that will evolve as the pack and Boy Scouts of America evolves.
Pack Meeting - The pack meeting is held monthly and is the focal point of the pack. The meeting includes songs, den skits, games, ceremony, recognition and other activities. All scouts and at least one associated adult are expected to attend. All family members are welcome, provided they are old enough to remain seated and quiet for extended periods of time as required. We are also exploring providing some form of child care at these meetings. While these meetings were historically held at the cafeteria of Pennekamp Elementary School in Manhattan Beach, they have recently been moved to the multi-purpose room at Hermosa Valley Elementary School in Hermosa Beach. The meetings are generally, but not always held on the last Wednesday of the month from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.
Den Meeting - Each den meets regularly to work on advancement and other activities. Dens generally meet weekly at a consistent place and time, either in the home of the den leader or at some other location. Consistency of location and time is considered desirable but is not required, if circumstances do not permit it. In general, dens do not meet the week of the pack meeting in order to avoid two scout meetings in the same week, but this is entirely a den level decision. The den leader is responsible for conducting the den meetings.
Pack Leaders Meeting - This meeting, also known as the "Committee Meeting", is held monthly to do overall pack planning. All members of the Pack Committee are expected to attend and all parents are welcome. Minutes are produced at this meeting and distributed at the subsequent pack meeting. This meeting is conducted by the Committee Chairman and is currently being held the Monday prior to the monthly pack meeting from 7-8pm.
Den Leaders Meeting - This meeting is used to plan the monthly pack meeting and to work issues of general concern to den leaders. At least one leader from each den is expected to attend this meeting as well as the Cubmaster and Assistant Cubmasters. All den leaders and assistant den leaders are welcome at this meeting. The Cubmaster is responsible for conducting the Den Leaders meeting. The meeting is currently being held coincident with the Pack Leaders meeting, from 8-9pm the Monday prior to the pack meeting. This meeting will most likely be moved to a separate night earlier in the month.
Roundtable - This is a district meeting of scout leaders at which information of general interest to pack leaders is disseminated and discussed. One or more of our committee members attend this meeting on behalf of the pack and report back at our monthly pack leaders' meeting.
Uniform Responsibility - Families are responsible for acquiring their own uniform(s), except for those items provided by the pack (see below). A small "used uniform repository" is maintained for those families who wish to take advantage of this alternative (see below).
Uniform Stores - There are two official scout shops in our area, one downtown and one in San Pedro. In addition, there are a number or retail stores that carry scout uniforms and other items. A separate flyer is available with the information on both the scout shops and these retail stores.
Tiger Cub Uniform - Tiger Cubs wear a Tiger Cub t-shirt and cap, the latter being provided by the pack.
Cub Scout Uniform - Given what is provided by the pack (see below), families are responsible for acquiring the following items for their Wolf or Bear scout: blue shorts or long pants, blue long or short-sleeve shirt, blue belt, blue socks (knee length for shorts), and Cub Scout hat (blue and yellow).
Webelos Scout - Webelos Scouts may wear the same blue uniform as the Wolf or Bear Scout. In addition, they have the option of wearing the khaki Boy Scout uniform. In any event, they were a Webelos cap. For boys who join at the Webelos level, it makes sense for acquire only the khaki uniform. For boys who move into Webelos after a year as a Bear Scout, it is common for them to continue to wear their blue uniform until they have outgrown it, at which time they switch to the khaki. Blue shoulder epelets are worn with the khaki uniform to denote Cub Scouts vs. Boy Scouts. Webelos scouts may wear either the blue belt or the khaki belt with the khaki uniform. Cub Scout belt loops can only be worn with the blue belt, however.
Wearing the Uniform - Scouts and den leaders are expected to wear their uniform at den and pack functions. The scout official T-shirt is an alternative
Adult Uniform - Adults do not wear any awards they may have earned when they were a cub or boy scout. There is, however, a special adult patch for adults who attained the level of Eagle Scout.
Used Uniforms - The pack maintains a small supply of used uniforms which it makes available to families as an alternative to purchasing a new uniform.
Neckerchief and Slide - These are provided to the boys upon their arrival in the pack at the beginning of the year or upon their achievement of the associated rank.
Tiger Cap - Tiger cubs are provided with a cap upon their arrival in the pack.
Quality Unit Award & Veteran Unit Bar - The Quality Unit Award signifies that the pack has met certain quality criteria and the veteran unit bar (thin patch with the number 25 or 50 embroidered) signifies that the pack has been in continuous operation for at least twenty five years. Both are provided by the pack.
759 Patch - The pack has purchased a set of 759 patches which are available to you for $1.75. The alternative is to purchase the individual numerals at a scout shop.
Patch Placement - Information on patch placement is available in the inside covers of the Bear, Wolf and Webelos books and on the blue "inspection sheets" that are distributed at parent orientation and available at the scout shops. Please note the following, however:
The veteran unit bar is placed directly below the district patch and directly above the pack numerals. Some diagrams show the pack numerals directly under the district patch, which is the correct position if the veteran unit bar is not worn.
The den numeral or Webelos den patch is worn directly under the american flag on the right sleeve. Older versions of the inspection sheet show the american flag in its old position above the right pocket.
The purple "World Patch" is worn centered above the right pocket. We will provide the precise location in an update to this form or you can ask at the scout shop.
Pack 759 Jacket - The pack periodically purchases a set of lightly-lined scout windbreakers with the pack designation on the back. These are then made available to scout families for purchase, for either youth or adult use.
Special Event Patches - The pack traditionally acquires patches for special events it conducts for those participants who wish to purchase them. In addition, many district, council or regional events have associated patches available for purchase. These patches are not worn on the uniform, but are frequently worn on a scout jacket or vest.
Registration Fees - The membership fee for Pack 759 is $50 per calendar year, payable in December. For new scouts joining in September, there is a membership fee of $25 which covers the last few months of the year. This registration includes registration with the Boy Scouts of America. This fee is negotiable for families who cannot afford it.
Pack Fundraising - The pack participates in the Hometown Fair to raise money for the pack, usually by running a food booth of some sort. As a matter of policy, we are trying to avoid the need to conduct other fundraising activities for the pack. Specifically, we are trying to avoid having the boys sell items such as candy, popcorn, etc., although we have done this in the past.
Pack Expenses - Out of the funds it collects, the pack pays for the following items, amongst others:
Boy's Life - The pack order's Boy's Life magazine for all scouts.
Scouting Magazine - All registered adults will include Scouting Magazine. For those adults who are registered as assistant cubmasters, den leaders or assistant den leaders, the magazine will include a "Program Helps" insert. (Note: All new adults who complete the adult registration form are initially registered as "Committee Member". The pack will change this designation if and when they assume one of the above leadership roles.)
Scouter's News - This is a Los Angeles Council newspaper which is mailed to all registered adults on a periodic basis.
Roster - The pack maintains a roster of all scouts and adults, including name, address and phone number. Additional information such as work phones, fax numbers and email addresses is included as provided. Hardcopies are distributed periodically as the information is updated. An electronic version will be made available through the Internet if and when privacy issues can be resolved (see below).
Phone Tree - The pack uses the den structure as a phone tree for communication of reminder and last minute information.
Internet - A wide variety of information on scouting is available on the Internet, specifically via the World Wide Web. The pack should also have it's own home page shortly. The intent is to provide as much information as possible via this home page, modulo privacy concerns. Specifically, we intend to provide calendar and meeting minutes information via unsecured web pages. Roster information, or any documents which include children's names or addresses, will only be provided if we can do so securely and upon approval of the pack committee.
Fast Start Training - This is a set of relatively short videotape segments and some minimal accompanying documentation. The following segments are available: Pack Organization (20 minutes), The New Den Leader (14 minutes), The New Webelos Den Leader (18 minutes), The New Cubmaster (17 minutes), The New Tiger Cub Organizer (14 minutes).
Parent Orientation - This is a one hour overview of the pack conducted for parents new to the pack. The fast start videotape segment The New Den Leader is shown and the information in this document is reviewed. Although directed at new den leaders, we believe the den leader videotape segment provides a good introduction to scouting which is important for all parents. At least one parent of each new scout is expected to attend the parent orientation.
Cub Leader Basic Training - This is the primary training session for new leaders, specifically new den leaders and cubmasters. It is offered every month or so throughout the school year. Through October 1995, it is being offered as a single, all day session on a Saturday. From November 1995 onward, it will be offered as a four hour initial training, with three 2-hour, quarterly followups. In odd-numbered months, the four hour initial training will be split between two weekday nights. In even-numbered months, the four hour initial training will be held in our four hour session on a Saturday.
Youth Protection Training - This is a one hour session that provides basic information for adults who want to be at all active in working with children in the pack. It is included in the Cub Leader Basic Training referenced above and is provided monthly at each roundtable. In addition, arrangements can be made to give it any location for groups as small as ten people.
CPR Training
Pow Wow - This is annual, all-day event which takes place on a Saturday around the beginning of October. It consists of a number of different workshops on various aspects of scouting. Participants come away with a wealth of knowledge, in the form of both experience and a binder containing a month-by-month compendium of ideas and plans for the coming year.