What To Expect

When you join our pack, we want to make you feel welcome. We have put together this list to help you jump right in and feel prepared for camp outs, meetings and events. Let us know if we missed something or if you need additional details.

Rank/Den Fact Sheets

Lion – Kindergarten

Tiger – 1st grade

Wolf – 2nd grade

Bear – 3rd grade

Webelos – 4th & 5th grade

PACK MEETINGS

Once a month, during the school year, all Dens meet together for a “Pack Meeting”, which all Cub Scouts and their families are encouraged to attend. The Pack Meeting is a fun time for everyone. Dens show off the projects they have been working on, lead songs, perform skits, and awards are presented to the Scouts. It is a time for the family to get information on upcoming activities and share in the Scouting spirit. Be sure to attend and join in the excitement while watching your child advance! We encourage scouts to wear their uniform.

DEN MEETINGS

Den Meetings are held once a month, during the school year, and provide your scout with opportunities to enjoy various planned activities, learn new skills, and have great fun. While parental attendance is not required at Den Meetings (except for Lions and Tigers), it is certainly encouraged! Some Dens will require parent participation at specific meetings. Please keep in touch with your scout’s Den Leader so that you will know what activities are taking place and can track the progress your child is making.

OVERNIGHT CAMP OUTS

Scouting is an outdoor-based program. Camping is permitted by Cub Scouts only in an age-appropriate context. Scouts must have an adult family member with them at all times when camping. If your Scout wishes to attend only the daytime activities of a Family Camp-out you must make prior arrangements with the Cubmaster or Den Leader to discuss which guardian will be approved to take responsibility for your child if you cannot stay with them. Bring all the equipment you will need to enjoy the camp-out: tent, sleeping bags, lanterns, bug spray, camp chairs, etc. The pack will provide the meals. In the event of an overnight, your child can only tent with a parent/guardian, or another child of the same age (within two-years) and gender and with permission of that child’s parent or guardian and the Cubmaster.

FUNDRAISING

Every year the Pack provides opportunities for the scouts to “earn their own way” and reduce or eliminate the out of pocket cost of scouting. Historically, our main fundraiser is Scout Popcorn and Burger meat sales. The campaign runs from September through October. In addition to reaching out to your network of family, friends, and neighbors, we provide storefront shifts. Recently we have added holiday wreath sales in October and November with delivery shortly after Thanksgiving. In the Spring we sell Thrifty Tickets. We encourage all scouts to participate in all fundraising events and receive prizes and other recognition. Not only does fundraising allow the scout to reduce the out of pocket expense of scouting, but the Pack relies heavily on the funds generated by these fundraisers. Everyone’s participation is expected and appreciated. Almost 100% percent of the first $300 of profit goes directly to the benefit of the scout which earned it. A more detailed explanation can be found here.

In addition to other incentives, scouts selling:

$2,000 in product during the fall popcorn/meat sales will earn a free admission into Akela Camp at LOTOSR in July 2024 (Sun-Tue).
$3,000 in product during the fall popcorn/meat sales will earn a free admission into Cub Adventure Camp or Webeloes Camp at LOTOSR in July 2024 (Sun-Thurs).

DONATIONS

Pack 703 is not permitted to solicit donations in accordance with Boy Scouts of America Policy; however, we are permitted to accept unsolicited donations. Please contact our leaders if you are interested in supporting our Pack.

Pack Needs

BLUE & GOLD

Each year, Cub Scouts celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the BSA, on February 8, 1910, by having a Blue and Gold Banquet. It is usually held in February.

CROSSOVER (into ScoutsBSA)

For the 2nd year Webelos / AOL “Arrow of Light” WEBELOS, the final night of being a Cub Scout is at our Blue and Gold celebration. At that time, they will be invited by a Scoutmaster to join a Scouts BSA Troop in a “crossing-over” ceremony. The entire family, including grandparents and other special guests, are encouraged to attend. The crossover occurs the same evening as the Blue & Gold.

ADVANCEMENT CEREMONY

All advancement to the next rank occurs at the April Spring Campout. This ceremony marks the completion of their experience in that years grade and graduate into the next year. Earning rank advancement, relative to each school grade is not required (eg-Arrow of Light, Wolf, Bear, etc.), but is encouraged as one of the methods of the scouting experience. A scout works at their own pace at home or during Den & Pack outings and meetings, under the supervision and guidance of a parent and in coordination with the Den leader.