Youth protection is a fundamental and critical aspect of Cub Scouts and all Scouting programs in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The BSA places a strong emphasis on creating a safe and secure environment for all youth participants. This commitment to youth protection is outlined in BSA’s policies, guidelines, and training programs. Here are some key points regarding the Cub Scouts’ stance on youth protection:

• Youth Protection Training: All adult leaders and volunteers in Cub Scouting are required to complete Youth Protection Training. Pack 223 requests that ALL parents take this free training. This training covers topics such as recognizing signs of abuse, how to respond to instances of abuse or suspected abuse, and the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries with youth members. You can find out more about this training and take the training at: https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/

• Two-Deep Leadership: The BSA enforces the “Two-Deep Leadership” policy, which means that no adult should ever be alone with a Scout who is not their child. There should always be at least two registered adult leaders present at all scouting activities, meetings, and outings.

• No One-on-One Contact: The BSA prohibits one-on-one contact between an adult leader and a youth member in private settings. This includes electronic communication, texting, and social media interactions. All communications should be conducted in an open and transparent manner.

• Background Checks: Adults who wish to become leaders or volunteers in Cub Scouting are required to undergo background checks to identify any criminal history that might pose a risk to youth members.

• Reporting Procedures: There are clear procedures in place for reporting any suspected instances of abuse or inappropriate behavior. These procedures are designed to ensure that appropriate action is taken to protect youth members.

• Youth Protection Policies: The BSA has comprehensive youth protection policies and guidelines that are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect best practices and legal requirements.

• Age-Appropriate Activities: Cub Scouting activities are designed to be age-appropriate, and safety considerations are a primary concern when planning and conducting activities.

• Safe Scouting Resources: The BSA provides resources and materials to help leaders and parents understand and implement youth protection policies effectively.

BSA takes youth protection very seriously, and the organization is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all Cub Scouts. If you have any concerns or questions about youth protection within Cub Scouting, you should reach out to any of our pack leaders. Additionally, it’s essential for parents and guardians to be informed about youth protection policies and to communicate regularly with their children about their experiences in Scouting.

Lions (Kindergarten) and Tigers (1st Grade): At Pack 454, we value the involvement of parents in every step of their child’s scouting journey. For Lions and Tigers, a parent’s presence is not just welcome but required at all meetings and events. This policy is in accordance with the Boy Scouts of America’s guidelines, ensuring a nurturing and safe environment for our youngest scouts.

Wolves (2nd Grade) and Beyond: As our scouts grow and gain independence, the requirement for parental presence shifts. While it’s no longer mandatory by 2nd grade, we strongly encourage parents to maintain an active role in their child’s scouting experience. Our belief in the power of shared exploration and support remains steadfast.

Unified Participation: At Pack 454, we foster a sense of unity between parents, scouts, and leaders. We envision parents as integral partners in the scouting journey. Therefore, we kindly request that parents engage in all activities, unless there are specific circumstances that need to be discussed with our trusted adult leaders, such as Den Leaders or the Cubmaster.

Parent Leaders: For the optimal experience for our children, we kindly ask that at least one adult from each family registers with the BSA. This ensures we maintain a consistent presence of responsible adult supervision at all our events.

Join us in crafting a rewarding and memorable scouting journey, where guidance and enthusiasm from parents pave the way for a brighter future for our scouts.

Embrace the Adventure: To learn more about how your involvement as a parent enriches your child’s scouting experience, connect with us today. We’re excited to welcome you into our Pack 454 family!

Get Involved as a Cub Scout Parent Volunteer

Our program thrives thanks to the dedication of parent volunteers who generously contribute their time, whether it’s just a few spare hours or more. Whether you can commit to two hours a week, a month, or a year, your involvement greatly enhances the Cub Scout experience for our young scouts.

Here’s a glimpse of some volunteer roles vital to our Cub Scout pack:

Cubmaster

• Be the friendly face of our pack, leading exciting pack meetings.

• Offer leadership and guidance to our committed team of leaders.

• Collaborate on planning and organizing pack activities and events.

• Ensure our program aligns seamlessly with BSA guidelines and values.

Den Leader

• Lead a den, a close-knit group of Cub Scouts often organized by grade level.

• Craft and execute engaging den meetings.

• Guide Cub Scouts through their badge pursuits and advancements.

• Work closely with parents to nurture each Cub Scout’s progress.

Assistant Den Leader

• Provide invaluable support to the den leader in planning and conducting den activities.

• Assist with various activities and badge requirements.

• Offer essential assistance to Cub Scouts and their families.

Committee Chair

• Lead our pack committee, responsible for administrative and logistical support.

• Foster a supportive environment with adequate resources and leadership.

• Coordinate adult training and actively recruit new leaders.

Pack Committee Member

• Actively contribute to our pack committee, each member bringing their unique skills and perspective.

• May have specific responsibilities, such as advancement tracking, fundraising, or event coordination.

Advancement Chair

• Oversee and manage the advancement program for our pack.

• Ensure each Cub Scout is appropriately recognized for their accomplishments.

• Collaborate with leaders and parents to monitor and celebrate Cub Scouts’ progress.

Treasurer

• Safeguard the pack’s finances and budget.

• Handle dues, fees, and expenses with efficiency and transparency.

• Maintain meticulous financial records and share regular financial reports with the committee.

Membership Chair

• Play a vital role in welcoming new members, just like you, to our pack.

• Coordinate and organize recruitment events, making the onboarding process smooth and enjoyable.

We deeply appreciate every parent volunteer’s contribution, no matter how big or small. Your involvement is what makes the Cub Scout journey an enriching adventure for our scouts. Join us in creating unforgettable experiences and building character for our young members.

When compared to the cost of sports and many other activities, there is no doubt that Scouting delivers great value to its members!

NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP
National Registration (yearly): $85/yr
Cascade Council Fee: $40/yr
Total: $125/yr

Uniform

We require class “A” attire for pack night and ceremonies. *Subject to change

Shirt with badges: $58.99*

Pack Number Patches: $8.97*

Neckerchief: $12.99

Den Book: $23.99

Optional items

Hat: $22.99

Belt: $14.99

Class “B” – the pack will provide a T-shirt; this will be for den meetings, excursions, and messy activities.

Pack Dues Per Child

$100 per year or $13 per month

Lions (kindergarten) $50

Pack Dues cover: Pack T-shirt (class “B”), belt loops, segments, rank badge, pinewood derby kit, and den meeting supplies,

Learn more about Scout Summer Camp Options and Fundraising

While Cub Scouting encourages the expression of religious faith, it is generally intended to be a non-denominational program. BSA emphasizes respect for the diverse religious backgrounds of its members. 

Pack 454 is chartered by the First Baptist Church and they provide us our meeting place. While they do support our pack there is no obligation to join or be involved with their church.

Cub Scouts is a grade-specific program that young people progress through as they grow older.

Lion - Kinder
Tiger - First Grade
Wolf - Second Grade
Bear - Third Grade
Webelo - Fourth Grade
Arrow of Light - Fifth Grade

Read more about the various dens and ranks here.

We focus on interactive activities designed to be fun for children while teaching them about perseverance and developing their problem-solving abilities. In Cub Scouts, there are opportunities to spend time as a family and to do things that help build upon the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Den Meetings & Pack Meetings: In den meetings and pack meetings, Cub Scouts make new friends, play purposeful games, and learn new things.  Dens usually meet two times a month. All the dens in the pack come together once a month for a pack meeting.

Camping and Outdoor Adventures: Cub Scout families have opportunities to go camping and to participate in outdoor adventures.  Lessons learned in the out-of- doors help to develop a life-long respect for the environment.

Special Pack Events: Packs can put together special events and activities such as banquets, races, and community service projects.

Other Events: Several packs may be invited to attend other special events such as a large community service project or Scout Show.  These events are coordinated by a local council or district.

Children are organized into specific groups called dens and meet 2-3 times per month to do Cub Scouts’ age-appropriate adventure activities with others in their den. Dens are organized by grade level and gender. All of the dens (K-5th grade) make up the larger Pack. The Pack, including families, also participates in other special events throughout the year, including service projects, Pinewood Derby®, Cub Scouting’s birthday party, and camping.

Dens

A small group of Cub Scouts who are the same gender and in the same grade. The ideal size is 6 to 8 Cub Scouts.

Den Leaders

An adult, usually a parent, serves as a Den Leader. They carry out the activities related to adventures as they are presented in the Cub Scout’s handbook and the Den Leader Guide.

Pack

The pack is made up of several dens. The make up and size of the pack varies based on local interest and resources. Each pack is identified by a number.

Cubmaster

The leader of the pack meeting is the Cubmaster. In addition to serving as the master of ceremonies the Cubmaster provides support to Den Leaders.

Pack Committee

Made up of parents, leaders, and other caring adults the pack committee works to support den leaders and the cubmaster.

Pack Committee Chair

The top volunteer in the pack is the Pack Committee Chair. They are responsible for ensuring enough qualified adult volunteers are in place to provide the program. They lead the pack committee meetings.

Chartered Organization

This is the organization that partners with Scouting America to deliver a Scouting program. They adopt Scouting to serve the youth in the community.

Chartered Organization Representative

This person appoints the Pack Committee Chair and approves all adult leaders. They provide resources from the chartered organization.

Beyond the Cub Scout Pack

Councils

To effectively support local Scouting programs the national Scouting America provides a charter to a community board of volunteers to be responsible for providing the Scouting program to a defined geographical area. These geographical areas are called councils. Councils have a volunteer board which employs a Scout Executive to serve as the CEO and give leadership to the day to day operation. The Scout Executive hires staff to provide direct and indirect support to local Scouting programs. In each council there are many more volunteers than staff as the organization is volunteer lead and professionally guided.

Councils are different in size based on factors such as population, geography, and local markets. Most councils operate Scout Camps and local Scout Shops and have a regional office to provides administrative support and record keeping. To identify what council a Scout or an adult belongs to, an identifying patch is worn at the top of the left sleeve shoulder of the uniform.

Districts

To provide more localized support to scouting, councils create districts. Districts are geographical areas of service. Districts have a volunteer District Committee that provides support to local programs in the areas of membership, finance, and program. Another group of volunteers called commissioners provide direct service to Scouting programs. Contact your District Executive to learn more about how a district operates.

National Organization

Scouting America is the national organization that develops and supports various youth programs. It provides charters to communities to operate a council. The national organization provides service to local councils and develops Scouting programs and establishes rules and regulations.