Information for New Families

Scouting is more than just another activity.

Scouting is an ADVENTURE! It is learning and discovery of useful knowledge that your child will remember (and USE!) for the rest of their lives. From exploring the outdoors to working around the house and from extraordinary leadership experiences to building an appreciation for the arts and sciences, your child with be on the path to discovering their very best “future self” and they will have fun doing it. Best of all, Scouting is the ONLY youth program around that you get to do WITH your Scout!

PACK STRUCTURE:

Your child will be in a den, which:

• Has three to nine members in the same grade (K-5)

• Meets at least twice a month in den meetings on Mondays

• Is led by a Den Leader (typically one or more parents in the den)

• Does activities like Scout skills, games, sports, crafts, and hands-on learning.

Your child's den is part of a pack, which:

• Is made up of six dens, one for each grade.

• Meets at least one Monday a month at a Pack Meeting

• Participates in Pack activities such as hikes and field trips

• Is led by Cubmaster Andrew Pye

• Follows a monthly theme featuring games, skits, songs, ceremonies and the presentation of earned awards and rank promotions.

Our Pack is run by a committee, which:

• Is made up of volunteer leaders from our Pack and Charter Organization and parents.

• Meets as needed (usually once a month)

• Is led by Pack Committee Chair Jared Hersh

• Is responsible for the administration of pack business including overseeing leader training, finances, advancement and activities.

DENS:

Lion – Kindergarten

Lions experience the Scouting concepts of character development, leadership, citizenship and personal fitness through engaging and exciting adventures with their den and family.

Tiger – First Grade

Tigers earn their badges by completing six required adventures with their den or family, two additional elective adventures of your den or family’s choosing and projects in the Youth Protection Parents Guide. They will be introduced to hiking, bike safety, healthy snacks and the Cub Scout 6 Essentials.

Wolf – Second Grade

Wolves earn their badges by completing six required adventures with their den or family, two additional elective adventures of your den or family’s choosing and projects in the Youth Protection Guide. They will be introduced to the Outdoor Code of Ethics, flag etiquette, direct ways to communicate and team building.

Bear – Third Grade

Bears earn their badges by completing six required adventures with their den or family, two additional elective adventures of your den or family’s choosing and projects in the Youth Protection Guide. They will be introduced to the whittling, hand tools, campsite setup, animal knowledge and family safety.

WEBELOS & Arrow of Light – Fourth/Fifth Grade

When a Cub Scout graduates to Webelos, they have the opportunity to earn the highest award in Cub Scouting—The Arrow of Light. In additional to six required adventures, they will complete two elective adventures and projects in the Youth Protection Parent Guide. Webelos and AOL can participate in additional camping and outdoor programs until graduating to a Scouts BSA Troop in the spring of their fifth grade year.

CAMPING

We go camping to at least twice a year as a whole pack. The first campout happens in October, generally at Camp Resolute in Bolton, MA. During this campout we introduce the new scouts to camping and hold a ceremony to welcome them into the Pack. The second campout happens in the spring and is usually a cabin camp at Nobscot Scout Reservation in Sudbury, MA. We also try to do a 'special' winter campout at an indoor venue. Some recent examples have been: Central Rock - Rock Climbing Gym, EcoTarium, and Battleship Cove. Check our calendar for details!

PINEWOOD DERBY

Our Pinewood Derby happens in February and is quite the event! Scouts get a free car to build in exchange for an optional donation to Marlborough Community Cupboard. Scouts have the opportunity to win a Den trophy and an overall Pack trophy. We also have “beauty” contests with different categories scouts can vote for each year. This is one of Mr. Pye's favorite events and he will run races all day for Pack 31, Pack 41, City Championship, and Marlborough Hudson Girl Scouts.

BLUE & GOLD BANQUET

A celebration of our Arrow of Lights who are graduating to a BSA Troop. This is also the National “Birthday” Celebration of Cub Scouting.

MORE SAFE & FUN ACTIVITIES

• Pack Hikes: We have lots of local trails we like to explore and learn together.

• Bike Ride Arounds: We meet at our local elementary school and have a fun time learning bike safety, etiquette and practicing biking skills.

• Service Projects: Helping our communities is a major part of Scouting. We have multiple service projects throughout the year. Service projects are a requirement of the Scouting program.

• Local/State Events: There are a few times during the year the districts and councils come together to celebrate Scouting.

• Parades and Community events: We participate in Marlborough parades and select community events throughout the year.

SUMMER TIME

Each summer Scouts can earn a Summer Time Award Pin for attending at least 3 scout activities in June, July, and August. These activities can range from Scout Day Camps, Parades, Splash Pad Dates, Sports Night, Local Community Events on our Pack Calendar and more!

VOLUNTEERING

Scouting operates through volunteer leadership. Naturally, parents are the source of leaders in the Scouting Program. We require all of our parents to volunteer with helping with at least one pack Scouting event. We view our pack as a large Scouting family and it takes all hands on deck to create the best Scouting experience.

Training for Volunteers

Training is a vital role of learning how to become an effective leader. The main purpose of training is to provide you with the tools you need to put on a quality program for our scouts. Scouting offers most of its training online.

Youth Protection Training

The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our scouts. Our pack requires this training for every parent. This training covers the BSA’s YP policies, kinds of abuse, how to respond to disclosures of abuse, and proper reporting procedures. This training lasts two years and is completely done online.

How Can I Help?

Leadership Roles

The Boy Scouts of America takes great pride in the quality of our adult leadership. Being a BSA Leader is a privilege, not a right. The BSA’s rigorous volunteer application and screening process includes local selection and screening as well as a national criminal background check.

• Cubmaster Helps plan and carry out pack programs with the assistance from the pack committee. Emcees the monthly pack meeting and helps plan activities.

• Committee Members perform administrative functions and planning the activities for the year.

• Den Leader Leads the den at monthly den and pack meetings.

• Assistant Den Leader Everyone needs an assistant from time to time.

Volunteer Opportunities

Throughout the year many different opportunities will be available for you to help our pack be at its very best. This can range from helping organize service project or events, planning food and activities for parties, or assisting leaders with den specific needs.

The Cub Scout Uniform

Don’t get the idea that uniforms aren’t important, they are! The uniform is an important park of the program, and it represents an investment on your part. Our uniforms are high quality and in most cases last several years. So, be sure to buy a size or two bigger to account for scout growth.

The Field Uniform

The Field Uniform (often referred to as the “Class A” uniform) is what makes our Scouts stand out. Lion uniforms are a Lion T-shirt and hat. All other ranks wear a uniform shirt with pack numbers, belt, neckerchief, neckerchief slide, hat and shorts/pants/skort. All of these items can be purchased online or at our local scout shop in Southborough.

The Activity Uniform

For many of our Scouting events we wear a more casual outfit known as the Activity uniform or the “Class B” uniform. The activity uniform is a pack t-shirt and/or sweatshirt that is the same for all ages, youth and adult. The Pack Committee makes these available in youth and adult sizes throughout the year. Every Scout receives a free shirt when they join and as they outgrow them as they participate in Pack 31 activities.

The Value of Scouting

Every Child Needs Scouting.

Of all the activities you can give your child, Scouting is the only one that brings value to your whole child, for their entire life. Scouting is so much more than outdoors and camping and, over the course of their Scouting career, they will learn and have so many unique experiences their lives will be positively transformed in a way no other youth program will.

Consider these key findings from a recent Tufts University study comparing non-Scouts to Scouts ages 6-12 over a three year period:

• The more time kids spend in Scouting the better the outcomes in character development.

• Those who attend meetings regularly report higher outcomes virtually across the board when compare to Scouts with lower attendance.

• Scouts are more likely to embrace positive social values than non-Scouts.

• Scouts who are more engaged in the program report higher outcomes in nearly every category.

Cost: Today’s Investment in your Child’s Tomorrow

• Registration - If you are brand new to Scouting, there is a one-time $25 new member application fee.

  • Registration fees are paid directly to Scouting America. If you have any issues paying yearly membership, please reach out to a leader to make alternate arrangements. Mayflower Council will waive the activity fee for any family who needs financial assistance. You can use this form to request the waiver. Pack 31 can assist with any remaining registration fees.

  • Please keep in mind that Pack 31 does not receive any portion of these fees. We are completely fundraiser supported. Without participation in fundraising, we would be forced to have to charge separate Pack 31 dues.

• We believe Scouts should help “earn their own way” to pay for Scouting on their own through our easy fundraisers—well, maybe with a little help from family.

• We NEVER turn away a child because of their family’s inability to pay. Please any leader know if you are aware of a young person who would enjoy Scouting if money were not an issue.

By entering Scouting, your child is joining the largest youth movement in the history of the world—and a lifelong fraternity of men and women known throughout the world as being “Prepared. For Life.”

If you would like any information about upcoming events, Pack 31, or Cub Scouts in general, please contact Mr. Pye via email or text.