Pack 53's
PUBLIC SITE
Home Page
Join Cub Scouts!
FAQs
Policies


 
Cub Scout Pack 53
(Penn Township, Butler, Pennsylvania)
 
ScoutLander Contact Our Pack Member Login
  
 

Frequently Asked Questions


Q: Is it too late for my Child to join this year?

A: No!  Your Child can join Cub Scouts at any time!  Come check us out!  Attend a pack meeting.  We meet the 3rd Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm in the Nixon United Methodist Church basement.

Q: How old does my Child need to be in order to be a Cub Scout?

A:
Lions - Currently attending Kindergarten
Tigers - Grade 1
Wolves - Grade 2
Bears - Grade 3
Webelos - Grade 4
Arrow of Light - Grade 5

These are the names of the dens. The dens meet 1-2 times a month individually. The entire group called a pack meets once a month.

Q: How does participating in Cub Scouts affect participation in other activities?

A:
We are a very busy pack and work hard to complement other activities!  Most of our Kids are involved in numerous other sports/activities including hockey, basketball, soccer, baseball, karate, church groups, and swimming lessons.  Typical time commitment for scouts is 2 den meetings and one pack meeting a month.  Numerous activities are planned so that something will fit into everyone's schedule. 


Q: What will my child learn from being a Cub Scout?

A:

For almost 100 years, Scouting programs have instilled in youth the values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Today, these values are just as relevant in helping youth grow to their full potential as they were in 1910. Scouting helps youth develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives.

The Boy Scouts of America provides youth with programs and activities that allow them to

  • Try new things.
  • Provide service to others.
  • Build self-confidence.
  • Reinforce ethical standards.

While various activities and youth groups teach basic skills and promote teamwork, Scouting goes beyond that and encourages youth to achieve a deeper appreciation for service to others in their community.

Scouting provides youth with a sense that they are important as individuals. It is communicated to them that those in the Scouting family care about what happens to them, regardless of whether a game is won or lost.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Scouting promotes activities that lead to personal responsibility and high self-esteem. As a result, when hard decisions have to be made, peer pressure can be resisted and the right choices can be made. (from http://www.scouting.org)

Q: What are the responsibilities of a parent?  

A:
  • Provide help and support for the den and pack.
  • Work with your son on advancement projects and activities.
  • Attend pack meetings with your child.
  • Attend and assist with den outings.
  • Attend Cub Scout Family campouts and other district/council activities with your child

 

Q: Do Cub Scouts go camping?

A: Yes, they certainly can but they ease into it. They may go camping with a parent, or even with the entire family. Camping is fun and gives them the opportunity to try activities such as BB shooting & archery that are only done at BSA camps.

Q: Does my child have to attend South Butler School District in order to participate in Pack 53?
A: NO! We have Scouts from various elementary schools in the Butler School District as well as many from private schools in the area including Penn Christian. There are no boundary restrictions for joining a particular pack.

Q: What other activities are available to Cub Scouts and their families?

A: Pack 53 is very active, providing a rich environment for boys and their families. Typical annual events include: 

·       Bowling & Laser Tag night
·       Pinewood Derby
·      Tour of firehall
    Tour of police station & municipal building
·       Bowling & Laser Tag night

·       Outdoor movie night

·       Swimming party

·       Fishing
·       Campfires

·       Lernerville Race

·       Scout Sunday

·       Jennings Maple Sugaring

·       Scouting for food
·       Geocaching    
and so much more!

 

Q: How much is it going to cost?

A: The annual Pack 53 fee of $120 covers such items as the National registration fee, Boys' Life Magazine, the pinewood derby kits and awards, and all patches and awards for the year.  Since the Pack 53 charter begins on December 1, new Cub Scouts may pay a prorated fee for the remainder of the year, depending on when they register.

Other costs include uniforms and some activity fees including those for the Day Camp and Resident Camps. Youth members participate in one fund-raising activity's, which helps to cover den supplies, equipment, and other activities.

Q: What kind of time commitment is required?

A: Lion Scouts meet the first Thursday of the month from 6:30 - 7:30 pm as a den. They are then invited to attend the Pack meeting on the third Thursday of the month that starts at 6:30 pm. All other Cub Scout dens meet the first and second Thursday of the month from 6:30 - 8:00 pm as a den and then attend the pack meeting on the third Thursday at 6:30 pm. All meetings are held at Nixon United Methodist Church. There are additional events planned, and we encourage our families to attend as many as their family calendars permit. We over plan so that everyone can make something!!

Q:Where can I buy uniforms, pack and den number patches?


A: The Scout Shop is located at 830 Morton Ave Extension, Butler just off of Rt 356 and Saxonburg-Butler Rd.  More information about the store including hours and directions can be found on their Web site at www.morainetrails.org.

 Moraine Trails Council Service Center & Scout Shop

830 Morton Ave Extension
Butler, PA  16001
(724) 287-6791

 Check Hours of Operation before you leave.

Q: How can I save money on the cost of uniforms?

A: Pack 53 does have a uniform exchange. As kids outgrow their uniforms, change ranks, graduate to Boy Scouts, or drop out, their uniforms may be donated to the Pack. The Pack will then offer these items to other Pack members on an as needed basis. Common items that may be exchanged include caps, shirts, neckerchief slides, and belts. Contact the Cubmaster for more details on the program.