Cub Scout FAQs

FAQs

What is a Cub Scout?

The Cub Scouting program provides youth a foundation they can stand on to embrace opportunity, overcome obstacles and make new discoveries. But what makes Cub Scouting truly unique is the opportunity it gives the entire family to be involved in each child’s development.

The Cub Scout program is designed to involve your child in a group of children the same age where they can have fun, make friends and see new things, while gaining a sense of personal achievement from the new skills learned.

The values we seek to instill are found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Is Cub Scouts family friendly?

Yes. Pack 406 is an inclusive family scouting program for boys & girls in K-5th grades. Scouting includes everyone, and we encourage families to be active in our program together.

What is a "family pack"?

A family pack is one that serves both girls and boys. Dens serve girls and boys who are in grades K-5th.

How is Cub Scouts different from Scouts of America/Scouts BSA?

Cub Scouts is for kids who are in grades K-5th (typically age 5-10), while Scouts BSA is for youth who are in sixth grade or higher (typically age 11-18).

Additionally, Cub Scout Packs are led and run through parent involvement, whereas BSA Troops are led by the Scouts with adult leader support.

Can my older child join Cub Scouts?

Cub Scouting is for kids who are 5 to 10 years of age. Children who are older than 10 or who have completed the fifth grade can no longer join Cub Scouting, but they may be eligible to join the Scouts BSA, Exploring, Sea Scouts, or Venturing programs depending on their age and interests.

What are the Safety/Youth Protection regulations in place?

The Scouts of America (Scouts BSA) takes great pride in the quality of our adult leadership. Being a leader in the Scouts BSA is a privilege, not a right. The quality of the program and the safety of our youth members call for high-quality adult leaders.

The Scouts BSA has a multilayered adult leader selection process that includes criminal background checks administered by a nationally recognized third party and other screening efforts. Click here for information on the selection process.

In addition to completing extensive background checks, leaders are required to complete training related to their positions.

Attendance & Events

What is the time commitment? Can I fit Cub Scouts in with sports or other activities?

To complete adventures and earn Cub Scout ranks, Scouts participate in 1-2 den meetings per month, approximately 1 pack meeting per month, and are encouraged to complete at least one hike and one camping trip per year. We offer many other opportunities throughout the year that Scouts can choose to participate in.

Most of our Scouts are involved in other activities, including sports. While each Scout's schedule is different, YES, Scouts can and are encouraged to be members of multiple extracurricular activities.

Do parents attend all events?

In our pack, cub scouts is not a drop off activity, a parent/guardian must be present for all activities their scout participates in.

Do I need to participate in every event on the calendar?

No! While the events outlined in the previous question are needed to complete your advancement, the other events are optional. You choose your additional adventures!

Are any events and activities required?

Each rank has different requirements, but they all follow the general guidelines of 6 required + 2 elective adventures. There is always room for flexibility and some home study if needed, as we know everyone has busy schedules.

K through 5 is a large age range - Are the events appropriate for the different ages of the scouts?

All Pack events are planned to be appropriate for all these age ranges. Additional activities for dens (age-specific groups) are used to ensure all scouts are participating in age-appropriate activities.

Costs & Uniforms

What are the associated costs to be in Cub Scouts?

Youth - Yearly

A. - National Fee - $85*
Council Insurance - $1*
Scout Life Magazine (optional) - $15

paid online at time of initial application, then yearly to the pack treasurer.

B. - Pack Dues - $95*

used to purchase awards, den supplies, pack T-shirts, Adventure belt loops, Rank advancement badges, derby kits, awards etc.
dues may increase slightly each year.

C. -Uniform (Costs vary, before you buy check with the Pack Closet Coordinator directly by email or on discord )

D. Optional Events* (Costs Vary*) - Smilin' V Scout Ranch events, Council Activities and camping overnighters such as:

*Can be reduced based on fundraising goals

Do I have to buy a uniform?

Yes, Pack 406 uniforms are from the waist up.

Uniform shirt
Uniform rank cap
Rank neckerchief
Rank neckerchief slide
Uniform belt & buckle

No need for official scout pants, short, skort, or socks. BUT, we do strongly encourage the whatever pants/shorts/skort they chose to wear that they do have belt loops as they will want to wear their uniform belts and adventure loops they earn with Pride!!!

Check out this helpful one page summary of pack expectation and cost of the uniform and handbook.

Pack Closet

The closet accepts donated uniform pieces from pack members and the community all year long and then can provide needed items to others at no cost.

Before you buy check the Pack Closet.

The closet is set up at most of the pack meetings. Feel free to contact the Pack Closet Coordinator directly by email or on discord.

Is there any fundraising to offset costs? Are there any fundraising commitments?

Yes! Scouts can sell popcorn to pay for the entire year of the Scouting program. That means you could pay nothing for the programing; uniform and optional items from the scout store are not included. However we have a pack closet that can reduce your cost of purchasing uniform items.

Are there community service opportunities?

Yes, community service opportunities are scheduled throughout the year.

Other

Do Scouts go to overnight camp?

Yes, Cub Scouts are provided opportunities to camp overnight with their pack. This can be both local camping trips, as well as weekend or longer durations with their families and Pack. Parent or guardian attendance is required for all overnight Cub Scout camping.

Do I need a tent?

NO! Pack 406 has tents that could be used for camping. Please contact outdoor@pack406.org or call/text 512-820-2857.

What if my family has never gone camping before?

Cub Scouts is about new adventures and learning. If your family has never camped before, our Pack's camping trips can be a great place to have your first experience. Our leadership team is always happy to help answer questions to make sure you are prepared and comfortable with participating.

How much hiking is involved?

As much as you want! We try to schedule about one hike per month, and you can attend as many as you like.

Each hike varies in difficulty, so you and your Scout can decide which hikes are right for you.

How do Scouts get the additional patches, belt loops, and other awards on their uniform?

Recognition is provided in numerous ways throughout the Cub Scout curriculum.

Additional patches can be earned by completing rank adventures for the Scout's Den level, participating in campouts and other elective events, or working towards optional awards. Belt loops (for Lion through Bear ranks) and shoulder pins (for Webelos & AOLs) are earned through completing required and elective advancements in the Scouting curriculum.

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