CUB SCOUT A Parent’s Guide to Cub Scouts & Pack 232 PACK 232 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram www.pack232.com 2025 Edition
Welcome to Pack 232! This guide is designed to be a quick reference to answer most of your questions about Cub Scouts and Pack 232. Pack 232 is located in Glenmont, NY and has been chartered by the Selkirk Fire Department for over 67 years. Cub Scouts is a fun program for all elementary aged girls and boys. In Cub Scouts the fun has a purpose: that is, to help reinforce the positive values you want your child to develop – character, leadership, personal fitness, and citizenship. These values are presented in a fun and engaging method. The values that Cub Scouts seek to instill are found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Scout Law Scout Oath A Scout is trustworthy, On my honor I will do my best loyal, helpful, friendly, to do my duty to God and my courteous, kind, country and obey the Scout obedient, cheerful, Law; to keep myself physically thrifty, brave, clean, and strong, mentally awake, and reverent. morally straight.
How Does Scouting Work? In Cub Scouts you and your family join in on the program with your child, and you help them along the way. Cub Scouts have a different handbook at each grade level, with Adventures that are age-appropriate. As your child advances through the program they will earn rank badges and other recognition that they can wear on their uniform. As your child grows in Cub Scouting, your role will change with them, from hands-on involvement to guiding and coaching. The Cub Scouting program takes part on two levels. Your child will be part of a den, a small group of scouts all in the same grade level. Our dens typically meet once a month. All dens, from kindergarten through fifth grade, make up the pack. Once a month the dens come together at the pack meeting. At a pack meeting the scouts play games, work on Adventures, listen to guest presenters, and receive the Adventures and badges that they have earned over the preceding month.
Dens Lion (Kindergarten) & Tiger (1st Grade) Dens Cub Scouts who join in kindergarten or first grade join with an adult partner, usually a parent or guardian. An adult is selected to serve as the den leader and they coordinate the meetings. Each adult partner should take a turn assisting or hosting meetings or activities with the den leader. At den meetings the scouts work on Adventures that are found in their handbooks. Wolf (2nd Grade), Bear (3rd Grade), and Webelos (4th Grade) Dens Scouts at this age are becoming more independent, and activities are designed to meet their developmental needs. Most dens consist of 2-12 scouts, a den leader, an assistant den leader, and often a den chief (an older Scout who helps the den leader). The Arrow of Light Scout Den (5th Grade) The Arrow of Light (AOL) den is focused on preparing the scouts to join Scouts BSA. AOL dens consist of 2-12 scouts, a den leader, an assistant den leader, and often a den chief.
Advancement & Adventures Advancement Cub Scout activities are centered on earning badges that are specific to each school grade level. The badge represents a rank. Advance refers to the progress a scout makes toward their badge of rank. All of the activities for each rank are in the Cub Scout handbooks. The badges of rank are: Lion Tiger Wolf Bear Webelos Arrow of Light Adventures Adventures are based on different topics such as hiking, nature, science, citizenship, first aid, sports, and more. Adventures are earned as a scout advances toward their badge of rank. Once an Adventure is complete the scout receives recognition in the form of an Adventure Loop or Adventure Pin. Lion, Tiger, Wolf and Bear scouts earn Adventure Loops that are designed to be worn on the scout’s belt Webelos and Arrow of Light scouts earn Adventure Pins that are placed on the Adventure Colors
Den & Pack Den Meetings Monthly den meetings are scheduled by each den leader. A typical den meeting will focus on one or more of the Adventures found in the scout handbook. Den meetings may be held on week nights or on the weekends depending on the Adventure that the den is working on. Pack meeting are held monthly during the school year. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month, September through May. Our standard meeting location is Glenmont Elementary School. Meeting are usually held from 6:30PM – 7:30PM. Sometimes our pack meetings will be held at different locations and times. If a meeting does not follow the normal meeting schedule parents will be advised of the change well in advance of the meeting. The monthly den and pack meetings are our baseline schedule. There is also a robust schedule of optional events and activities that each scout and their family can enjoy. The pack also participates in 3-4 summertime events. Many of our scouts choose to attend summer camp at Rotary Scout Reservation. Pack Meeting Location Gle nmont Elementary School 328 Route 9w Glenmont, NY 12077
Other Popular Meeting Locations Pack 232 officially meets at Glenmont Elementary School. However we will often hold meetings or events at the following locations: Lawson Lake County Park 26 Lower Camp Rd Feura Bush, NY 12067 Henry Hudson Town Park Barent Winnie Rd Selkirk, NY 12158 Rotary Scout Reservation 279 Davitt Lake Rd Averill Park, NY 12018
Cub Scout Uniform The Cub Scout uniform differs based on grade level. Pack 232 encourages our scouts to wear the uniform shirt, hat, neckerchief, neckerchief slide, and belt for their grade level. However, the uniform is not required. If your scout refuses to wear the neckerchief and slide, save your money and don’t buy one. You know your child best! The blue or tan uniforms are referred to as “Class A’s”. The blue Pack 232 t-shirt or any other scouting shirt are called “Class B’s”. Lion (Kindergarten): The Lion Cub Scout uniform has the following parts Shirt: Lion t-shirt Belt: navy-blue web belt with metal buckle Cap: navy blue Lion hat Neckerchief: optional Lion neckerchief Neckerchief Slide: optional Lion neckerchief slide
Tiger (1st Grade): The Tiger Cub Scout uniform has the following parts Shirt: blue uniform shirt is available with long or short sleeves and has button-flap pockets Belt: navy-blue web belt with metal buckle Hat: blue hat with orange front and Tiger emblem Neckerchief: orange triangular neckerchief with Tiger logo Neckerchief Slide: gold-tone metal slide with orange Tiger emblem. Scouts may wear homemade neckerchief slides
Wolf (2nd Grade): The Wolf Cub Scout uniform has the following parts Shirt: blue uniform shirt is available with long or short sleeves and has button-flap pockets Belt: navy-blue web belt with metal buckle Hat: blue hat with red front and Wolf emblem Neckerchief: red triangular neckerchief with Wolf logo Neckerchief Slide: gold-tone metal slide with red Wolf emblem. Scouts may wear homemade neckerchief slides.
Bear (3rd Grade): The Bear Cub Scout uniform has the following parts Shirt: blue uniform shirt is available with long or short sleeves and has button-flap pockets Belt: navy-blue web belt with metal buckle Hat: blue hat with blue front and Bear emblem Neckerchief: light blue triangular neckerchief with Bear logo Neckerchief Slide: gold-tone metal slide with light blue Bear emblem. Scouts may wear homemade neckerchief slides
Webelos (4th Grade): The Webelos Cub Scout uniform has the following parts Shirt: blue uniform shirt is available with long or short sleeves and has button-flap pockets Belt: navy-blue web belt with metal buckle Hat: green hat with Webelos plaid front and Webelos emblem Neckerchief: Webelos plaid triangular neckerchief with Webelos logo Neckerchief Slide: gold-tone metal slide with Webelos emblem. Scouts may wear homemade neckerchief slides Adventures Colors: the Adventure Colors are worn on the right sleeve to display the Webelos Adventure Pins that have been earned
Arrow of Light (5th Grade): The Arrow of Light Cub Scout uniform has the following parts Shirt: tan uniform shirt is available with long or short sleeves and has button-flap pockets Belt: green web belt with metal buckle Hat: Arrow of Light Scouts wear the BSA hat Neckerchief: Arrow of Light Scouts wear the BSA neckerchief Neckerchief Slide: Scouts BSA slide with BSA emblem Adventures Colors: the Adventure Colors are worn on the right sleeve to display the Webelos Adventure Pins that have been earned Loops: Cub Scouts blue loops are worn on the shoulders of the shirt
Scouting America, Twin Rivers Council & Fort Orange District Scouting America is the national organization that develops and supports the Cub Scout program. It provides charters to communities to operate a Council. Scouting America establishes the rules and regulations of our program. Councils administer and support the Cub Scout program at a local level. Each council has a volunteer board and a Scout Executive that leads the day to day operation of the council. The council hires staff to provide direct and indirect support to the local scouting program. Each Council is further subdivided into Districts. Districts provide localized support to Packs and Troops within their territory. Districts have a volunteer committee which supports local programs in the areas of membership, finance, and programming. Pack 232 is in the Fort Orange District of the Twin Rivers Council.
How Much Does Scouting Cost? Annual Membership Fee: Each scout must pay an annual membership fee of $142. The fee is paid upon registration and on each subsequent registration anniversary. The annual fee is paid directly to the Scouting America with a portion going to Twin Rivers Council. Scout Life Magazine: Scout Life is an optional monthly magazine for Cub Scouts which features scouting related games, jokes, tips, adventures and projects. Annual subscription fee of $15. Pack Dues: Pack 232 does not charge pack dues. Optional Pack & Council Activities: The cost of optional events vary depending on the activity. When possible pack activities are subsidized by pack fundraising. We make every effort to keep fees low and affordable for all. Optional activities may include the following; camporees, camp outs, pack or den field trips, winter cabin camping, USS Slater overnight, Scout Night sport games, etc. Handbooks: Scout handbooks are Twin Rivers Council Scout Shop required for each rank. Handbooks are 253 Washington Ave Ext available online or at the Twin Rivers Albany, NY 12205 Council Scout Shop. Handbooks range in 518-690-0282 Mon-Fri 9:30am-5:30pm price from $15-$30. Sat 10:00am-2:00pm Uniform: Uniform cost vary by. Please contact the Twin Rivers Council Scout Shop for more details.
How the Pack is Organized Each Cub Scout Pack is charted by a Charter Organization and run by a group of parent volunteers that serve in a variety of roles. Packs are supported by their local District & Council. Pack 232 Organization Charter Organization: Selkirk Fire District #2 (SFD #2) is our Charter Organization. SFD #2 partners with Pack 232 to deliver the Cub Scout Program. SFD #2 has been our charter organization for 67 years! Pack Committee: The Committee is made up of parent volunteers. The pack committee guides the pack and works to support the den leaders, the cubmaster and assistant cubmaster. Our committee member are: Pack Committee Chair: Josh McWilliam Pack Treasurer: Bob Baldwin Pack Secretary: Dan O’Brien Program Chair: Sharon Heckathorne Advancement Chair: Jen Wind Fundraising Chair: Vacant New Member Coordinator: Vacant Popcorn Kernels: Vacant Cubmaster: Mike McGuire is our Cubmaster. Mike is responsible for organizing and developing pack programming and he serves as the master of ceremonies at pack meetings. Mike also provides support and guidance to our dens.
Assistant Cubmaster: Richard Crumb is our Assistant Cubmaster. Richard works with Mike to support pack programming. Den Leaders: Our Den Leaders are parent volunteers that oversee the operations of each den. They carry out activities related to each adventure and work with the scouts to advance them through the ranks of Cub Scouts. Our den leaders are: Lions – TBD Tigers – Courtney Baldwin & Kristianna McWilliam Wolves – Mike McGuire Bears – Mike McGuire Webelos – Chris Heckathorne Arrow of Light – Benjamin Friedman
How can you help? The best way you can help your child in scouting is to work with them on their Adventures. The Scout handbook is filled with age-appropriate actives, many can be done at home. Den meetings tend to focus on those Adventures required to achieve their badge of rank. Parents are encouraged to work on elective badges with their child at home. Make sure to let you den leader know when you complete an Adventure at home. Pack 232 relies on volunteers to run the Cub Scout program. We can always use more volunteers. Here are some ways you could volunteer: Become a Den Leader or as an Assistant Den Leader Volunteer to serve as the Cubmaster or as an Assistant Cubmaster Help the Pack Committee and step into a vacant committee position or assist a current committee member Plan and lead a Pack or Den outing Assist with fundraising efforts Attend Twin Rivers Council training and share what you learned with the Pack
Fundraising Pack 232 does not charge annual dues. The annual membership fee you pay goes to fund Scouting America & Twin Rivers Council. Instead of charging dues, Pack 232 raises funds through our annual popcorn sale. Families are expected to help sell popcorn each year. Alternatively, if a family wishes not to participate in the fundraiser they can make a cash donation. The Pack organizes “Storefront Sales” at nearby stores (i.e. Lowes, Stewarts, Wal-Mart, etc.). Scouts can volunteer for a 2 hour shift and sell popcorn to customers entering or exiting the store. Covering two shifts will usually allow the scout to meet the minimum sales requirement. New Members Lion scouts and those scouts who joined the pack in June 2025 or later are not required to participate. However, we do encourage you to participate and help support the pack. Existing Members Families with one scout are asked to sell $300 of popcorn. Families with more than one scout are asked to sell $450 of popcorn. Families that don’t want to participate in the fundraiser will be asked to make a donation to the pack. Families with one scout are asked to donate $100. Families with more than one scout are asked to donate $150.
Scout Accounts, Subsidies, and Scholarships Pack 232 is committed to making Scouting affordable for all families. To help reduce the financial burden of activities, the Pack maintains individual Scout Accounts for each youth member. Scouts who go above and beyond in fundraising may receive funds in their accounts as a reward for their efforts. These funds may be spent for Pack 232 scouting activities or District/Council scouting activities like summer camp. Inquiries about the balance of your scout’s account can be directed to teasurer@pack232.com. For families facing financial hardship, limited scholarships from the Pack are available upon request and review as funds allow. “Campership” scholarships are also typically available from the Twin Rivers Council. For more information on these opportunities, please email scholarships@pack232.com.
Safeguarding Youth Training Child abuse is a serious problem in our society, and unfortunately, it can occur anywhere, even in Scouting. Youth safety is of paramount importance to Scouting. For that reason, Scouting America continues to create barriers to abuse beyond what have previously existed in Scouting. Scouting America places the greatest importance on providing the most secure environment possible for its youth members. To maintain such an environment, numerous procedural and leadership selection policies have been developed and provide parents and leaders with multiple online and print resources for all Scouting programs. All leaders are required to complete an annual Safeguarding Youth Training. All parents are encouraged to take the training. To complete the training online, go to my.Scouting.org and establish an account using the member number you receive when you register for membership.
Original PDF: Pack 232 2025-2026 Parent Guide.pdf