PACK 296 FAQS

Pack 296 welcomes all genders and orientations! Cub Scouts and the Scouting America program (formerly called "Boy Scouts of America") have been fully gender-inclusive since 2019. The program is equivalent for all Scouts. While some Cub Scout packs separate different genders into different dens, Pack 296 in particular is a "family den" pack, meaning that dens are mixed gender. 

Please note that Cub Scouts and Scouting America is a separate organization from "Girl Scouts", who do not accept boys at this time.

Lions and Tigers (Grades K-1) – Drop-off is not allowed

For Lions (Kindergarten) and Tigers (1st Grade), a parent or caring adult partner is required to attend all meetings and activities with the Scout. These meetings are designed as a shared experience between the Scout and their adult partner. During both den and pack meetings, each child should have an adult present to help supervise and actively participate in any activities where the Scout may need help.

Wolves through AOL (Grades 2-5) – Drop-off expected at most meetings. Drop-off not allowed at most weekend events.

As Scouts advance to Wolves (2nd Grade), Bears (3rd Grade), Webelos (4th Grade), and Arrow of Light (5th Grade), Scouts are expected to have developed appropriate "classroom etiquette", and the role of "Akela" (the Scout leader) is more important. In many instances, the presence of parents can be more of a distraction than a benefit. For these Scouts, pack and den meetings are most typically a drop-off activity, with the den leader and assistant den leader running den meetings, and all den leaders plus Cubmasters running the pack meeting. 

Parents are welcome to attend den and pack meetings only if they plan to actively participate in the activities, and if they coordinate with the den leader(s) in advance. Parents who attend will be given a specific role to play by the den leader to assist in the meeting. This ensures that their presence contributes positively to the experience for all Scouts, and doesn't become a distraction. If you would prefer to attend most or all meetings, we ask that you register as a leader so you can be included in the planning process. 

There will be specific pack and den meetings that we ask adults to attend. These include:

• Blue and Gold Potluck (typically February or March pack meeting) – This is a celebration of the anniversary of Scouting, and all families are invited to attend and enjoy

• Crossing Over (May pack meeting) – This is the final pack meeting of the year where we celebrate the accomplishments of all Scouts, as well as say goodbye to 5th grade Scouts who will be joining a Troop in the summer.

• “Challenging” Den Meetings (e.g., Knife safety) – Dens of Bear, Webelos, and AOL Scouts each have an elective adventure involving learning how to use pocketknives safely. This is the type of meeting your den leader will let you know that your attendance is needed.

Weekend events are rarely a drop-off activity, unless you coordinate directly with another adult who is attending and can be responsible for your Scout. This is because many weekend events like hikes tend to have less structure compared to pack and den meetings, and are focused more on shared fun instead of working on Scout adventures. 

For everyone: Courteous Behavior and the Scout Sign

All participants, including parents, are expected to demonstrate courteous behavior during meetings. This includes refraining from speaking while a leader or guest is talking. The Scout Sign, when raised, applies to everyone in the room, signaling that all conversations should immediately cease. During pack or den meetings, if an adult would like to have a side conversation, they should leave the room or area as to not be a distraction. This is especially important at JMCC where sound travels very easily. 

Special Situations

Parents of children who may need extra help (e.g., neurodivergent, disabled, ESL, etc.) are encouraged to discuss with the den leaders and pack leaders to make a plan to best support their Scout.

Drop-off and Two-deep Leadership

Please note that all Scout meetings and events require two registered leaders to be present. This policy helps keep all of our Scouts safe and ensures that there is no one-on-one contact between a Scout and a non-family adult. All registered leaders undergo background checks and take special training on youth protection which must be repeated annually. 

The 2024-25 annual cost is $375 for one Scout, and $360 for each additional Scout. This includes a $175 fee paid to cover National and Council dues, and a $200 fee for pack expenses. This cost covers all meetings and events, including pack and den meetings, pack campouts, Pinewood derby, ice skating, and more! If you registered online this year, you will pay National and Council dues when you register. The remaining cost at that point is $200 per new Scout. Please pay dues by September of each year. 

Financial aid is available. We do not want any family that wants to participate in the program be restricted based on financial challenges. Please reach out to our treasurer Erin Biegel at treasurer@pack296cubs.org to apply.

Best way to pay is via Venmo @pack296cubs (last 4 digits 0793). Please pay as a "Gift" so we do not get charged fees. For other ways to pay please see our Pack 296 Information Packet. 

We have two primary ways we send out information: email and WhatsApp, in addition to our website and calendar for passive updates. 

When you join, we will place you on a Google Group email mailing list for your child's den. Those mailing lists also get pack-wide emails. We use email to let you know about upcoming events like campouts, volunteering, and the Pinewood Derby. Den leaders use these mailing lists to send information about upcoming den meetings. We often send reminder emails about upcoming meetings, but not always. 

We also have a pack-wide WhatsApp group where we send out meeting and event reminders. To get added, ask any existing family or Scout leader to add you. Some dens and events also set up separate WhatsApp groups for coordination for their den or for that particular event. 

Finally, our pack website and calendar is updated regularly. Be sure to subscribe to the pack calendar by clicking on this calendar link and then the plus icon. Pack Google calendar

All positions at the pack level are led by volunteers: Parents and guardians just like you, who are taking time to put together an engaging program for their children and their community. Volunteering allows us to connect with our children in a fun way that we wouldn't otherwise experience, during a time in their lives which is unfortunately fleeting. Our expectation is that all families can experience this by helping at least once each year at the den level and at the pack level. For more information or to learn more about helping, please see Helping the pack, or reach out to cubmaster@pack296cubs.org  

Yes! We have many Scouts that participate in both sports as well as Cub Scouts. Scouting is a year-round program with an emphasis on the school year months. If your team practice conflicts with pack meetings during a specific sports season, many parents choose to alternate Cub Scouts and sports practices during that season and then attending Cub Scouts more fully later in the year. If you have to miss a pack meeting, den meeting, or event due to a conflict (sports or otherwise), that is ok!

Yes. Scouts are asked to attend all pack and den meetings they are able. However, if you have to miss a pack meeting, den meeting, or event due to a conflict that is ok! Most Scout requirements can be completed at home with an adult's signature. The den leader will provide information on how to make up any missing requirements.

Dens are first organized by grade level. Friends or siblings who are not in the same grade cannot be placed in the same den, as the rank requirements and program are designed based on specific ages. All Scouts participate in pack meetings and most events, so friends and siblings in different grades can participate together. 

For the 2024-25 year, Pack 296 has two kindergarten dens (Lions), and one den for each grade 1-5 (Tigers through AOL). 

The ideal den size is 6-8 Scouts. If a given rank / grade level requires multiple dens, we will next organize dens to group Scouts who go to the same school. 

Finally, we will take into consideration cases where Scouts prefer to stay with friends who may not be at their same school, and can move Scouts into different dens. Reach out to the Cubmaster or your den leader to request a switch. 

At this time our dens are mixed-gender ("family dens"). The Cub Scouts program is equivalent for and welcoming to all genders. 

We welcome Scouts to join year-round. The "Scout year" matches the school year with many Scouts joining in August and September, but we accept Scouts to join us at any time. Scouts that join mid-year can still participate in all activities like pack campouts and Pinewood Derby, in addition to summer camp. 

If you join after September you may miss some of the Scout adventures that your den will have already completed. In that instance, you can complete those independently with your Scout in order to catch up and still help them earn their badge of rank by the May crossover meeting. Reach out to your den leader for details on what you may have missed. Scouts that join very late in the Scout year (e.g. in spring) can still attend meetings and enjoy the weekend events, though may find it more difficult to complete all the missed adventures.

No, participation in religious activities or adherence to a specific belief in God is not required. We do recite the Pledge of Allegiance (including the phrase "under God"), the Scout Oath (which mentions "duty to God"), and the Scout Law (which includes "A Scout is reverent") at each meeting as part of Scouting tradition. Scouts are also required to complete an adventure that explores themes of family, faith, and inclusivity. However, this is not done during pack or den meetings. Instead, we leave it to each family to work through these requirements at home in a way that reflects their own beliefs, values, and traditions.

Our pack welcomes families from a variety of religious backgrounds, including families who may not follow a particular religious or faith tradition. We respect all perspectives and take an inclusive approach to terms like "reverence" and "faith," allowing them to be interpreted broadly—whether that means appreciation for the natural world or commitment to community and kindness.