Pack 296 FAQs and Parent Info

Pack 296 welcomes all genders and orientations! Cub Scouts and the Scouts BSA program (formerly called "Boy Scouts") 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 is a separate organization from "Girl Scouts", who do not accept boys at this time.

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 hope is that all families can experience this by volunteering either at the den level or the pack level. This can mean helping organize or lead a specific den meeting or pack event, or serving in a named role such as den leader.

For more information or to learn more about volunteering, please see Volunteer to Help, 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 2023-24 year, we anticipate Pack 296 to have one den at each grade level. Lions (Kindergarten), Tigers (1st grade), Wolves (2nd grade), Bears (3rd grade), first-year Webelos (4th grade), and second-year Webelos /  "Arrow of Light" (5th grade). This means that Scouts are with their classmates or friends in their same grade. 

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.