Why Cub Scouting?

Cub Scouting is all about encouraging boys and girls to make friends, be helpful to others, and do their very best no matter the outcome. With the help of powerful learning projects and exciting outdoor activities Cub Scouting aims to teach children that doing their best can be a fun and rewarding experience—no matter the difficulty of the challenge. Cub Scouting is the beginning of the Scouting journey whose overall aims are character, citizenship, personal fitness, and leadership.

What Age Youth Participate in Cub Scouts?

The Cub Scout program starts in kindergarten (around 5 years old) and goes to the 5th grade (around 10 years old) at which point youth age into Scouting America.

How often do Cub Scouts meet?

There is weekly meeting.  Once a month the meeting is a Pack meeting which includes all grade levels.  On the weeks there is a not a Pack meeting there are Den meetings which include a smaller number of Scouts of a single grade level.  There are also occasional weekend activities such as hikes or camping trips.

Where and when will the Jamaica Plain Cub Scout Pack meet?

.Meetings will be 6-7pm Mondays at the Curley School.

We are very grateful to the Curley School Parent Council and Principal Radley for their willingness to sponsor the Cub Scout Pack.  We are also thankful for the other organizations that also offered to sponsor the Pack, namely the Boston Teachers Union Pilot School Family Council and St John's Church.  American Legion Post 76 was also exploring sponsorship.

Are Cub Scouts a "drop-off" activity

No, Cub Scouting is a family activity.  A designated adult partner or parent must attend and participate in all meetings and activities.

Will the Cub Scouts go camping?

YES!  As a Pack we will go family style camping at least once a year (and it will be amazing). As with other events, this is for families (not a drop off event). Older dens (e.g. 4th and 5th grades) may go on Den campouts as well, depending on the Den leader

What does it cost for a youth to join Cub Scouts?

Cost per year for a youth is approximately $400.  See Cost Details for more information.

We aspire to not turn away families if cost is a barrier to participation. If this is the case, please reach out to us.

What about a starting a Scouting BSA (formerly Boy Scouts) Troop?

The plan is to starting a gender-inclusive Troop once youth start aging out of Cub Scouts.

Who will run the Cub Scout Pack?

WE ALL WILL!  We are an all volunteer organization, mostly parents of the scouts involved.

Can I volunteer to help?

Yes! We will always be in need of Adult leaders! This is an amazing way to be active with the Cub Scouts, deliver programming, and learn about everything going on in the Pack. Leaders must register with Scouting America, complete CORI certification, and complete Safeguarding Youth training.  The fees to register as an adult leader are about $225 (see Cost Details for more information).

What Volunteer Positions Need to be Filled to Have a Healthy Cub Scout Pack?

The positions that need to be filled are listed below, those without names are at present unfilled.

Pack Committee Chairperson - John Phillips (children attend the Boston Teachers Union Pilot School)

• • The "behind the scenes" CEO of the Cub Scout Pack.  Chairs the monthly Pack Committee Meeting.

Cub Master - Chas Horvath 

• • The Pack Committee memder who runs the monthly Pack meetings.

Charter Organization Representative

• The Pack Committee member who serves as the liason between the Cub Scout Pack and the organization sponsoring the Pack.  No Scouting experience required!  Ideally it is someone who is on the board of the sponsoring organization and has a child or children in the Cub Scout Pack.  We'll seek a vlunteer for this position once we finailize our decision on our sponsor.

Den Leaders

• Den Leaders mentor a group of 6-12 youth of a single grade level.  No scouting experience required!,  curriculum is provided throughout the year for the bi-weekly Den meetings.  Each Den ideally has 2-3 leaders.  We'll seek volunteers to be Den leaders once we see how many youth of each grade level sign up.Pack Committee Member

Pack Committee Members

• Two people, Stephen Normandin (children attend Mendall school) and Adam Paltrineri (child attends the Curley School) have volunteered to be Pack Committee members and each will likely fill one of the next 4 roles.

Training Coordinator

• The Pack Committee Member who asists the adult leadership with training resources and ensures all adult leaders are up to date on their required and optional (online) training.  No Scouting experience required!

New Member Coordinator.

• The Pack Committee member responsible for recruiting as well as the growth and retention of the Pack.  Manages the transition of new Scouts into the pack and coordinates orientation for new Scouting families.

Advancement Chair

• The Pack Committee Member who maintains advancement records for the pack, orders and obtains all badges and insignia.  No Scouting experience required!

Secretary

• The Pack Committee member who keeps records of the pack committee meetings and communicates with families about upcoming pack events and activities.    No Scouting experience required!

Treasurer.

• The Pack Committee memner who keeps all financial records for the pack, including the pack bank account, and gives a monthly financial report to the Pack Committee.    No Scouting experience required!

Are Cub Scouts/Scouting America and Girl Scouts of America the same organization?

No Cub Scouts/Scouting America are not associated with the Girl Scouts of America.  All are excellent, but different, values-based youth development programs.

Are there other Cub Scout Packs in the area??

We really hope you join with us to reestablish a Cub Scouting and build community in Jamaica Plain, but there are other existing options in the area; Pack 1 in West Roxbury (https://www.facebook.com/WestRoxburyCubScoutsPack1/), Pack 3 is West Roxbury (https://www.facebook.com/WestRoxburyCubScoutsPack3/), Pack 6 in Brookline (https://pack6brookline.weebly.com/), and Pack 617 in Chinatown (https://www.cubscouts617.org/).  There is a web site (https://beascout.org) to locate Packs and Troops anywhere in the US, but until we get a sponsoring organization (thereby becoming official) we will not be on the "Be a Scout" website.

Where Can I Learn More About Current Scouting America Programs and Practices?

The council website (Jamaica Plain is within the Spirit of America Scouting Council) at https://www.scoutingboston.org/ is loaded with information on current scouting programs and practices as is the national organization's website https://www.scouting.org/.