updated April 7, 2004
Each Pack Committee member plans and runs a specific Pack function. First and foremost, they are responsible for making each event fun and enriching for the scouts and their families too! They are also responsible for getting the word out to den leaders and the whole Pack via email, our web site and announcements at Pack meetings and leaders meetings. They are deputized to recruit more volunteers to help them! Pack committee members are welcomed to attend the monthly leaders’ meetings. The Pack Committee meets in May to plan the schedule for the following year. Additional meetings may be held depending on specific issues that need to be addressed. Following is a description of Pack Committee positions:
The official responsibility of this position is to recruit Pack Committee members. Recruiting for the next year usually occurs in April before the planning meeting in May. Key positions should have an individual “in training” who will assume responsibility for that function the following year. If a position is left unfilled, the Pack Committee Chair assumes the responsibility for that function (a great incentive to fill all the positions!). The Pack Committee Chair also works with the Cubmaster and other pack leaders to set the annual calendar of events and either books reservations for event locations or makes sure that the event chairpersons make reservations as early in the year as possible. If a meeting is required to resolve specific Pack issue(s) or make a decision regarding Pack policies, the Pack Committee Chair will call a committee meeting. Finally, the Pack Committee Chair serves as a contact point for the District scouting office and is the individual to whom the popcorn sale proceeds for the Pack are mailed.
The Cubmaster leads Pack events. Duties to include: complete the Cubmaster Fast Start and Cub Scout Leader Basic Training; Attend monthly roundtables; Plan and conduct monthly pack meetings; Supervise den chiefs and see that they are trained; Work with neighborhood troops that supply den chiefs and into which Cub Scouts will graduate; Inform pack leaders of training opportunities and arrange for them to attend the sessions, 6) develop and promote an ongoing plan for recruiting new boys, 8) assist in activities such as dinners, pinewood derby, bike safety, service projects, and space derby, 9) see that dens are never without a leader. Be ready to substitute for a den leader, 10) recruit den leaders and assistants, 11) be sure that den leaders understand the pack budget plan, 12) serve as communications link between Cubmaster and den leaders, 13) keep Cubmaster informed on the successes and needs of den leaders, 14) participate in the annual planning meeting and the monthly pack leader’s meetings and finally, Support the policies of the Boy Scouts of America.
The Pack may have one to four Assistant Cubmasters whose duties are to assist cubmaster as needed, for example, organize color guard for opening and closing ceremonies at Pack meetings, organize volunteers for uniform inspections, organize judges for bake sale and pinewood derby contests, lead scout activities at campouts or picnics, assist in award presentations at the Blue & Gold and Pack meetings. Provide input and ideas into planning Pack events. Assistant Cubmasters must complete Youth Protection Training (online) and Basic Leader Training.
Duties to include: keep informed of all Cub Scout program literature, materials, records, and forms so as to help leaders function effectively. Help new Cub Scout and Webelos den leaders by telling them what items are available, acquaint leaders with the contents of the Pack Record Book so that they will know how to supply the information that is to be recorded there. Maintain the inventory of pack property. Also handle correspondence for the pack. This may be writing letters of appreciation, writing for reservations, or sending orders for supplies to the council service center. Keep notes on pack leader and committee meetings. Only key items need to be recorded such as things needing follow-up or items for the history of the pack. Notify leaders of monthly pack leaders’ meeting and other activities. Record advancement in Pack Record Book. Provide den leaders with records and forms for meetings. Work with the person on the pack committee who is responsible for outings to see that pack and dens qualify for National Summertime Pack Award. Participate in the annual planning meeting and the monthly pack leader’s meeting. Promote the religious emblems program for Cub Scouts of all faiths and finally support the policies of the Boy Scouts of America.
Plan and carry out a year-round program of activities for your Webelos den to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouts. Complete Webelos Leader Fast Start and Cub Scout Leader Basic Training, and the Webelos Leader Outdoor training. Attend monthly roundtables. Lead the Webelos den in its participation at the monthly pack meetings.
Have a plan for recruiting new boys. Train the Webelos den chief, guide him in working with the Webelos Scouts, and attend the den chief conference with him. Use Boy’s Life and Scouting magazines and Cub Scout and Webelos Scout Program Helps as sources of ideas and information. Collect dies and turn them in to the pack secretary/treasurer.
Encourage boys to advance. Maintain accurate records, and see that Webelos Scouts are appropriately recognized for their achievement. Instill Scouting’s spirit and moral values through personal example, ceremonies, and meaningful activities such as goodwill and conservation projects. Work with the pack committee to establish good relationships with neighborhood Boy Scout troops. Try to graduate every Webelos Scout into a troop. Work with the Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmaster of a neighboring Boy Scout troop to plan and conduct meaningful joint activities. Ask qualified persons, including adult family members of Webelos Scouts, to serve as activity badge counselors. Encourage dads and other male relatives of Webelos Scouts to help plan and carry out Webelos overnighters and other outdoor activities. Help the den earn the National Summertime Award. Follow the policies of the Boy Scouts of America. Have a plan to ensure that a leader is available for all meetings and activities. Participate in the annual planning meeting and the monthly pack leaders’ meetings.
Give leadership to carrying out the Pack program in the den. Complete Den Leader Fast Start (online), Cub Scout Leader Basic Training and Youth Protection Training (online). Attend monthly leader meetings. Lead the den in its participation at the monthly pack meeting. Work in harmony with the other den and pack leaders. Help train the den chief and guide him to work with the Cub Scouts. Use Boy’s Life and Scouting magazines, Program Helps, and other Cub Scouts literature as sources for ideas. Collect dues and turn them in to the pack secretary/treasurer. Encourage boys to earn advancement awards, keep accurate advancement records and see that they receive recognition for their achievements. Help the den earn the National Summertime Award. Utilize the talent of all of the den parents. Involve the dads in outings and other activities of the den to reinforce positive male role models. See that a leader is available for all meetings and activities. Take part in the annual planning meetings and the monthly pack leader’s meetings. Support the policies of the Boy Scouts of America.
This position involves recruiting new cubs in August. Prepare a flyer inviting parents to attend a Cub Scout orientation session. Coordinate with the cubmaster for the date of the orientation. Distribute the flyer to 1st grade boys via the 1st grade teachers. Other grades may also be targeted if one or more dens wants to add members. At the back-to-school nights for Highland Park setup a table with scouting information and application forms. The individual needs to sit at the table for approximately 2 hours in the evening and field questions about the Pack and invite parents to attend the orientation.
This position involves coordinating a time and location with the Cubmaster for this annual event. It is held at the monthly Pack Meeting in October. The individual responsible for this position determines the judging categories for the baked goods several weeks in advance and notifies the leaders either by fliers or via a posting on the web site so the cubs have enough time to prepare their entries. This position requires some planning regarding the number of tables that will be set up to display the baked goods for judging. Selecting judges for the competition is also a requirement of this position. In the past many parents have been willing to step in to help with the judging or older scouts from local troops have also been recruited to help. The individual in charge should plan how the competition will be grouped and tell the person in charge of obtaining the awards (ribbons) from the scout store how many ribbons of what type will be needed. Generally there are four or five categories (Most Scout Like, Most Patriotic, Most Creative, Most Festive, etc.) and the cubs compete within their age groups, i.e., Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos I and Webelos II. If there are not enough cubs competing within one group several may be combined. The individual in this position also sets prices for the types of baked goods and assumes responsibility for collecting the money. Should they desire, the cubs traditionally have the option of “buying back” their own baked goods before anyone else has an opportunity to purchase them. This is a fundraiser for the Pack as well as a fun event for the boys. The Pack leadership has generally combined the annual uniform inspection with this event to keep the cubs busy while the baked goods are being judged.
The fall campout is generally held in November. Try to avoid overlapping with Webelos Woods. The Spring campout is held in April. Determine a location and secure a reservation as far in advance as possible. The Boy Scouts of America have specific requirements that must be met for the cubs to go camping; chief among these is the requirement for adequate rest rooms. Pack 59 is large and we generally have 70-100 people camping, which means we need a location that can handle a large event. The family camping area at Lost Pines or the group camping area at Pedernales Falls are tried and true favorites but we have had to rent additional Port-a-potties for Pedernales Falls and the rest room facilities at Lost Pines have been poor. We have discovered several other sites within easy driving distance with wonderful facilities that meet scouting requirements, but all are popular and need to be reserved well in advance if the Pack wants to use them. The individual in charge of the campout is responsible for proposing the site to the Cubmaster and leaders, finding out how much it costs, and making sure that it is suitable. The campouts are traditionally over a Saturday night with Friday night camping available to those who would like to spend an additional night. The Pack has an opening flag ceremony around noon on Saturday with organized activities in the afternoon. The person in charge of the campout is responsible for organizing and directing this activity, which could include but is not limited to field games, scavenger hunts, hikes, etc. There is an evening flag ceremony to retire the colors and a bonfire in the evening with den leaders responsible for their dens performing skits or songs. Sunday morning there is a flag ceremony and an optional non-denominational worship service, den activities and the final flag ceremony around noon. It is important that the person in charge of this event provides the Pack with explicit directions to the campsite. If there is inclement weather requiring the postponement or cancellation of the campout it is up to the person in charge to help notify the leaders. Because so many people join scouting for the camping opportunities it is particularly important that this job is done well.
The annual popcorn sale is the biggest fundraising event of the year for Boy Scouts and provides a substantial portion of the Pack’s budget. The boys begin taking orders in late October and the popcorn is delivered in November. This job requires coordinating the distribution of sales material to each den leader, collecting and verifying the orders by den, and then organizing and distributing the popcorn once it arrives. It also involves cooperating with the district leadership. Ideally, you should have a large garage or room in which to store the popcorn once the district delivers it. Because of the timing and logistics, you will also distributes the kits for whatever derby will be held that year to the den leaders when the popcorn is distributed. The Longhorn District provides detailed instructions each year that are clear and easy to follow.
Only one of these races is held each year. Each event involves the Cub Scout making either a car, sail boat or rocket from a kit that is provided by the Pack. These events are held in January with the preliminary races held on the Saturday morning before the monthly Pack meeting. The final races and judging of the decorative categories occur at the monthly Pack meeting the following Tuesday night. The individual in charge of this event will provide the rules and announce the decorative categories before the kits are distributed to the scouts. The scouts who win in the preliminary races do not compete in the decorative categories because the final races are held during the Pack Meeting and the judging for the decorative categories takes place at that time. Like the bake sale, scouts will compete against their own levels within both the decorative categories and for speed. Ultimately the fastest car/boat/rocket will be determined for the entire Pack. The “courses” for these races are stored in the Pack’s shed on the Highland Park elementary school campus. Whoever is in charge is responsible for making sure that these courses are in working condition, that the ribbons and awards are provided, and that there are judges available to help with both the speed and decorative categories. There are a tremendous number of websites dedicated to these races and I recommend them to anyone who wishes to learn more. The kits should be bought and delivered to the Popcorn Kernel so they can be distributed to den leaders when they pick up their popcorn.
The Fall Service Project is usually held in November and the Spring Service Project is generally scheduled for March. Either or both of these projects can be led by a Webelos II den as part of their advancement requirements. Selection of a project should fall within the following guidelines. Try to find a project that will benefit either our charter organization, Highland Park Elementary, or a local site or organization. It should be a project that will enable all of the scouts to participate, i.e., one that takes advantage of a wide range of ages, skills, and attention spans. It should last between 2-3 hours and it is best if rest room facilities are available. Picking up trash, weeding flower beds, working at the food bank and Brown Santa are examples of past projects. If trash or weeds are collected the leader should anticipate disposal or recycling requirements. Snacks and water have occasionally been provided by the leader or can be designated a den responsibility. A competition for picking up the largest trash or the most unusual may also add incentive for the scouts to do their best. Again, once a project is chosen it is up to the Service Project leader to inform the den leaders about the project, appropriate clothing for the scouts, time, place, etc.
This ceremony is held in February to honor the scouts’ rank advancements and whatever awards have not yet been recognized that year. This event is particularly important for the Webelos II because the “cross over” ceremony occurs at this time recognizing the cubs who are moving out of the Pack and joining a Boy Scout Troop. This event has grown from cake and juice to a full dinner, generally barbeque from Pok-e-joe’s with several large sheet cakes from local grocery stores, prior to the actually ceremony itself. The individual in charge is responsible for securing a location for the ceremony and coordinating with the caterer and den leaders. The ceremony has been held at the Murchison Middle School cafeteria for the past few years. The facility recently began charging a use fee to scouts in addition to janitorial services for the clean up. Each year the event has become more refined in terms of advance ticket sales, etc., as we have learned from mistakes and successes. Extra napkins, paper plates, etc. from previous ceremonies are stored in the Pack’s shed at Highland Park.
The Fall Picnic is held in August and the Spring Picnic is held in May. The “picnic” part of this event had been handled individually by den, but recently we have budgeted for food. Some dens choose to enjoy a potluck picnic; others simply bring snacks and drinks. Traditionally we have held the picnic at Camp Mabry on a Sunday afternoon, around the third weekend in May, from 3:00-5:00, hopefully avoiding a conflict with Mother’s Day. Camp Mabry is an extremely popular site and I generally reserve the site as far in advance as possible. Sgt. Ann Casson maintains the reservation book at Mabry but she does not expect Mabry to open to the general public again for quite a while. In selecting a site it is best to find one that has tables, an open field area, some sort of shelter, and rest rooms. We have also used the Zilker Park Polo Picnic Tables area, which has everything but a shelter. In addition to booking a location, the leader in charge of this event is responsible for scheduling and organizing the games. The Internet is a great source for ideas for field games. Relay races, sack races, volleyball, softball, horseshoes and the water balloon toss are past favorites. Some leaders have provided prizes for games; the decision to do so or not is up to the person in charge.
To keep the boys involved with scouting year round a summertime activity is generally planned in July. This activity has traditionally involved cubs from the Pack marching in the July Fourth parade near Highland Park. We have also attempted to have a Pack gathering prior to the start of school in August to let the boys play at a park and to have the adults meet and sign up to volunteer for various positions! This activity basically consists of coordinating communication, identifying a meeting spot and potentially reserving an area in a park for the August meeting.
This position involves getting the correct forms for Pack members to apply to go to the Longhorn Day Camp at Emma Long Park and the overnight camp held at Camp Tom Wooten. Because both of these camps also require adult volunteers accompanying the scouts, this coordinator will also be scheduling volunteer coverage for the camps and working with the district representatives. This activity spans the months of April through June and completion depends on when the boys will attend camp.
1. The Recycling Chair schedules the various dens to take their turn with the recycling at Highland Park Elementary School. The Chair should also keep the den leaders informed about any changes in recycling rules and policies and procedures. An important aspect of this job is that the Chair should provide a list of the graduating fifth graders who participated in the recycling each year to the fifth grade teachers because they will receive an award for this service at graduation.
2. Schedules the various dens to take their turn with the raising and lowering the Flags at Highland Park Elementary School. The Chair should send a reminder a week in advance The Chair should also keep the den leaders informed about any changes in procedures.
The leader who takes on this position is required to go to the Scout store (290W and 183) to pick up the pins, patches, and miscellaneous items that are to be awarded each month at the Pack meetings. This involves checking with each den leader in advance to determine what is required. The Pack maintains an account at the store so the leader should not need to purchase the goods and then be reimbursed.
The biggest part of the job for the Treasurer involves collecting the annual dues for each scout from the den leaders and depositing them in the fall. The Treasurer keeps the checking account balanced and makes sure that there is money in the account kept for the Pack at the Scout store. The Treasurer is also responsible for issuing checks to pay for Pack expenses. Other more detailed duties to include: Help the pack committee and Cubmaster in establishing a sound financial program for the pack with a pack budget plan. Open a bank account in the name of the pack and arrange for all transactions to be signed by two: Cubmaster/Chair, and/or the secretary/treasurer. Approve budget expenditures. Collect dues from den and Webelos leaders at the beginning of the school year. Keep up-to-date records. Enter all income and expenditures under the proper budget item in current accounting software. Be responsible for thrift training within the pack. Encourage each den leader to explain the pack financial plan to each boy and his parents. Make periodic reports on the pack’s financial condition. Provide petty cash needed by leaders. Keep a record of expenditures. Guide pack in conducting council-approved pack money-earning projects.
1. Organize participation in the annual Report to State Parade. This is an excellent opportunity for our young scouts to see the large scope of scouting as they interact with other scouts from all over Central Texas. Inform the Pack about what Report to State is (the anniversary of scouting…). The parade is down Congress Avenue to the grounds of the Capitol. Packs and Troops typically decorate a trailer or truck or other interesting vehicles to ride in or march behind. Greg Carroll arranged the Duck Adventures duckmobile in 2003. A trip to a nearby lunch spot usually follows. Donuts and orange juice usually help attendance too.
2. Scout Sunday is typically the Sunday after Report to State and Scout Sabbath is the following Saturday. Encourage all scouts to wear their uniforms to their own worship service. Encourage the parents to enquire at their place of worship if scouts can be ushers, hand out bulletins, etc. and if the scouts can be acknowledged during the service or in the bulletin. At our charter organization, Covenant Presbyterian, all scouts are invited to greet and pass out bulletins prior to the 9:30 service.