Welcome

Welcome to Pack 042 and the wonderful world of scouting! Your family is about to undertake an adventure that will last a lifetime. We meet monthly as a Pack at St Richard's Catholic Church on designated Tuesdays once a month for our Pack meetings with a few exceptions; please consult the ‘Pack Calendar’ for meeting schedules. St Richard's Catholic Community as our Charter Organization have kindly arranged for and provided some of the Blessed Trinity Classrooms at thier campus location for our dens and most of the dens meet there on Tuesdays twice a month. Each Den meets generally at the same time however exceptions may occur, so please confirm with your scout's den leader for exact den meeting day, time, and location.

We are glad that you chose Pack 042 to begin or continue your Cub Scouting experience. We feel that it is very important that the boys of this pack are involved in a group with their friends from their neighborhoods and schools. This familiarity with their peers and surroundings provides a relaxed atmosphere that is conducive to sharing the Cub Scouting experience as well as making the experience both an enjoyable and fun one.

Our mission is to deliver a Cub Scouting program that complies with the goals and objectives of the Boy Scouts of America and provides a safe and fun Cub Scouting experience.

The Purpose of Scouting

Cub Scouting began in 1930 when the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) began a home- and neighborhood-centered program for boys 9 to 11 years of age. Today with the addition of the Tiger cub program that age span is now 6 to 10. One of the key elements of the Cub Scout program is to place an emphasis upon caring, nurturing relationships between boys and their parents, adult leaders, and friends. Currently, Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA's three membership divisions. (The others are Boy Scouting and Venturing.)

You can pick up the newspaper and watch television news on any given day and very easily be informed about the bad things that are going on in the world. It requires effort to find information about the good things that are happening in our community today. Cub Scouting is one of them. The Cub Scout program serves boys who are in first through fifth grade (ages 7 to 10). Boys, families, leaders and chartered organizations work together to achieve the following objectives, as defined by the Boys Scouts of America:

Positively influence character development and encourage spiritual growth

Help boys develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship

Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body

Improve understanding within the family

Strengthen boys' ability to get along with other boys and respect other people

Foster a sense of personal achievement by helping boys develop new interests and skills

Show how to be helpful and do one's best

Provide fun and exciting new things to do

Prepare boys to become Boy Scouts

In short to instill the values and qualities that will prepare our sons to become the leaders of the future..

Cub Scouting Ideals

Apart from the fun and excitement of Cub Scout activities, a number of ideals are expressed in the day-to-day life of the boy and his leaders.

	Cub Scout Promise				Law of the Pack
	I (name), promise to do my best				The Cub Scout follows Akela.
	To do my duty to God and my country,				The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
	To help other people, and				The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
	To obey the Law of the Pack.				The Cub Scout gives goodwill.
	Cub Scout Motto				Tiger Cub Motto
	Do Your Best.				Search, Discover, Share.
	Cub Scout Colors				Tiger Cub Promise
	The Cub Scout colors are blue and gold. The blue stands for truth and spirituality, steadfast loyalty, and the sky above. The gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness. Together, they symbolize what Cub Scouting is all about.				I promise to love God,
					my family, and my country,
					and to learn about the world.

The Pack

Pack 042 is part of the Metro Lakes District, which in turn is part of the Northern Star Council. We participate in District and Council sponsored events as much as possible. A Pack is you and your Scout. Members join a Cub Scout pack and are assigned to a den, usually group of six to eight boys. Dens are broken down as follows: Tiger Cub Scouts (first graders), Wolf Cub Scouts (second graders), Bear Cub Scouts (third graders), and Webelos Scouts (fourth and fifth graders).

Once a month, all of the dens and family members gather for a pack meeting under the direction of a Cubmaster and pack committee. The committee includes the pack leaders, parents of boys in the pack, and members of the chartered organization.

Tiger Cubs is a program designed for boys who are in the first grade and their adult partners. All adult partners share in the leadership of the den, with the guidance and support of the Tiger Cub Den Leader. The Tiger Cub den activities are usually based on one of the fifteen Tiger requirements listed in the Tiger Cub Handbook.

Cub Scouting is for boys in the second and third grades. The Wolf (second graders) and Bears (third graders) scouts are assigned to dens. The Wolves and Bears dens meet with the supervision of at least two adults of which at least one is an adult volunteer leader. All adult family members are expected to help when called upon with den activities.

Webelos (WE’ll BE LOyal Scouts) is for boys in the fourth and fifth grades. These boys are members of a Webelos den. The Webelos den program is built around one of the Webelos activity badges. Outdoor activities, including parent-son overnight camping, are also an important part of the den’s program.

The pack is led throughout the year by a group of dedicated VOLUNTEERS. We’ve mentioned briefly the Cubmaster and Den Leaders but there are many others who keep the pack on the go. Pack 042 also has the following positions that serve as part of the pack committee:

Committee Chairperson

Committee Members

Assistant Cubmaster

Treasurer

Secretary

Pack Awards & Advancement Coordinator

Pack Trainer

The pack committee sets up the annual program, determines the budget and means for funding it, coordinates awards and ceremonies, keeps the pack chartered and plans the monthly pack meeting. The pack committee usually meets the second Sunday of each month

For a complete list of Pack positions and their responsibilities please see the Pack Leadership page.  For a listing of current volunteer leadership, their current position(s), and available or vacant positions, please see the Pack 042 About Us & Contact Us page..

Parent Participation

Parent participation within the Pack and Den is very important. The boys need positive role models both at home and in the pack. The boys want to share their pride in themselves and their family. We want the boys to have fond memories of their scouting experience. We strongly suggest that you add to your son’s scouting experience by becoming an active member of the pack. Not sure that being active in the leadership of the pack is for you? Most of the adult leaders of Pack 042 probably shared that same apprehension, but ask anyone of them today and they will share with you the rewards of assuming active roles in the leadership of the pack. Den leaders and active parents have the privilege of seeing first hand, boys learning skills and values that will make them an asset to our community.

This is a family adventure! It would be impossible to accomplish all of the tasks required to advance within the time allocated for den meetings. It is therefore extremely important that you, the parent, be an active participant. Read the handbook and go over the requirements. You will be surprised at how many of those requirements you can accomplish during the normal course of your day. Advancement should be a fun learning experience for you and your son. Remember no one’s perfect, but in Cub Scouts we do ask that you “Do your best!”

Numerous opportunities present themselves every month for a person to volunteer to serve within the pack. We can always use help, so if we forget to ask, please ask us! If we appear to have forgotten you asked, please ask again! We are all volunteers; mothers, fathers, and friends just like you, looking to make this a rewarding experience for our boys. The Pack is always looking for volunteers to help in the following areas:

Registered Adult Leadership (i.e den leaders, assistant den leaders, committee members, etc.)

Event Chairpersons (i.e. Blue and Gold Banquet, Camping, etc.)

Christmas Party Activity

Community Service Coordinator (Adopt-A-Highway and other service projects)

Fund Raising Chair

Public Relations/Newsletter Publicity Coordinator

Refreshment coordinator

Not able to commit to that much volunteerism, how about some other areas?

Clean up crew (after pack meetings, after events, etc)

Pack or Den Patch Sewing

Snack provider for a den or pack meeting

Carpool assistance

Decorations for an event

Still not up your alley?  How bout helping with ideas?  We are always looking for ideas to enrich our pack program.

Activity for den or pack meeting you or someone you know has an interesting experience, hobby, knowledge, or skill that might be of entertainment and learning value to the Scouts

Creative ideas are always welcome

Check out the Volunteer Needs page for upcoming activities and events that we need help with.  Sign up or tell us your interests or capabilities.  We need your help!.

Pack Budget

The primary means for the raising of operating funds for Pack 042 is through fund raising activities. While many opportunities are available both thru Boy Scouts of America and privately, Pack 042 currently limits it's fundraising to one event per year.

The Christmas Wreaths Fund Raiser is the single fundraising event that provides MOST of the pack's operating budget and participation in this fund raising event is HIGHLY encouraged of all Pack 042 Scouts and families. The pack also collects annual pack dues for each Cub Scout to help supplement the expenses of the pack.

Expenses fully or partially incurred by the pack include; Awards, Patches, Pinewood Derby, Cubs Scout Books and Supplies for the scout, Blue and Gold Banquet, Registration, Chartering, Refreshments, Snacks, Decorations, Party Supplies, Web Site and Pages, Office Supplies, Postage Stamps, Leadership Training, and many other General Expenses.

Advancement

Recognition is important to young boys. The Cub Scout advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement projects. You can also view the Advancement opportunities and requirements by clicking on one of the links under Resources in the menu to the left or in the table below.

Meetings

Pack 042 generally meets in the Gymnasium at St Richard's Catholic Church for it's monthly pack meetings and in the classrooms at Blessed Trinity School at the St Richard's Campus for it's den meetings. Exceptions will occur for special events like the Blue and Gold Dinner or den outings.

Pack 042 leadership is dedicated to keeping the most up to date information of times, dates, and locations easily accessible to you on the Pack 042 website.  The website contains a quick reference calendar continually displayed on the home page showing upcoming events.

The home page summary of Upcoming Events, along with the website's integrated calendar and downloadable calendar will be continuously updated with the most current information, so you are encouraged to reference the website regularly.

Last minute cancellations due to weather or other unavoidable reasons will be posted immediately upon notification or determination of the scenario on the HOME PAGE ONLY. These cancellations notices will be removed shortly after the conclusion of the originally scheduled event. Rescheduling of cancelled events will be listed on the home page through the completion of the rescheduled event.

Uniforms

Cub scouts buy their own uniform and accessories. The pack provides badges and awards as the boys advance. For more information on Pack 042 Scout Uniforms, see our Uniforms & Insignia page.

 The salesperson at the Scout Store can help you buy the right stuff including the right color for the neckerchief. See the Local Scout Shops page for one of the four Twin Cities Scout Shop locations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Still have questions?  We have compiled a Frequently Asked Questions page to help some of the most commonly asked questions till on parent's minds.

 The salesperson at the Scout Store can help you buy the right stuff including the right color for the neckerchief. See the Local Scout Shops page for one of the four Twin Cities Scout Shop locations.