Cub Scout Pack 255 is chartered by Oakbrooke Elementary School of Sherwood, Arkansas, and is affiliated with the Quapaw Area Council, Boy Scouts of America.
 
Parent Handbook

Dear Parent:  

Welcome to Pack 255. We're glad you've chosen to enroll or re-enroll your son in our Pack. We know that you and your son will be glad you did.  Our Pack and Den Leaders  plan many exciting activities, and your son will have a great time learning, advancing and playing.  These activities will provide opportunities for physical fitness and educational enrichment. Most of our activities are planned to be enjoyed by every member of the Cub Scout's family.  

This booklet will provide an overview of our program. If you have questions or concerns about our program or leaders, please call  your son's Den Leader or  the Cub Master.  

At the end of this booklet is a Parent / Boy information sheet. Please complete it and give it to your son's Den Leader at his next meeting.  

Mike White  
Cub master  
 
 
 

Pack 255 Mission

The leaders of Cub Scout Pack 255 are committed to providing a quality, year round program of Cub Scouting activities. Special emphasis is placed on character development , spiritual growth, citizenship, and family. 

All Cub Scouts are required to memorize the following pledges and motto. We seek to make them real in their lives and hope that you will encourage your son as he strives to do so. 
 
 

The Cub Scout Promise

I promise to do my best 
to do my duty to God and my Country 
to help other people and to obey the 
Law of the Pack

Law of the Pack

A Cub Scout follows Akela 
The Cub Scout helps the Pack go 
The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow 
The Cub Scout gives goodwill

The Cub Scout Motto

Do Your Best 

Purposes of Cub Scouting

The Boy Scouts of America began Cub Scouting as a program for younger boys more than 50 years ago. The purposes of Cub Scouting state that Parents, Leaders and Organizations work together to achieve the following: 
1. Influence the development of character and encourage spiritual growth; 
2. Develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship; 
3. Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body; 
4. Improve understanding within the family; 
5. Strengthen the ability to get along with and to respect others; 
6. Foster a sense of personal achievement by developing new interests and skills; 
7. Show how to be helpful and to do one's best; 
8. Provide fun and exciting new things to do; 
9. Prepare Cubs to become Boy Scouts.

Pack Structure

Like every effective organization, Cub Scout Packs have a structure. Understanding this structure and how it works will increase your son's enjoyment of the program (and leave the parent far less confused). 

Dens

Groups consisting of up to 8 to 10 boys meet weekly together as a Den. Each den is led by a Den Leader and an Assistant Den Leader. A Boy Scout, known as a Den Chief, may also work with your son's den.   Each Den Leader has the discretion to determine when and where the Den will meet.  However, historically, most of Pack 255's Dens have met on Tuesday evenings, between 6:30 and 7:30, at Oakbrooke Elementary School.  Please check with your son's Den Leader or the Pack calendar to find out when your son's Den meets, if you have any questions. 

Dens are organized by age groups. We have one or more Dens for each group of 1st Graders (Tiger Cubs) , 2nd Graders (Wolf) , 3rd Graders (Bear), 4th Graders (Webelos - 1st yr.) and 5th graders (Webelos - 2nd yr.). 

Pack

The Pack consists of the Dens and their Families. Pack 255 meets monthly and for special activities. The Pack serves as a "parent" organization to the Dens and provides direction, program support and maintenance of the budget. The Pack is led by the Cub Master.    He plans and directs monthly pack meetings and other special activities. 

Pack Committee

The Pack Committee consists of representatives from each Den and other volunteer adults who are charged with managing the pack and its programs. Parents are encouraged to volunteer to serve on the Pack Committee and to attend  meetings. The Committee Chairman is the head of the Pack Committee.  Along with the Cub Master, she leads the group in planning and organizing the Pack program. The Pack Committee is also responsible for maintaining Pack funds and planning its budget. 

Oakbrooke Elementary School

Every Cub Scout Pack must have a sponsor. Pack 255's sponsor is Oakbrooke Elementary School. Oakbrooke Elementary School provides the Pack with a meeting place and additional help. All leaders are approved by the school. 

Membership Notes

Boys age 6 years (1st Grade) to 10 years are eligible to join Pack 255. Boys work toward a specific rank during each year in the Pack: 

First Grade boys are Tiger Cubs 
Second grade boys work toward their Wolf Rank 
Third grade boys work toward their Bear Rank 
Fourth grade boys are Webelos and work on their Webelos rank 
Fifth grade boys are second year Webelos and work on Cub Scouting's highest award, the Arrow of Light 

The boys may satisfy some of the requirements for advancement by their participation in Den and Pack activities.  However, some requirements can only be satisfied with the participation of the entire family.  Ultimately, each boy and his parents are responsible for seeing that the advancement requirements are satisfied.  Each boy advances at his own pace. 

All boys are welcome to join the Pack  and participate in Pack programs, regardless of where they attend school.  

Registration

Each boy who registers for membership in Pack 255 must pay the $7.00 registration fee , which is established by the National Council and the Quapaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  All of the proceeds of these dues goes to the National Council and the Quapaw Council.  Each boy also pays $5.00 per month to his Den Leader.  The Pack receives $1.00 of these monthly dues, which is used for the purchase of awards and for other Pack related costs.  The remainder of the monthly dues is used to purchase the supplies and to pay for other costs incurred during the weekly Den meetings and other Den activities.  Each boy must complete a registration form for the Boy Scouts of America when he joins the Pack. Parents are also asked to complete a parent / boy registration blank to provide some additional information to the Den Leader.  Each boy is also encouraged to subscribe to Boys Life magazine. 

Should fees or any costs become a problem for your family, please contact the Cub Master to request special arrangements.  All such requests shall remain confidential 

Volunteers

Parent volunteers are essential for Pack to provide a quality program.  Registration and training are provided by the Pack for all leaders.  Please contact the Cub Master or your son's Den Leader to let us know how you will help. All types of help are needed.  Remember that all of the adults serving as leaders are volunteering their time. We receive no compensation, other than the satisfaction of helping to shape these boys' lives.  All of our volunteers are very busy with their family, professional, and personal lives.  In accord with the Cub Scout motto, we all strive to do our best.  However,  the demands of the other aspects of our lives sometimes limits the quality of the service that each individual can provide.  The Pack simply cannot exist without volunteer leadership, so, please,  do your part when asked. 

Uniforms

An essential component of Cub Scouting is the uniform. Cubs are made to feel part of a group and have a place to display their awards when they wear their uniforms. Your Den Leader will provide you with specific information about what is needed. All uniform items can be purchased at the Scout Shop located in the offices of the Quapaw Area Council (at the base of Cantrell Hill).   All insigna and badges should be placed on the uniform in the proper place, as designated by the Boys Scouts of America.  You can find most of this information at the back of your son's handbook.  If you have questions, ask your son's Den Leader or the Cub Master. 

Pack Program Highlights

Pack 255 plans a very busy calendar year. Although we don't expect every boy to attend every function, we encourage him to be as active as he and his parents want to be. Pack outings and special events will be led by two or more leaders and parent volunteers. Permission slips will be sent home for outings and special events. Boys without signed permission slips will not be allowed to participate. We'll do our best to help you remember, but please make every effort to help us. Leaving a boy behind is something we and the boys hate to have happen. 

Program Calendar

Each Pack Leader and Den Leader will provide information  about Pack and Den activities.  Announcements of special events and calendar updates will be announced at Pack and Den meetings and notices may be sent  home with the boys from Den meetings or in the mail. The Pack will attempt to provide each family with a calendar of Pack and Den activities, and the Pack will attempt to periodically mail news letters to each family.  In addition, the Pack maintains a page on the internet at www.oocities.org/Yosemite/Rapids/3896/, which includes Pack and Den news, a calendar, this Parent Handbook, and other helpful and fun information.  The Pack will attempt to keep the information provided on this page as up-to-date as possible.  However, each parent must ultimately assume responsibility for assuring that they are fully informed about Pack and Den activities.  If you are aware that an event is coming up but you have not received any information about it, please contact your Den Leader or the Cub Master.   Please note that dates are subject to change as we get closer to events. If you have suggestions for our program, please let a Leader know. 

Pack Meetings

Monthly Pack Meetings are typically held on the fourth Tuesday evening of each month evening from 7:00 to 8:00, at the school. However, due to the holidays, the meeting is held the third Tuesday in November and December, at the same time and place.   In addition, the  Pack meeting in February  shall be held during the Blue and Gold Banquet, which will occur during National Scouting Anniversary Week.  Also, the March Pack meeting may be conducted on the same Saturday, and at the same time, as the Pinewood Derby We attempt to limit all  regular Pack meetings to one hour in length. The meeting gives the boys a chance to demonstrate the skills they have learned and receive the awards they've earned. The entire family is invited and encouraged to attend. 

Fund Raising

Twice each year the boys of Pack 255 participate in fund raising activities. We sell Trails End Gourmet Popcorn in the Fall and Chocolate candy in the Spring. Prizes are awarded to top sellers in our Council and in the nation.   In addition, every boy can earn prizes for selling specified amounts of the product.  Funds raised from these two activities are used to purchase the awards that are given to the boys and to cover the costs associated with Pack activities.  Generally, every award that a boy receives costs well in excess of the $1.00 received from each boy by the Pack each month, and each boy averages in excess of one award per month.  Clearly, the ability of the Pack to continue defraying the costs of operating the Pack without increasing dues depends on the success of the Fund Raising Activities.  All boys are encouraged to participate but Parents may choose otherwise. We always want to respect the wishes of the parents without making the boy feel bad for not participating. Please don't hesitate to let us know what you want. 
 

Special Programs

The Pack and each Den plans a variety of other special programs that assist the boys in advancing and provide an opportunity for a good time. These events may be hikes, tours, or service projects. As mentioned before, parents and other family members are always invited to attend and to assist with these activities. 

Council and District Activities

Several events are scheduled by the Quapaw Area Council and the Thunderbird District.  Each Fall and Spring, every Cub and his parents can participate in the Mom-n-Me, Cub/Dad, and Cub Family Weekends.  Also, Cubs and their parents can participate in a resident camp during the summer.  These events are held at the Council's Cove Creek Scout Reservation near Damascus, AR.  In addition, Cub Day Camp is sponsored by the District and Council, usually during June of each year. More information will be mailed to you from the District and the Council when it becomes available, or you can contact the Scout office.  Each family is responsible for submitting its own registration to the Council office for these events.  The number of families who can participate in these events is limited, and, typically, these events fill up rapidly.  So, register early.  Please note that the Pack must provide one adult for every five (5) boys who participate in Cub Day Camp.  Therefore, for your son to participate in Cub Day Camp, your family  must commit the participation of one adult for at least one day for every boy in the family who attends Cub Day Camp.  The District also sponcers a Pinewood Derby race for all  boys in the District.  In addition, the Council sponcers a Scout Expo each Spring.  

Summer Activities

Although our Dens do not meet during the summer, Pack 255 does not shut down.  Special, monthly  activities are planned, and boys are encouraged to remain active.  Our summer activities in the past have included picnics, Arkansas Traveler baseball games, I-Max movies, and other activities.

Parent Responsibilities

When joining Pack 255, each parent or adult family member agrees to support their son in the following ways: 
1. See that he has the proper uniform and handbook; 
2. Assist him in attending weekly Den meeting and monthly Pack meetings; 
3. Work with him to complete achievements for his rank award; 
4. Return information forms and permission slips as asked; 
5. Support his Den Leader as a resource person or substitute as asked; 
6. Agree to serve in some leadership capacity or to serve on committees or otherwise assist with special events; 
7. Provide input to the Den Leader or Pack leadership with regard to Pack or Den programming.
 
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