New Parents
Welcome! You've just joined a pack with families spanning multiple decades of Scouting. Here's what to expect as you settle in.
Your First Few Weeks
- Show up to a Tuesday meeting. Den Meetings start at 7:00 PM at Ebenezer United Methodist Church (Ministry Building). Don’t worry about uniforms or paperwork the first time — just come.
- Meet your Den Leader. They’ll tell you which adventures the den is currently working on and what (if anything) to bring to upcoming meetings.
- Get on Scoutbook. Scoutbook is how we track advancement, RSVP for events, and share calendar updates. Sign in at scoutbook.scouting.org with the email you registered with.
- Follow us on Facebook. Our public Facebook page is the easiest way to see photos and short updates between meetings.
- Bookmark this site. The calendar is the source of truth for when and where things are happening.
Communication Channels
| For | Use |
|---|---|
| Official schedule, RSVPs, advancement | Scoutbook |
| Photos, recaps, short notices | Facebook page |
| Year-at-a-glance and reference info | This website |
| Den-specific chatter | Whatever your Den Leader sets up (text thread, email, etc.) |
The Uniform
Your Scout will need a uniform to wear to meetings and Pack events. The basics:
- Cub Scout shirt (blue for Lions, Tigers, Wolves, and Bears; tan for Webelos and Arrow of Light)
- Neckerchief & slide — the Pack provides these in our colors
- Belt and hat are optional but common
Buy at the BSA Scout Shop or online. Hand-me-downs are very common — ask the Pack before buying. We often have used uniforms parents are passing along.
Where Patches Go
Your Cub Scout’s shirt will eventually have several patches. The basic placements:
- Council patch — left shoulder
- Pack number (“907”) — below the council patch
- Den number — right shoulder
- Rank patch — left chest pocket (you’ll get this when your Scout earns it)
- World Crest — centered above the left chest pocket
Don’t stress about getting all of this right immediately. Den Leaders will help you place patches as your Scout earns them.
Dues and Costs
Pack dues are collected once a year and cover:
- Pack supplies and awards
- The Pinewood Derby kit
- Special events (Blue & Gold Banquet, etc.)
- Pack-level overhead
In addition, families pay BSA’s national registration fee and council fee annually. Some events (camping, Day Camp) have additional costs.
Financial assistance is available — just ask. Cost should never be the reason a family steps away from Scouting.
Volunteering
Cub Scouts is run entirely by parent volunteers. There is no paid staff. Whether you can help every week or once a year, your time matters. Common ways to help:
- Den Leader or Assistant Den Leader — lead/co-lead one den’s meetings
- Pack Committee — help with planning, registration, finances, advancement
- Event helper — pitch in for a single event (Pinewood Derby check-in, Blue & Gold setup, etc.)
- Driver — help carpool to outings
Tell the Cubmaster or Committee Chair where you’re willing to help. We try to match families to roles that fit their availability.
What to Expect at Meetings
Den Meetings (most Tuesdays): Your Scout works on an adventure with their den. Activities run the gamut — outdoor skills, science experiments, service, games, citizenship. Plan to drop your Scout off and pick them up, or stay and chat with other parents.
Pack Meetings (about once a month): All dens together. Usually includes a flag ceremony, recognition of recent advancement, a den or Scout-led activity, and announcements. Families are expected to attend.
Pack-wide events (Pinewood Derby, Blue & Gold, camping, Day Camp): These are the highlights of the year. Plan ahead for these — they’re a big part of why families remember Cub Scouts fondly.
Questions?
Talk to your Den Leader, the Cubmaster, or the Committee Chair at a meeting. You can also reach out through our BeAScout listing.
The FAQ covers more.