Hi, and welcome to Cub Scouts Pack 628! Here's hoping the information and guidelines presented to you on this page will help you get off to a good start in Pack 628. Please refer to this page as a handy reference for future information needs regarding Pack policy and uniform information. Thank you.

To begin with, your son is a member of Pack 628, which is in the Catoctin Mountain District, belonging to the National Capital Area Council, which emcompasses south and central counties of Maryland and northern counties of Virginia. The Pack is made up of Dens, which is a group of boys usually in the same grade as that of your son. Each Den has a specific numeral attached to it. Collectively, we are Cub Scouts, and are members of the National organization, the Boy Scouts of America.

All Packs have a Chartered Organization which acts as a 'sponsor', and ours is the New market LIONS Club.

The Pack is run by registered BSA Adult Leaders of the who make up the Pack Committee, which includes a Committee Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership and Advancement Chairs, Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmaster(s), Event coordinators, Awards coordinators, and others. All parents of a CubScout in Pack 628 are welcomed and encouraged to become a Committee Member. Our Committee meetings are held the Wednesday following the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm and is open to all parents of Scouts in Pack 628.

Den meetings are held once or twice a month as scheduled by the den leader.

Unless previously announced, our Pack meetings are always the fourth Wednesday of every month at Deer Crossing Elementary School at 7:00 P.M.

Den Meetings

Lots of Cub Scouting happens in the den. Please remember that your son's Den Leader is a volunteer putting forth his or her time and effort to help your boy 'do his best' to earn his badges, participate in the fun, and gain all the positive values that the Cub Scout program offers. Please assist them in the following ways.

• Please have your son to den meetings on time. Your den leaders have lots of activities planned and it is important to have the whole group together to begin the evening's fun and projects.
• Please pick up your son from den meetings on time. Your den leader has places to go and kids that they have to put to bed, too. Better yet, ask your den leader if they could use an extra pair of hands that night and stay. Not only will your help be appreciated, but also you can see what your son is working on. Tiger Cubs must have an Adult Partner with them at all meetings, trips, etc. Enjoy the time together!
• Please make sure your son has his handbook, and anything else he needs for the meeting before leaving the house.
• Be an active parent. Everybody has some special abilities and 'know how' that can be of great help in matters relating to Cub Scouts. In addition to the boys learning new skills from you, I promise that you will have a good time helping them.

Pack Meetings

Whereas at Den meetings the boys might do activities towards earning rank badges and awards, the monthly Pack meeting is where these awards are presented. It is an important part of the program, as it allows the boys to receive their recognition in front of the group as a whole, inspires the younger scouts to strive towards achieving future ranks, and brings everybody together for the big night! Due to the large size of our pack some advancements are presented during the pack meeting and others are presented to the den leader to present at that time or during the next den meeting.

At Pack meetings, the Cubmaster will 'do their best' to make sure that each Den has a chance to display that special craft thay made, song they learned, skit they've rehearsed, or interesting place they visited. In addition, there might be a drawing, advancement ceremony, or other themed event planned for the evening.

Please observe the following guidelines in regards to the Pack meetings.

• Please accompany your son to his Pack meeting. Pack meetings are a family event - brothers, sisters, grandparents, but most of all, YOU! We require you there not only to help keep order at the meeting (things can get a bit rowdy), but also because in Scouting many awards are presented to the parent who then presents it to the Scout. Cub Scouts is a family program.
• Please arrive to Pack meetings on time. Plan on arriving at least ten minutes early to receive a ticket for meeting needs to begin on time. If your son is helping out as a member of a flag ceremony, or assisting with other Pack meeting activities, it is imperative to have him there on time. Thank you.
• If your son has a uniform, the Pack meeting is definitely the place to wear it. Class A - Shirts tucked in - looking sharp!

Most of all, we hope to make Pack meetings entertaining, enriching, and FUN!!!

Dues (Pack 628 and BSA)

Throughout the Scout year, your Den leader or Pack Treasurer will be collecting money for various Pack functions and activities. These will be addressed at the Monthly Pack Meeting, in Pack E-Mails, and in information given to you at Den Meetings. The following is a reminder of what two fees are required for your son's involvement in the Pack.

BSA Dues $16.00 - This annual fee must be collected in February from every registered Scout and Adult leader for the annual rechartering of the Pack. This fee includes the $10.00 yearly membership to BSA and $1.00 for the insurance issued to cover the boys and Adult Leaders at all Scout functions.

Pack 628 Dues $72.00 - This fee goes towards the cost of your son's Pinewood Derby car, planned pack activities and the many awards that will be presented to him throughout the year. This is collected in February with rechartering. If you signed up on Join Scout Night, the BSA and Pack dues are prorated for the seven months between Join Scouting Night and BSA Recharter.

The Pack maintains a separate bank account with records being kept by the Pack Treasurer.

Boy's Life Magazine $12.00 - You have the option to subscribe to Boys Life for a pro-rated amount when your son joins scouts. You can continue the subscription for the full price at recharter in November. This magazine is optional but is a big hit with the boys! There are stories about real life scout heroes, skills and outings as well as funny jokes.

Communication

Most of our communication is via email to you from committee members and den leaders. We have a monthly Newsletter "Smoke Signals" and this pack website.

Fund Raisers

Throughout the year there will be various fun-raisers. Some of these might go to benefit the Pack for a trip, outing, or needed supplies, and some to benefit the Scout, Pack, and the Catoctin Mountain District. The largest of these fundraisers is the Trails End Popcorn Sales which go from august through November (or when all the popcorn is sold). As Cub Scouts, we will always try and make sure to emphasize the fun in fundraising.

Cub Scouting and You

When your son earns his Bobcat badge he learns the Law of the Pack. One of these laws states "The Cub Scout Helps the Pack Go". Throughout the year there are banquests, fundraisers, Scout shows, parades, derbies, camping trips, and many other activities and functions. Ambitious as they are, a Cub Scout still needs your help in implementing the program and thereby giving us the chance to keep our promise in the part of the Law that states "The Pack Helps the Cub Scout Grow".

Remember, The Pack is all of us working together... leaders, parents, and Scouts.

Unlike other programs your son might enroll in, Cub Scouting involves the whole family, no matter what size or parental make-up exists in the home. In Tigers, you are your son's Adult Partner. In Wolves and Bears, you are Akela, the wise leader of the tribe of Webelos, and the final judge of your son's efforts. At the Webelos rank, you are the Activity Badge counselors that could help influence a boy's career direction.

Throughout the year you will be asked to assist on different committes, and at different events. Please volunteer freely, and give of yourself when called upon to help. You will find it a rewarding experience, and one in which you and your son will remember that you did together.

Uniforms, Patches, and Accessories

BSA Uniform Standards & Patch Placement

CLASS B Spirit Wear