Our Families and Volunteers Make the Pack Work
Your role as a parent is the secret to a successful Cub Scouting program! The dens and the Pack rely on parent participation to run a successful program.
Cub Scouting operates through volunteer leadership. Volunteer leaders are an example of Scouting’s principle of service to others. By volunteering in Scouting, you are also giving your child and family the gift of your time. What could be more valuable?
In addition, St. Charles parents can use their volunteer hours from Cub Scouting towards their volunteer hour requirements for the school!
Volunteer Opportunities
You will have an opportunity to be a positive influence in their life and in the lives of their friends. Here are some of the ways you could volunteer:
Den leader. Uses the Den Leader Guide and den meeting plans to lead the den at den meetings. Attends the monthly pack committee meeting.
Cubmaster. Helps plan and carry out the pack program with the help of the pack committee. Emcees the monthly pack meeting and attends the pack committee meeting.
The Pack Committee. Every Cub Scout parent or guardian is invited to become a member of the pack committee. Pack committee members perform administrative functions of the pack.
The committee meets monthly and includes the responsibilities below:
Committee chair. Presides at all pack committee meetings. Helps recruit adult leaders and attends the monthly pack meeting and pack committee meeting.
Advancement chair. Maintains advancement records for the pack. Orders and obtains all badges and insignia. Attends the monthly pack meeting and pack committee meeting.
New member coordinator. Manages the transition of new Scouts into the pack and coordinates orientation for new Scouting families. Responsible for the marketing and recruiting initiatives of the pack as well as the growth and retention of the unit.
Secretary. Keeps records of the pack committee meetings and communicates with families about upcoming pack events and activities.
Treasurer. Keeps all financial records for the pack, including the pack bank account, and gives a monthly financial report to the pack committee. Attends the monthly pack meeting and pack committee meeting.
Training Opportunities
The Boy Scouts of America offers convenient training for parents who volunteer. As a new parent, you can learn all about Cub Scouting and how quality Scouting programs are built.
Log on to my.Scouting.org and create an account to gain access to all available training content. For more information about training at all levels of the program, go to www.scouting.org/training.
Youth Protection Training -- All leaders are required to complete Youth Protection training. All parents are encouraged to take the training. To complete the training online, go to my.Scouting.org and establish an account using the member number you receive when you register for BSA membership. Your BSA local council also provides training on a regular basis if you cannot take it online.
Position Specific Training -- When volunteers step into the roles of Den Leader, Assistant Den Leader, Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmaster, Pack Committee Member, or Pack Committee Chair, there are specific training programs available to help you understand your role within the Pack an how to help the Scouts succeed.
Council Roundtable -- Volunteers are encouraged to attend monthly Roundtable meetings put on by the Pacific Harbors Council, where information is shared and new ideas are discussed to help volunteers deliver an excellent Scouting program to their units.
Cubcast -- Cubcast is a monthly podcast that offers information that helps parents, volunteers, and leaders improve their knowledge base about a variety of topics related to Cub Scouts. There is also an extensive archive of previous topics.
Wood Badge -- Wood Badge is an advanced, national leadership course open to Scouting volunteers and professionals. Wood Badge is usually offered in alternating years, so sign up when the opportunity comes up!
