A TYPICAL Year
A typical program year runs from September to June and each month contains:
1) Two Den Meetings. A den is a small group of scouts that are in the same grade level. Your Den Leader works with the families to decide the meeting night, though we recommend Tuesday nights to align with Pack meetings. Once a cub has been assigned a den they will be introduced to the den leader and given the den schedule. Den meetings are a chance for smaller group activities tailored to the age range of the cubs. They are usually held at den member's houses. Note: Kindergarteners will only have one den meeting a month.
2) One Den Outing. Possible examples include a trip to tribal lands, touring a fire station, or a hike in the mountains. Each outing combines a fun, hands-on experience with completing requirements towards their rank badge for the year as well as additional awards. These usually occur on weekends and are based on the den family's schedules.
3) One Pack Meeting. A pack meeting brings all of the dens together for a fun activity. Pack meetings are usually held at 7pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Creekside Elementary. All cub scouts from all dens attend with a parent. Scouts wear their class A uniforms (Kindergarteners who do not have class A wear a provided t-shirt). Pack meetings are lead by our Cub Master.
For a better feel of each year here is a typical pack schedule (remember this doesn't include all the den activities):
September
Welcome Back Meeting - Always an exciting night greeting new comers and seeing old friends. We do an optional activity in September because all new cubs may not have registered by then. This is also a great chance to just come check out what it's like to be a cub scout. Feel free to join us. For more information for this year's September meeting email: pack225@outlook.com
October
Fundraiser - In order to keep dues low and assist those that need some help affording cub scout camps we do a few fundraisers throughout the year. From August to October we do some Popcorn sales. In October we do a Fun-Drive for used items and clothing. We have even been known to make specialty cards and sell them at holiday bazars.
Cub Day at Camp Edward - This is an optional event for your cub. The cubs get to go to Camp Edward (one of four cub scout camps in the area) for a day of:
Archery
Rock Climbing
Outdoor Cooking
Sling Shots
And more...
November
Veterans Day Flag Ceremony - Pack 225 participates at the Veterans day assembly at Creekside Elementary. They open and close the event with a flag ceremony and lead the school in the pledge.
STEM Night - A fun night of learning about science and then applying the knowledge with hands-on experiments like learning about thrust and drag and then playing with parachutes to really understand the concept.
December
Raingutter Regatta - Each scout builds his or her own boat from a kit your family will be given. We have long, inflatable pools that the kids use to float the boats in and race them by blowing on the sails. Each year it's great to see what the kids have learned and changed in their boat from the year before.
January
Winter Camp at Camp Sheppard - Again, this is an optional adventure for your cub. It's a weekend, so you stay overnight (or two if you want) and during the days your cub will love:
Snowball Fights (all day every day)
Snow Tubing
Craft Lodge
Campfire Skits
More Snowball Fights (just for variety)
Egg Drop - Each scout builds his or her own parachute contraption in an attempt to keep an egg safe as it's dropped from a ladder. Once again learning how STEM principles apply.
Bowling - There is usually a teacher work day in January and the Pack takes advantage of it. One year we all went bowling, it's lots of fun and a good outing for a day off school in the middle of January.
February
Blue and Gold Banquet - This is a special banquet because the oldest members of the Pack, Webelos 2, will graduate (Arrow of Light) and join their Boy Scout Troops. We have a dinner at the school and a big celebration.
March
Conservation Activity - The Pack finds an activity around the community where they can help out. This activity may be on a weekend day, but the Pack meeting will be related.
April
Pinewood Derby - Scouts build race cars from wood block kits at home with their parents (great bonding) and race them against each other on a track at the pack meeting. The cubs love coming in and showing off their uniquely designed and decorated cars. We even have awards for the fastest and coolest decorations.
May
Camping Prep and Safety Meeting - It wouldn't be cub scouts if it didn't include getting the boys and girls ready for camping. This meeting helps them learn how to be prepared and safe. An example is building first aid kits they can carry when hiking.
June
Pack Overnight Camping - The pack goes camping for a night; usually the first or second weekend of January. A great time to play and enjoy the outdoors.
Graduation - Along the way, through all the fun, the cubs have been earning awards as well as meeting requirements to get their rank badge. We have a big party at a place like Beaver Lake Park and celebrate everyone advancing to the next level. It can end with playing capture the flag in the woods and I know many cubs that look forward to that all year.
July
Pack summer fun activities - While there are no den meetings or pack meetings during the summer we do plan get togethers like a picnic or a hike to give those in town the chance to see each other.
August
Summer Camp at Camp Edward - All camping done during the summer counts towards your next years achievements. Camping programs through out the summer give the scouts a chance to get away with a parent and enjoy many activities like those listed below. The pack usually selects a set of dates so pack members can coordinate going. This is a four day experience.
Swimming
Boating
Campfire Songs
Arts and Crafts
BB Guns
Hay Rides
And so much more...