Parent Resources

Organization:

The BSA is a hierarchical organization. The national organization is divided into regions and areas, which are then subdivided into councils, districts, then units. Units are chartered to a charter organization, which is the legal entity responsible for providing facilities and support, recruiting leadership, and organizing the pack. The pack is subdivided into dens, which are small groups of scouts in the same grade who work together on age-appropriate adventures toward their rank. 

Pack 3538 is a unit in the Seven Bridge District of the Susquehanna Council and is chartered to Faith Lutheran Church. 

Leadership:

The leadership of a pack starts with the chartered organization representative (COR) who is responsible for all aspects of the pack, but mainly focuses on ensuring the pack has the resources it needs and leaders to operate the pack.

The COR works with the pack committee, especially the committee chair and the treasurer, to make sure that the pack is functional. The committee is responsible for various aspects, including: approving pack activities, making sure leaders have appropriate training, and creating and budget and monitoring the finances of the pack.

The COR and committee recruit a cubmaster and assistant cubmaster to deliver the scouting program to the scouts. Similarly, den leaders and assistant den leaders are responsible for working with individual dens of scouts to work on the adventures associated with each rank.

Leadership:

The leadership of a pack starts with the chartered organization representative (COR) who is responsible for all aspects of the pack, but mainly focuses on ensuring the pack has the resources it needs and leaders to operate the pack.

The COR works with the pack committee, especially the committee chair and the treasurer, to make sure that the pack is functional. The committee is responsible for various aspects, including: approving pack activities, making sure leaders have appropriate training, and creating and budget and monitoring the finances of the pack.

The COR and committee recruit a cubmaster and assistant cubmaster to deliver the scouting program to the scouts. Similarly, den leaders and assistant den leaders are responsible for working with individual dens of scouts to work on the adventures associated with each rank.

One of the means of cub scouting is the uniform. By wearing the uniform, the scout can demonstrate that they are a part of a team. The council patch and unit numbers on the sleeve as well as the rank patch identify the scout as part of the Susquehanna Council, Pack 3538, and their respective den. At the same time, the uniform allows the scout to showcase their own individual activities and accomplishments by way of patches worn on the right pocket as well as belt loops and pins that demonstrate adventures that the scout has completed.

Components

Necessary:

• Uniform shirt: Scouts wear a t-shirt for Lions, switch to a blue collared shirt for Tigers through Bears, and finally update to a khaki shirt for Webelos/AOL.

• Belt: Scouts from Lions through Bears earn belt loops for each "adventure" they complete

• Neckerchief: Scouts wear a neckerchief that signifies their level of Cub Scouting.

• Neckerchief slide: Holds the neckerchief around the collar. No need to get fancy, can make these easily from many ideas online and a hair tie works in a pinch.

Extra (great for gifts):

• Hat: Scout hats update for each level of Cub Scouting.

• Pants: Scout pants are part of the "official" uniform but most scouts elect not to bother with them.

• Socks: Again, part of the "official" uniform but not necessary.

• Rank-specific neckerchief slide: Any neckerchief slide is sufficient, but your scout may want the one that matches his/her rank.

Pass it On!

Since so many scouts outgrow their uniforms quickly, Pack 3538 has a uniform "closet" for scouts. Feel free to talk to your cubmaster or den leader to find out about getting a uniform from the closet. Also, if your scout outgrows a uniform and has no desire to keep it, please consider donating it to the closet for another scout.

You may discover soon after joining Cub Scouts that your scout wants to join in the fun of hiking and camping. There's no need to make a trip to REI right away and spend hundreds on gear. The following provides guidance on what your scout might need right away and what you can defer for later.

The Six Essentials

Nearly every rank in cub scouts will (re)introduce the scouts to the Six Essentials. This is a set of gear that scouts should carry with them at all times when they are in the outdoors and are good for scouts to acquire right away, along with a small, comfortable-to-carry backpack to keep them in. The six essentials are:

1. First Aid Kit

2. Water Bottle

3. Flashlight

4. Trail Food

5. Sun Protection

6. Whistle

(A pocketknife is also a good thing for a scout to have, but is only allowed for scouts
in the 3rd grade and up and ONLY after earning the Whittling Chip.)

Another good item for scouts to have right away is a pair of sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes.

Other items, such tents, sleeping bags, etc. can be borrowed from the scout pack until the scouts are ready for them. REI is a good place to buy gear with expert advice on fitting. For items that don't require fit, there are lots of secondhand sources to acquire gear (Facebook Marketplace, garage sales, etc.) and online discounters such as Moosejaw.com, Backcountry.com, and scout-dedicated HikerDirect.com (email contact@scoutpack3538lewisburg.org and ask for a referral so the pack or someone gets $10 when you sign up).