How often do the scouts meet?

We generally meet three times a month: Two Den Meetings and one Pack Meeting. Most months also have additional activities like Pack hikes and camping (we typically camp two times during the school year).

We also have a monthly Pack Committee Meeting. This meeting is optional, but all are welcome. Just note that there is no programming for kids during Committee Meetings.

Is Pack 51 part of Boy Scouts?

Yes, Cub Scout Pack 51 is affiliated with The Boy Scouts of America. However, "Boy Scouts" recently updated their branding to "Scouts BSA" to be inclusive of female members. Scouting is not just for boys anymore!

How old (or young) can a boy or girl be to join Cub Scouting?

Cub Scouting is for boys and girls in the Kindergarten through fifth grades, or 5 to 11 years of age. If your child is older than that, but would still like to get involved in Scouting, please consider joining a Scouts BSA Troop. You might also consider joining a Venturing Crew or Sea Scouts. Check out https://beascout.scouting.org/ to find a unit near you.

I have a daughter in elementary school. Can she join Cub Scouts?

Absolutely! We have boys and girls in our program. We have mixed Dens with girls and boys. Once Cubs progress to a Troop, they are separated by gender into boys-only and girls-only Troops.

If my child joins in the Spring, can s/he still earn rank for that year?

Absolutely, Scouts BSA offers accelerated "30-day Challenges" to help your child earn their rank from home. So if you got a late start on the Cub Scouting year, Pack 51 recognizes each of the following programs for rank advancement. Just note that you would also need to complete the Bobcat rank requirements as well:

• Bobcat Rank Requirements

• 30-Day Lion Challenge

• 30-Day Tiger Challenge

• 30-Day Wolf Challenge

• 30-Day Bear Challenge

• 30-Day Webelos Challenge

• There is even an OPTIONAL 30-Day NOVA Challenge for Wolves, Bears and Webelos!

Please note that this is not required for Spring enrollments! If you don't have time to complete a rank, your child will still move on with his or her Den in the Fall to begin working on the next, grade-specific rank.

How much is all this going to cost me?

Scouting is still one of the most affordable, year-round programs for your kids. Yearly fees for Pack 51 were $300 for the 2021-2022 season. However, up to half of that can be eliminated through Fall popcorn fundraising. There are also multi-scout discounts available.

NO ONE will ever be turned away due to financial hardship. We believe every child has the right to experience Cub Scouts. If there is a financial concern, please reach out to the Committee Chair or Cubmaster for more information. Both Pack 51 and our local Simon Kenton Councils have several options to help, up to and including all fee and uniform costs.

Here is a breakdown for the typical new family fees:

• $72 - Scouts BSA National Fees

  • Follows the calendar year and is prorated based on when in the year you join Scouting ($-7/mo)

  • Covers insurance and access to program guides

  • 0% of this fee goes to Pack 51

• $60 - Simon Kenton Council Fees

  • Follows the calendar year and is prorated based on when you join Scouting ($-6/mo)

  • Covers Council support staff and services

  • 0% of this fee goes to Pack 51

• $150 - Pack 51 Dues

  • Follows the school year and will be prorated for Spring enrollments

  • Can be completely waived for Fall enrollments through Fall fund-raising (Yay popcorn!)

  • Covers program materials, Pinewood Derby kits, and Pack expenses

  • Pack 51 is staffed 100% by volunteers - none of this money goes to salary/stipend

• $25 - One-time online National New Scout registration fee

Are the uniforms expensive? Do we have to get the whole uniform?

Pack 51 requires a formal Dress ("Class A") uniform and informal Activity ("Class B") T-shirt. However, for Spring registration, it is not necessary to purchase the Class A uniform.

The Class A uniform requirements are the dress blue or tan shirt, required patches, belt (or Webelos/AoL shoulder rank colors) and neckerchief. Depending on pre-sewn patches, this should be around $60. The official hat and pants are not required by Pack 51.

The Class B uniform consists of a Pack 51 T-shirt to wear for informal scouting events. Cost is currently $10.

Though there is no need to acquire the uniform now, for your reference, Class A uniforms can be purchased online (Scoutshop.org) or through The Simon Kenton Scout Shop, located at 807 Kinnear Road, Columbus Ohio. Phone: 614-481-4270

**Veteran Tip: Buy ROOMY!! This will (hopefully) get several years out of the uniforms**

How can I become an adult volunteer in Cub Scouting?

So glad you asked! We can ALWAYS use more adult volunteers and leaders!! Check out the Volunteer Opportunities page for open adult leadership positions. If you prefer to help in a less-official capacity, no problem! Please reach out to any current adult leader or email us at scouts.pack51@gmail.com.

Do I need to stay with my child at Pack meetings and functions?

Yes. Lions (K) and Tigers (1st) require an adult partner to attend with the Cub at ALL meetings and functions. All other ranks require the adult partner to just be on-site.

What about spring break and other holidays? Do you still have Cub Scout meetings?

Here is our Rule of Thumb: If the school is closed for the day due to holiday or weather, we don’t meet. If school closes early for weather, we don’t meet. There are one or two other days — that we have learned from experience — it doesn’t pay to hold a meeting, such as the day before Thanksgiving (everyone’s out of town). Please consult our calendar for specific questions. Any changes to the calendar will be emailed in the weekly reminders.

When does my Scout get to go camping?

There are FOUR ways for your Scout to participate in overnight camping, though they vary slightly by age:

1. Pack 51 camps as a full pack two weekends per school year, once in mid-October and again in mid-April. Never camped before? No problem! We will help you every step of the way!

2. Throughout the summer, we may hold a third Pack 51 camp, based on family interest and leadership availability.

3. Webelos (4th grade) and AoL (5th grade) scouts have the opportunity (and are strongly encouraged) to attend overnight camps with local Scouts BSA Troops. More details on these opportunities will be provided by Den Leaders as they are available. And rest assured, strict adherence to Youth Protection will ALWAYS be top priority.

4. SUMMER CAMP!! Each year we strive to sponsor and promote a Scouts BSA sanctioned summer resident (sleepover) camp. Simon Kenton Council also typically offers summer Day Camps for the younger Cubs.

What about this lawsuit I keep hearing about? Do I need to be concerned?

You may have heard about on-going litigation against Scouts BSA stemming from past child abuse allegations. Cub Scout Pack 51 is not privy to internal BSA communications, nor qualified to speak on the subject. However, here are a few things that might help ease any concerns your family has:

1. We stand behind ANY and ALL members of the Class that have come forward to report past abuse. Child abuse in any form is abhorrent. We support the survivors and commend their bravery for stepping forward.

2. Cub Scout Pack 3051 was NOT named as a unit with an offending adult. Our adult leaders must complete mandatory Youth Protection training, as well as submit to Ohio BCI and/or FBI background checks. We also firmly hold to the practice of two-deep adult leadership whenever a Cub is under the supervision of Pack adult leaders.

3. We are parents, too! You have our unwavering commitment that we will do everything within our power to protect and defend the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of EVERY child.

Still have some questions? No problem!

Send us an email: scouts.pack51@gmail.com