Pack & Den Meetings/Activities

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Cub Scouts in Pack 136 who follow the traditional path may join in the fall of kindergarten as “Lions”; advance in rank through first, second, third, and fourth grades; and then transition to Boy Scout Troops in the spring of fifth grade.  You may choose to join Cub Scouts at any time during elementary school, and need not wait until the beginning of an academic year, and may join in any grade.  Our pack invites all students to the New Scout“Round Up” within the first month of school, and they will register and sign up for individual “Dens.”  The “Dens” include five to ten scouts with the same rank and include at least two “Den Leaders” (usually, two parents who are willing to take this role for the next four years).

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Most Cub Scouts spend at least one day a week on Scout activities.  A representative Cub Scout schedule for a month might include the monthly Pack Meeting, one weekend morning at a service activity, one or two Den Meetings, and a Den Outing to a nature center one weekend afternoon.

 

Den Meetings are run by Den Leaders and take place one to four times a month.  Den Meetings at the Lion and Tiger level require at least one parent to accompany each scout.  Parents of scouts above Tiger rank do not need to stay for Den meetings unless the Den Leaders have requested help or have specific needs.  At least two Den Leaders (or one Leader and a parent who agrees to substitute for the other Leader) must be present at all Den Meetings.  Den Outings typically help the scouts to meet a requirement with an activity ranging from a tour of a historic home to a group hike at a park.

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Pack Meetings take place monthly, usually at Lipscomb Elementary.  These meetings are planned by the Pack Committee and run by the Cubmaster and Asst. Cubmaster.  The Pack Meeting is NOT a drop-off event; an adult must accompany each Scout who attends the Pack Meeting.  The entire family is encouraged to participate during the Pack Meeting, so your presence is important.  Pack Meetings include fun activities and recognize scouts for their achievements.  Pack Activities take place throughout the year and may range from service projects to pack-wide camping trips.

 

The Annual Pack Calendar is available via Scoutbook. Once you join our Pack website, you will also get email reminders of upcoming Pack activities and events.  Please contact the Outings Chair with questions about Pack activities and events.

 

Den Calendars will be distributed to parents via ScoutBook by Den Leaders.  Den meeting times and locations are subject to change to coordinate with the scouts’ other activities and are scheduled to meet the needs of the Dens.  Contact your Den Leader with questions about Den meetings and activities.

 

Special Events
Our pack holds several special events during the year that are traditional to most Cub Scout Packs, including the following:

• Raingutter Regatta: The Scouts get to be creative and prepare a basic boat to sail down a piece of rain gutter, which uses a sail and their breath for propulsion. The design is up to each scout, and the Scout Store even sells wooden Regatta kits. This is meant to be a fun game for the boys, while also letting them experiment a bit with engineering concepts including flotation, balance and air propulsion.

• Blue & Gold Celebration: This is the annual birthday party for Cub Scouting, usually in February.  It is a more formal pack meeting where we review the year, present awards, and enjoy a potluck dinner.

• Pinewood Derby: In the late fall, each Scout receives a Pinewood Derby Kit; from this starting point, they design and customize a small wooden car. At the “Derby,” typically held on either a Friday evening or Saturday afternoon, Cub Scouts race the cars that they have created.  Scouts may choose to compete for both “Speed” and “Design” awards.  The winners may advance to District competitions.

• Day Camp: All Districts in our Council have a Cub Scout Day Camp each summer where scouts can practice their Archery and BB Gun shooting skills and complete other rank adventures and electives. Our Day Camp generally takes place during a week in early June at a Williamson County location and is staffed primarily by volunteers and a few paid staff members.  Campers may be dropped off at 8:30 AM and picked up at 3 PM.  Each family is expected to pay the fee (usually ranging from $75 to $100) and send at least one volunteer, either to prepare for, serve during, or help after the camp.  Look for more information about Summer Day Camp by the time of the Blue & Gold Celebration; coordinate with your Den Leaders!

• Family Camp: The Middle Tennessee Council offers multiple sessions of resident camps at Boxwell Reservation each summer.  These sessions generally cost around $150 for a Scout and adult to attend and take place over a long weekend, offering opportunities to complete requirements.  Dens are encouraged to register for the same session and attend resident camp together.  Coordinate with your Den Leaders!